3-D Woven Active Fiber Composite
First Claim
1. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
- a longitudinal direction extending along a length of the woven active fiber composite;
a lateral direction extending along a width of the woven active fiber composite;
a vertical direction extending along a height of the woven active fiber composite;
a plurality of actuating fibers, each actuating fiber extending in the longitudinal direction;
a first group of actuating fibers from the plurality of actuating fibers that are spaced apart from one another in the lateral direction;
a second group of actuating fibers from the plurality of actuating fibers that are spaced apart from one another in the lateral direction;
the second group of actuating fibers being spaced apart from the first group of actuating fibers in the vertical direction;
a conductive wire electrode configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the first group of actuating fibers and the second group of actuating fibers; and
wherein the conductive wire electrode is in contact with at least one actuating fiber from the first group of actuating fibers and wherein the conductive wire electrode is in contact with at least one actuating fiber from the second group of actuating fibers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A three-dimensional woven active fiber composite is disclosed. The composite includes a plurality of actuating fibers configured in a three-dimensional arrangement. The composite further includes a plurality of conductive wire electrodes that are woven through the plurality of actuating fibers. The electrodes may be configured into two dimensional electrode mats that are spaced apart along the length of the composite. Filler fibers may be used between adjacent electrode mats to help reinforce the composite. A sleeve member can also be used to help provide compressive containment for the actuating fibers and conductive wire electrodes.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
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a longitudinal direction extending along a length of the woven active fiber composite; a lateral direction extending along a width of the woven active fiber composite; a vertical direction extending along a height of the woven active fiber composite; a plurality of actuating fibers, each actuating fiber extending in the longitudinal direction; a first group of actuating fibers from the plurality of actuating fibers that are spaced apart from one another in the lateral direction; a second group of actuating fibers from the plurality of actuating fibers that are spaced apart from one another in the lateral direction; the second group of actuating fibers being spaced apart from the first group of actuating fibers in the vertical direction; a conductive wire electrode configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the first group of actuating fibers and the second group of actuating fibers; and wherein the conductive wire electrode is in contact with at least one actuating fiber from the first group of actuating fibers and wherein the conductive wire electrode is in contact with at least one actuating fiber from the second group of actuating fibers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
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a longitudinal direction extending along a length of the woven active fiber composite; a lateral direction extending along a width of the woven active fiber composite; a vertical direction extending along a height of the woven active fiber composite; a plurality of actuating fibers extending in the longitudinal direction; the plurality of actuating fibers being spaced apart in the lateral direction and the vertical direction; a plurality of conductive wire electrodes configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the plurality of actuating fibers; and wherein a first set of conductive wire electrodes are woven in a planar configuration between the plurality of actuating fibers, the planar configuration of conductive wire electrodes extending in the lateral direction and the vertical direction. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
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a longitudinal direction extending along a length of the woven active fiber composite; a radial direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the radial direction extending from an axial center line of the woven active fiber composite; a plurality of actuating fibers, each actuating fiber extending in the longitudinal direction; the plurality of actuating fibers being spaced apart in a lateral direction and a vertical direction; a plurality of conductive wire electrodes configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the plurality of actuating fibers, the plurality of conductive wire electrodes being interwoven with the plurality of actuating fibers; a sleeve member extending in the longitudinal direction; and wherein the sleeve member is configured to wrap around an outer periphery of the woven active fiber composite and thereby provide containment of the woven active fiber composite in the radial direction. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
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a longitudinal direction extending along a length of the woven active fiber composite; a lateral direction extending along a width of the woven active fiber composite; a vertical direction extending along a height of the woven active fiber composite; a plurality of actuating fibers, each actuating fiber extending in the longitudinal direction; the plurality of actuating fibers being spaced apart from one another in the lateral direction and the vertical direction; a first set of conductive wire electrodes woven between the plurality of actuating fibers and a second set of conductive wire electrodes woven between the plurality of actuating fibers, wherein the first set of conductive wire electrodes is spaced apart from the second set of conductive wire electrodes in the longitudinal direction; a plurality of filler fibers woven between the actuating fibers; and wherein the plurality of filler fibers are disposed between the first set of conductive wire electrodes and the second set of conductive wire electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification