Hybrid actuation device including fluidly cooled SMA wires

A hybrid actuation device comprising:

• an artificial muscle comprising:
• a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region;
• a first electrode and a second electrode each disposed in the electrode region of the housing, a central opening formed in each of the first electrode and the second electrode and encircling the expandable fluid region;
• and
• a dielectric fluid disposed within the housing;
• a plate system comprising a plurality of plate pairs, each of the plurality of plate pairs comprising a first plate coupled to a second plate, the first plate and the second plate positioned within the housing;
• and
• a shape memory alloy wire coupled to at least one first plate of the plurality of plate pairs, the shape memory alloy wire positioned within the central opening of the first electrode and the second electrode.

A method of actuating a hybrid actuation device, the method comprising:

• actuating a shape memory alloy wire that is coupled to a first plate and a second plate, thereby drawing the first plate and the second plate together and placing the hybrid actuation device in an actuated state, wherein an artificial muscle is at least partially positioned between the first plate and the second plate, the artificial muscle comprising:
• a housing including a first film layer and a second film layer, the housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region;
• a first electrode and a second electrode each disposed in the electrode region of the housing;
• and
• a dielectric fluid disposed within the housing, wherein the shape memory alloy wire extends from the first plate to the second plate and extends through the dielectric fluid, the first plate is positioned within the housing between the first film layer and the first electrode, and the second plate is positioned within the housing between the second film layer and the second electrode;
• and
• applying a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby electrostatically attracting the first electrode and the second electrode together to hold the hybrid actuation device in the actuated state.