US6048622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Composites for structural control
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1999-02-09
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Granted: 2000-04-11
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Expires: 2019-02-09
Abstract
Abstract Composites for actuating or sensing deformation. In embodiments, the composites have a series of flexible, elongated piezoelectric fibers arranged in a parallel array with adjacent fibers separated by relatively soft polymer. The piezoelectric fibers have a common poling direction transverse to their axial extension. The composite further includes flexible conductive material along the axial extension of the fibers for imposing or detecting an electric field.
Inventors
- 👤 Nesbitt W. Hagood, IV
- 👤 Aaron A. Bent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:19
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/702; B; B64; B64C; B64C27/00; B64C27/54; B64C27/72; H10N30/80; H10N30/85; H10N30/852; B64C2027/7205; B64C2027/7211; B64C2027/7222; H10N30/20; H10N30/204; H10N30/208; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/30; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31678; Y10T428/31692
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for actuating directional deformation of a structural component comprising: an array of elongated electro-ceramic fibers embedded in a polymer matrix and disposed on a face of the structural component, each fiber having an axis substantially aligned with a common fiber array axis that has an orientation, in a plane parallel with the face of the structural component, that is selected to produce a corresponding selected anisotropic actuation and a deformation of the component in a direction of the common fiber array axis when the fiber array is actuated; and at least one electrode disposed on the fiber array to impose an actuation field on the fiber array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for actuating directional deformation of a structural component comprising: an array of elongated electro-ceramic fibers embedded in a polymer matrix and disposed on a face of the structural component, each fiber having an axis substantially aligned with a common fiber array axis that has an orientation, in a plane parallel with the face of the structural component, that is selected to produce a corresponding selected anisotropic actuation and a deformation of the component in a direction of the common fiber array axis when the fiber array is actuated; and at least one electrode disposed on the fiber array to impose an actuation field on the fiber array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
130 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fiber array comprises a first fiber array disposed on a first face of the structural component, and further comprising: a second array of elongated electro-ceramic fibers embedded in a polymer matrix and disposed on a second face of the structural component, each fiber having an axis substantially aligned with a common fiber array axis that has an orientation, in a plane parallel with the second face of the structural component, that is selected to produce a corresponding selected anisotropic actuation and a deformation of the component in a direction of the common fiber array axis when the second fiber array is actuated; and at least one electrode disposed on the second fiber array to impose an actuation field on the second fiber array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the structural component comprises two planar structural components, the fiber array being disposed on a face of each of the two components and located between the two components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electro-ceramic fibers comprise piezoelectric fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode comprises two electrodes, each electrode disposed in a plane parallel with the face of the structural component on opposite faces of the fiber array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the structural component comprises an aircraft wing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the structural component comprises a submarine hull.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fiber array is characterized by a common poling direction that is transverse to the plane of the structural component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrode comprises a thin film electrode disposed on the fiber array in contact with the fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the polymer matrix comprises a reinforcing material that restricts the fiber array to actuation substantially in a plane parallel with the face of the structural component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the orientation of the fiber array axis comprises an angle, with respect to an edge of the face of the structural component, in the plane parallel with the structural component face.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fiber array axis orientation is selected to produce a bending deformation of the structural component.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fiber array axis orientation is selected to produce a twisting deformation of the structural component.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fiber array axis orientation is selected to produce an elongation of the structural component.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fiber array axis orientation is selected to produce a shearing deformation of the structural component.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrode comprises a patterned electrode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fiber array comprises a stack of multiple fiber layers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-04-11 | 2003-10-11 | 2004-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-11 | 2007-10-11 | 2008-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-11 | 2011-10-11 | 2012-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |