Patents by Inventor Qibing Pei
Qibing Pei has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20080308974Abstract: The present invention provides electroactive polymers, transducers and devices that maintain pre-strain in one or more portions of an electroactive polymer. Electroactive polymers described herein may include a pre-strained portion and a stiffened portion configured to maintain pre-strain in the pre-strained portion. One fabrication technique applies pre-strain to a partially cured electroactive polymer. The partially cured polymer is then further cured to stiffen and maintain the pre-strain. In another fabrication technique, a support layer is coupled to the polymer that maintains pre-strain in a portion of an electroactive polymer. Another embodiment of the invention cures a polymer precursor to maintain pre-strain in an electroactive polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2008Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Qibing Pei, Ronald E. Pelrine, Marcus Rosenthal
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Patent number: 7436099Abstract: The present invention provides electroactive polymers, transducers and devices that maintain pre-strain in one or more portions of an electroactive polymer. Electroactive polymers described herein may include a pre-strained portion and a stiffened portion configured to maintain pre-strain in the pre-strained portion. One fabrication technique applies pre-strain to a partially cured electroactive polymer. The partially cured polymer is then further cured to stiffen and maintain the pre-strain. In another fabrication technique, a support layer is coupled to the polymer that maintains pre-strain in a portion of an electroactive polymer. Another embodiment of the invention cures a polymer precursor to maintain pre-strain in an electroactive polymer.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2004Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Qibing Pei, Ronald E. Pelrine, Marcus Rosenthal
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Publication number: 20080224089Abstract: Polymerizable anions and/or cations can be used as the ionically conductive species for the formation of a p-i-n junction in conjugated polymer thin films. After the junction is formed, the ions are polymerized in situ, and the junction is locked thereafter. The resulting polymer p-i-n junction diodes could have a high current rectification ratio. Electroluminescence with high quantum efficiency and low operating voltage may be produced from this locked junction. The diodes may also be used for photovoltaic energy conversion. In a photovoltaic cell, the built-in potential helps separate electron-hole pairs and increases the open-circuit voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventor: Qibing Pei
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Publication number: 20080191585Abstract: Described herein are transducers, their use and fabrication. The transducers convert between mechanical and electrical energy. The present invention further relates to compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer included in a transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Qibing Pei, Jose P. Joseph
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Patent number: 7411332Abstract: The present invention relates to animated devices that include one or more electroactive polymer transducers. When actuated by electrical energy, an electroactive polymer produces mechanical deflection in one or more directions. This deflection may be used to produce motion of a feature included in an animated device. Electroactive polymer transducers offer customizable shapes and deflections. Combining different ways to configure and constrain a polymer, different ways to arrange active areas on a single polymer, different animated device designs, and different polymer orientations, permits a broad range of animated devices that use an electroactive polymer transducer to produce motion. These animated devices find use in a wide range of animated device applications.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Roy D. Kornbluh, Ronald E. Pelrine, Qibing Pei, Joseph S. Eckerle
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Publication number: 20080136052Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2007Publication date: June 12, 2008Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Qibing Pei, Seajin Oh, Jose P. Joseph
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Patent number: 7362032Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Scott E. Stanford, Qibing Pei, Richard Heydt, Joseph S. Eckerle, Jonathan R. Heim
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Publication number: 20080022517Abstract: The invention describes rolled electroactive polymer devices. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. A rolled electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and includes a rolled electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. Prestrain is typically applied to the polymer. In one embodiment, a rolled electroactive polymer device employs a mechanism, such as a spring, that provides a force to prestrain the polymer. Since prestrain improves mechanical/electrical energy conversion for many electroactive polymers, the mechanism thus improves performance of the rolled electroactive polymer device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2007Publication date: January 31, 2008Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Marcus Rosenthal, Qibing Pei, Neville Bonwit
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Publication number: 20070222344Abstract: The present invention relates to animated devices that include one or more electroactive polymer transducers. When actuated by electrical energy, an electroactive polymer produces mechanical deflection in one or more directions. This deflection may be used to produce motion of a feature included in an animated device. Electroactive polymer transducers offer customizable shapes and deflections. Combining different ways to configure and constrain a polymer, different ways to arrange active areas on a single polymer, different animated device designs, and different polymer orientations, permits a broad range of animated devices that use an electroactive polymer transducer to produce motion. These animated devices find use in a wide range of animated device applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Roy Kornbluh, Ronald Pelrine, Qibing Pei, Joseph Eckerle
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Patent number: 7259503Abstract: The present invention relates to transducers, their use and 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 also relates to devices including an electroactive polymer to convert between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention further relates to compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer included in a transducer. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2006Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Qibing Pei, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh
