US 7,320,457 B2
Electroactive polymer devices for controlling fluid flow
Jonathon R. Heim, Pacifica, Calif. (US); Ronald E. Pelrine, Louisville, Colo. (US); Roy David Kornbluh, Palo Alto, Calif. (US); Joseph S. Eckerle, Redwood City, Calif. (US); Marcus Rosenthal, Pacifica, Calif. (US); and Richard P. Heydt, Palo Alto, Calif. (US)
Assigned to SRI International, Menlo Park, Calif. (US)
Filed on Mar. 05, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/383,005.
Application 10/383005 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/154449, filed on May 21, 2002.
Application 10/154449 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/066407, filed on Jan. 31, 2002.
Application 10/066407 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/053511, filed on Jan. 16, 2002.
Application 10/053511 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/007705, filed on Dec. 06, 2001.
Application 10/007705 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/047485, filed on Oct. 26, 2001, granted, now 7,062,055.
Application 10/047485 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/828496, filed on Apr. 04, 2001.
Application 09/828496 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/792431, filed on Feb. 23, 2001.
Application 09/792431 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/619847, filed on Jul. 20, 2000.
Application 09/619847 is a continuation of application No. 09/356801, filed on Jul. 19, 1999, granted, now 6,343,129.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/362560, filed on Mar. 05, 2002.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/327846, filed on Oct. 05, 2001.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/293003, filed on May 22, 2001.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/293005, filed on May 22, 2001.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/293004, filed on May 22, 2001.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/194817, filed on Apr. 05, 2000.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/192237, filed on Mar. 27, 2000.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/190713, filed on Mar. 17, 2000.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/187809, filed on Mar. 08, 2000.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/184217, filed on Feb. 23, 2000.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/184217, filed on Feb. 23, 2000.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/181404, filed on Feb. 09, 2000.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/161325, filed on Oct. 25, 1999.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/153329, filed on Sep. 10, 1999.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/144556, filed on Jul. 20, 1999.
Prior Publication US 2003/0214199 A1, Nov. 20, 2003
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16K 31/02 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 251—129.06  [239/601] 97 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for controlling fluid flow, the device comprising:
one or more transducers, each transducer comprising at least two electrodes and an electroactive polymer in electrical communication with the at least two electrodes wherein a portion of the electroactive polymer is arranged to deflect from a first position to a second position in response to a change in electric field;
at least one surface in contact with a fluid and operatively coupled to the one or more transducers wherein the deflection of the portion of the electroactive polymer causes a change in a characteristic of the fluid that is transmitted to the fluid via the one surface,
wherein the electroactive polymer has an elastic modulus below about 100 MPa.