Self-conforming plates for capacitive machines such as electrostatic motors and generators

Abstract

Capacitive machines generate torque, generate electric power, and/or transmit electrical signals using closely spaced parallel plates wherein one plate is in motion relative to the other. Closer plate spacing, and thus greater power capacity, is obtained by defining flexures at or near the locations where the plates are anchored to their actuators or mountings, and by defining walls which obstruct fluid flow between one or more of the plates. As one plate is set in motion parallel to the other, thereby inducing fluid flow between the plates, the flow generates a fluid pressure distribution which tends to maintain the plates in spaced relation. In response to the pressure, the flexures allow the plates—which may be out of parallel—to displace and/or tilt from their nominal positions into close parallel relation, thereby providing better capacitance (and thus better torque/power/signal transmission).