HASEL Actuator Two-Stage Pump Fluid Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulically-amplified, self-healing, electrostatic (HASEL) actuators face limitations in speed, pressure, and efficiency due to losses associated with transporting fluid, necessitating a more robust design for actuation systems.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage pump system utilizing pairs of HASEL actuators with deformable shells, dielectric fluid, and fluid transfer bladders, where electrodes move in an alternating pattern to displace dielectric fluid through conduits, enabling efficient pumping of transfer fluid between compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If HASEL actuators use electric fields and hydraulic forces to displace liquid dielectric material through a soft hydraulic architecture, then actuation force and self-healing capability are improved, but losses in speed, pressure, and efficiency occur due to fluid transport
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pumping function into two distinct stages: HASEL actuators perform dielectric fluid displacement in working fluid compartments, while separate fluid transfer bladders handle transfer fluid pumping. This segmentation isolates the high-force electrostatic actuation from the fluid transport function, preventing energy losses in the hydraulic architecture while maintaining actuation force capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Dielectric fluid serves as an intermediary substance between the electrostatic field and the transfer fluid. The HASEL actuators displace dielectric fluid in response to electric fields, and this displacement indirectly drives transfer fluid pumping through the coupled bladder system, eliminating direct hydraulic fluid transport losses.
2Volume of moving object
If hydraulic systems employ high pressures to reduce equipment size, then system compactness is improved, but fire safety and maintenance requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses compliant, disposable-like bladder structures that can be easily replaced rather than maintaining complex high-pressure hydraulic systems. The soft robotic bladders operate at lower pressures, sacrificing some compactness for dramatically improved safety and reduced maintenance needs.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional high-pressure hydraulic mechanical systems are replaced with electrostatically-actuated soft robotic bladders operating at lower pressures. This substitution eliminates fire hazards and leakage risks associated with hydraulic fluids while using electric fields instead of high-pressure mechanics.
3Productivity
If two-stage pump system uses alternating two-stage pattern with fluid transfer bladders, then flow rate and pressure are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges HASEL actuator technology with soft robotic bladder technology into an integrated two-stage pump unit. The fluid transfer bladders are positioned adjacent to and coupled with the HASEL actuators, combining multiple functions (electrostatic actuation, dielectric fluid displacement, and transfer fluid pumping) into a single compact device rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The HASEL actuators serve multiple functions: generating actuation force through electrostatic fields, displacing dielectric fluid in working fluid compartments, and indirectly driving transfer fluid pumping. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the two-stage architecture.
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 system achieves high flow rates and increased pressure by using complementary soft pumps in series or parallel configurations, enhancing the efficiency and robustness of actuation systems.
Implementation Method 1
electrostatic forces between electrode pairs of the actuators (generated upon application of a voltage to the electrode pairs) draws the electrodes in each pair towards each other, displacing the liquid dielectric
Implementation Method 2
Hydraulically-amplified, self-healing, electrostatic (HASEL) actuators use electric fields and hydraulic forces to locally displace a liquid dielectric material
Implementation Method 3
Hydraulically-amplified, self-healing, electrostatic (HASEL) actuators use electric fields and hydraulic forces to locally displace a liquid dielectric material
Implementation Method 4
A biasing member is disposed in the transfer fluid chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A two-stage pump system is provided using electrostatic actuators. The system includes a pair of hydraulically-amplified, self-healing, electrostatic (HASEL) actuators in fluid communication with one another. Each actuator includes a deformable shell defining a working fluid compartment storing a dielectric fluid. Two electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of the deformable shell. A pair of fluid transfer bladders are disposed adjacent the respective pair of HASEL actuators, each including a fluid-impermeable membrane defining a transfer fluid chamber, and a biasing member disposed in the transfer fluid chamber. When individually actuated in an alternating two-stage pattern, the two electrodes of each respective HASEL actuator move from a neutral position to an attracted position, displacing dielectric fluid through the first transfer conduit and between working fluid compartments, thereby pumping the transfer fluid from an inlet to an outlet.