Electroactive polymer thermal electric generators

An electroactive polymer energy conversion device for converting between thermal energy and electrical energy, the energy conversion device comprising:

• a) two or more transducers, each transducer comprising:
• i) at least two electrodes;
• and
• ii) a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to a deflection applied to a portion of the polymer;
• b) two chambers enclosing a volume of a working fluid distributed between said chambers, the two chambers comprising:
• i) a first chamber, said first chamber comprising:
• a first transducer;
• a first portion of the working fluid enclosed by said first chamber;
• ii) a second chamber, said second chamber comprising:
• a second transducer;
• a second portion of the working fluid enclosed by said second chamber;
• c) conditioning electronics connected to the at least two electrodes in each transducer and designed or configured to apply a charge to said transducers;
• and
• d) one or more transmission mechanisms designed or configured to receive thermal energy.

An energy conversion device for convening thermal energy to electrical energy, the energy conversion device comprising:

• i) one or more transducers, each transducer comprising:
• at least two electrodes;
• and
• a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to a deflection applied to a portion of the polymer wherein the polymer includes pre-strain;
• ii) conditioning electronics connected to the at least two electrodes and designed or configured to add or remove electrical energy from the one or more transducers;
• and
• iii) one or more transmission mechanisms designed or configured to receive thermal energy and to convert a portion of the thermal energy to mechanical energy, wherein the mechanical energy results in a deflection in the portion of the polymer.

A generator for convening thermal energy to electrical energy, the generator comprising:

• i) one or more transducers, each transducer comprising:
• at least two electrodes;
• and
• a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to a deflection applied to a portion of the polymer;
• ii) conditioning electronics connected to the at least two electrodes and designed or configured to add or remove electrical energy from the one or more transducers;
• and
• iii) one or more transmission mechanisms designed or configured to receive thermal energy and to convert a portion of the thermal energy to mechanical energy, wherein the mechanical energy results in a deflection in the portion of the polymer and wherein the one or more transmission mechanisms comprises a hydraulic fluid.

A generator for converting thermal energy to electrical energy, the generator comprising:

• i) one or more transducers, each transducer comprising:
• at least two electrodes;
• and
• a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to a deflection applied to a portion of the polymer;
• ii) conditioning electronics connected to the at least two electrodes and designed or configured to add or remove electrical energy from the one or more transducers;
• iii) one or more transmission mechanisms designed or configured to receive thermal energy and to convert a portion of the thermal energy to mechanical energy, wherein the mechanical energy results in a deflection in the portion of the polymer;
• and
• iv) one or more sensors connected to said generator wherein at least one of the one or more sensors is designed or configured to monitor at least one of the following quantities:
• the deflection in the portion of the polymer, a voltage in the portion of the polymer or a charge in the portion of the polymer.

A generator for converting thermal energy to electrical energy, the generator comprising:

• i) one or more transducers, each transducer comprising:
• at least two electrodes;
• and
• a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to a deflection applied to a portion of the polymer;
• ii) conditioning electronics connected to the at least two electrodes and designed or configured to add or remove electrical energy from the one or more transducers;
• iii) one or more transmission mechanisms designed or configured to receive thermal energy and to convert a portion of the thermal energy to mechanical energy, wherein the mechanical energy results in a deflection in the portion of the polymer;
• and
• iv) a logic device.

A generator for converting thermal energy to electrical energy, the generator comprising:

• i) one or more transducers, each transducer comprising:
• at least two electrodes;
• and
• a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to a deflection applied to a portion of the polymer;
• ii) conditioning electronics connected to the at least two electrodes and designed or configured to add or remove electrical energy from the one or more transducers;
• and
• iii) one or more transmission mechanisms designed or configured to receive thermal energy and to convert a portion of the thermal energy to mechanical energy, wherein the mechanical energy results in a deflection in the portion of the polymer and wherein the polymer includes pre-strain.

A generator for converting thermal energy to electrical energy, the generator comprising:

• i) one or more transducers, each transducer comprising:
• at least two electrodes;
• and
• a polymer arranged in a manna which causes a change in electric field in response to a deflection applied to a portion of the polymer;
• ii) conditioning electronics connected to the at least two electrodes and designed or configured to add or remove electrical energy from the one or more transducers;
• and
• iii) one or more transmission mechanisms designed or configured to receive thermal energy and to convert a portion of the thermal energy to mechanical energy, wherein the mechanical energy results in a deflection in the portion of the polymer and wherein the polymer comprises a multiplayer structure.