摘要:
The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow (306), such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers (308, 309) with an electroactive polymer (308, 309) that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer (308, 309) may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer (308, 309) may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but 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 (308, 309) 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 (308, 309) may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow (306), such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit (300).
摘要:
Disclosed generators include one or more transducers that use electroactive polymer films to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. The generators may include one or more transmission mechanisms that transfer a portion of an unused environmental energy source to the one or more transducers located in the generators. The energy received by the transducers may be converted to electrical energy by the transducers in conjunction with conditioning electronics located within the generator.
摘要:
The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps (340), compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers (341) with an electroactive polymer (341) that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer (341) may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.
摘要:
The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow (306), such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers (308, 309) with an electroactive polymer (308, 309) that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer (308, 309) may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer (308, 309) may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but 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 (308, 309) 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 (308, 309) may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow (306), such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit (300).