Torsional electrostrictive actuators
US6020674A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N30/208
Abstract
A torsional actuator includes a plurality of segments, each segment having a substantially rectangular shape. Each segment is comprised of an electroactive material that is poled along an elongated dimension of the rectangular shape. The segments are arranged side-by-side, with adjacent segments poled in opposing directions along their long dimensions. Conductors are positioned between adjacent sides of the side-by-side segments, with all of the juxtaposed segments being bound together in an integral structure. A power supply is connected to the conductors and applies oppositely poled electric fields across adjacent segments to cause like shear deformations of each of the segments and a resultant angular rotation of a non-fixed end thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.