ELECTROACTIVE ACTUATORS, SYSTEMS EQUIPPED THEREWITH, AND METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE

摘要

Actuators and methods utilizing electrical properties of polymer materials. The actuators have a multilayer structure that includes an electroactive polymer layer between and bonded to first and second electrodes so that the polymer layer has a thickness dimension therebetween. The multilayer structure is adapted so that application of an electric potential to the electrodes causes the electroactive polymer layer to expand in at least one dimension thereof transverse to the thickness dimension of the electroactive polymer layer. The actuators can be used in sealing elements to provide a resealing capability once a condition has occurred of a type that may precede a seal failure.

主权项

1. An actuator having a multilayer structure comprising:
first and second electrodes formed of electrically-conductive polymer materials; and an electroactive polymer layer formed of a dielectric elastomer, the electroactive polymer layer being between and bonded to the first and second electrodes so as to have a thickness dimension therebetween; wherein the multilayer structure is adapted so that applying an electric potential to the first and second electrodes causes the electroactive polymer layer to expand in at least one dimension thereof transverse to the thickness dimension of the electroactive polymer layer.