Electroactive polymer motors
First Claim
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1. A mechanical-electrical power conversion system comprising:
- a power shaft configured to rotate about an axis; and
at least one transducer mechanically coupled to the power shaft, the at least one transducer comprisinga first active area, which includes a first portion of at least one electroactive polymer and two first active area electrodes coupled to the first portion of the at least one electroactive polymer, anda second active area, which includes a second portion of the at least one electroactive polymer and two second active area electrodes coupled to the second portion of the at least one electroactive polymer.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to mechanical-electrical power conversion systems. The systems comprise one or more electroactive polymers that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting an electroactive polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be converted into rotation of a power shaft included in a motor. Repeated deflection of the polymer may then produce continuous rotation of the power shaft.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A mechanical-electrical power conversion system comprising:
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a power shaft configured to rotate about an axis; and at least one transducer mechanically coupled to the power shaft, the at least one transducer comprising a first active area, which includes a first portion of at least one electroactive polymer and two first active area electrodes coupled to the first portion of the at least one electroactive polymer, and a second active area, which includes a second portion of the at least one electroactive polymer and two second active area electrodes coupled to the second portion of the at least one electroactive polymer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A mechanical-electrical power conversion system comprising:
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a power shaft configured to rotate about an axis; and at least one transducer mechanically coupled to the power shaft, the at least one transducer comprising a first active area, which includes a first portion of at least one electroactive polymer and first active area electrodes coupled to the first portion of the at least one electroactive polymer, and a second active area, which includes a second portion of the at least one electroactive polymer and two second active area electrodes coupled to the second portion of the at least one electroactive polymer, wherein the system is arranged such that elastic potential energy stored in the second portion of the at least one electroactive polymer during actuation of the second active area at least partially contributes to deflection of the first portion of the at least one electroactive polymer when the first active area is actuated using the two first active area electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification