Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Actuator with static activated position
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Application No.: US16170571Application Date: 2018-10-25
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Publication No.: US11041576B2Publication Date: 2021-06-22
- Inventor: Umesh N. Gandhi , Danil V. Prokhorov , Michael Paul Rowe , Ryohei Tsuruta
- Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
- Applicant Address: US TX Plano
- Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
- Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US TX Plano
- Agency: Darrow Mustafa PC
- Agent Christopher G. Darrow
- Main IPC: F16K31/40
- IPC: F16K31/40 ; H02N1/00 ; F16K7/04 ; F04B43/09 ; F16K7/10

Abstract:
Actuators having electroactive valves are described herein. The actuators can move from a first position to a second position and lock in the second position using an electroactive valve. The device can include an actuator having a fluid-impermeable membrane. The fluid-impermeable membrane can define a compartment, the compartment having a central region, an edge region extending from and fluidly connected with the central region, an electroactive valve between the central region and the edge region, and a dielectric fluid. When actuated, the actuators can force fluid through the electroactive valves and into the edge region. Once in the edge region, the electroactive valves can prevent return flow until receiving an actuation signal.
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