Electroactive polymer-based flow sensor and methods related thereto
AssigneeBoard of Trustees of Michigan State University
InventorsGuoming G. Zhu, Xiaobo Tan, David Ling-Shun Hung
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus includes an electroactive polymer member and a first electric terminal and a second electric terminal. The electroactive polymer member has a free portion configured to change position relative to a fixed portion in response to an external stimulus corresponding to at least one of a flow parameter or a fluid parameter. The first electric terminal and the second electric terminal are coupled to the electroactive polymer member. The first electric terminal and the second electric terminal provide an electrical signal in response to the change.
Claims27
An apparatus comprising:
- an electroactive polymer member having a free portion configured to change position relative to a fixed portion in response to an external stimulus corresponding to at least one of a flow parameter or a fluid parameter;
- and
- a first electric terminal and a second electric terminal coupled to the electroactive polymer member wherein the first electric terminal and the second electric terminal provide an electrical signal in response to the change.
A system comprising:
- a sensor having an electrical terminal coupled to an electroactive polymer member, the terminal configured to provide a signal based on deformation of the member, the member deformable in response to at least one of a flow characteristic of a fluid medium or a fluid parameter of the fluid medium;
- and
- a processor configured to receive the signal and configured to generate an output corresponding to the sensor.
A method comprising:
- providing a flowing fluid medium;
- positioning an electroactive polymer member in the flow channel, the member deformable based on flow of a fluid in the flow channel;
- electrically coupling the electroactive polymer member to a processor;
- and
- configuring the processor to provide an output based on an electrical signal from the member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.