Elastomeric dielectric polymer film sonic actuator
First Claim
1. A sonic actuator comprising:
- a multi-layer membrane including an elastomeric dielectric polymer layer having a first surface and a second surface;
a first complaint electrode layer contacting said first surface;
and a second complaint electrode layer contacting said second surface;
and a support structure in contact with the multi-layer membranes,wherein the polymer layer is arranged in a manner which causes a portion of the polymer layer to deform in response to a change in electric field that is applied via at least one of the first compliant electrode layer or the second compliant electrode layer and wherein a portion of the polymer layer is capable of a strain of greater than 25% between a first position of the elastomeric dielectric polymer layer with a first area and a second position of the elastomeric dielectric polymer layer with a second area.
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Abstract
A sonic actuator including a multi-layer membrane having a non-metallic elastomeric dielectric polymer layer with a first surface and a second surface, a first compliant electrode layer contacting the first surface of the polymer layer, and a second compliant electrode layer contacting the second surface of the polymer layer. The actuator further includes a support structure in contact with the sonic actuator film. Preferably, the non-metallic dielectric polymer is selected from the group consisting essentially of silicone, fluorosilicone, fluoroelastomer, natural rubber, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, isoprene, and ethylene propylene diene. Also preferably, the compliant electrode layer is made from the group consisting essentially of graphite, carbon, and conductive polymers. The support structure can take the form of grid having a number of circular apertures. When a voltage is applied to the electrodes, portions of the film held at the aperture of the support structure can bulge due to the electrostriction phenomenon. The resultant “bubbles” can be modulated to generate sonic vibrations, or can be used to create a variable surface for airflow control.
66 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A sonic actuator comprising:
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a multi-layer membrane including an elastomeric dielectric polymer layer having a first surface and a second surface; a first complaint electrode layer contacting said first surface; and a second complaint electrode layer contacting said second surface; and a support structure in contact with the multi-layer membranes, wherein the polymer layer is arranged in a manner which causes a portion of the polymer layer to deform in response to a change in electric field that is applied via at least one of the first compliant electrode layer or the second compliant electrode layer and wherein a portion of the polymer layer is capable of a strain of greater than 25% between a first position of the elastomeric dielectric polymer layer with a first area and a second position of the elastomeric dielectric polymer layer with a second area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification