Modular inflation systems and inflation segments including artificial muscles

An inflation system comprising:

• a plurality of inflation segments, each inflation segment comprising:
• a pair of inflation enclosures;
• a plurality of artificial muscle layers provided within each inflation enclosure in a stacked arrangement, each of the plurality of artificial muscle layers comprising one or more artificial muscles;
• and
• an inflatable air pocket provided between the pair of inflation enclosures, the inflatable air pocket operable between an inflated state and a deflated state, wherein:
• the one or more artificial muscles of each of the plurality of artificial muscle layers are operable between an actuated state and a non-actuated state;
• and
• one or more fastening members for attaching one or more of the plurality of inflation segments to another of the plurality of inflation segments, the fastening members including a port placing the inflatable air pocket in fluid communication with a fluid supply.

A method for actuating an inflation system, the method comprising:

• connecting a plurality of inflation segments to one another at adjacent sides with one or more fastening members, the one or more fastening members including an electrical contact electrically coupling the plurality of inflation segments, each inflation segment comprising:
• an inflation enclosure;
• and
• a plurality of artificial muscle layers provided within the inflation enclosure in a stacked arrangement, each of the plurality of artificial muscle layers comprising one or more artificial muscles, each artificial muscle comprising a housing having an electrode region, an expandable fluid region, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing,
• providing a voltage using a power supply electrically coupled to the electrode pair of each artificial muscle of the plurality of artificial muscle layers;
• and
• applying the voltage to the electrode pair of at least one artificial muscle of at least one of the plurality of artificial muscle layers, thereby actuating the electrode pair of the at least one artificial muscle from a non-actuated state to an actuated state.