Increased force generation in electroactive polymers
First Claim
1. A method for actuating an electroactive polymer device, comprising:
- providing the electroactive polymer device, the electroactive polymer device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to an electroactive polymer;
applying a direct current across the electroactive polymer via the first and second electrodes; and
applying an alternating current across the electroactive polymer, the alternating current being applied across the electroactive polymer by at least one of;
applying the alternating current to the first and second electrodes; and
applying the alternating current by induction,the direct current in volts DC (VDC) and the alternating current in volts AC (VAC) being applied such that an absolute value of a ratio VDC;
VAC is at least about 3;
1; and
the direct current and the alternating current in the ratio of at least about 3;
1 being effective to cause actuation of the electroactive polymer device to exert a greater force compared to actuation of the electroactive polymer device using the direct current alone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for combined direct current and alternating current activation of electroactive polymer devices. The combined direct current and alternating current activation may increase force generation compared to activation using direct current alone. For example, a method for actuating an electroactive polymer device may include providing the electroactive polymer device. The electroactive polymer device may include a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to an electroactive polymer. The method may include applying a direct current across the electroactive polymer via the first and second electrodes. The method may include applying an alternating current across the electroactive polymer. The direct current and the alternating current may be effective to cause actuation of the electroactive polymer device.
62 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for actuating an electroactive polymer device, comprising:
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providing the electroactive polymer device, the electroactive polymer device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to an electroactive polymer; applying a direct current across the electroactive polymer via the first and second electrodes; and applying an alternating current across the electroactive polymer, the alternating current being applied across the electroactive polymer by at least one of;
applying the alternating current to the first and second electrodes; and
applying the alternating current by induction,the direct current in volts DC (VDC) and the alternating current in volts AC (VAC) being applied such that an absolute value of a ratio VDC;
VAC is at least about 3;
1; andthe direct current and the alternating current in the ratio of at least about 3;
1 being effective to cause actuation of the electroactive polymer device to exert a greater force compared to actuation of the electroactive polymer device using the direct current alone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An electroactive polymer actuator system, comprising:
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an electroactive polymer device, the electroactive polymer device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to an electroactive polymer layer; a power supply operatively coupled to the first and second electrodes; a controller, the controller being programed with instructions for controlling the power supply to; apply a direct current across the electroactive polymer layer via the first and second electrodes; and
apply an alternating current across the electroactive polymer layer by at least one of;
the first and second electrodes; and
induction,apply the direct current in volts DC (VDC) and the alternating current in volts AC (VAC) such that an absolute value of a ratio VDC;
VAC is at least about 3;
1, effective to cause actuation of the electroactive polymer device to exert a greater force compared to actuation of the electroactive polymer device using the direct current alone. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification