Electrochemical actuators and actuator arrays
AssigneeCam Med Inc.
InventorsJohn Richard Bussiere, Eduardo Luis Latouche, Zhifei Ge
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Electrochemical actuators including a sealed electrolytic chamber with two or more electrodes disposed therein and associated reservoirs are described. In some embodiments, the electrochemical actuators include one or more rigid structures that are overmolded onto one or more electrodes to form the electrolytic chambers. In some embodiments, multiple rigid structures that are overmolded onto two or separate electrodes may be connected to form one or more electrolytic chambers with a desired configuration of electrodes contained therein. Manufacturing methods and structures related to the formation of an array of electrochemical actuators are also described.
Claims23
An actuator comprising:
- a sealed electrolytic chamber, wherein the sealed electrolytic chamber includes a first rigid portion and a compliant portion at least partially enclosing an interior of the sealed electrolytic chamber;
- and
- a first electrode extending from an exterior of the sealed chamber to an interior of the sealed chamber through the first rigid portion.
15-19. (canceled)
An actuator array comprising:
- a plurality of sealed electrolytic chambers formed in a rigid structure, wherein each sealed electrolytic chamber of the plurality of sealed electrolytic chambers comprises:
- an opening;
- and
- at least two electrodes extending from an exterior of the sealed electrolytic chamber to an interior of the sealed electrolytic chamber;
- and
- a first membrane disposed on the plurality of sealed electrolytic chambers, wherein the first membrane seals the opening of each sealed electrolytic chamber.
24-26. (canceled)
An actuator array comprising:
- a first sealed electrolytic chamber including a first compliant portion;
- a second sealed electrolytic chamber including a second compliant portion;
- a first electrode extending into an interior of the first sealed electrolytic chamber;
- a second electrode extending into the interior of the first sealed electrolytic chamber and an interior of the second sealed electrolytic chamber;
- and
- a third electrode extending into the interior of the second sealed electrolytic chamber.
29-47. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.