Lever motion multiplier driven by electroexpansive material

Claim 2

A motion multiplier comprising: a supporting block having a load-bearing surface; a lever having a substantially rigid body pivoted on a fulcrum secured to said supporting block; electroexpansive material disposed between said surface an said rigid body; means for applying an electric field to said material for expansion of said material along an axis normal to said load bearing surface, thereby pivoting said rigid body on said fulcrum and wherein said means comprises a dynamic voltage signal for producing a desired excitation of said system of a predetermined period to provide an undamped response of said system without residual vibration; and a restoring spring between said lever and said block to form a mass-spring system having a natural period of vibration.

Claim 3

The combination as defined in claim 1 said voltage signal comprises a voltage pulse having a duration equal to said natural period of vibration to provide an undamped response of said spring-mass system without residual vibration.

Claim 4

The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said voltage pulse is substantially rectangular.

Claim 5

The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said voltage signal comprises a voltage step having a transition period from one static level to another equal said natural period of vibration to produce an undamped step displacement of said lever which is sustained without residual vibration about its new position.

Claim 6

The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said signal change from one static level to another is of a substantially constant slope.

Claim 7

A motion multiplier suitable for actuating a device in response to an electric signal comprising: a supporting block having a load-bearing surface; electroexpansive material disposed on said surface for expansion along a first axis normal to said surface in response to said signal; a pair of rigid fulcrum support bars extending from said supporting block beside said electroexpansive material on opposite sides thereof said bars being turned in toward each other at the free ends thereof and further turned back toward said supporting block to form a pair of fulcrums, one on each side of said axis; a flexing member disposed between said electroexpansive material and said pair of fulcrums with one end of said member against one fulcrum, and the other end against the remaining fulcrum of said pair; a load block having a pair of load points protruding therefrom in a direction away from said electroexpansive material and toward said flexible member, said load block being disposed between said flexing member and said electroexpansive material with said load points on opposite sides of said first axis and each against said flexing member at a position between said first axis and a fulcrum; and means for connecting said device to the center of said flexing member on a side thereof opposite said electroexpansive material.

Claim 8

A motion multiplier suitable for actuating a device in response to an electric signal comprising: a supporting block having a load-bearing surface; electroexpansive material disposed on said surface for expansion along a first axis normal to said surface in response to said signal; a pair of rigid fulcrum support bars extending from said supporting block beside said electroexpansive material on opposite sides thereof said bars being turned in toward each other at the free ends thereof and further turned back toward said supporting block to form a pair of fulcrums, one on each side of said axis; a flexing member disposed between said electroexpansive material and said pair of fulcrums with one end of said member against one fulcrum, and the other end against the remaining fulcrum of said pair; a load block having a pair of load points protruding therefrom in a direction away from said electroexpansive material and toward said flexible member, said load block being disposed between said flexing member and said electroexpansive material with said load points on opposite sides of said first axis and each against said flexing member at a position between said first axis and a fulcrum; and means for connecting said device to the center of said flexing member on a side thereof opposite said electroexpansive material.