Patent · US Active

Actuator

US7625075B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
4References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 31, 2007
Grant dateDec 1, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 7, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2/1646
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

In one embodiment an electrostatic actuator includes: a first conductor associated with each chamber; a second conductor having a plurality of flexible first parts supported by a plurality of second parts, each flexible first part forming at least part of a wall of each chamber and each flexible first part located opposite a corresponding one of the first conductors across a gap; and a voltage source operatively connected to each of the first conductors for selectively applying a voltage between each of the first conductors and the second conductor In another embodiment, an electrostatic actuator includes: a plurality of rigid conductors arranged adjacent to one another along a chamber; and a flexible conductor disposed opposite to and spanning the plurality of first conductors across a gap, the flexible conductor forming at least part of one wall of the chamber such that flexing the flexible conductor flexes the wall to change the volume of the chamber.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.