3-D Woven Active Fiber Composite
First Claim
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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 and having a generally circular cross-sectional shape associated with a first diameter;
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, the conductive wire electrode having a generally circular cross-sectional shape associated with a second diameter; 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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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.
7 Citations
20 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 and having a generally circular cross-sectional shape associated with a first diameter; 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, the conductive wire electrode having a generally circular cross-sectional shape associated with a second diameter; 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, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. 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, at least one actuating fiber of the plurality of actuating fibers having a generally circular cross-sectional shape associated with a first diameter; 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, each conductive wire electrode of the plurality of conductive wire electrodes having a generally circular cross-sectional shape associated with a second diameter; 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 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification