Electroactive polymer devices for controlling fluid flow
US7971850B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jul 5, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/2213
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.