Increased Force Generation in Electroactive Polymers
First Claim
1. A method for actuating an electroactive polymer device, comprising:
- providing the electroactive polymer device, the electroactive polymer device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to an electroactive polymer;
applying a direct current across the electroactive polymer via the first and second electrodes; and
applying an alternating current across the electroactive polymer,the direct current and the alternating current being effective to cause actuation of the electroactive polymer device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for combined direct current and alternating current activation of electroactive polymer devices. The combined direct current and alternating current activation may increase force generation compared to activation using direct current alone. For example, a method for actuating an electroactive polymer device may include providing the electroactive polymer device. The electroactive polymer device may include a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to an electroactive polymer. The method may include applying a direct current across the electroactive polymer via the first and second electrodes. The method may include applying an alternating current across the electroactive polymer. The direct current and the alternating current may be effective to cause actuation of the electroactive polymer device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for actuating an electroactive polymer device, comprising:
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providing the electroactive polymer device, the electroactive polymer device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to an electroactive polymer; applying a direct current across the electroactive polymer via the first and second electrodes; and applying an alternating current across the electroactive polymer, the direct current and the alternating current being effective to cause actuation of the electroactive polymer device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An electroactive polymer actuator system, comprising:
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an electroactive polymer device, the electroactive polymer device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to an electroactive polymer layer; a power supply operatively coupled to the first and second electrodes; a controller, the controller being programed with instructions for controlling the power supply to; apply a direct current across the electroactive polymer layer via the first and second electrodes; and apply an alternating current across the electroactive polymer layer, the direct current and the alternating current being applied effective to cause actuation of the electroactive polymer device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification