Membrane tension control

US6867533B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Ji Su · Highland Park, US
• Joycelyn S. Harrison · Hampton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 23, 2000
• Grant date: Mar 15, 2005
• Expiry date: Oct 23, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S310/80
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An electrostrictive polymer actuator comprises an electrostrictive polymer with a tailorable Poisson's ratio. The electrostrictive polymer is electroded on its upper and lower surfaces and bonded to an upper material layer. The assembly is rolled tightly and capped at its ends. In a membrane structure having a membrane, a supporting frame and a plurality of threads connecting the membrane to the frame, an actuator can be integrated into one or more of the plurality of threads. The electrostrictive polymer actuator displaces along its longitudinal axis, thereby affecting movement of the membrane surface.