Auckland Uniservices Limited

Sensor Holdings Limited

Iain Alexander Anderson

Benjamin Marc O'Brien

Thomas Gregory McKay

Todd Alan Gisby

Emilio Patricio Calius

Scott Hayden Walbran

Thomas Swithun Hale

Markus Henke

Ho Cheong Lo

Andreas Tairych

Todd Alan Gibsy

Shane Xie

Thomas Gregory Mckay

Benjamin Marc O ' Brien

In one aspect the invention provides a sensing apparatus comprising a set of N capacitive sensors connected over a single physical channel provided by two terminals, the apparatus comprising: a sensing array having a first capacitive sensor and N−1 parallel capacitive sensors each connected in parallel with first capacitive sensor, each capacitive sensor having electrodes separated by a dielectric to provide a capacitance which is able to vary with deformation to provide sensing, the array having a set of N−1 resistances each being in series with a respective one of the N−1 parallel capacitive sensors; a solution module operable to determine the capacitance of each capacitive sensor by finding solutions for a vector function equating reactance measured at the two terminals to an analytical model for impedance and/or reactance of the circuit seen at the two terminals, wherein the analytical model comprises N capacitances, each connected in parallel with each other, and comprises N series resistances each connected in series with a respective capacitance.

Sensing over a shared physical channel

A flexible switch has a deformable body and a plurality of electrodes, at least one of the electrodes being provided on the deformable body. The switch has a first state in which the electrodes are spaced apart and a second state in which the electrodes are in electrical contact, and the switch is configured to allow movement between the states when a force is applied to or removed from the deformable body.

Flexible switches affected by lateral or vertical actuation

The invention provides an electric circuit device including a conductive element configured to provide an electrical input to an electrical component, the resistivity of the conductive element being variable based at least on the extent of deformation thereof, and a deformable body coupled directly or indirectly to, or integral with, the conductive element such that deformation of the body causes the conductive element to deform, thereby varying the resistance thereof and altering the input to the electrical component. Said devices may be used singularly or in combination as logic elements within electrical circuits, providing drive and/or control functionality. Particular embodiments provide improved electrostatic generators.

Electrical components and circuits including said components

The invention relates to transformers. More particularly, the invention relates to transformers using (preferably electrostatic and more preferably dielectric elastomer) transducers such as generators and actuators. The invention further provides a priming circuit therefor.

Transformer and priming circuit therefor

The invention provides circuits, systems and methods for dielectric elastomer device (DED) self-sensing. The circuit comprises a first DED coupled or adapted for coupling to a first voltage source (for providing an actuating or priming signal, for example); a current sensor provided in series with the first DED; and an oscillating signal source coupled to the first DED and adapted to cause an oscillation in a voltage across the DED, wherein the oscillating signal source is decoupled from the first voltage source.

Self-sensing dielectric elastomer device

The present invention provides a mechanically-actuated switch comprising a deformable conductive element providing a conductive path between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the effective geometry of the conductive element changes suddenly upon deformation to cause a disproportionately large change in a resistance between the first and second terminals. The switch can be made from lightweight and soft materials, and is particularly suited for integration with dielectric elastomer devices. Also disclosed are various circuits and a method for controlling circuits including the switch.

Geometric switch and circuits including the same

The present invention provides a method for obtaining feedback parameters related to the state of a dielectric elastomer (DE). The method comprises introducing a small-scale oscillation to the voltage difference between electrodes of the DE, monitoring or repeatedly measuring several measurable electrical characteristics of the DE, deriving other relevant data from the measurements, deriving an equation for a plane of best fit through the relevant data when defined as orthogonal axes, and deriving the feedback parameters from coefficients of the plane equation. The method thus provides important feedback regarding the capacitance, leakage current and/or electrode resistance of the DE. Also disclosed are a computer program and a system adapted to perform the method.

Dielectric elastomer self-sensing using plane approximation

A system and method is provided for determining the capacitance between electrodes of an artificial muscle or dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA). The method comprises measuring the voltage difference between the electrodes of the DEA, the first derivative of that voltage with respect to time, and the total instantaneous current through the DEA, then calculating the capacitance of the DEA as the difference between the total instantaneous current through the DEA and the product of the voltage between the electrodes and an error term, divided by the first derivative of the voltage between the electrodes with respect to time. The capacitance may then be used to derive estimates of the leakage current, charge upon the DEA, and/or the physical state of the DEA, thereby implementing self-sensing to allow closed-loop feedback control of DEA actuation.

System and method for dynamic self-sensing of dielectric elastomer actuators

The invention provides an actuator for an electric motor and an electric motor including said actuator. The actuator includes one or more body formed from a dielectric elastomer, each body having at least one active region that is directly or indirectly coupled to a drive means. The active regions are arranged such that, in use, actuation thereof causes driven means to move with components in at least first and second directions, preferably within a plane of the body.

Growing community of inventors

Auckland, New Zealand

Iain Alexander Anderson