公开(公告)号：US07052594B2

公开(公告)日：2006-05-30

申请号：US10066407

申请日：2002-01-31

申请人： Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh

发明人： Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh

IPC分类号： C30B9/14 ,  C25B9/00

CPC分类号： F16K99/0001 ,  F15C5/00 ,  F16K99/0015 ,  F16K99/0036 ,  F16K99/0046 ,  F16K99/0051 ,  F16K2099/0074 ,  F16K2099/0076 ,  F16K2099/0078

摘要： The invention relates to devices that control fluid flow, which comprise a substrate having an upper surface adapted to contact a flowing fluid and an elastic sheet immobilized with respect to the substrate, typically at a minimum of two immobilization points. The elastic sheet has a deflectable active area at least partially contained between the immobilization points; the lower surface of the sheet faces the upper surface of the substrate. Optionally, two or more electrodes are provided in contact with the active area of the elastic sheet. The device also includes an actuation means for deflecting the active area toward or away from the upper surface of the substrate. Additionally, the invention provides various methods for controlling fluid flow as well as methods for making devices that control fluid flow. The invention is particularly suited for microfluidic applications.

公开(公告)号：US06882086B2

公开(公告)日：2005-04-19

申请号：US10053511

申请日：2002-01-16

申请人： Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Ronald E. Pelrine

发明人： Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Ronald E. Pelrine

IPC分类号： F16F15/00 ,  H01L41/08 ,  H01L41/09 ,  H02N2/04

CPC分类号： H01L41/08 ,  B60G17/01941 ,  B60G17/02 ,  B60G2202/424 ,  B60G2400/60 ,  B60G2401/11 ,  B60G2401/23 ,  B60G2500/20 ,  B60G2500/22 ,  F16F15/005 ,  H01L41/042 ,  H01L41/193 ,  Y10S310/80

摘要： The invention relates to systems that provide variable stiffness and/or variable damping using an electroactive polymer transducer. Systems described herein offer several techniques that provide variable and controlled stiffness and/or damping. A transducer may be implemented using open loop control, thereby providing simple systems that inactively deliver a desired stiffness and/or damping performance. Alternately, closed loop control techniques permit electroactive polymer transducer designs that actively adapt the stiffness and/or damping performance of a system. Further, transducers may be implemented in a device whose stiffness changes with deflection of the polymer.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及使用电活性聚合物换能器提供可变刚度和/或可变阻尼的系统。 本文所述的系统提供了提供可变和控制刚度和/或阻尼的几种技术。 可以使用开环控制来实现换能器，从而提供不能提供所需刚度和/或阻尼性能的简单系统。 或者，闭环控制技术允许电活性聚合物换能器设计主动地适应系统的刚度和/或阻尼性能。 此外，换能器可以在其刚度随着聚合物的偏转而变化的装置中实现。

公开(公告)号：US20110154641A1

公开(公告)日：2011-06-30

申请号：US13042863

申请日：2011-03-08

申请人： RONALD E. PELRINE ,  Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Oibing Pei ,  Seajin Oh ,  Jose P. Joseph

发明人： RONALD E. PELRINE ,  Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Oibing Pei ,  Seajin Oh ,  Jose P. Joseph

IPC分类号： B23P11/00 ,  B32B37/12 ,  B32B37/14 ,  B32B37/02

CPC分类号： H01L41/047 ,  F02G1/043 ,  F02G2243/52 ,  F04B35/00 ,  F04B35/045 ,  F04B43/043 ,  F05C2225/08 ,  F25B9/14 ,  H01G5/16 ,  H01L41/0478 ,  H01L41/094 ,  H01L41/0986 ,  H01L41/113 ,  H01L41/1138 ,  H01L41/193 ,  H01L41/45 ,  H02N2/023 ,  H04R19/02 ,  H04R23/00 ,  Y10S310/80 ,  Y10T29/49826

摘要： Described herein are transducers and their fabrication. The transducers convert between mechanical and electrical energy. Some transducers of the present invention include a pre-strained polymer. The pre-strain improves the conversion between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.

公开(公告)号：US07911115B2

公开(公告)日：2011-03-22

申请号：US11777036

申请日：2007-07-12

申请人： Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Qibing Pei ,  Joseph S. Eckerle

发明人： Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Qibing Pei ,  Joseph S. Eckerle

IPC分类号： H02N2/00

CPC分类号： A61M5/142 ,  A61M5/14212 ,  A61M5/14216 ,  A61M5/14224 ,  A61M5/14236 ,  A61M5/14276 ,  A61M2205/0283 ,  A63H3/365 ,  B60G2400/60 ,  B60G2401/11 ,  B60G2401/23 ,  B60G2500/20 ,  F01L2101/00 ,  F02G1/043 ,  F02G2243/52 ,  F04B17/00 ,  F04B35/00 ,  F04B35/04 ,  F04B35/045 ,  F04B43/04 ,  F04B43/043 ,  F04B43/08 ,  F04B43/084 ,  F04B43/09 ,  F04B43/095 ,  F04D33/00 ,  F05C2225/08 ,  F15C5/00 ,  F16F15/005 ,  F25B9/14 ,  H02N11/006 ,  H04R19/02 ,  H04R23/00 ,  Y10S310/80

摘要： The present invention relates to polymers, transducers and devices that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting an electroactive polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be used to do mechanical work. Similarly, when the electroactive polymer deflects, an electric field is produced in the polymer. This electric field may be used to produce electrical energy. An active area is a portion of a polymer having sufficient electrostatic force to enable deflection of the portion and/or sufficient deflection to enable a change in electrostatic force. The present invention relates to transducers and devices including multiple active areas. The invention also relates to methods for actuating one or more active areas.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及在电和机械能之间转换的聚合物，换能器和装置。 当电压施加到与电活性聚合物接触的电极时，聚合物偏转。 该偏转可用于进行机械作业。 类似地，当电活性聚合物偏转时，在聚合物中产生电场。 该电场可用于产生电能。 活性区域是具有足够静电力的聚合物的一部分，以使得能够偏转该部分和/或足够的偏转以实现静电力的改变。 本发明涉及包括多个有效区域的换能器和装置。 本发明还涉及用于致动一个或多个有效区域的方法。

公开(公告)号：US07468575B2

公开(公告)日：2008-12-23

申请号：US11774918

申请日：2007-07-09

申请人： Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Qibing Pei ,  Jose P. Joseph

发明人： Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Qibing Pei ,  Jose P. Joseph

IPC分类号： H01L41/047

CPC分类号： H01L41/047 ,  F02G1/043 ,  F02G2243/52 ,  F04B35/00 ,  F04B35/045 ,  F04B43/043 ,  F05C2225/08 ,  F25B9/14 ,  H01G5/16 ,  H01L41/0478 ,  H01L41/094 ,  H01L41/0986 ,  H01L41/113 ,  H01L41/1138 ,  H01L41/193 ,  H01L41/45 ,  H02N2/023 ,  H04R19/02 ,  H04R23/00 ,  Y10S310/80 ,  Y10T29/49826

摘要： Described herein are transducers, their use and fabrication. The transducers convert between mechanical and electrical energy. The present invention further relates to compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer included in a transducer.

摘要翻译： 这里描述的是换能器，它们的用途和制造。 换能器在机械和电能之间转换。 本发明还涉及符合换能器中包含的聚合物形状的顺应性电极。

公开(公告)号：US20080252176A1

公开(公告)日：2008-10-16

申请号：US12108324

申请日：2008-04-23

申请人： Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Jonathan Heim

发明人： Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Jonathan Heim

IPC分类号： H02N2/12

CPC分类号： H01L41/0986 ,  H02N2/101 ,  Y10S310/80

摘要： The present invention relates to mechanical-electrical power conversion systems. The systems comprise one or more electroactive polymers that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting an electroactive polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be converted into rotation of a power shaft included in a motor. Repeated deflection of the polymer may then produce continuous rotation of the power shaft.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及机电电力转换系统。 该系统包括一种或多种在电和机械能之间转化的电活性聚合物。 当电压施加到与电活性聚合物接触的电极时，聚合物偏转。 该偏转可以转换为包括在电动机中的动力轴的旋转。 聚合物的重复偏转然后可以产生动力轴的连续旋转。

公开(公告)号：US07166953B2

公开(公告)日：2007-01-23

申请号：US10090231

申请日：2002-02-28

申请人： Jon Heim ,  Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Joseph Stephen Eckerle

发明人： Jon Heim ,  Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Joseph Stephen Eckerle

IPC分类号： H01L41/08

CPC分类号： H01L41/0986 ,  H02N2/101 ,  Y10S310/80

摘要： The present invention relates to mechanical-electrical power conversion systems. The systems comprise one or more electroactive polymers that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting an electroactive polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be converted into rotation of a power shaft included in a motor. Repeated deflection of the polymer may then produce continuous rotation of the power shaft.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及机电电力转换系统。 该系统包括一种或多种在电和机械能之间转化的电活性聚合物。 当电压施加到与电活性聚合物接触的电极时，聚合物偏转。 该偏转可以转换为包括在电动机中的动力轴的旋转。 聚合物的重复偏转然后可以产生动力轴的连续旋转。

公开(公告)号：US07062055B2

公开(公告)日：2006-06-13

申请号：US10047485

申请日：2001-10-26

申请人： Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Joseph S. Eckerle

发明人： Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Joseph S. Eckerle

IPC分类号： H04R25/00

CPC分类号： H04R5/02 ,  F02G2243/52 ,  F04B35/045 ,  F04B43/043 ,  H04R17/005 ,  H04R17/08 ,  H04R19/02 ,  H04R23/00 ,  H04R2499/13

摘要： A sonic actuator including a multi-layer membrane having a non-metallic elastomeric dielectric polymer layer with a first surface and a second surface, a first compliant electrode layer contacting the first surface of the polymer layer, and a second compliant electrode layer contacting the second surface of the polymer layer. The actuator further includes a support structure in contact with the sonic actuator film. Preferably, the non-metallic dielectric polymer is selected from the group consisting essentially of silicone, fluorosilicone, fluoroelastomer, natural rubber, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, isoprene, and ethylene propylene diene. Also preferably, the compliant electrode layer is made from the group consisting essentially of graphite, carbon, and conductive polymers. The support structure can take the form of grid having a number of circular apertures. When a voltage is applied to the electrodes, portions of the film held at the aperture of the support structure can bulge due to the electrostriction phenomenon. The resultant “bubbles” can be modulated to generate sonic vibrations, or can be used to create a variable surface for airflow control.

公开(公告)号：US06876135B2

公开(公告)日：2005-04-05

申请号：US10161574

申请日：2002-05-31

申请人： Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh

发明人： Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh

IPC分类号： H01L41/04 ,  H01L41/08 ,  H01L41/193

CPC分类号： A43B3/0005 ,  H01L41/042 ,  H01L41/0825 ,  H01L41/193 ,  Y10S310/80

摘要： The present invention relates to improved devices, systems and methods that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. An electroactive polymer transducer converts between electrical and mechanical energy. An active area is a portion of an electroactive polymer transducer. The active area comprises a portion of an electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes that provide or receive electrical energy to or from the portion. The present invention relates to transducers and devices comprising multiple active areas that are in electrically communication. More specifically, the present invention relates to master/slave arrangements for multiple active areas disposed on one or more electroactive polymers. In a master/slave arrangement, a first active area deflects (a ‘master’), and a second active area reacts (a ‘slave’). Communication electronics in electrical communication with electrodes for the first active area and in electrical communication with electrodes for the second active area transfer electrical energy between the two active areas.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及在电和机械能之间转换的改进的装置，系统和方法。 电活性聚合物换能器在电和机械能之间转换。 活性区域是电活性聚合物换能器的一部分。 活性区域包括一部分电活性聚合物和至少两个电极，其向该部分提供或接收电能。 本发明涉及包括电连接的多个有效区域的换能器和装置。 更具体地说，本发明涉及设置在一个或多个电活性聚合物上的多个有效区域的主/从设备。 在主/从设备中，第一有效区偏转（“主”），第二活动区域反应（“从”）。 与用于第一有源区域的电极电连通并与第二有源区域的电极电连通的通信电子器件在两个有效区域之间传输电能。

公开(公告)号：US06809462B2

公开(公告)日：2004-10-26

申请号：US10007705

申请日：2001-12-06

申请人： Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Qibing Pei ,  Joseph Stephen Eckerle

发明人： Ronald E. Pelrine ,  Roy D. Kornbluh ,  Qibing Pei ,  Joseph Stephen Eckerle

IPC分类号： H02N200

CPC分类号： A63H3/365 ,  A61B5/1135 ,  H01L41/1132 ,  Y10S310/80

摘要： The invention provides sensors that comprise a transducer that converts between mechanical energy and electrical energy. The transducer comprises an electroactive polymer in electrical communication with at least two electrodes. When a relatively small voltage difference is applied between the electrodes, deflection of the polymer results in a measurable change in electrical energy for the transducer. The change in electrical energy may correspond to a change in resistance, capacitance, or a combination thereof. Sensing electronics circuits in electrical communication with electrodes detect the electrical energy change.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了包括在机械能和电能之间转换的换能器的传感器。 该换能器包括与至少两个电极电连通的电活性聚合物。 当在电极之间施加相对小的电压差时，聚合物的偏转导致换能器的电能的可测量的变化。 电能的变化可以对应于电阻，电容或其组合的变化。 与电极电气通信的感应电子电路检测电能变化。