A new concept for dielectric elastomer actuators: hydrostatic coupling

Federico Carpi; Gabriele Frediani; Danilo De Rossi

doi:10.1117/12.821712

18 May 2009 A new concept for dielectric elastomer actuators: hydrostatic coupling

Federico Carpi, Gabriele Frediani, Danilo De Rossi

Proceedings Volume 7362, Smart Sensors, Actuators, and MEMS IV; 73620H (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.821712
Event: SPIE Europe Microtechnologies for the New Millennium, 2009, Dresden, Germany

Abstract

So-called dielectric elastomer (DE) actuators represent today one of the best performing technologies for electroactive polymer based actuation. This paper presents the concept for a new of class of DE actuators, with attractive potential capabilities for specific application needs. The proposed actuators use an incompressible fluid to mechanically couple an active elastic part with a passive elastic part. The active part works according to the DE actuation principle, while the passive part represents the end effector, in contact with the load. The fluid is used to transfer actuation hydrostatically from the active to the passive part and, then, to the load. This can provide specific advantages, including improved safety and less stringent design constraints for the architecture of the actuator, especially for its soft end effector. These might be of particular interest for many types of applications. Such a simple concept can be readily implemented according to different structures and intended functionalities of the resulting actuators. The paper describes some examples of actuators based on this concept and reports the preliminary performance of the first prototypes.

Citation Download Citation

Federico Carpi, Gabriele Frediani, and Danilo De Rossi "A new concept for dielectric elastomer actuators: hydrostatic coupling", Proc. SPIE 7362, Smart Sensors, Actuators, and MEMS IV, 73620H (18 May 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.821712

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available