The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 21, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 10, 2002
Anthony Hooley, Cambridge, GB;
David Henry Pearce, Birmingham, GB;
Ursula Ruth Lenel, Herfordshire, GB;
Gareth McKevitt, Cambridge, GB;
Mark Richard Shepherd, Herfordshire, GB;
1 . . . Limited, Cambridge, GB;
Abstract
The present invention relates to an electro-active device having an electro-active structure extending along a minor axis ( ) which is curved, for example in a helix around a major axis ( ). The electro-active structure comprises successive electro-active portions ( ) extending around said minor axis and arranged with electrodes to bend, when activated, around the minor axis ( ) such that bending of the successive portions ( ) is concomitant with rotation of the electro-active structure about the minor axis ( ) adding incrementally along the minor axis ( ). The electro-active structure generates displacement out of the local plane in which the minor axis is curved. The electra-active structure may be continuous electro-active member ( ) extending along and curving around the minor axis ( ), for example helically to form a helical helix. Alternatively, the electro-active structure may be a plurality of discrete elements ( ) connected together. The electro-active portions preferably have a bender structure formed from a plurality of layers. The device may be used as a driver, a sensor or a generator.