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US 4,666,198 AGranted
Piezoelectric polymer microgripper
AssigneeMicroflex Technology, Inc.
InventorDavid L. Heiserman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Improved microgrippers using piezoelectric polymers are disclosed utilizing a pair of levers formed in a plier-like structure having piezoelectric polymer composite sheets connected between the levers or between each lever and a third intermediate lever or through a drive linkage to the levers. By appropriate application of electric fields, jaws formed at the ends of the levers are moved toward and away from each other to accomplish the grasping and releasing action.
Claims19
An apparatus for grasping and releasing an object, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) at least two levers each relatively pivotable about a fulcrum and having cooperating jaw portions, a lever arm of at least one lever being movable relatively nearer and farther from the other jaw portion for grasping and releasing an object;
- (b) a laminated, flexible sheet comprising at least two flexible layers which are bonded together, at least one of said layers being a piezoelectric polymer layer, said laminated sheet being drivingly linked to said levers for moving the jaw portions with respect to each other;
- and
- (c) means for applying an electric field through said polymer layer.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.