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:
Jun. 20, 2006
Filed:
Mar. 18, 2003
Ronald E. Pelrine, Boulder, CO (US);
Roy David Kornbluh, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Scott E. Stanford, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Qibing Pei, Fremont, CA (US);
Richard Heydt, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Joseph S. Eckerle, Redwood City, CA (US);
Jonathan R. Heim, Pacifica, CA (US);
Ronald E. Pelrine, Boulder, CO (US);
Roy David Kornbluh, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Scott E. Stanford, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Qibing Pei, Fremont, CA (US);
Richard Heydt, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Joseph S. Eckerle, Redwood City, CA (US);
Jonathan R. Heim, Pacifica, CA (US);
SRI International, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Abstract
The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.