US6060811A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Advanced layered composite polylaminate electroactive actuator and sensor
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1997-07-25
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Granted: 2000-05-09
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Expires: 2017-07-25
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to the mounting of pre-stressed electroactive material in such a manner that large displacement actuators or sensors result. The invention comprises mounting the pre-stressed electroactive material to a support layer. This combination of a pre-stressed electroactive material and support layer may in turn be attached to a mounting surface. The pre-stressed electroactive material may be a ferroelectric, pyroelectric, piezoelectric, or magnetostrictive material. The size, stiffness, mass, and material of the support layer is selected to result in the electroactive device having dynamic response properties, environmental capability characteristics, and the required resilience optimized for a given application. The capacity to connect the support layer to a surface expands the arenas in which the pre-stressed electroactive device may be used. Application for which the invention may be used include actuators, sensors, or as a component in a pumps, switches, relays, pressure transducers and acoustic devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Fox
- 👤 Richard F. Hellbaum
- 👤 Robert G. Bryant
- 👤 Benjamin M. Copeland, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:29
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/20; H10N30/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An electroactive device, comprising: a pre-stressed, curved electroactive material having a convex surface and a concave surface; a support layer having a curved central portion and two ends, the curved central portion having a convex surface and a concave surface, the convex surface being conformed to match to the shape of the concave surface of the pre-stressed curved electroactive material, the convex surface of the central portion being in contact with the concave surface of the pre-stressed, curved electroactive material; and a means for attaching the convex surface of the central portion of the support layer to the concave surface of the pre-stressed, curved electroactive material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An electroactive device, comprising: a pre-stressed, curved electroactive material having a convex surface and a concave surface; a support layer having a curved central portion and two ends, the curved central portion having a convex surface and a concave surface, the convex surface being conformed to match to the shape of the concave surface of the pre-stressed curved electroactive material, the convex surface of the central portion being in contact with the concave surface of the pre-stressed, curved electroactive material; and a means for attaching the convex surface of the central portion of the support layer to the concave surface of the pre-stressed, curved electroactive material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electroactive device as recited in claim 1 wherein the support layer is selected from the group consisting of metals, plastics and ceramics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electroactive device as recited in claim 1 wherein the pre-stressed, curved electroactive material is selected from the group consisting of ceramics and metallic alloys.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electroactive device as recited in claim 1 wherein the pre-stressed, curved electroactive material is selected from the group consisting of ferroelectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and magnetostrictive materials.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
An electroactive device as recited in claim 1 wherein the pre-stressed, curved electroactive material is a piezoelectric material, further comprising a pair of electrodes, one electrode being attached to the convex surface of the pre-stressed, curved electroactive material, the other electrode being attached to the concave surface of the pre-stressed, curved electroactive material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
An electroactive device as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for attaching the convex surface of the central portion of the support layer to the concave surface of the pre-stressed, curved electroactive material is selected from the group consisting of adhesives, cerment, braze alloys, soldering, welding, and adhesive bonding.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electroactive device as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one mounting surface attached to at least one end of the support layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electroactive device as recited in claim 7 wherein the mounting surface is chosen from the group consisting of metals, plastics, ceramics, composites and organic materials.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electroactive device as recited in claim 7 wherein the mounting surface is a flexible layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electroactive device as recited in claim 7 wherein the means for attaching at least one end of the support layer to the mounting surface is chosen from the group consisting of welding, brazing, soldering, bolting, riveting, crimping, clamping, hinging, mechanical fastening, mechanical interlocking, and adhesive bonding.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
110 words
An electroactive device, comprising: at least one pre-stressed, curved electroactive material having a convex surface and a concave surface; at least one support layer having a curved central portion and two ends, the curved central portion having a convex surface and a concave surface, the convex surface being conformed to match to the shape of the concave surface of the pre-stressed curved electroactive material, the convex surface of the central portion being in contact with the concave surface of the pre-stressed, curved electroactive material; and a means for attaching the convex surface of the central portion of the support layer to the concave surface of the pre-stressed, curved electroactive material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
110 words
An electroactive device, comprising: at least one pre-stressed, curved electroactive material having a convex surface and a concave surface; at least one support layer having a curved central portion and two ends, the curved central portion having a convex surface and a concave surface, the convex surface being conformed to match to the shape of the concave surface of the pre-stressed curved electroactive material, the convex surface of the central portion being in contact with the concave surface of the pre-stressed, curved electroactive material; and a means for attaching the convex surface of the central portion of the support layer to the concave surface of the pre-stressed, curved electroactive material.
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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) | 2003-05-09 | 2003-11-08 | 2004-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-09 | 2007-11-08 | 2008-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-09 | 2011-11-08 | 2012-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |