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  Elastomer actuator and a method of making an actuatorUSPTO Application #: 20080093954Title: Elastomer actuator and a method of making an actuator Abstract: A tubular elastomer actuator with a shape in a cross-sectional view which shape exposes at most one single axis of symmetry of a specific length, e.g., an oval shape. The actuator could be made from a sheet made from a plurality of plate shaped elements which are laminated together and rolled. Each plate shaped element may have a corrugation that gives the element an anisotropic structure, and contains an electrode on only one surface. The actuator displacement is the result of shrinkage displacement of the plate shaped elements upon the application of electrical field across their thickness. (end of abstract) Agent: Mccormick, Paulding & Huber LLP - Hartford, CT, US Inventors: Mohamed Yahia Benslimand, Peter Gravesen USPTO Applicaton #: 20080093954 - Class: 310369000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080093954. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a Continuation Application of Ser. No. 10/528,503 entitled AN ELASTOMERIC ACTUATOR AND A METHOD OF MAKING AN ACTUATOR to Mohamed Y. Benslimane, et al. filed on Mar. 27, 2005 and claims the benefit of the filing date thereof under U.S.C. .sctn.120. The present invention also claims priority from and incorporates by reference essential subject matter disclosed in international Patent Application No. PCT/DK2003/000603 filed on Sep. 18, 2003 and Danish Patent Application No. PA 2002 01380 filed on Sep. 20, 2002. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to an actuator, e.g. for use in robotic applications. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Elastomer actuators with electrodes for deflecting an elastomeric material are known to facilitate large deformation in a relatively low electric field, e.g. when compared with alternative dielectric materials, e.g. piezoelectric materials including ceramics. The principle of operation is that an electrical potential between two electrodes generates an electrical field leading to a force of attraction or repulsion. As a result, the distance between the electrodes changes which leads to compression or tension of the elastomeric material which is thereby deformed. Due to the similarity between the principle of operation and the functioning of a muscle, an elastomer actuator is sometimes referred to as an Electrostrictive Polymer Artificial Muscle (EPAM). [0004] Typically, elastomer actuators are made by applying a conductive electrode, e.g. a carbon containing paint or a thin layer of gold to both sides of a film made from an elastomeric material e.g. Silicone or Polyurethane. The film is typically made in a moulding process. Laminated actuators are known, e.g. from U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,685, disclosing layers of a polyurethane elastomer with electrodes on each side, laminated together to form a deformable sheet. Each layer has slit gaps formed in a horizontal direction, whereby the layer maintains the volume during a shrinkage displacement. [0005] For example, in order to save space, elastomer sheets can be rolled up to form cylindrical actuators to replace more traditional linear actuators in multiple small-scale systems, e.g. in robotic applications forming legs or grippers of a robotic wrist etc. In the heretofore seen rolled actuators, the film is rolled into a tubular portion fitted with mechanical connectors at axially opposite ends. Upon application of an electrical field to the electrodes, the sheet contracts or expands axially during deformation of the elastomeric material. It has, however, been found, that the rolled configuration of the elastomer film to a certain extent limits the ability of the film to deform and thus reduces the performance. In particular when the cylindrical actuator is designed for longitudinal expansion and contraction, it is necessary that the longitudinal change in length is compensated by a radial constriction of the cylindrical actuator, and since a cylindrical shape of a body implies stiffness towards radial constriction, the cylindrical shape limits the extent of longitudinal expansion and contraction. Until now, a maximum stroke in the order of 5-7 percent of the length of the rolled cylindrical actuator is typically accepted as the limit of the technology. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] In accordance with the present invention, provision is made for an actuator made from an elastomer film and which facilitates an improved performance. Accordingly, the present invention in a first aspect provides an actuator comprising a tubular portion extending in a longitudinal direction, the tubular portion comprising a body of an elastomeric material arranged between two electrodes, wherein any line of symmetry extending between two opposite points on a periphery in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction has a length which is different from any other such line of symmetry. [0007] In other words there may be provided an actuator with a cross-section having no lines of symmetry, one single line of symmetry or a plurality of lines of symmetry all being of different lengths. [0008] As an example, the shape may be non-circular or non-quadrangular. As an example, the actuator may, in that cross-sectional view, expose two axis of symmetry having different length. As an example, the actuator may, in the above mentioned cross-sectional view, have an oval shape, it may have the shape of an egg or it may be rectangular. [0009] When an electrical potential is applied over the electrodes, the electrical force of attraction or repulsion forces the electrodes toward or away from each other whereby the elastomeric material is deformed. Due to the specific shape, it is achieved that the proportions of the tubular portion in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction are free to change during longitudinal expansion and contraction and therefore, the ability of the actuator to expand and constrict in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is improved when compared with actuators e.g. having a circular or a quadrangular cross-sectional shape, i.e. actuators exposing multiple axes of symmetry having equal length. Accordingly, a larger longitudinal expansion and contraction can be achieved. [0010] Preferably, and in order to facilitate an easy manufacturing, the tubular portion may be formed by rolling up a sheet comprising at least two elements each comprising a body of an elastomeric material and an electrode attached to a first surface thereof, wherein deformation of the body and/or the electrode is restricted in a first direction and supported in a another, second, direction. The second direction may preferably be parallel to the longitudinal direction. Due to the restriction and supporting of deformation, respectively, it is achieved that the body deforms only, or at least primarily, in one direction, i.e. the deformation occurs in the longitudinal direction while the restriction of deformation is circumferentially around the tubular portion, leading to a conservation of the perimeter of the tubular portion. [0011] The body may be a dielectric body and as will be described in further details, it may preferably have a plurality of corrugation on at least one surface and it may preferably have anisotropic properties. The two elements are stacked so that a surface of one of the elements is in contact with a surface of another element. [0012] The restriction and supporting of the deformation in the two directions may be achieved e.g. by forming corrugations in the electrodes and in the elastomeric bodies. The corrugations could extend mutually parallel in the first direction and thus support deformation in the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. The corrugations could be formed during manufacturing of the elastomeric body in a moulding process. By vaporising a conductive material, e.g. gold, silver, copper, aluminium, or any similar conductive metal onto the body in a subsequent process, a very thin electrode may be formed onto the corrugations of the body. The electrode will effectively prevent deformation in the direction of the corrugations. [0013] Preferably, supply paths in the form of conductive terminals are connected to each of the at least two elements to apply different electrical potentials to the corresponding electrodes. In order to make connection of a power source easier, the sheet may comprise: [0014] an element of a first type comprising a conductive terminal of a first type being in electrical contact with the electrode of the element [0015] an element of a second type comprising a conductive terminal of a second type being in electrical contact with the electrode of the element, [0016] wherein the conductive terminal of the first type is electrically isolated from the conductive terminal of the second type when the elements are stacked to form a sheet of alternating elements of the first and second type. As an example, the terminals may be exposed on the surface of the elastomer bodies on alternating different locations, e.g. so that every second element has a terminal at a rightmost end of the element and every other second element has a terminal at a leftmost end of the element, when the elements are stacked to form a sheet. In the sheet, the elastomer material of the bodies forms isolation between the terminals of adjacent elements. [0017] Preferably the rolled structure consists of alternately one element of the first type and one element of the second type. The element of the first type is connected to a first supply path and the element of the second type is connected to a second supply path. Hereby is achieved that a single working layer in the laminated structure consists of one electrode on one first element, one body of one second element and one electrode on one second element. Another layer in the laminated structure consists of one electrode on one second element, one body of one first element and one electrode on one first element. [0018] The element of the first type may further comprise a conductive terminal of a second type being electrically isolated from the electrode of the element. Correspondingly, the element of the second type may comprise a conductive terminal of a first type being electrically isolated from the electrode of the element. When the conductive terminals of the first type are in mutual electrical contact and the conductive terminals of the second type are in mutual electrical contact, e.g. when the elements are stacked, all terminals of the first type may be connected to one terminal of a power source at one connection point and all terminals of the second type may be connected to another terminal of the power source at another connection point. The terminals which are electrically isolated from the electrode of the element serve to bridge the electrical potential difference across the element between two adjacent elements. [0019] In order further to facilitate application of the power source, the conductive terminals of the first and/or the second type may cover peripheral rim portions of the bodies of the elastomeric material, e.g. so that the terminals of the first type cover the rim portion at one location and the terminals of the second type cover the rim portion at another location, when the elements are stacked to form a sheet of alternating elements of the first and second type. Conductive wires attached to the terminals along the rim portions may thus connect the electrodes with a power source. [0020] In a specific embodiment of the invention, the rolled structure is formed by rolling the elements around an elastomer core. In order to reduce the impact of the core on the compliance of the rolled actuator, the elastomer core may be softer than the elastomer of the bodies of the actuator. Continue reading... Full patent description for Elastomer actuator and a method of making an actuator Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Elastomer actuator and a method of making an actuator patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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