Piezoelectric polymer micromanipulator
AssigneeMicroflex Technology, Inc.
InventorDavid L. Heiserman
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Abstract
A gripping apparatus for gripping and releasing objects and for use with a micromanipulator. Spaced cantilever jaws extending in substantially the same direction from a support are each formed of a pair of elongated ribbons of piezoelectric polymer bonded together in oppositely polarized orientation. An electrically conductive thin film is bonded to the outer surfaces of the laminate. A voltage is applied to the conductive films causing the polymer ribbon laminates to bend toward or away from each other dependent upon the polarity of the applied voltage so that they grip an object.
Claims12
An apparatus for grasping and releasing an object, the apparatus comprising at least two jaw members mounted to a support, at least one of the jaw members comprising a piezoelectric polymer and having means for applying an electric field to the piezoelectric polymer and for controlling said field whereby changes in the field cause changes in the mechanical strain of the polymer to move a portion of the polymer with respect to the other jaw member and thereby provide a gripping and releasing movement.
An apparatus for gripping and releasing objects, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) spaced cantilever jaws extending in substantially the same direction from a support, each jaw comprising
- (i) a pair of elongated ribbons of piezoelectric polymer bonded together along opposed major surfaces in oppositely polarized orientation;
- and
- (ii) an electrically conductive film bonded to the outwardly facing major surfaces;
- and
- (b) a voltage source controllably connected to said conductive films for applying a potential across the conductive films of each jaw.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.