Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate, a dielectric elastomer transducer electrically coupled to the substrate, and a compliant electrically conductive housing coupled to the dielectric elastomer transducer. A portion of the compliant electrically conductive housing projects through an opening defined in a housing. A method is disclosed for making the apparatus.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer transducer comprising a first and second ends and first and second electrical terminals connected to the respective first and second ends of the dielectric elastomer transducer is provided. A system also includes a substrate, a conductive flexure with one end attached to the substrate and another end configured to receive a load. A first electrical connector pin is attached to the flexure to receive the first electrical terminal and a second electrical connector pin is attached to the substrate to receive the second electrical terminal. Another system also includes a living hinge flexibly coupling two separate substrates, where at least one of the substrates is movable in response to energizing the dielectric elastomer transducer.

Abstract: The present invention provides flexible polymer diodes in the form of a printable polymer sandwich configuration similar to that found in electroactive polymer transducers. The inventive flexible polymer diodes comprise a dielectric layer sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. With appropriate optional additives introduced in the electrode formulation and the proper electrical properties in the electrode, a device may be constructed which allows current to pass through for only one polarity of applied voltage.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a thermal management apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing that defines a first air flow channel and a second air flow channel and an electroactive polymer actuator located within the housing, the electroactive polymer actuator configured to move in response to an activation signal. The electroactive polymer actuator defines a first chamber in fluid communication with the first air flow channel and defines a second chamber in fluid communication with the second air flow channel, the first and second chambers are fluidically isolated from each other. The electroactive polymer actuator is configured to oscillate when excited by the activation signal and eject pulses of air through the first and second air flow channels. An apparatus that includes two electroactive polymer actuators as well as method of generating air flow for thermal management also is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus (200) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rigid frame (206), an electroactive polymer film (204) defining an aperture (202) where the electroactive polymer film has a first and second side. A first electrode is located on the first side of the electroactive polymer film and a second electrode is located on the second side of the electroactive polymer film. The aperture is configured to deform upon the application of an electric voltage potential to the first and second electrodes. A method of making an electroactive device is also disclosed. The method includes positioning an electroactive polymer film within a rigid frame and forming an aperture within the electroactive polymer film.

Abstract: The present invention provides flexible polymer diodes in the form of a printable polymer sandwich configuration similar to that found in electroactive polymer transducers. The inventive flexible polymer diodes comprise a dielectric layer sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. With appropriate optional additives introduced in the electrode formulation and the proper electrical properties in the electrode, a device may be constructed which allows current to pass through for only one polarity of applied voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate, a dielectric elastomer transducer electrically coupled to the substrate, and a compliant electrically conductive housing coupled to the dielectric elastomer transducer. A portion of the compliant electrically conductive housing projects through an opening defined in a housing. A method is disclosed for making the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for making a rolled dielectric elastomer transducer includes rolling a dielectric film laminate into a solid dielectric elastomer transducer roll. An apparatus includes a drive mechanism for receiving a carrier plate with a dielectric film laminate located on a top surface thereof. The drive mechanism is configured to drive the carrier plate in a first direction. A scrub roller is configured to counter-rotate in a second direction relative to the first direction and frictionally engage the dielectric film to roll the dielectric film laminate into a solid dielectric elastomer transducer roll. The apparatus may also include a fixed jaw and a movable jaw movable relative to the fixed jaw to define a longitudinal aperture for receiving a solid dielectric elastomer transducer roll therein. A cutter is configured to segment the solid dielectric elastomer transducer roll into at least two or more individual solid dielectric elastomer transducer rolls.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer transducer comprising a first and second ends and first and second electrical terminals connected to the respective first and second ends of the dielectric elastomer transducer is provided. A system also includes a substrate, a conductive flexure with one end attached to the substrate and another end configured to receive a load. A first electrical connector pin is attached to the flexure to receive the first electrical terminal and a second electrical connector pin is attached to the substrate to receive the second electrical terminal. Another system also includes a living hinge flexibly coupling two separate substrates, where at least one of the substrates is movable in response to energizing the dielectric elastomer transducer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a housing to allow for removable coupling of electroactive polymer transducer with an electronic media device, where the housing produces an improved haptic effect in the electronic media device.

Abstract: A balanced multi-phase energy conversion apparatus configured to convert energy from a mechanical energy source into electrical energy is disclosed. The energy conversion apparatus may comprise a plurality of transducers. Each of the plurality of transducers comprises a dielectric elastomer module comprising at least one dielectric elastomer film layer disposed between at least first and second electrodes. A transmission coupling mechanism is coupled to the mechanical energy source and operatively attached to the plurality of transducers. The transmission coupling cyclically strains and relaxes the plurality of transducers in response to the mechanical energy acting on the transmission coupling mechanism. The transmission coupling mechanism comprises a work cycle. The plurality of transducers are at evenly distributed points in the work cycle such that a total passive strain energy is constant.

Abstract: A feedback enabled system, module, and method are disclosed. The feedback enabled system comprises a first feedback module. The first feedback module comprises a membrane (thin film); a frame; a motion coupling, wherein when a voltage is applied to the membrane (thin film), the motion coupling exerts a force on the frame to provide feedback; and a user interface, wherein the first feedback module is configured to provide feedback through the user interface. The method comprises applying a first voltage with a first waveform to a first feedback module, the first feedback module comprising a dielectric elastomer membrane (thin film), a frame, and a motion coupling, wherein, when the first voltage is applied to the dielectric elastomer membrane (thin film), the motion coupling exerts a force on the frame.

Abstract: An actuator module is disclosed. The actuator module includes an actuator having at least one elastomeric dielectric film disposed between first and second electrodes. A suspension system having at least one flexure is coupled to the actuator. The flexure enables the suspension system to move in a predetermined direction when the first and second electrodes are energized. A mobile device that includes the actuator module and a flexure where the actuator module assembly is used to provide haptic feedback also are disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic damping feedback control system for an electroactive polymer module, an electroactive polymer device, and a computer-implemented method for creating realistic effects are provided. The electronic damping controller is coupled in a feedback loop between a user interface device and an electroactive polymer actuator, where the actuator is coupled to the user interface device. The electronic damping controller is configured to receive an actuation signal from the user interface device in response to a user input. In response to the actuation signal, the electronic damping controller generates an electronic damping signal to couple to the actuator. The electroactive polymer device includes a user interface device, an electroactive polymer actuator coupled to the user interface device, and the electronic damping controller. The present invention may provide improved user interface devices.

Abstract: Electroactive transducers as well as methods of producing a haptic effect in a user interface device simultaneously with a sound generated by a separately generated audio signal and electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications in user interface devices are disclosed.

Abstract: Electroactive transducers as well as methods of producing a haptic effect in a user interface device simultaneously with a sound generated by a separately generated audio signal and electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications in user interface devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of quantifying the capability of a haptic system. The haptic system comprises an actuator. The computer comprises a processor, a memory, and an input/output interface for receiving and transmitting information to and from the processor. The computer provides an environment for simulating the mechanics of the haptic system, determining the performance of the haptic system, and determining a user sensation produced by the haptic system in response to an input to the haptic system. In accordance with the computer-implemented method, an input command is received by a mechanical system module that simulates a haptic system where the input command represents an input pressure applied to the haptic system. A displacement is produced by the mechanical system module in response to the input command. The displacement is received by an intensity perception module.

Abstract: A clamping assembly for use in conjunction with high voltage solid state devices. The clamping assembly includes a clamp frame having upper and lower clamping plates substantially composed of aluminum and joined together by four dielectric rods composed of glass laminate material. The clamping assembly further includes a compression assembly mounted in the upper clamping plate and including several spring washers disposed in a recess defined by the upper clamping plate. The position of a compression cap attached to the upper clamping plate by eight cap screws can by adjusted by way of the cap screws so as to compress, or deflect, the spring washers. The spring washers in turn exert a compressive force that is a function of the spring constant k of the spring washers as well as of the distance over which the spring washers are compressed by the compression cap. The compressive force thus generated is transmitted to a pivot ball seated in a recess collectively defined by the spring washers.

Abstract: A coupling circuit for charging a pulse forming network (PFN) or capacitor load to a precise voltage is disclosed. The coupling circuit is connected to a DC input voltage source. The circuit includes a charging transformer, having an input winding connected in series with a switch circuit and the DC voltage source. The output winding of the charging transformer is connected to the PFN or capacitor load. A charging inductor is placed in series with the output winding. A control circuit monitors and calculates the total amount of energy present at the load and the charging inductor, and causes the switch circuit to open when the total charge reaches a predefined level, thereby allowing charge stored in the inductor to be transferred to the PFN or capacitor load.

Abstract: A switching circuit for selectively discharging energy from a pulse forming network (PFN) or capacitor in the form of pulses is described. The switching circuit is comprised of a high power solid state switch configured to selectively discharge energy from the PFN or capacitor to the input of a transformer. Disposed between the PFN and the transformer is a magnetic assist switch, which improves the operating characteristics of the solid state switch. Directly connected to the magnetic assist switch is a reset bias circuit, which provides a reset bias signal and improves the operating characteristics of the assist switch. The same circuit, connected to a turn of the assist switch, also provides a bias reset signal to the transformer, thereby eliminating the need for additional bias circuitry for that component.