Piezoelectric Polymers (e.g., Pvdf) Patents (Class 310/800)
  • Patent number: 11850378
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a flexible, narrow medical device (such as a micro-catheter or a guidewire) that is controllably moved and steered through lumens of a body. The medical device may include an electrically-actuatable bendable portion at a distal end, which may be provided by a polymer electrolyte layer, electrodes distributed about the polymer electrolyte layer, and electrical conduits coupled to the electrodes, such that the polymer electrolyte layer deforms asymmetrically in response to an electrical signal through one or more conduits. The disclosure further includes a controller for moving the device into and out of bodily lumens and for applying the electrical signal for steering the device. The device further includes methods of preparing the polymer electrolyte layer in tubular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Dong Suk Shin, Viljar Palmre
  • Patent number: 11846551
    Abstract: A press sensor that includes a board, an adhesive material, and a sensor unit on a first main surface of the board with the adhesive material interposed therebetween. When an elastic modulus of the board is E1, an elastic modulus of the adhesive material is EA, and an elastic modulus of the sensor unit is ES, EA<ES and EA<E1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi Mori
  • Patent number: 11806749
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer is provided. The ultrasonic transducer can be configured for flow metering applications and can include a head mass, a tail mass, and a spanning element joining the head mass with the tail mass. At least one cavity can be created in the head mass, tail mass, or spanning element using additive manufacturing. A method of manufacturing is also provided. The method of manufacturing can include forming a head mass utilizing a first process of additive manufacturing. The method of manufacturing can also include forming a tail mass utilizing a second process or additive manufacturing. The method of manufacturing can further include joining the head mass and the tail mass by a spanning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE Company, LLC
    Inventors: Baskaran Ganesan, Navin Sakthivel, Aaron Avagliano
  • Patent number: 11767829
    Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide methods for driving shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires in a more power-efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Benjamin David Brown, Daniel Burbridge
  • Patent number: 11435828
    Abstract: Provided is a touch sensitive device including an electroactive layer formed of an electroactive matrix, wherein the electroactive matrix has a structure in which a piezoelectric ceramic and an electroactive polymer (EAP) are bonded and an electrode disposed on at least one surface of the electroactive layer. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch sensitive device uses an electroactive matrix has an excellent transparency, can be made thin, and has a high piezoelectric property so that the light transmittance and the vibration intensity of the touch sensitive device can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: ChiWan Kim, TaeHeon Kim, SungEui Shin, YongWoo Lee, KyungYeol Ryu, YuSeon Kho
  • Patent number: 11430250
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a panel. The panel includes a cell having a detection surface and a non-detection surface, and a support substrate formed of resin and bonded to the non-detection surface of the cell. The cell includes an insulating substrate formed of resin and having a first surface and a second surface, a first protective layer facing the second surface of the insulating substrate, and a sensor electrode disposed between the insulating substrate and the first protective layer. A thickness of the support substrate is greater than a thickness of the insulating substrate, and is greater than a thickness of the first protective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventor: Kenshi Tada
  • Patent number: 11276812
    Abstract: A piezoelectric body that is excellent in endurance, flexibility and bendability is achieved. A piezoelectric member includes: belt type first and second conductive rubber sheets that face each other; and a piezoelectric layer formed between an upper surface of the first conductive rubber sheet and a lower surface of the second conductive rubber sheet. The piezoelectric layer is made of a piezoelectric coating material with which at least either one of the upper surface of the first conductive rubber sheet and the lower surface of the second conductive rubber sheet is coated. When a pressure is applied to the piezoelectric layer through at least either one of the first conductive rubber sheet and the second conductive rubber sheet, a potential difference is generated between the first conductive rubber sheet and the second conductive rubber sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuya Akimoto, Yukio Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10888352
    Abstract: A medical device includes a conductive body having a surface and a sensor conformally formed on the surface and including a piezoelectric polymer formed about a portion of the surface and following a contour of the surface. The piezoelectric polymer is configured to generate or receive ultrasonic energy. Electrical connections conform to the surface and are connected to an electrode in contact with the piezoelectric polymer. The electrical connections provide connections to the piezo electric polymer and are electrically isolated from the conductive body over a portion of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Ramon Quido Erkamp, Ameet Kumar Jain, Francois Guy Gerard Marie Vignon
  • Patent number: 10451476
    Abstract: A membrane hydrophone for analyzing high frequency ultrasound transducers has a piezoelectric membrane with electrode patterns created on the surface of the membrane. In one embodiment, the electrode patterns are doubled on each side of the membrane except for an active area of the hydrophone. In one embodiment, the electrodes are formed by removing a conductive coating on the membrane with laser pulses. The laser is set to remove the conductive coating from the piezoelectric membrane from the same side of the membrane in order to accurately align the electrodes in the active area. In one embodiment, the active area of the hydrophone has an area in a range of 900-10,000 square microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SONOSITE, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Christopher Chaggares, Oleg Ivanytskyy, Guofeng Pang, Marius Moszczynski
  • Patent number: 10042044
    Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a base in which a base layer of a vibrating film is formed in every opening that is disposed in an array; an interconnect layer, which is a conductor, formed on the base layer; an insulating film that is formed on the interconnect layer, and forms a laminated structure with respect to the base layer; a plurality of piezoelectric elements that are separated from the interconnect layer by the insulating film, the piezoelectric elements each including a first electrode and a second electrode that sandwich a piezoelectric film on the insulating film; and a through conductor that passes through the insulating film, and connects at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode to the conductor constituting the interconnect layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kanechika Kiyose, Hiroshi Matsuda, Daisuke Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 9239270
    Abstract: A piezoelectric sensing element includes a ring type piezoelectric device, two ceramic structural adhesives, two electrode sheets, two structural adhesives, a ring type sheet, and a disk-shaped cylindrical ceramic sheet. The two ceramic structural adhesives, respectively located above and below the ring type piezoelectric device. The two electrode sheets, respectively located above and below the two ceramic structural adhesives. The two structural adhesives, respectively located above and below the two electrode sheets. The ring type sheet, located above or below one of the two structural adhesives. The disk-shaped cylindrical ceramic sheet, located below or above another of the two structural adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: CHUNG-YUAN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yung Ting, Sheuan-Perng Lin
  • Patent number: 9154058
    Abstract: Nanofiber actuators and strain amplifiers having a material that generates a force or generates a displacement when directly or indirectly electrically driven. This material is an aerogel or a related low density or high density network comprising conducting fibers that are electrically interconnected and can substantially actuate without the required presence of either a liquid or solid electrolyte. Reversible or permanently frozen actuation is used to modify the properties of the actuator material for applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ray H. Baughman, Ali E. Aliev, Jiyoung Oh, Mikhail Kozlov, Shaoli Fang, Raquel Ovalle-Robles, Anvar A. Zakhidov
  • Patent number: 9104231
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing a mood-actuated device. In various embodiments, mood information corresponding to a current mood of a user is received. An emotional state of the user is determined based on the mood information, and a mood-actuated device is controlled to react based on the emotional state of the user. In some embodiments, the mood-actuated device includes a flexible material that is configured to react by changing to a shape based on the emotional state of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Asta J. Roseway, Felecia A. Davis, Erin A. Carroll, Mary Czerwinski, Diana L. Maclean
  • Patent number: 9035533
    Abstract: Paste which is prepared by any solid concentration and is excellent in terms of handleability, applicability, and storage stability; an electrolyte film or electrode film which is an even and highly flexible coating film formed in a desired thickness from the paste through a few repetitions of an application/drying step; and a polymer transducer which can be industrially and economically produced and shows excellent performance. The paste comprises: a solid polyelectrolyte (A) consisting of a block copolymer containing; a polymer block (a-1) which is represented by chemical formula (1) and a polymer block (a-2) which has substantially no ionic group and is rubbery at room temperature; an organic solvent (B) having a boiling point at 150° C. or higher; and non-dissociable particles (C) which are insoluble in the organic solvent (B) and have a major-axis length of 1-100 ?m and an aspect ratio of 5 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: KURARAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshinori Kato, Katsuei Takahashi, Takashi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9013090
    Abstract: An actuator includes an electrolytic layer, a first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer. The electrolytic layer includes a polymer and an ionic liquid included in the polymer. When a voltage that makes the first electrode layer a positive side is applied, the actuator deforms to be in a drive state, thereby driving a protruding member. In a period other than a drive period in which the protruding member is driven, a reverse voltage that makes the first electrode layer a negative side is applied, thereby rectifying the tendency of the actuator to bow or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Takahashi, Hideo Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 8981621
    Abstract: Described herein are transducers and their fabrication. The transducers convert between mechanical and electrical energy. Some transducers of the present invention include a pre-strained polymer. The pre-strain improves the conversion between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluth, Qibing Pei, Seajin Oh, Jose P. Joseph
  • Patent number: 8941284
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromechanical converter, in particular an electromechanical sensor, actuator and/or generator, which comprises a polymer element obtainable from a reaction mixture comprising a polyisocyanate, a polyisocyanate prepolymer and a compound having at least two isocyanate-reactive hydroxy groups. The present invention additionally relates to a process for the production of such an electromechanical converter and to the use of a polymer element according to the invention as an electromechanical element. The present invention relates further to an electronic and/or electrical device comprising an electromechanical converter according to the invention and to the use of an electromechanical converter according to the invention in an electronic and/or electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Werner Jenninger, Sebastian Dörr, Joachim Wagner
  • Patent number: 8922100
    Abstract: A woven active fiber composite is disclosed. The woven active fiber composite includes actuating fibers interwoven with conductive wire electrodes. A method of making the woven active fiber composite is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joseph Patrick Wendell Whinnery
  • Patent number: 8853917
    Abstract: An carbon nanotube based electrostrictive element includes two electrostrictive layers spaced with each other, an electrical connector, and two electrodes. The two electrostrictive layers are electrically connected to each other at a first side, and spaced and insulated from each other at a second side via the electrical connector. The two electrodes are located at the second side and electrically connected respectively to the two electrostrictive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Hong Liu, Lu-Zhuo Chen, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8816569
    Abstract: There is provided an actuator that can deform as an electrolyte moves, wherein at least one of a pair of electrode layers contains polymer fibers, and the polymer fibers contain an electroconductive material and are porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sakae Suda, Sotomitsu Ikeda, Tetsuo Hino, Jun Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8803406
    Abstract: There are provided a flexible nanocomposite generator and a method of manufacturing the same. A flexible nanocomposite generator according to the present invention includes a piezoelectric layer formed of a flexible matrix containing piezoelectric nanoparticles and carbon nanostructures; and electrode layers disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of both sides of the piezoelectric layer, in which according to a method for manufacturing a flexible nanocomposite generator according to the present invention and a flexible nanogenerator, it is possible to manufacture a flexible nanogenerator with a large area and a small thickness. Therefore, the nanogenerator may be used as a portion of a fiber or cloth. Accordingly, the nanogenerator according to the present invention generates power in accordance with bending of attached cloth, such that it is possible to continuously generate power in accordance with movement of a human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
    Inventors: Keon Jae Lee, Kwi-Il Park, Do Kyung Kim, Sang Ouk Kim, Geon-Tae Hwang
  • Patent number: 8779650
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an electromechanical, for example piezoelectric, transducer in which a first polymer layer comprising cutouts is applied to a first continuous polymer layer by means of a printing and/or coating method, a cover is applied to the first polymer layer comprising cutouts in such a way that the cutouts of the first polymer layer comprising cutouts are closed off with the formation of cavities, and the cover is connected to the first polymer layer comprising cutouts. The invention also relates to electromechanical transducers produced by the method according to the invention, and the use of said electromechanical transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Werner Jenninger, Joachim Wagner, Wolfgang Fischer, Jörg Büchner, Thomas Bernert, Andreas Nübler
  • Patent number: 8774910
    Abstract: A polymer linear actuator for a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) and a micro manipulator for a measurement device of cranial nerve signal using the same are provided. The polymer linear actuator has first and second bodies positioned spaced apart to a distance from each other, and one or more pairs of V-type moving units connecting the first and second bodies together, wherein the moving units in pair are opposed to each other to convert a rotation motion of the respective moving units into a linear motion, thereby causing the first and second bodies to move linearly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Suk-ho Park, Jin-seok Kim, Ju-hee Hong, Sung-wook Yang, Hee-sup Shin, Dong-won Lee, Suk-chan Lee, Hui-su Kim, Eui Sung Yoon
  • Patent number: 8754572
    Abstract: An actuator includes a sheet having dielectric elastomer layers and conductive rubber layers provided on the front and back faces of each dielectric elastomer layer. The sheet is wrapped and rolled about a coil spring. The actuator expands the rolled sheet along an expansion direction of the coil spring by applying a voltage to the conductive rubber layers on the front and back faces of the dielectric elastomer layer, and contracts the rolled sheet along a contraction direction of the coil spring by stopping the application of the voltage. The actuator further includes a fiber layer located between the coil spring and the rolled sheet wrapped about the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Takeuchi, Takashi Maeno, Naoto Kuriyama, Takanori Nakai, Yutaka Tsuchikawa, Yoji Kimura
  • Patent number: 8742649
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a mechanical-to-electrical energy converting device utilizes an array of microfluidic droplets in association with a planar electrode and separated by a dielectric layer to form a capacitive structure. An elastic spacer is also disposed between the planar electrode and array of droplets, such that as the spacer is compressed, the contact area of the droplets and the dielectric is increased—increasing the total capacitance value. Periodic changes in the force applied to the elastic spacer (such as associated with vibrational motion) creates a periodic change in the capacitance value, generating an electrical current flow between the planar electrode and array of conductive droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Nikita Krupenkin, Joseph Ashley Taylor
  • Patent number: 8716920
    Abstract: An electric energy generating device. The electric energy generating device includes a piezoelectric structure including a material having piezoelectric characteristics, and an insulating film including a material having electret characteristics. When external energy is supplied to the insulating film, the insulating film contacts the piezoelectric structure and the piezoelectric structure is then deformed to generate electric energy. Also, electric energy is generated when an electrostatic capacitance between the insulating film and a substrate adjacent to the insulating film changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-jin Kim, Sung-min Kim, Jong-jin Park, Hyung-bin Son
  • Patent number: 8704427
    Abstract: A device may include a component including an electroactive polymer (EAP) material configured to generate a voltage in response to movement of the component. The device may also include voltage detector coupled to the component, the voltage detector configured to detect voltage generated by the component. The device may further include processing logic configured to perform a function based on the detected voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Paul Futter, Gunnar Klinghult
  • Patent number: 8704423
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a dielectric elastomer composite material comprising a plurality of elastomer-coated electrodes arranged in an assembly. Embodiments of the invention provide improved force output over prior DEs by producing thinner spacing between electrode surfaces. This is accomplished by coating electrodes directly with uncured elastomer in liquid form and then assembling a finished component (which may be termed an actuator) from coated electrode components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Brian K. Stewart
  • Patent number: 8692442
    Abstract: The invention provides a transducer comprising conductors and a laminate. The laminate comprises a film of a dielectric polymer material arranged between first and second electrodes. Each electrode is in electrically conductive communication with at least one of the conductors to facilitate an electrical potential between the electrodes and thereby enable deflection of the polymer material in response to an electrical field. At least one of the conductors is an elastically deformable conductor comprising a compliant core which is electrically conductive. The core is enclosed in a containment having elastomeric properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Danfoss Polypower A/S
    Inventors: Alan David Poole, Jakob Oubaek
  • Patent number: 8680741
    Abstract: A haptic actuator using a cellulose electro-active paper film is provided. The haptic actuator includes a cellulose electro-active paper film exhibiting a piezoelectric phenomenon and a metal electrode for applying electricity to the electro-active paper film, so that the haptic actuator can be provided in the form of a thin film, can manifest high transparency, and can produce displacement to the magnitude of sufficiently stimulating the sensor receptors of a user's skin in response to the applied electricity. Also, the haptic actuator is friendly to the environment and humans thanks to the use of cellulose which is an environmentally friendly material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Industry Collaboration Foundation of Korea University of Technology and Education
    Inventors: Sang-Yeon Kim, Jae hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8669692
    Abstract: A power recovery device, including an electroactive polymer membrane; an actuator capable of moving along a first direction non-parallel to the mid-plane of the membrane; a member for converting the motion of the actuator into a stretching of the membrane along at least one second direction of the mid-plane of the membrane; and means for biasing the membrane including an electret.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventor: Claire Jean-Mistral
  • Patent number: 8643253
    Abstract: As disclosed herein, multiple piezoelectric ultracapacitors may be coupled together in such a manner as to create an output voltage that is substantially the sum of their individual output voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph Anthony Micallef
  • Patent number: 8638024
    Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for an electric motor and an electric motor including said actuator. The actuator includes one or more body formed from a dielectric elastomer, each body having at least one active region that is directly or indirectly coupled to a drive means. The active regions are arranged such that, in use, actuation thereof causes driven means to move with components in at least first and second directions, preferably within a plane of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Auckland UniServices, Limited
    Inventors: Iain Alexander Anderson, Benjamin Marc O'Brien, Thomas Gregory McKay, Todd Alan Gisby, Emilio Patricio Calius, Scott Hayden Walbran, Thomas Swithun Hale
  • Patent number: 8624468
    Abstract: An electromechanical article that includes a composite material (110) including a polymer and at least one expanded microsphere having an outer shell of a shell material and a gas contained within the outer shell, wherein the polymer at least partially encapsulates the microsphere and wherein the polymer, shell material and gas all have different dielectric constants. Devices including such articles and methods of making the articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Vivek Bharti, Thu-Van T. Tran
  • Patent number: 8593034
    Abstract: An electrostrictive composite includes two electrostrictive layers spaced with each other. The electrostrictive layers extend from a first side to a second side. The first side is spaced with and correspond to the second side. The electrostrictive layers are electrically connected with each other at the first side. The electrostrictive layers are insulated from each other at the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Hong Liu, Lu-Zhuo Chen, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8564178
    Abstract: A micro electric generator is disclosed, which comprises: at least one electrically conductive fiber, and at least one piezoelectric ceramic layer covering on the surface of that at least one electrically conductive fiber. When a mechanical force is applied to deform the electrically conductive fiber covered with the piezoelectric ceramic layer, electric energy is generated. Also, a method of fabricating the said micro electric generator and an electric generating device are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Wen-Kuang Hsu, Hsin-Fu Kuo, Chia-Jung Hu, Yu-Hsien Lin
  • Patent number: 8564181
    Abstract: A multilayered electroactive polymer (EAP) device and a method of manufacturing the same is provided. The multilayered EAP device includes a plurality of unit layers. Each unit layer includes an EAP layer formed of an electroactive polymer (EAP), a protecting layer configured to prevent a material from penetrating into the EAP layer, and an active electrode formed using a conductive material. The protecting layer may be formed below the active layer or above the active layer. The active electrode may be interposed between two protecting layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University
    Inventors: Seung-Tae Choi, Jong-Oh Kwon, Youn-Jung Park, Cheol-Min Park, Yeon-Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 8536767
    Abstract: An electrostrictive composite includes a flexible polymer matrix and a carbon nanotube film structure. The carbon nanotube film structure is located on a surface of the flexible polymer matrix, and at least partly embedded into the flexible polymer matrix through the first surface. The carbon nanotube film structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes combined by van der Waals attractive force therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lu-Zhuo Chen, Chang-Hong Liu, Jia-Ping Wang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8508109
    Abstract: Described herein are transducers and their fabrication. The transducers convert between mechanical and electrical energy. Some transducers of the present invention include a pre-strained polymer. The pre-strain improves the conversion between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Oibing Pei, Seajin Oh, Jose P. Joseph
  • Patent number: 8508108
    Abstract: Systems and methods of harvesting and converting naturally occurring energy are described that include exposing a material to an ambient condition and harvesting at least a portion of energy that is created. Energy harvesting from fluidic and flow environments or vibration can be accomplished using types of energy harvesters, such as flexible polymers. Active materials or Electro-Active Polymer (EAP)-metal composite thin films like Ionic Polymers, Piezoceramic materials, and electromagnetic systems may be used as mechanical to electrical energy transducers. One type of an ionic EAP is ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC), which includes a base polymer membrane that may be coated with a metal to act as a surface electrode. The surface electrode may be silver (Ag) nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticle functionalized IPMC can be used to convert mechanical vibrations and fluidic flow to electrical energy to power wireless devices and microelectronic systems, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Indian Institute of Science
    Inventors: Sandeep Venkit Anand, Debiprosad Roy Mahapatra
  • Patent number: 8487505
    Abstract: There is provided a polymer actuator including a first electrode layer as an active member layer made of a conductive polymer, a second electrode layer opposing to the first electrode layer, and an electrolyte placed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, so that the polymer actuator is driven by a voltage applied between both the electrode layers, wherein the electrolyte is constituted by a first electrolyte layer having a sliding function and a second electrolyte layer having an insulation maintaining function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kimiya Ikushima, Sachio Nagamitsu, Kazuo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8480917
    Abstract: A solid electrolyte polymer including a cross-linked polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based polymer, and a polymer actuator including the cross-linked PVDF-based polymer and an electrolytic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Sungkyunkwan University Foundation for Corporate Collaboration
    Inventors: Jong-oh Kwon, Seung-tae Choi, Young-kwan Lee, Ja-Choon Koo, Su-jin Park
  • Patent number: 8456067
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a piezoelectric sensor. The piezoelectric sensor includes a polymer layer, a first metal layer, and a second metal layer. The polymer layer includes pyrolytic polyacrylonitrile. The first metal layer is located on a surface of the polymer layer. The first metal layer includes a first work function. The second metal layer is located on another surface of the polymer layer and includes a second work function different from the first work function. The present disclosure also relates to a method for making the piezoelectric sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiang-Ming He, Wei-Hua Pu, Li Wang, Jian-Jun Li, Jian Gao, Jian-Guo Ren
  • Patent number: 8450903
    Abstract: An electrostrictive composite includes a first material layer and a second material layer. The first material layer and the second material layer are stacked to each other. The thermal expansion coefficients of the first material layer and the second material layer are different. The first material layer includes a polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon nanotubes dispersed therein. Also an electrothermic type actuator using the electrostrictive composite is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lu-Zhuo Chen, Chang-Hong Liu, Hong-Jiang Li, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8446077
    Abstract: A three-dimensional woven active fiber composite is disclosed. The composite includes a plurality of actuating fibers configured in a three-dimensional arrangement. The composite further includes a plurality of conductive wire electrodes that are woven through the plurality of actuating fibers. The electrodes may be configured into two dimensional electrode mats that are spaced apart along the length of the composite. Filler fibers may be used between adjacent electrode mats to help reinforce the composite. A sleeve member can also be used to help provide compressive containment for the actuating fibers and conductive wire electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph P. W. Whinnery, Dennis B. Chung
  • Patent number: 8446075
    Abstract: To provide a conductive film that is flexible, extendable and contractible, and for which the electrical resistance hardly increases even when the conductive film is extended. The conductive film contains an elastomer and metallic filler particles, and satisfies a condition (A) [an average value of reference numbers is 0.8 (1/?m) or more, or the metallic filler particles include flake-like metallic filler particles having a thickness of 1 ?m or less and an aspect ratio of 26 or more and the average value of the reference numbers is 0.4 (1/?m) or more] and a condition (B) [a number of unit areas for which an area percentage of the elastomer is 60% or more is 20 or more], the condition (A) being a conductivity indicator and the condition (B) being a flexibility indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Takahashi, Hitoshi Yoshikawa, Jun Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8446065
    Abstract: A tubular actuator including a flexible tube or roll, operable to shift between first and second configurations so as to define a stroke, and utilizing active material activation to produce, modify, and/or retain the stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Jan H. Aase, Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson, Xiujie Gao
  • Patent number: 8446080
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ferroelectret multi-layer composite (1) comprising at least two polymer films arranged one on top of the other and bonded together, wherein voids are formed between the polymer films, said voids being tubular channels, particularly running parallel to one another. The invention further provides a process for the production of a ferroelectret multi-layer composite with parallel tubular channels, and a device for carrying out the process for the production of the ferroelectret multi-layer composite according to the invention. In addition, the invention relates to a piezoelectric element containing a ferroelectret multi-layer composite according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Werner Jenninger, Joachim Wagner, Reimund Gerhard, Ruy Alberto Altafi, Werner Wirges
  • Patent number: 8421315
    Abstract: An electrostrictive structure includes a flexible polymer matrix and a carbon nanotube film structure at least partly embedded into the flexible polymer matrix. The carbon nanotube film structure includes a number of carbon nanotubes combined by van der Waals attractive force therebetween. The carbon nanotube film structure extends in a curve in the flexible polymer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lu-Zhuo Chen, Chang-Hong Liu, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8421311
    Abstract: A flexible piezoelectric tactile sensor having a piezoelectric thin film, a first flexible substrate, a second flexible substrate, and at least one elastic body is revealed. The piezoelectric thin film includes an upper surface and a lower surface while the first flexible substrate is disposed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric thin film. The first flexible substrate consists of a first surface facing the upper surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface and a plurality of first electrodes formed on the first surface. The second flexible substrate, including a third surface facing the lower surface and a plurality of second electrodes formed on the third surface, is arranged on the lower surface of the piezoelectric thin film. Both the first electrodes and the second electrode are electrically connected with the piezoelectric thin film. The elastic body is set on the second surface, corresponding to the first electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Southern Taiwan University of Technology
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsin Chuang, Yi-Rong Liou