Woven active fiber composite
First Claim
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1. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
- a plurality of piezoelectric fibers that have been poled by applying an electromagnetic field; and
a plurality of conductive wire electrodes configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the actuating fibers;
wherein the plurality of conductive wire electrodes comprise a first electrode set and a second electrode set and are interwoven with the plurality of piezoelectric fibers, andwherein the conductive wire electrodes have an electric conductivity that is greater than the electric conductivity of the piezoelectric fibers, andwherein the interwoven conductive wire electrodes and piezoelectric fibers are configured to maintain a piezoelectric potential axially along the piezoelectric fibers between the first electrode set and the second electrode set, andwherein at least one positive conductive strip is attached to ends of the first electrode set and at least one negative conductive strip is attached to ends of the second electrode set.
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Abstract
A woven active fiber composite is disclosed. The woven active fiber composite includes actuating fibers interwoven with conductive wire electrodes. A method of making the woven active fiber composite is also disclosed.
58 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
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a plurality of piezoelectric fibers that have been poled by applying an electromagnetic field; and a plurality of conductive wire electrodes configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the actuating fibers; wherein the plurality of conductive wire electrodes comprise a first electrode set and a second electrode set and are interwoven with the plurality of piezoelectric fibers, and wherein the conductive wire electrodes have an electric conductivity that is greater than the electric conductivity of the piezoelectric fibers, and wherein the interwoven conductive wire electrodes and piezoelectric fibers are configured to maintain a piezoelectric potential axially along the piezoelectric fibers between the first electrode set and the second electrode set, and wherein at least one positive conductive strip is attached to ends of the first electrode set and at least one negative conductive strip is attached to ends of the second electrode set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
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a plurality of piezoelectric fibers that have been poled by applying an electromagnetic field and are arranged in a generally parallel direction; a plurality of conductive wire electrodes comprising a first electrode set and a second electrode set configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the plurality of piezoelectric fibers; and wherein a portion of the plurality of conductive wire electrodes is disposed between any two adjacent piezoelectric fibers, and wherein the conductive wire electrodes have an electric conductivity that is greater than the electric conductivity of the piezoelectric fibers, and wherein the interwoven conductive wire electrodes and piezoelectric fibers are configured to maintain a piezoelectric potential axially along the piezoelectric fibers between the first electrode set and the second electrode set, and wherein at least one positive conductive strip is attached to ends of the first electrode set and at least one negative conductive strip is attached to ends of the second electrode set. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
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a plurality of piezoelectric fibers that have been poled by applying an electromagnetic field and are arranged in a generally parallel direction; and a plurality of conductive wire electrodes comprising a first electrode set and a second electrode set configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the plurality of piezoelectric fibers; wherein substantially any two adjacent piezoelectric fibers are spaced apart fibers, and wherein the conductive wire electrodes have an electric conductivity that is greater than the electric conductivity of the piezoelectric fibers, and wherein the interwoven conductive wire electrodes and piezoelectric fibers are configured to maintain a piezoelectric potential axially along the piezoelectric fibers between the first electrode set and the second electrode set, and wherein at least one positive conductive strip is attached to ends of the first electrode set and at least one negative conductive strip is attached to ends of the second electrode set. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
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a plurality of piezoelectric fibers that have been poled by applying an electromagnetic field, each fiber including a curved peripheral portion; conductive wire electrodes comprising a first electrode set and a second electrode set configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the actuating fiber; and wherein the conductive wire electrodes are configured to contact the piezoelectric fibers over the substantial entirety of their curved peripheral portions, and wherein the conductive wire electrodes have an electric conductivity that is greater than their electric conductivity of the piezoelectric fibers, and wherein the first electrode set and the second electrode set and the piezoelectric fibers are configured to maintain a piezoelectric potential axially along the piezoelectric fibers between the first electrode set and the second electrode set, and wherein at least one positive conductive strip is attached to ends of the first electrode set and at least one negative conductive strip is attached to ends of the second electrode set. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification