Monolithic electroactive polymers
First Claim
1. A transducer for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy, the transducer comprising an electroactive polymer having a plurality of active areas, the plurality of active areas comprising:
- a first active area having at least two first active area electrodes and a first portion of the electroactive polymer arranged in a manner which causes the first portion to deflect in response to a change in electric field provided by the at least two first active area electrodes and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the first portion; and
a second active area having at least two second active area electrodes and a second portion of the electroactive polymer arranged in a manner which causes the second portion to deflect in response to a change in electric field provided by the at least two second active area electrodes and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the second portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to polymers, transducers and devices that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting an electroactive polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be used to do mechanical work. Similarly, when the electroactive polymer deflects, an electric field is produced in the polymer. This electric field may be used to produce electrical energy. An active area is a portion of a polymer having sufficient electrostatic force to enable deflection of the portion and/or sufficient deflection to enable a change in electrostatic force. The present invention relates to transducers and devices including multiple active areas. The invention also relates to methods for actuating one or more active areas.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A transducer for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy, the transducer comprising an electroactive polymer having a plurality of active areas, the plurality of active areas comprising:
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a first active area having at least two first active area electrodes and a first portion of the electroactive polymer arranged in a manner which causes the first portion to deflect in response to a change in electric field provided by the at least two first active area electrodes and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the first portion; and
a second active area having at least two second active area electrodes and a second portion of the electroactive polymer arranged in a manner which causes the second portion to deflect in response to a change in electric field provided by the at least two second active area electrodes and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy, the device comprising:
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an electroactive polymer having a plurality of active areas, the plurality of active areas comprising;
a first active area having at least two first active area electrodes and a first portion of the electroactive polymer arranged in a manner which causes the first portion to deflect in response to a change in electric field provided by the at least two first active area electrodes and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the first portion, a second active area having at least two second active area electrodes and a second portion of the electroactive polymer arranged in a manner which causes the second portion to deflect in response to a change in electric field provided by the at least two second active area electrodes and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the second portion; and
a substantially rigid member coupled to a third portion of the electroactive polymer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for using an electroactive polymer comprising a first active area and a second active area, the first active area having at least two first active area electrodes and a first portion of the electroactive polymer, the second active area having at least two second active area electrodes and a second portion of the electroactive polymer, the method comprising:
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providing a change in electric field to the at least two first active area electrodes; and
providing a change in electric field to the at least two second active area electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A transducer for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy, the transducer comprising an electroactive polymer having a plurality of active areas, the plurality of active areas comprising:
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a first active area having a first electrode and a common electrode, and a first portion of the electroactive polymer arranged in a manner which causes the first portion to deflect in response to a change in electric field provided by the first electrode and the common electrode and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the first portion; and
a second active area having a second electrode and the common electrode, and a second portion of the electroactive polymer arranged in a manner which causes the second portion to deflect in response to a change in electric field provided by the second electrode and the common electrode and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A transducer for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy, the transducer comprising an electroactive polymer having a plurality of active areas, the plurality of active areas comprising:
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a first active area having at least two first active area electrodes and a first portion of the electroactive polymer arranged in a manner which causes the first portion to deflect in response to a change in electric field provided by the at least two first active area electrodes and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the first portion; and
a second active area having at least two second active area electrodes and a second portion of the electroactive polymer arranged in a manner which causes the second portion to deflect in response to a change in electric field provided by the at least two second active area electrodes and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the second portion, wherein the electroactive polymer is elastically pre-strained.
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33. A device for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy, the device comprising:
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an electroactive polymer having a plurality of active areas, the plurality of active areas comprising;
a first active area having at least two first active area electrodes and a first portion of the electroactive polymer arranged in a manner which causes the first portion to deflect in response to a change in electric field provided by the at least two first active area electrodes and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the first portion, a second active area having at least two second active area electrodes and a second portion of the electroactive polymer arranged in a manner which causes the second portion to deflect in response to a change in electric field provided by the at least two second active area electrodes and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the second portion;
a substantially rigid member having a first segment and a second segment, the first segment coupled to a third portion of the electroactive polymer, the second segment capable of motion assisted by deflection of the first portion of the polymer and/or capable of motion that causes a change in electric field in the first portion of the polymer; and
a frame coupled to a fourth portion of the polymer. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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Specification