US Patent 11036295 Electrostatic slide clutch

Described herein is an electrostatic slide clutch comprising a first electrode, a second electrode oriented parallel to first electrode, an electrically insulating structure disposed on the first electrode on a face of the first electrode opposing the second electrode, and a controller electrically coupled to the first electrode and to the second electrode and configured to apply a variable voltage between the first and second electrodes, to influence a normal force between the first and second electrodes.