Abstract: A dielectric transducer for use in a sensor, actuator or generator comprising a plurality of layers of transducer foils, wherein an electrically contactable and conductive layer forming an electrode layer is applied to at least one side of each transducer foil. Expediently, at least two contact elements are provided, each of which is arranged at least partially in a recess or in a through-channel and extends over at least one layer of transducer foils, adjacent electrode layers being electrically conductively connected to different contact elements. Since adjacent electrode layers are connected to different contact elements, intended use is possible, and bringing together several contact lines is advantageously not necessary. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a multilayer dielectric transducer for use in a sensor, an actuator or a generator, as well as an actuator, a sensor or a generator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal actuator arrangement for moving an actuator between a first actuating position and a second actuating position comprising: a first partial actuator having a first thermal actuator element to which a first opposing force is applied; a second partial actuator having a second thermal actuator element to which a second opposing force is applied, wherein the actuator elements are configured to modify their shape against the opposing force in each case as a result of a temperature change; an actuator which is coupled to the first partial actuator, such that, when the first actuator element is deactivated, the actuator is held in the first actuating position when a holding force takes effect and, when the holding force is eliminated, the actuator moves to the second actuating position due to the effect of the first opposing force; a securing element which is coupled to the second partial actuator in order to provide the holding force when the second actuator element is in the deact

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transducer device comprising: At least one dielectric electro-active membrane, an actuation element coupled with the at least one electro-active membrane so that the electro-active membrane is biased in at least one of its plane directions; wherein the actuation element is provided with a mass so that when electrically excited a first resonance frequency is developed in a fundamental mode of a longitudinal oscillation of the actuation element and a second resonance frequency is developed in a fundamental mode of a transverse oscillation of the membrane, wherein the second resonance frequency is at least six times higher than the first resonance frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator (1; 1a; 1b) which can be moved from an initial position into a working position having at least one actuator element (2; 2a; 2b) whose dimensions can changed by an electrical signal, Appropriately, at least two restoring means (20, 30; 20a, 30a; 20b, 30b) acting on the actuator element (2; 2a; 2b) are provided for movement into the working position. With the at least two restoring means, a total restoring means characteristic curve, which is composed of portions of the individual, preferably preloaded restoring means as well as a portion of a variable stiffness of the actuator element, can be advantageously tailored.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal actuator arrangement for moving an actuator between a first actuating position and a second actuating position comprising: a first partial actuator having a first thermal actuator element to which a first opposing force is applied; a second partial actuator having a second thermal actuator element to which a second opposing force is applied, wherein the actuator elements are configured to modify their shape against the opposing force in each case as a result of a temperature change; an actuator which is coupled to the first partial actuator, such that, when the first actuator element is deactivated, the actuator is held in the first actuating position when a holding force takes effect and, when the holding force is eliminated, the actuator moves to the second actuating position due to the effect of the first opposing force; a securing element which is coupled to the second partial actuator in order to provide the holding force when the second actuator element is in the deact

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoelastic energy converter (1), in particular for use in a thermoelastic heating/cooling apparatus or in a combined heat-and-power coupling system, comprising: an arrangement comprising multiple converter devices (3a, 3b), wherein each of the converter devices (3a, 3b) has one or more thermoelastic elements (4) arranged in a direction of extension; a loading device, in order to load the thermoelastic elements (4) of each of the multiple converter devices (3a, 3b) so as to have a temporally variable power curve; a coupling which is designed such that the loading device actuates the converter devices (3a, 3b) in a phase-offset manner with respect to their cyclic loading and unloading.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator (1; 1a; 1b) which can be moved from an initial position into a working position having at least one actuator element (2; 2a; 2b) whose dimensions can changed by an electrical signal, Appropriately, at least two restoring means (20, 30; 20a, 30a; 20b, 30b) acting on the actuator element (2; 2a; 2b) are provided for movement into the working position. With the at least two restoring means, a total restoring means characteristic curve, which is composed of portions of the individual, preferably preloaded restoring means as well as a portion of a variable stiffness of the actuator element, can be advantageously tailored.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bistable actuator device (1) for providing at least two actuator positions comprising: an elastic bending element (2) supported at at least one attachment point (31, 32, 34) such that, by applying a switching torque at the attachment point (31, 32, 34), elastic deformation of the bending element (2) results in a change from a first actuator position to a second actuator position; and at least one actuator element (41, 42) formed with a shape memory wire, the shape memory wire causing a pulling force by heating and being coupled to a portion of the bending element (2) at the attachment point (31, 32, 34) so that the pulling force causes the switching torque at the attachment point (31, 32, 34) to move the bending element (2) from the first actuator position to the second actuator position.

Abstract: A film transducer has a holding part, an electroactive composite structure which includes at least one deformable carrier and at least two electrodes arranged on opposite sides of the deformable carrier, and a load application member which is mounted to the composite structure. The holding part engages two ends of the composite structure facing away from each other and the load application member is arranged between the two ends of the composite structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bistable actuator device (1) for providing at least two actuator positions comprising: an elastic bending element (2) supported at at least one attachment point (31, 32, 34) such that, by applying a switching torque at the attachment point (31, 32, 34), elastic deformation of the bending element (2) results in a change from a first actuator position to a second actuator position; and at least one actuator element (41, 42) formed with a shape memory wire, the shape memory wire causing a pulling force by heating and being coupled to a portion of the bending element (2) at the attachment point (31, 32, 34) so that the pulling force causes the switching torque at the attachment point (31, 32, 34) to move the bending element (2) from the first actuator position to the second actuator position.

Abstract: A seat valve (10) is described having a valve body (12) which comprises at least two fluid openings (14, 16). Furthermore, the seat valve (10) comprises at least one valve seat (20), at least one valve element (22) which can be displaced in a translatory manner and at least one actuator (24) which is formed as an electro-active polymeric actuator and cooperates with the valve element (22).

Abstract: A slide valve comprises a bushing in which fluid openings are provided which extend through the wall of the bushing, a slide which is arranged adjustably in the bushing and is provided with at least one fluid duct, and an electroactive polymer actuator which can adjust the slide in the bushing.

Abstract: A diaphragm actuator has a first frame part and a second frame part, between which at least two diaphragm layers are disposed in a stacked manner and formed as electro-active polymer layers. Furthermore, a method for producing a diaphragm actuator is described.

Abstract: A seat valve (10) is described having a valve body (12) which comprises at least two fluid openings (14, 16). Furthermore, the seat valve (10) comprises at least one valve seat (20), at least one valve element (22) which can be displaced in a translatory manner and at least one actuator (24) which is formed as an electro-active polymeric actuator and cooperates with the valve element (22).

Abstract: There is described a diaphragm valve (10) comprising a housing (12) which includes at least two fluid openings (22, 24, 26), at least one valve seat (28, 30), a valve element (32), and at least one actuator (38). The actuator (38) is an electroactive polymer actuator which is able to shift the valve element (32) in order to release and/or close the at least one valve seat (28, 30).

Abstract: A slide valve comprises a bushing in which fluid openings are provided which extend through the wail of the bushing, a slide which is arranged adjustably in the bushing and is provided with at least one fluid duct, and an electroactive polymer actuator which can adjust the slide in the bushing.

Abstract: A smart inhaler system comprising an inhaler device for directed aerosol delivery facilitated by an adaptive nozzle and a mechanism for inhalation waveform modulation is provided. Methods of using the smart inhaler system for delivering an active agent to a target area of a lung of a subject are further provided.

Abstract: A smart inhaler system comprising an inhaler device for directed aerosol delivery facilitated by an adaptive nozzle and a mechanism for inhalation waveform modulation is provided. Methods of using the smart inhaler system for delivering an active agent to a target area of a lung of a subject are further provided.