Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne

Lucent Technologies Inc.

Burkert Werke Gmbh & Co. Kg

Herbert Rudolf Shea

Samuel Rosset

David John Bishop

Donald Weiss

Dario Floreano

Jun Shintake

Juan José Zarate

Nadine Besse

Edouard Leroy

Juan Josë Zarate

Ronan Hinchet

Min Gao

Bryan Schubert

Fabio Beco Albuquerque

An actuator () comprises at least one actuator body () of dielectric elastomeric material and two electrodes () being attached to opposite surfaces of the actuator body (), respectively. At least one of the actuator body () and at least one of the electrodes () is at least partly covered at its outer side with a protective layer () of polymer material, wherein a mechanical stiffness of the protective layer () is at least three times lower than a mechanical stiffness of the actuator body (). Moreover, a valve actuator unit comprises such an actuator () and a housing, wherein the actuator () is arranged within the housing and the remainder of the housing is filled with a gas. Additionally, a valve comprises such a valve actuator unit and a valve element, wherein the valve element is movable by the valve actuator unit.

Actuator, valve actuator unit and valve

The present disclosure relates to a device including electrostatic brakes providing haptic kinaesthetic feedback to a user in e.g. assistive, rehabilitation or virtual reality scenarios, as well as tele-manipulation.

Electrostatic brake-based haptic device

A dielectric actuator including an enclosure forming a cavity having a dielectric fluid therein, the enclosure having a base, a flexible membrane and a reversibly-stretchable membrane, and a pair of electrodes, one electrode of the pair of electrodes arranged at the flexible membrane, the other electrode arranged at the base, the pair of electrodes arranged to generate an electric field to an area of the cavity that is filled with the dielectric fluid, wherein when the electric field is generated between the pair of electrodes, an electrostatic pressure in the dielectric fluid causes the flexible membrane to move towards the base, reducing an initial volume of the area of the cavity, increases a pressure of the dielectric fluid inside the cavity, and causes the reversibly-stretchable membrane to bump out to an expanded state.

Hydraulically amplified dielectric actuator taxels

A device for electroadhesion and conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy, for example electrostatic actuation, is provided, including a soft polymeric dielectric support having at least two sets of overlapping electrodes patterned respectively on the upper surface and bottom surface of the polymeric support, the electrodes of the two sets can be electrically activated through a power supply for providing voltage change suitable for electroadhesion, electrostatic actuation or both at the same time.

Electroadhesive device, system and method for gripping

The present invention concerns an electromagnetic actuator for a haptic display. The actuator comprises: a) a first, movable permanent magnetic element, the first magnetic element comprising a first latching layer facing side, a second latching layer facing side substantially opposite to the first latching layer facing side, and at least one lateral face between the first latching layer facing side and the second latching layer facing side; b) a shielding element for shielding laterally the first magnetic element to confine a magnetic field generated by the first magnetic element; c) a first actuation inductor facing the first latching layer facing side for actuating the first magnetic element and arranged to displace the first magnetic element from a first latching position to a second latching position, or vice versa; d) a first latching layer facing the first latching layer facing side and arranged to attract the first magnetic element for obtaining the first latching position; and e) a second latching layer facing the second latching layer facing side and arranged to attract the first magnetic element for obtaining the second latching position, different from the first latching position.

Electromagnetic actuator

An actuator device including a plurality of transducer actuators, and a common pneumatic actuation mechanism for shaping the plurality of transducer actuators, wherein each actuator of the plurality of transducer actuators includes a shape memory polymer membrane, an integrated stretchable heater, and a pressure interface to the common pneumatic actuation mechanism.

Device having a plurality of latching micro-actuators and method of operating the same

An ordnance fuse apparatus is described that uses electrical and mechanical, and optical devices. The ordnance fuse apparatus includes a controller to control an optical switch and a laser to detonate an explosive charge of the ordnance. Other embodiments include an accelerometer and/or spin detector for detecting that the ordnance has been fired and an optical detector for detecting the proper operation of the laser and a position sensor for detecting correct positioning of the optical switch. Another embodiment includes a microlens to focus the laser optical signal onto the ignitor. In yet other embodiments, the explosive charge is detonated either by ignition of an ignitor or by a shock wave from the ignitor. The resulting ordnance fuse apparatus has significantly reduced size and improved performance and safety.

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Lausanne, Switzerland

Herbert Rudolf Shea