A joint assembly 100 configured to define a tubular body 101 having a first end 103, a second end 105and a passage 131 therebetween. The tubular body is configured for articulation between a first state in which the first end and second end are in a first orientation with respect to one another, and a second state in which the first end and second end are in a second orientation with respect to one another. The body comprises a flexible bladder 120 arranged between opposing supports 110, each of the bladder and the supports being ring-shaped so as to define an aperture, the respective apertures forming part of the passage. The bladder defines a chamber, and the chamber is devoid of gas and partially filled with a non-gaseous fluid which moves within the chamber during articulation of the tubular body from said first state to said second state in order to maintain a constant internal volume of the joint assembly. The joint may be for us in pressurised and/or vacuum environments. The joint may for part of a extravehicular suit, or space suit. The fluid may be a liquid, gel, paste, or cream.
Joint assembly
2023-11-22
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch