Electroactive polymer devices for moving fluid
First Claim
1. A device for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, the device comprising:
- one or more transducers, each transducer comprising at least two electrodes and an electrostatic polymer in electrical communication with the at least two electrodes wherein a portion of the electrostatic polymer is arranged to deflect from a first position to a second position in response to a change in electric field, and wherein the electrostatic polymer has a maximum actuation pressure between about 0.05 MPa and about 10 MPa;
at least one surface in contact with a fluid and operatively coupled to the one or more transducers wherein the deflection of the portion of the electrostatic polymer causes the thermodynamic work to be imparted to the fluid and wherein the thermodynamic work is transmitted to the fluid via the one surface.
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Abstract
The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A device for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, the device comprising:
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one or more transducers, each transducer comprising at least two electrodes and an electrostatic polymer in electrical communication with the at least two electrodes wherein a portion of the electrostatic polymer is arranged to deflect from a first position to a second position in response to a change in electric field, and wherein the electrostatic polymer has a maximum actuation pressure between about 0.05 MPa and about 10 MPa; at least one surface in contact with a fluid and operatively coupled to the one or more transducers wherein the deflection of the portion of the electrostatic polymer causes the thermodynamic work to be imparted to the fluid and wherein the thermodynamic work is transmitted to the fluid via the one surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification