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 system includes an artificial muscle and a power supply. The artificial muscle includes an electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode, an electrical insulator membrane fixed to the second electrode, a housing including an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, the electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, and a dielectric fluid housed within the housing. The power supply includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The positive terminal is electrically coupled to the second electrode. The negative terminal is electrically coupled to the first 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.

Abstract: A hybrid actuation device that includes a first plate coupled to a second plate, a shape memory alloy wire coupled to the first plate, and an artificial muscle positioned between the first plate and the second plate. The artificial muscle includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a first electrode and a second electrode each disposed in the electrode region of the housing and a dielectric fluid disposed within the housing. The expandable fluid region of the housing is positioned apart from a perimeter of the first plate and the second plate.

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.