Method of fabricating an electroactive polymer transducer
US8042264B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2010 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49155
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention describes rolled electroactive polymer devices. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. A rolled electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and includes a rolled electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. Prestrain is typically applied to the polymer. In one embodiment, a rolled electroactive polymer device employs a mechanism, such as a spring, that provides a force to prestrain the polymer. Since prestrain improves mechanical/electrical energy conversion for many electroactive polymers, the mechanism thus improves performance of the rolled electroactive polymer device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.