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Publication number: 20070170822Abstract: The present invention provides electroactive polymers, transducers and devices that maintain pre-strain in one or more portions of an electroactive polymer. Electroactive polymers described herein may include a pre-strained portion and a stiffened portion configured to maintain pre-strain in the pre-strained portion. One fabrication technique applies pre-strain to a partially cured electroactive polymer. The partially cured polymer is then further cured to stiffen and maintain the pre-strain. In another fabrication technique, a support layer is coupled to the polymer that maintains pre-strain in a portion of an electroactive polymer. Another embodiment of the invention cures a polymer precursor to maintain pre-strain in an electroactive polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2004Publication date: July 26, 2007Applicant: SRI International, A California CorporationInventors: Qibing Pei, Ronald Pelrine, Marcus Rosenthal
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Patent number: 7233097Abstract: The invention describes rolled electroactive polymer devices. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. A rolled electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and includes a rolled electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. Prestrain is typically applied to the polymer. In one embodiment, a rolled electroactive polymer device employs a mechanism, such as a spring, that provides a force to prestrain the polymer. Since prestrain improves mechanical/electrical energy conversion for many electroactive polymers, the mechanism thus improves performance of the rolled electroactive polymer device.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Marcus A. Rosenthal, Qibing Pei, Neville A. Bonwit
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Patent number: 7224106Abstract: The present invention relates to transducers, their use and 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 also relates to devices including an electroactive polymer to convert between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention further relates to compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer included in a transducer. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2006Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Qibing Pei, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh
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Patent number: 7211937Abstract: The present invention relates to animated devices that include one or more electroactive polymer transducers. When actuated by electrical energy, an electroactive polymer produces mechanical deflection in one or more directions. This deflection may be used to produce motion of a feature included in an animated device. Electroactive polymer transducers offer customizable shapes and deflections. Combining different ways to configure and constrain a polymer, different ways to arrange active areas on a single polymer, different animated device designs, and different polymer orientations, permits a broad range of animated devices that use an electroactive polymer transducer to produce motion. These animated devices find use in a wide range of animated device applications.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Roy D. Kornbluh, Ronald E. Pelrine, Qibing Pei, Joseph S. Eckerle
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Patent number: 7199501Abstract: The present invention relates to transducers, their use and 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 also relates to devices including an electroactive polymer to convert between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention further relates to compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer included in a transducer. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2006Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Qibing Pei, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh
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Publication number: 20060290241Abstract: The present invention relates to animated devices that include one or more electroactive polymer transducers. When actuated by electrical energy, an electroactive polymer produces mechanical deflection in one or more directions. This deflection may be used to produce motion of a feature included in an animated device. Electroactive polymer transducers offer customizable shapes and deflections. Combining different ways to configure and constrain a polymer, different ways to arrange active areas on a single polymer, different animated device designs, and different polymer orientations, permits a broad range of animated devices that use an electroactive polymer transducer to produce motion. These animated devices find use in a wide range of animated device applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2006Publication date: December 28, 2006Applicant: SRI InternationalInventors: Roy Kornbluh, Ronald Pelrine, Qibing Pei, Joseph Eckerle
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Publication number: 20060238079Abstract: The present invention relates to transducers, their use and 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 also relates to devices including an electroactive polymer to convert between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention further relates to compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer included in a transducer. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Applicant: SRI International, A California CorporationInventors: Qibing Pei, Ronald Pelrine, Roy Kornbluh
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Patent number: 7098297Abstract: The invention provides conjugated polymers that have good solubility and semiconductivity, and that display high photoluminescent and electroluminescent efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: SRI InternationalInventor: Qibing Pei
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Publication number: 20060158065Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2006Publication date: July 20, 2006Applicant: SRI International A California CorporationInventors: Ronald Pelrine, Roy Kornbluh, Scott Stanford, Qibing Pei, Richard Heydt, Joseph Eckerle, Jonathan Heim
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Patent number: 7064472Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy David Kornbluh, Scott E. Stanford, Qibing Pei, Richard Heydt, Joseph S. Eckerle, Jonathan R. Heim