Surfaces that ease relative displacement in eap generators
AssigneeRobert Bosch GmbH
InventorIstvan Denes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An EAP generator is described, including at least one EAP stack that is disposed between two force-transferring surfaces disposed parallel to one another, having at least one layer, facilitating relative displacement between the end of the EAP stack and the force-transferring surface facing toward that end, in particular a deformable or friction-reducing intermediate layer. A corresponding method for generating electrical energy from elongation energy on a capacitive basis by charge displacement is also described.
Claims14
1-10. (canceled)
An EAP generator, comprising:
- at least one EAP stack disposed between two force-transferring surfaces disposed parallel to one another;
- and
- at least one layer that facilitates relative displacement between one end of the at least one EAP stack and one of the force-transferring surfaces that faces toward the one end, the at least one layer being disposed between the one end of the at least one EAP stack and the force-transferring surface that faces toward the one end.
A method for generating electrical energy from elongation energy on a capacitive basis by charge displacement, comprising:
- providing an EAP generator including at least one EAP stack that is disposed between two force-transferring surfaces disposed parallel to one another, the EAP generator having at least one layer facilitating relative displacement between one end of the at least one EAP stack and one of the force-transferring surfaces that faces toward the one end, the at least one layer being disposed between the one end of the at least one EAP stack and the force-transferring surface that faces toward the one end;
- elongating a layer of electroactive polymer of the EAP stack as a result of an externally applied force;
- impinging the layer of electroactive polymer in a state of maximum elongation with electric charges below the breakdown field strength;
- relaxing by the electroactive polymer;
- and
- picking off a charge upon complete relaxation of the electroactive polymer layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.