Electroactive polymer device
First Claim
1. A polymer roll transducer comprising:
- an electroactive polymer roll having at least two layers of an electroactive polymer, wherein the electroactive polymer has an elastic modulus below 100 Mpa;
one or more electrodes disposed on the electroactive polymer roll; and
a securing means for securing the electroactive polymer roll to maintain a rolled configuration, wherein the securing means comprises an end cap.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention describes rolled electroactive polymer devices. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. A rolled electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and includes a rolled electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. Prestrain is typically applied to the polymer. In one embodiment, a rolled electroactive polymer device employs a mechanism, such as a spring, that provides a force to prestrain the polymer. Since prestrain improves mechanical/electrical energy conversion for many electroactive polymers, the mechanism thus improves performance of the rolled electroactive polymer device.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A polymer roll transducer comprising:
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an electroactive polymer roll having at least two layers of an electroactive polymer, wherein the electroactive polymer has an elastic modulus below 100 Mpa; one or more electrodes disposed on the electroactive polymer roll; and a securing means for securing the electroactive polymer roll to maintain a rolled configuration, wherein the securing means comprises an end cap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A device for converting between electrical and mechanical energy, the device comprising:
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a polymer roll transducer comprising a) an electroactive polymer including at least one active area and b) at least two electrodes in electrical communication with the active area wherein at least a portion of the electroactive polymer is wrapped upon itself to form a roll; and at least one mechanical linkage coupled to the polymer roll transducer for securing the electroactive polymer roll to maintain a rolled configuration. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A device for converting between electrical and mechanical energy, the device comprising:
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an electroactive polymer configured in a tube shape to form an electroactive polymer roll transducer, the electroactive polymer including at least one active area and at least two electrodes in electrical communication with the active area; and at least one mechanical linkage coupled to the polymer roll transducer for securing the electroactive polymer roll.
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Specification