DIELECTRIC ELASTOMER SELF-SENSING USING PLANE APPROXIMATION
First Claim
1. A method for estimating feedback parameters for the state of a dielectric elastomer (DE), comprising the steps of:
- introducing a small-scale oscillation to a voltage difference between electrodes of the DE;
measuring, over a period of time, potential difference across the DE and series current through the DE;
andestimating one or more feedback parameters from coefficients of a plane of best fit through data derived from said measurements when defined as orthogonal axes.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method for obtaining feedback parameters related to the state of a dielectric elastomer (DE). The method comprises introducing a small-scale oscillation to the voltage difference between electrodes of the DE, monitoring or repeatedly measuring several measurable electrical characteristics of the DE, deriving other relevant data from the measurements, deriving an equation for a plane of best fit through the relevant data when defined as orthogonal axes, and deriving the feedback parameters from coefficients of the plane equation. The method thus provides important feedback regarding the capacitance, leakage current and/or electrode resistance of the DE. Also disclosed are a computer program and a system adapted to perform the method.
29 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for estimating feedback parameters for the state of a dielectric elastomer (DE), comprising the steps of:
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introducing a small-scale oscillation to a voltage difference between electrodes of the DE; measuring, over a period of time, potential difference across the DE and series current through the DE; and estimating one or more feedback parameters from coefficients of a plane of best fit through data derived from said measurements when defined as orthogonal axes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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3. (canceled)
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5-6. -6. (canceled)
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15. (canceled)
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20. A dielectric elastomer (DE) system comprising:
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a DE comprising a pair of electrodes separated by an elastomer membrane; a power supply adapted to provide a small-scale voltage oscillation to the DE; sensors for measuring the potential difference across the DE and series current through the DE; and a computing device communicatively coupled to the sensors, the computing device being adapted, over a predetermined period of time, to estimate one or more feedback parameters from coefficients of a plane of best fit through data derived from said measurements when defined as orthogonal axes. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification