US4610475A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Piezoelectric polymer micromanipulator
Assignee: OHIO VALLEY VENTURE CAPITAL Corp
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Filing: 1984-09-06
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Granted: 1986-09-09
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Expires: 2004-09-06
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Heiserman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:12
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J15/00; B25J19/00; B25J19/02; B25J19/028; B25J9/00; B25J9/10; B25J9/1085; B25J9/12; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/74; B65G47/90; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S310/00; Y10S310/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
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.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein each piezoelectric polymer jaw member is a cantilever which is elongated in the "stretch" direction of the polymer and the field is applied transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cantilever.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein each piezoelectric polymer cantilever has a width dimension and a thickness dimension both transverse to its elongated length dimension, the thickness dimension being substantially smaller than its width dimension and wherein the electric field is applied across the thickness dimension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein each cantilever comprises a pair of piezoelectric polymer ribbons which are bonded together along a longitudinal interfacing major surface of each.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said bonded ribbons are oppositely polarized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein each said pair of bonded ribbons have different piezoelectric coefficients.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of said jaw members is a cantilever in accordance with claim 4.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said jaw members extend from the support in substantially the same direction and are spaced from each other with a major surface of each facing each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the means for applying and controlling the electric field is variable including means for varying the electric field intensity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the means for applying and controlling the electric field permits changing the polarity of the electric field.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
80 words
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.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
80 words
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.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the piezoelectric polymer ribbons of each jaw which face the other jaw are oppositely polarized.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-08 | 1990-03-10 | 1990-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-08 | 1994-03-10 | 1994-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-08 | 1998-03-10 | 1998-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |