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US 10,897,171 B1Granted
Artificial muscle fibers including cooling and a method of manufacture thereof
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics S.r.l.
InventorLucio Renna
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An artificial muscle fiber includes an external fiber and an internal fiber. The external fiber includes a first linear array of actuators having protrusions directed in a first direction. The internal fiber includes a second linear array of actuators having protrusions directed in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The internal fiber further includes a channel attached to the second linear array of actuators.
Claims20
An artificial muscle fiber, comprising:
- an external fiber comprising a first linear array of actuators attached to a first flexible tape wire, the first linear array of actuators having protrusions directed in a first direction;
- a first cooling channel attached to the first flexible tape wire opposite the first linear array of actuators;
- and
- an internal fiber comprising a second linear array of actuators attached to a second flexible tape wire, the second linear array of actuators having protrusions directed in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
1 more element
An artificial muscle fiber, comprising:
- an internal fiber, comprising:
- a first flexible tape;
- a first array of actuators protruding in a first direction from a major surface of the first flexible tape;
- a second flexible tape;
- a second array of actuators protruding in a second direction from a major surface of the second flexible tape, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction;
- and
- a first channel disposed between the first flexible tape and the second flexible tape;
- and
- an external fiber, comprising:
- an opening within which a portion of the internal fiber is positioned;
- a third flexible tape defining a first sidewall of the opening;
- a fourth flexible tape defining a second sidewall of the opening;
- a third array of actuators protruding in the second direction from a major surface of the third flexible tape towards the first array of actuators;
- and
- a fourth array of actuators protruding in the first direction from a major surface of the fourth flexible tape towards the second array of actuators.
12 more elements
A method of manufacturing an artificial muscle fiber, the method comprising:
- forming a plurality of actuators on a semiconductor substrate;
- attaching an electronics ribbon to the plurality of actuators;
- depositing a first polymer over the electronics ribbon;
- patterning the first polymer to form first channel walls;
- depositing a second polymer over the first channel walls;
- patterning the second polymer to form second channel walls, the first channel walls and the second channel walls forming a channel over the electronics ribbon;
- and
- dicing the semiconductor substrate to form a half fiber including the plurality of actuators, the electronics ribbon, and the channel.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.