Electroactive polymer systems

摘要

A device includes a core, a membrane, at least one first electrode coupled to the core, at least one second electrode coupled to the core or the membrane and a collapsible electroactive polymer element. The collapsible polymer element is configured to extend from or extend around at least a portion of the core where the element is in an expanded configuration without application of a voltage and in a collapsed configuration with the application of the voltage or in a collapsed configuration without application of a voltage and in an expanded configuration with the application of the voltage. The voltage is applied via the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode. Other embodiments are disclosed.

主权项

1. A device comprising:
a core; a membrane; at least one first electrode connected to the core; at least one second electrode connected to the membrane; a collapsible electroactive polymer element configured to extend from or extend around at least a portion of the core, wherein the element is in an expanded configuration without application of a voltage and is in a collapsed configuration with the application of the voltage or in a collapsed configuration without application of a voltage and in an expanded configuration with the application of the voltage, the voltage being applied via the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode; and a first electroactive polymer sub element, a second electroactive polymer sub element, a first sub electrode operatively coupled to the first electoactive polymer sub element, a second sub electrode operatively coupled to the first and second electroactive polymer sub elements, a third sub electrode operatively coupled to the second electroactive polymer sub element, wherein a first voltage difference between the first sub electrode and the second sub electrode and a second voltage difference between the second sub electrode and third sub electrode results in movement of a portion of the first and second electroactive polymer sub elements in the same direction.