Abstract:
The invention provides a pump with a transducer comprising a laminate with a film of a dielectric polymer material arranged between first and second layers of an electrically conductive material so that it is deflectable in response to an electrical field applied between the layers, wherein the laminate is arranged to cause a pumping action upon deflection of the film. The invention further provides a control system for a pump.
Abstract:
The invention provides an elastomer transducer for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy. The transducer comprises a composite material with a body (2, 4) and a film (3) of an elastomer material, the body comprising at least an electrically conductive portion and an anisotropic body, in the anisotropic body, fibers are arranged in a pattern to provide inferior flexure resistance and an anisotropic compliance to stretch in a first direction.
Abstract:
The invention provides an elastomer transducer for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy. The transducer comprises a composite material with a body and a film (3), the body comprising at least an electrically conductive portion and an anisotropic body (2). In the anisotropic body, voids (5, 6) provide an inferior flexure resistance and an anisotropic compliance to stretch in a first direction. The film comprises an elastomer material which could be at least partly embedded in the voids.
Abstract:
The invention provides a transducer for converting between mechanical and electrical energies. The transducer comprises an EAP laminate with a layer (2) of an elastomer material arranged between two electrode layers, each electrode layer comprising a layer (5) of a plastically deformable material, e.g. metal or a thermoplastic material, and a layer (6) of an electrically conductive material. Due to the layer of plastically deformable material, the electrode layers can be shaped into various shapes which can provide anisotropic characteristics of the transducer.
Abstract:
The invention provides a power actuated valve comprising a transducer and a housing which forms an inlet for entering fluid into the valve, an exit for exit of the fluid from the valve, and a path between the inlet and the exit, the transducer comprising a laminate with a film of a dielectric polymer material arranged between first and second layers of an electrically conductive material. The film is elastically deformable in response to an electrical field applied between the layers, and the transducer is arranged relative to the path so that a ratio between deformation of the film and a flow condition in the path is established.
Abstract:
The invention provides a power actuated valve (1) comprising a transducer (2) and a housing (3) which forms an inlet (4) for entering fluid into the valve, an exit (5) for exit of the fluid from the valve, and a path (6) between the inlet and the exit, the transducer comprising a laminate with a film of a dielectric polymer material arranged between first and second layers of an electrically conductive material. The film is elastically deformable in response to an electrical field applied between the layers, and the transducer is arranged relative to the path so that a ratio between deformation of the film and a flow condition in the path is established.
Abstract:
The invention provides a transducer for converting between mechanical and electrical energies. The transducer comprises an EAP laminate with a layer (2) of an elastomer material arranged between two electrode layers, each electrode layer comprising a layer (5) of a plastically deformable material, e.g. metal or a thermoplastic material, and a layer (6) of an electrically conductive material. Due to the layer of plastically deformable material, the electrode layers can be shaped into various shapes which can provide anisotropic characteristics of the transducer.
Abstract:
The invention provides a power actuated valve (1) comprising a transducer ' (2) and a housing (3)which forms an inlet (4) for entering fluid into the valve, an exit (5) for exit of the fluid from the valve, and a path (6)between the inlet and the exit, the transducer comprising a laminate with a film of a dielectric polymer material arranged between first and second layers of an electrically conductive material. The film is elastically deformable in response to an electrical field applied between the layers, and the transducer is arranged relative to the path so that a ratio between deformation of the film and a flow condition in the path is' established.
Abstract:
The invention provides a valve with an orifice (6) and a power actuated valve structure (7) for varying a flow area of the orifice. The valve structure provides two way communication so that the orifice may be changed by application of a bias voltage between two conductive layers arranged on opposite sides of a film of a dielectric elastomer material (2), and such that a pressure in the orifice may deflect the film and thereby cause a change in capacitance of the capacitor structure defined by the conductive layers and the film.