Curved electro-active actuators

US7161279B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• 1 . . . Limited · GB

Inventors

• Richard J. Topliss · Campbell, US
• Neel Bhalsod · Cambridge, GB
• Mark Shepherd · Royston, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 30, 2002
• Grant date: Jan 9, 2007
• Expiry date: May 7, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10N30/2027

Abstract

Electro-active actuators (310) and methods of manufacturing such actuators are described with such actuators (310) having a plurality of electro-active segments (311) arranged along a curved line with each segment (311) being essentially planar and coupled to adjacent segments (311) through joint sections (312) placed at opposite corners of the segment (311). The actuators (310) exhibit a displacement in a different direction than the direction of displacement of a segment when seen in isolation. They can be made from a continuous tape of material, preferably by die punching.