Controllable polymer actuator
US9891429B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2012 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 25, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/42
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A controllable polymer actuator (1) comprising a dielectric elastomeric film (2); a first (3) and a second (4) deformable electrode arranged on opposite sides of the dielectric elastomeric film such that application of a voltage between the electrodes causes an active portion (7) of the controllable polymer actuator to change topography. The controllable polymer actuator (1) further comprises a deformation controlling layer (5, 6) connected to the dielectric elastomeric film. The deformation controlling layer at least locally has a higher stiffness than the dielectric elastomeric film, and exhibits a spatially varying stiffness across the active portion (7). This may enable surface topographies that could not at all be achieved using previously known controllable polymer actuators and/or may enable a certain surface topography to be achieved with a simpler electrode pattern and/or fewer individually controllable electrodes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.