METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING MULTILAYER POLYMER ACTUATORS
First Claim
1. A method for manufacturing a multilayer polymeric actuator, comprising:
- arranging a winding core rotating around a central axis thereof,winding a dielectric film of polymeric material around the winding core,during winding, applying a conductive material on a dielectric film exposed face, wherein said applying occurs intermittently according to a set sequence, and according to a first and a second geometrical application pattern mutually alternated at each winding turn, so as to form a roll comprising at least one circumferentially localized zone formed by dielectric film layers radially alternated to conductive material layers,radially cutting the roll at the ends of said circumferentially localized zone, so as to be able to take out a corresponding stack formed by the dielectric film layers alternated to the conductive material layers, andconnecting in an electrically conductive manner the conductive material layers having the first geometrical application pattern one to the other and, separately from these, the conductive material layers having the second geometrical application pattern one to the other.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for manufacturing a multilayer polymeric actuator comprises the following steps: arranging a rotating winding core (C); winding a dielectric film (10) of polymeric material around the winding core; during winding, applying a conductive material on the dielectric film exposed face (10c), in which the application occurs intermittently according to a pre-established sequence, and according to a first and a second geometrical application patterns (11, 12) mutually alternated at each winding turn, so as to form a roll comprising at least one circumferentially localized zone (15) formed by dielectric film layers radially alternated to conductive material layers; radially cutting the roll at the ends of the circumferentially localized zone, so as to be able to take out a corresponding stack (15′); and connecting the conductive material layers having the first geometrical application pattern one to the other and the conductive material layers having the second geometrical application pattern one to the other.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method for manufacturing a multilayer polymeric actuator, comprising:
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arranging a winding core rotating around a central axis thereof, winding a dielectric film of polymeric material around the winding core, during winding, applying a conductive material on a dielectric film exposed face, wherein said applying occurs intermittently according to a set sequence, and according to a first and a second geometrical application pattern mutually alternated at each winding turn, so as to form a roll comprising at least one circumferentially localized zone formed by dielectric film layers radially alternated to conductive material layers, radially cutting the roll at the ends of said circumferentially localized zone, so as to be able to take out a corresponding stack formed by the dielectric film layers alternated to the conductive material layers, and connecting in an electrically conductive manner the conductive material layers having the first geometrical application pattern one to the other and, separately from these, the conductive material layers having the second geometrical application pattern one to the other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Apparatus for manufacturing a multilayer polymeric actuator, comprising:
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a winding core, capable of rotating around a central axis thereof, which is arranged to wind a dielectric film of polymeric material; a motorized unit to actuate under rotation said winding core, said motorized unit being further provided with angular measuring means to keep track of a winding core angular position; a spraying unit for application of a conductive material on a dielectric film exposed face during winding of the latter on the winding core; a masking unit, interposed between the spraying unit and the winding core, said masking unit comprising first and a second masks which are interchangeable in an automated manner; and a control unit, programmable to coordinate the winding core motorized unit, the spraying unit, and the masking unit so that said application occurs intermittently according to a pre-established sequence, and through said first and second masks mutually alternated at each winding turn of the dielectric film.
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Specification