Surface wave actuators for tangential transport of humans

Bedridden patients and elastic bodies are transported by generating surface waves on an active bed. Surface waves are shown to be a viable transport mechanism for large-scale, elastic bodies given certain conditions and constraints on the design. Surface wave actuation allows a bedridden patient to move freely while lying comfortably upon the bed. Basic properties of surface waves are presented. Based on these properties a new concept, the extender, is added to the design to take advantage to the inherent rotational component of surface wave points. Kinematic analysis is performed to characterize the actuation concept. A proof-of-concept prototype is designed, built and tested. It is demonstrated that a human is moved along the bed surface while lying on the bed