Abstract:
Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.
Abstract:
Descriπbed herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes (18) in an electroadhesive device The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall (16), the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.
Abstract:
Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.
Abstract:
The present invention provides meta-materials 60 with an actively controllable mechanical property. The meta-material includes a deformable structure 65 and a set of activation elements 66. The activation elements are controllable between multiple states. The meta- material 60 includes a first value for a mechanical property when one or more of the activation elements is in the first activation state and includes a second value for the mechanical property when the activation elements have been activated to the second activation state. In one aspect, the meta-material 60 resembles a composite material where the connectivity between the component materials or shape and arrangement of the component materials is dynamically controllable so as to affect a mechanical property of the meta-material 60.
Abstract:
Described are a system and method of recording piston rod position information in a magnetic layer on the piston rod. A piston rod moving with respect to a cylinder has a magnetically hard layer formed thereon to provide a recording medium. A magnetic pattern is recorded in the magnetically hard layer. A magnetic field sensor senses the recorded magnetic pattern while the piston rod is moving with respect to the cylinder and generates signals in response to the magnetic pattern that are used to determine an instantaneous position of the piston rod.
Abstract:
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).
Abstract:
An electroadhesive gripping device or system includes a plurality of electroadhesive gripping surfaces, each having electrode(s) and each configured to be placed against respective surface regions of a foreign object, such that one or more electroadhesive forces can be provided between the electroadhesive gripping surfaces and the foreign object. Such electroadhesive forces operating to hold the foreign object against the electroadhesive gripping surfaces while the foreign object is held or moved by the electroadhesive gripping system. The electroadhesive gripping surfaces can be arranged onto a plurality of continuous fingers, and various gripping surfaces on each finger can be coupled together and manipulated with respect to each other by an actuating component, such as a cable actuator. A variable voltage can be delivered to the electrodes to control the amount of electroadhesive force generated, such that only a portion of a foreign object is held or moved.
Abstract:
Described herein is a generator with an electroactive polymer transducer. The transducer has a capacitance that varies with deflection of a polymer included in the transducer. The generator also includes a generator circuit, coupled to the electroactive polymer transducer, that includes a capacitor. The generator circuit is configured such that the capacitor collects electrical energy from the electroactive polymer transducer in response to a change in capacitance of the polymer.
Abstract:
Described herein are systems and methods that use an electroactive polymer transducer to convert mechanical energy, originally contained in one or more waves, to electrical energy. Marine devices described herein may employ a mechanical energy conversion system that transfers mechanical energy in a wave into mechanical energy suitable for input to the electroactive polymer transducer.
Abstract:
Described herein are systems and methods that use an electroactive polymer transducer to convert mechanical energy, originally contained in one or more waves, to electrical energy. Marine devices described herein may employ a mechanical energy conversion system that transfers mechanical energy in a wave into mechanical energy suitable for input to the electroactive polymer transducer.