ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER ACTUATED AIR FLOW THERMAL MANAGEMENT MODULE

摘要

The disclosure provides a thermal management apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing that defines a first air flow channel and a second air flow channel and an electroactive polymer actuator located within the housing, the electroactive polymer actuator configured to move in response to an activation signal. The electroactive polymer actuator defines a first chamber in fluid communication with the first air flow channel and defines a second chamber in fluid communication with the second air flow channel, the first and second chambers are fluidically isolated from each other. The electroactive polymer actuator is configured to oscillate when excited by the activation signal and eject pulses of air through the first and second air flow channels. An apparatus that includes two electroactive polymer actuators as well as method of generating air flow for thermal management also is disclosed.