Variable stiffness electroactive polymer systems
US6882086B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 19, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S310/80
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to systems that provide variable stiffness and/or variable damping using an electroactive polymer transducer. Systems described herein offer several techniques that provide variable and controlled stiffness and/or damping. A transducer may be implemented using open loop control, thereby providing simple systems that inactively deliver a desired stiffness and/or damping performance. Alternately, closed loop control techniques permit electroactive polymer transducer designs that actively adapt the stiffness and/or damping performance of a system. Further, transducers may be implemented in a device whose stiffness changes with deflection of the polymer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.