Conducting polymer driven rotary motor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A rotary actuator for applying torque to a crank with respect to a member, the crank having an axis of rotation, the rotary actuator comprising:
- a. a substantially planar sheet of anisotropic conducting polymer having a center and a periphery, the center of the sheet coupled to the crank and the sheet coupled at the periphery of the sheet to the member; and
b. a controller for activating portions of the sheet in temporal phase such that a radius vector directed between the center of the sheet and the axis of the crank executes a rotation with respect to the axis.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A rotary actuator for applying torque to a crank with respect to a member. The rotary actuator has a substantially planar sheet of anisotropic conducting polymer, portions of which are activated in temporal sequence to produce rotation of the crank with respect to the axis of the crank. Actuation is achieved by contraction of successive portions of the sheet as electrical current causes differential strain in the sheet.
82 Citations
7 Claims
-
1. A rotary actuator for applying torque to a crank with respect to a member, the crank having an axis of rotation, the rotary actuator comprising:
-
a. a substantially planar sheet of anisotropic conducting polymer having a center and a periphery, the center of the sheet coupled to the crank and the sheet coupled at the periphery of the sheet to the member; and b. a controller for activating portions of the sheet in temporal phase such that a radius vector directed between the center of the sheet and the axis of the crank executes a rotation with respect to the axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A wheel having a rim for causing locomotion of a vehicle, comprising:
-
a. a sheet of anisotropic conducting polymer, the sheet having a center and a periphery, the sheet coupled substantially centrally to a crank and coupled at the periphery of the sheet to the rim; and b. a controller for activating portions of the sheet in temporal phase such that a radius vector directed between the center of the sheet and the center of the crank executes a rotation about the center of the sheet.
-
Specification