ROLLED ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS
First Claim
1. A method for fabricating an electroactive polymer device, the method comprising:
- disposing at least two electrodes on an electroactive polymer;
rolling the electroactive polymer about at least one of a support member, a mechanical linkage, an end cap, a base or combinations thereof to produce an electroactive polymer roll; and
securing the electroactive polymer roll to maintain its rolled configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention describes rolled electroactive polymer devices. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. A rolled electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and includes a rolled electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. Prestrain is typically applied to the polymer. In one embodiment, a rolled electroactive polymer device employs a mechanism, such as a spring, that provides a force to prestrain the polymer. Since prestrain improves mechanical/electrical energy conversion for many electroactive polymers, the mechanism thus improves performance of the rolled electroactive polymer device.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for fabricating an electroactive polymer device, the method comprising:
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disposing at least two electrodes on an electroactive polymer;
rolling the electroactive polymer about at least one of a support member, a mechanical linkage, an end cap, a base or combinations thereof to produce an electroactive polymer roll; and
securing the electroactive polymer roll to maintain its rolled configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification