Woven Active Fiber Composite
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
- a plurality of actuating fibers;
a plurality of conductive wire electrodes configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the actuating fibers; and
wherein the plurality of conductive wire electrodes are interwoven with the plurality of actuating fibers.
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Accused Products
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.
52 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
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a plurality of actuating fibers; a plurality of conductive wire electrodes configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the actuating fibers; and wherein the plurality of conductive wire electrodes are interwoven with the plurality of actuating fibers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11)
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10. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
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a plurality of actuating fibers arranged in a generally parallel direction; a plurality of conductive wire electrodes configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the plurality of actuating fibers; and wherein a portion of the plurality of conductive wire electrodes is disposed between any two adjacent actuating fibers. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
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a plurality of actuating fibers arranged in a generally parallel direction; a plurality of conductive wire electrodes configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the plurality of actuating fibers; and wherein substantially any two adjacent actuating fibers are spaced apart. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
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an actuating fiber including a curved peripheral portion; a conductive wire electrode configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the actuating fiber; and wherein the conductive wire electrode is configured to contact the actuating fiber over the substantial entirety of the curved peripheral portion. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A woven active fiber composite, comprising:
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an actuating fiber including a periodically varying diameter; a first portion of the actuating fiber associated with a first diameter and a second portion of the actuating fiber associated with a second diameter that is less than the first diameter; a conductive wire electrode configured to transfer electrical energy to and from the actuating fiber; and wherein the conductive wire electrode is configured to contact the actuating fiber at the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of attaching conductive wire electrodes with actuating fibers, comprising the steps of:
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arranging a plurality of actuating fibers in a generally parallel direction; weaving a plurality of conductive wire electrodes through the actuating fibers; and thereby attaching the plurality of conductive wire electrodes with the plurality of actuating fibers. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method of making a woven active fiber composite, comprising the steps of:
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weaving a plurality of actuating fibers with a plurality of conductive wire electrodes; sintering the plurality of actuating fibers after they have been woven with the plurality of conductive wire electrodes; applying an electromagnetic field to the plurality of actuating fibers and the plurality of conductive wire electrodes to pole the plurality of actuating fibers; attaching at least one conductive strip to ends of the plurality of conductive wire electrodes; and applying an epoxy matrix to the plurality of actuating fibers, the plurality of conductive wire electrodes and the at least one conductive strip to form a woven active fiber composite. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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Specification