Volume-conversion techniques for active-materials-based morphing structures
First Claim
1. A volume-conversion structure for causing a volume transfer, comprising:
- a first reservoir having a first volume for holding a fluid therein, and having a compressible surface area, including an actively deformable material structure disposed around the first reservoir, where the actively deformable material structure is responsive to a deformation activation element to change the actively deformable material structure'"'"'s shape to cause compression of the first reservoir; and
a second reservoir in fluid communication with the first reservoir, the second reservoir having a first-second reservoir configuration and a second-second reservoir configuration, whereby actuation of the deformation activation element causes compression of the actively deformable material structure, thereby compressing the first reservoir to have a smaller second volume and displace the fluid from the first reservoir to the second reservoir to change the second reservoir'"'"'s configuration from the first-second reservoir configuration to the second-second reservoir configuration.
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Abstract
Described is a volume-conversion structure for causing a volume transfer. The volume-conversion structure includes a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The first reservoir includes a first volume for holding a fluid therein. An actively deformable material structure (ADMS) is disposed around the first reservoir, with the ADMS being responsive to a deformation activation element to change the ADMS'"'"' shape to cause compression of the first reservoir. The second reservoir is in fluid communication with the first reservoir. The second reservoir has a first-second reservoir configuration and a second-second reservoir configuration. Actuation of the deformation activation element causes compression of the ADMS, thereby compressing the first reservoir to have a smaller second volume and displace the fluid from the first reservoir to the second reservoir to change the second reservoir'"'"'s configuration from the first-second reservoir configuration to the second-second reservoir configuration.
12 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A volume-conversion structure for causing a volume transfer, comprising:
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a first reservoir having a first volume for holding a fluid therein, and having a compressible surface area, including an actively deformable material structure disposed around the first reservoir, where the actively deformable material structure is responsive to a deformation activation element to change the actively deformable material structure'"'"'s shape to cause compression of the first reservoir; and a second reservoir in fluid communication with the first reservoir, the second reservoir having a first-second reservoir configuration and a second-second reservoir configuration, whereby actuation of the deformation activation element causes compression of the actively deformable material structure, thereby compressing the first reservoir to have a smaller second volume and displace the fluid from the first reservoir to the second reservoir to change the second reservoir'"'"'s configuration from the first-second reservoir configuration to the second-second reservoir configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for forming a volume-conversion structure, the method comprising acts of:
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forming a first reservoir having a first volume for holding a fluid therein, and having a compressible surface area, including an actively deformable material structure disposed around the first reservoir, where the actively deformable material structure is responsive to a deformation activation element to change the actively deformable material structure'"'"'s shape to cause compression of the first reservoir; and forming a second reservoir in fluid communication with the first reservoir, the second reservoir having a first-second reservoir configuration and a second-second reservoir configuration, whereby actuation of the deformation activation element causes compression of the actively deformable material structure, thereby compressing the first reservoir to have a smaller second volume and displace the fluid from the first reservoir to the second reservoir to change the second reservoir'"'"'s configuration from the first-second reservoir configuration to the second-second reservoir configuration. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for volume-conversion, the method comprising acts of:
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selecting a volume-conversion structure having both a first reservoir and a second reservoir, where the first reservoir includes a first volume for holding a fluid therein, and having a compressible surface area, including an actively deformable material structure disposed around the first reservoir, where the actively deformable material structure is responsive to a deformation activation element to change the actively deformable material structure'"'"'s shape to cause compression of the first reservoir; and
where the second reservoir is in fluid communication with the first reservoir, the second reservoir having a first-second reservoir configuration and a second-second reservoir configuration; andactuating the deformation activation element to cause compression of the actively deformable material structure, whereby actuation of the deformation activation element causes compression of the actively deformable material structure, thereby compressing the first reservoir to have a smaller second volume and displace the fluid from the first reservoir to the second reservoir to change the second reservoir'"'"'s configuration from the first-second reservoir configuration to the second-second reservoir configuration. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification