Electroactive polymer devices
DCFirst Claim
1. A device for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy, the device comprising:
- at least one transducer, each transducer comprising;
at least two electrodes, and a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a portion of the polymer to deflect in response to a change in electric field and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the polymer, wherein the polymer has an elastic modulus at most about 100 MPa without electrical energy applied thereto; and
at least one flexure coupled to a second portion of the polymer, the flexure improving conversion between electrical energy and mechanical energy.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to transducers, their use and fabrication. The transducers convert between mechanical and electrical energy. Some transducers of the present invention include a pre-strained polymer. The pre-strain improves the conversion between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention also relates to devices including an electroactive polymer to convert between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention further relates to compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer included in a transducer. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A device for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy, the device comprising:
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at least one transducer, each transducer comprising;
at least two electrodes, and a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a portion of the polymer to deflect in response to a change in electric field and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the polymer, wherein the polymer has an elastic modulus at most about 100 MPa without electrical energy applied thereto; and
at least one flexure coupled to a second portion of the polymer, the flexure improving conversion between electrical energy and mechanical energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A device for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy in a first direction, the device comprising:
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at least one transducer, each transducer comprising;
at least two electrodes, and a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a first portion of the polymer to deflect in the first direction in response to a change in electric field and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the polymer in the first direction; and
a pair of flexures coupled to opposing sides of the polymer, the pair of flexures improving conversion between electrical energy and mechanical energy in the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A device for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy, the device comprising:
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at least one transducer, each transducer comprising;
at least two electrodes, and a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a portion of the polymer to deflect in response to a change in electric field and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the polymer, wherein the polymer has an elastic modulus at most about 100 MPa without electrical energy applied thereto; and
a frame attached to a second portion of the polymer, the frame comprising at least one non-circular aperture. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A device for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy, the device comprising:
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at least one transducer, each transducer comprising;
at least two electrodes, and a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a portion of the polymer to deflect in response to a change in electric field and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the polymer, wherein the polymer has an elastic modulus at most about 100 MPa without electrical energy applied thereto; and
at least one flexure coupled to a second portion of the polymer, wherein deflection of the at least one flexure during deflection of the polymer improves conversion between electrical energy and mechanical energy. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A device for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy, the device comprising:
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at least one transducer, each transducer comprising;
at least two electrodes, and a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a portion of the polymer to deflect in response to a change in electric field and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the polymer; and
a frame perimetrically disposed about a planar surface of the polymer and including a set of joints and a set of members, each of the members attached to a different perimetric portion of the polymer, and each joint allowing motion between two members coupled to the joint. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification