SELF-SENSING DIELECTRIC ELASTOMER DEVICE
First Claim
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1. A self-sensing dielectric elastomer device (DED) circuit comprising:
- a first DED coupled or adapted for coupling to a first voltage source;
a current sensor provided in series with the first DED; and
an oscillating signal source coupled to the first DED and adapted to cause an oscillation in a voltage across the DED, wherein the oscillating signal source is decoupled from the first voltage source.
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Abstract
The invention provides circuits, systems and methods for dielectric elastomer device (DED) self-sensing. The circuit comprises a first DED coupled or adapted for coupling to a first voltage source (for providing an actuating or priming signal, for example); a current sensor provided in series with the first DED; and an oscillating signal source coupled to the first DED and adapted to cause an oscillation in a voltage across the DED, wherein the oscillating signal source is decoupled from the first voltage source.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A self-sensing dielectric elastomer device (DED) circuit comprising:
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a first DED coupled or adapted for coupling to a first voltage source; a current sensor provided in series with the first DED; and an oscillating signal source coupled to the first DED and adapted to cause an oscillation in a voltage across the DED, wherein the oscillating signal source is decoupled from the first voltage source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A dielectric elastomer device (DED) self-sensing method comprising the steps of:
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providing an oscillating voltage to a first DED, the oscillating voltage being decoupled from a first voltage source coupled or coupleable to the DED; receiving measurements of current in series with the first DED; and calculating at least one feedback parameter regarding the state of the first DED, based at least in part on the current measurements. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of sensing a state of a dielectric elastomer device, the method characterised by the steps of:
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providing a ground-referenced oscillating signal to the dielectric elastomer device; sensing a current in series with the dielectric elastomer device; and generating a state-sensing signal dependent on the sensed current. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. A method for sensing mechanical strain and/or movement using a dielectric elastomer device having a high voltage electrode and a low voltage electrode, the method characterised by the steps of:
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oscillating voltage at the low-voltage electrode of the device; sensing a series current through the dielectric device; and generating a state-sensing signal dependent on the sensed current to sense the state of the strain and/or movement.
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Specification