Electrochemical actuator
First Claim
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1. An actuator system, comprising:
- an electrochemical cell including a negative electrode and a positive electrode, wherein at least one of the negative electrode and the positive electrode is an actuator, the negative electrode and the positive electrode each being formed with a metallic material,the actuator configured to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation, the actuator including a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion and the second portion each arranged such that the actuator has at least a two-fold symmetry when the actuator is in its second orientation when viewed normal to a surface of the actuator.
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Abstract
The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.
150 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An actuator system, comprising:
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an electrochemical cell including a negative electrode and a positive electrode, wherein at least one of the negative electrode and the positive electrode is an actuator, the negative electrode and the positive electrode each being formed with a metallic material, the actuator configured to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation, the actuator including a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion and the second portion each arranged such that the actuator has at least a two-fold symmetry when the actuator is in its second orientation when viewed normal to a surface of the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15)
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8. An actuator system, comprising:
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an electrochemical cell including a negative electrode and a positive electrode, at least one of the negative electrode and the positive electrode is an actuator, the actuator configured to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation, the actuator including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being arranged such that the actuator has at least a two-fold symmetry when the actuator is in its second orientation when viewed normal to a surface of the actuator, at least a portion of the negative electrode is formed with a material formulated to at least one of intercalate, de-intercalate, alloy with, oxidize, reduce, or plate with the positive electrode such that a differential strain is imparted to the positive electrode. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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16. An actuator system, comprising:
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an electrochemical cell including a negative electrode and a positive electrode, at least a portion of the negative electrode is formed with a material formulated to at least one of intercalate, de-intercalate, alloy with, oxidize, reduce, or plate with the positive electrode such that a differential strain is imparted to the positive electrode, the electrodes being mechanically coupled such that differential strain produces a displacement of at least a portion of the electrochemical cell upon charging or discharging of the electrochemical cell, the displacement of the electrochemical cell from a first orientation to a second orientation having at least a two-fold symmetry when the electrochemical cell is in its second orientation when viewed normal to a surface of the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. An actuator system constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation, comprising:
an electrochemical cell including a negative electrode and a positive electrode, wherein at least one of the negative electrode and the positive electrode is an actuator, the actuator including a first portion and a second portion, and the first and second portions arranged such that the electrode has three-fold symmetry when viewed normal to a surface of the actuator.
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20. An actuator system constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation, comprising:
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an electrochemical cell including a negative electrode and a positive electrode, wherein at least one of the negative electrode and the positive electrode is an actuator, the actuator including a first portion and a second portion, and the first and second portions arranged such that the electrode has at least a two-fold symmetry when viewed normal to a surface of the actuator; and a species formulated to intercalate, de-intercalate, alloy with, oxidize, reduce, or plate with the first portion of the actuator to an extent different than the second portion of the actuator, thereby imparting a differential strain between the first and second portions and causing a displacement of at least a portion of the actuator, wherein the actuator is substantially circular and the displacement occurs along axes having three-fold symmetry when viewed normal to the surface of the actuator.
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Specification