Electroactive Fluid Control via Segmented Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electroactive material fluid control devices lack scalability, are costly to manufacture, and have complex assembly processes, limiting their suitability for large-scale industrial applications and market versatility.
Innovation Solution
An electroactive material fluid control apparatus featuring a layered assembly with a dielectric layer between plates, fluid ports, and electrodes attached to dielectric deformable material, allowing for modular scalability and simplified manufacturing through a connector extending parallel to the dielectric layer, enabling efficient fluid control via voltage application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If prior art fluid control device designs are used, then specific application functions are achieved, but scalability and manufacturing cost-effectiveness deteriorate due to complex assembly processes and non-modular designs
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components including a body, electroactive material assembly, and interchangeable end caps. Each component can be manufactured independently and assembled through standardized interfaces, enabling scalable production and easy modification for different applications without redesigning the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized interface design allows the same basic device architecture to serve multiple fluid control functions (valves, pumps, flow meters) by simply changing the end cap configurations. This universal platform approach enables scalability across different applications while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If prior art fluid control device designs are used, then specific application functions are achieved, but manufacturing cost and reliability deteriorate due to complex designs unsuited for large scale manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into standardized modules with consistent manufacturing processes, each component can be optimized for mass production. The electroactive material assembly, body, and end caps are manufactured using similar techniques, reducing tooling costs and improving yield rates across the product line.
Solution Approach 2:
The design uses parameterized dimensions and standardized tolerances that can be easily adjusted for different applications without changing the fundamental manufacturing processes. This allows cost-effective scaling from prototype to production while maintaining reliability through consistent quality control parameters.
3Reliability
If electroactive materials are used in fluid control devices, then advantages such as lower density, vibration damping, and noise reduction are achieved, but scalability and market versatility are limited by non-modular designs
Solution Approach 1:
The modular electroactive material assembly can be configured for different fluid control applications (valving, pumping, metering) while maintaining the inherent vibration damping properties. This universal design allows the same material technology to serve diverse market needs, from industrial process control to medical devices, thereby increasing market versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The electroactive material assemblies are designed with dynamic mounting features that allow for optimal positioning and orientation in different applications. This maintains the vibration damping benefits while enabling the device to adapt to various installation configurations and fluid handling requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a scalable, cost-effective, and reliable fluid control system by simplifying assembly and manufacturing processes, allowing for flexible design modifications and increased fluid processing capacity.
Implementation Method 1
Electroactive materials are a recently developed technology that is sometimes used as a transducer that converts electrical energy to mechanical work
Implementation Method 2
electroactive materials are elastically deformable and can therefore dampen vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
An electroactive material fluid control apparatus (100) is provided. The electroactive material fluid control apparatus (100) comprises a layered assembly (110) comprised of a dielectric layer (120) disposed between a first plate (130) and a second plate (140). The electroactive material fluid control apparatus (100) also includes a first fluid port (130a, 130b) formed in an outer surface of the layered assembly (110), and at least one fluid control device (200, 300, 400, 500) comprised of an electrode (212-512) disposed between the first plate (130) and a dielectric deformable material (214-514), wherein the electrode (212-512) is attached to the dielectric deformable material (214-514). The at least one fluid control device (200, 300, 400, 500) is fluidly coupled to the first fluid port (130a, 130b) via a fluid path (127, 128) in the dielectric layer (120) and the electrode (212-512) is coupled to a connector (150) that extends away from the layered assembly (110) in a direction parallel to the dielectric layer (120).