Patterned dielectric elastomer actuator and method of fabricating the same
US7719164B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 6, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 18, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49226
Abstract
A patterned dielectric elastomer actuator is disclosed which includes a series of thin parallel elastomer filaments, separated by certain distances sandwiched between a pair of rigid electrodes. The elastomer filaments and air acts as a patterned dielectric layer. The elastomer filaments can compress laterally from a circular cross-section to an elliptical shape when a voltage is applied between the rigid electrodes. The elastomer filaments can touch laterally, which implies no further squeezing in order to provide a minimal secure distance between the rigid electrodes. The dielectric elastomer actuator can be fabricated utilizing a reel-to-reel fabrication process with the thin elastomer filaments fabricated ahead of time, by extrusion techniques and cured completely before storing on reels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.