Abstract: An artificial muscle stack that includes a plurality of artificial muscle layers. Each artificial muscle layer includes one or more artificial muscles having a housing with an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair having a first and second electrode positioned in the electrode region. The first and second electrodes each include two or more tab portions and two or more bridge portions. The two or more bridge portions interconnects adjacent tab portions. At least one of the first and second electrode includes a central opening positioned between the tab portions and encircling the expandable fluid region. The plurality of artificial muscle layers are arranged such that the expandable fluid region of the artificial muscles of each artificial muscle layer overlaps at least one tab portion of one or more artificial muscles of an adjacent artificial muscle layer.

Abstract: An electrode pair is provided including a first electrode and a second electrode. Each of the first electrode and the second electrode have an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, and a lead extending outwardly from the first end. The lead has a first width at the first end. The second end of at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode have a recess formed therein having a first terminus and a second terminus. A second width extends between the first terminus and the second terminus of the recess. The recess is defined by a saw-tooth pattern. When the first electrode is positioned on the second electrode, the recess of the at least one of the first electrode is adjacent the lead of the other electrode.

Abstract: A seat that includes an upper surface, a lower surface, one or more pressure sensors communicatively coupled to a controller, and a plurality of artificial muscles disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. Each of the plurality of artificial muscles is communicatively coupled to the controller. Each of the plurality of artificial muscles includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: An artificial muscle that includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode, and an electrode insulator having one or more insulation layers. The electrode insulator is disposed on an inner electrode surface of the first electrode of the electrode pair. The second electrode includes a free inner electrode surface exposed to the dielectric fluid when the electrode pair is in a non-actuated state. The electrode pair is actuatable between the non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: An artificial muscle device includes a plurality of intermuscular boards and a plurality of artificial muscles disposed between the intermuscular boards in an alternating pattern and communicatively coupled to a controller. Each of the one or more artificial muscles includes a housing comprising an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region, thereby applying pressure to the intermuscular boards.

Abstract: Modular inflation systems and inflation segments including an inflation enclosure and a plurality of artificial muscle layers provided within the inflation enclosure in a stacked arrangement, each of the plurality of artificial muscle layers including one or more artificial muscles, wherein one or more plurality of artificial muscles of each of the plurality of artificial muscle layers are operable between an actuated state and a non-actuated state, and one or more fastening members for attaching the inflation segment to another inflation segment.

Abstract: A layered actuation structure includes a first platform pair and a second platform pair. Each of the first platform pair and the second platform pair include an actuation platform and a mounting platform, forming an actuation cavity of each of the first platform pair and the second platform pair. One or more connecting ledges of each platform pair couple at least one of the actuation platform and the mounting platform of each platform pair to at least one of an actuation arm and a support arm, respectively. A collective stiffness of the one or more connecting ledges of the first platform pair is different than a collective stiffness of the one or more connecting ledges of the second platform pair. The layered actuation structure also includes one or more artificial muscles disposed in the actuation cavity of the first platform pair and the second platform pair.

Abstract: A suction device including a casing having a central post extending through the casing. A flexible member is provided across a free end of the central post. One or more artificial muscles are housed within the casing and encircle the central post, each artificial muscle including a housing having a first wall and a second wall opposite the first wall. The housing having an electrode region adjacent an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair housed within the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode coupled to the first wall and a second electrode coupled to the second wall. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region and deforms the flexible member to form a suction area at the free end of the central post.

Abstract: An artificial muscle drive unit includes a base and an artificial muscle disposed on the base. The artificial muscle includes an expandable reservoir and a fluid. The fluid is movable within said expandable reservoir to switch the artificial muscle between a non-actuated state in which a dimension of the artificial muscle in a movement direction is a minimum value, and an actuated state, in which the dimension of the artificial muscle is a maximum value. The artificial muscle drive unit also includes a load-bearing support disposed on the base, the load-bearing support comprising a dimension in the movement direction that is greater than or equal to the minimum value.

Abstract: An artificial muscle stack that includes a plurality of artificial muscle layers. Each artificial muscle layer includes one or more artificial muscles having a housing with an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair having a first and second electrode positioned in the electrode region. The first and second electrodes each include two or more tab portions and two or more bridge portions. The two or more bridge portions interconnects adjacent tab portions. At least one of the first and second electrode includes a central opening positioned between the tab portions and encircling the expandable fluid region. The plurality of artificial muscle layers are arranged such that the expandable fluid region of the artificial muscles of each artificial muscle layer overlaps at least one tab portion of one or more artificial muscles of an adjacent artificial muscle layer.

Abstract: An artificial muscle that includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region, the electrode pair having a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing. The first and second electrodes each have two or more tab portions and two or more bridge portions. Each of the two or more bridge portions interconnects adjacent tab portions and at least one of the first and second electrodes includes a central opening positioned between the two or more tab portions and encircling the expandable fluid region. A dielectric fluid is housed within the housing and the electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated to actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: An artificial muscle includes an electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode. One or both of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a central opening. The first electrode and the second electrode each include two or more fan portions and two or more bridge portions. Each fan portion includes a first end having an inner length, a second end having an outer length, a first side edge extending from the second end, and a second side edge extending from the second end. The outer length is greater than the inner length. Each bridge portion interconnecting adjacent fan portions at the first end.

Abstract: A child soothing device includes a soothing structure includes an outer layer and an inner layer, and one or more artificial muscles disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer of the soothing structure and communicatively coupled to a controller. Each of the one or more artificial muscles includes a housing comprising an electrode region and an expandable fluid region and a dielectric fluid housed within the housing. Each of the one or more artificial muscles also includes an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region, thereby applying pressure to the inner layer of the soothing structure.

Abstract: An actuating pillow includes a pillow body and a plurality of artificial muscles arranged within the pillow body. Each of the artificial muscles includes a housing having an electrode region and an adjacent expandable fluid region, an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, and a dielectric fluid housed within the housing. The plurality of artificial muscles are configured to actuate from a non-actuated state to an actuated state, actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region and increases a height of the pillow body.

Abstract: A programmable texture surface including one or more artificial muscles is provided. Each artificial muscle includes a housing having a first wall opposite a second wall and an electrode region adjacent an expandable fluid region. One or both of the first wall and the second wall include an interior tapered portion within the electrode region. A dielectric fluid is housed within the housing and an electrode pair is housed within the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode coupled to the first wall and a second electrode coupled to the second wall, such that at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is coupled to the interior tapered portion. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: Artificial muscles are provided including a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, an electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode positioned in the electrode region of the housing, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and a stiffening member positioned between the housing and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode. The stiffening member increases a stiffness of the housing in a direction toward the expandable fluid region from an opposite edge of the electrode region. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: An artificial muscle stack that includes a plurality of artificial muscle layers. Each artificial muscle layer includes one or more artificial muscles having a housing with an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair having a first and second electrode positioned in the electrode region. The first and second electrodes each include two or more tab portions and two or more bridge portions. The two or more bridge portions interconnects adjacent tab portions. At least one of the first and second electrode includes a central opening positioned between the tab portions and encircling the expandable fluid region. The plurality of artificial muscle layers are arranged such that the expandable fluid region of the artificial muscles of each artificial muscle layer overlaps at least one tab portion of one or more artificial muscles of an adjacent artificial muscle layer.

Abstract: A braking system that includes a translatable braking mechanism selectively engageable with a wheel assembly, one or more artificial muscles contacting a support plate and disposed adjacent the translatable braking mechanism. Each of the one or more artificial muscles includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair having a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region thereby applying pressure to the translatable braking mechanism, inducing frictional engagement between the translatable braking mechanism and the wheel assembly.

Abstract: An artificial muscle device includes a plurality of intermuscular boards and a plurality of artificial muscles disposed between the intermuscular boards in an alternating pattern and communicatively coupled to a controller. Each of the one or more artificial muscles includes a housing comprising an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region, thereby applying pressure to the intermuscular boards.

Abstract: A support cushion liner includes a liner body having a cavity disposed between an outer layer and an inner layer and a plurality of artificial muscles disposed in the cavity of the liner body. Each of the plurality of artificial muscles include a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region thereby applying pressure to the outer layer of the liner body.