Patent ID: 6960864
Filing Date: 2005-11-01
Classification: F04B,H01L,H02N

Abstract:
1. An electroactive polymer actuator comprising: a laminate including a tubular member of an electroactive polymer material, a first electrode formed on an inner peripheral surface of said tubular member, a second electrode formed on an outer peripheral surface of said tubular member, a second tubular member of an electroactive polymer material, which is placed around said second electrode such that the outer peripheral surface of said tubular member is connected to an inner peripheral surface of said second tubular member through said second electrode, and a third electrode formed on an outer peripheral surface of said second tubular member; and voltage applying means for applying a voltage between said first and second electrodes to cause a deformation in said laminate, wherein said voltage applying means applies the voltage(s) between said first and second electrodes and between said second and third electrodes to cause the deformation in said laminate, and each of said tubular member and second tubular member is formed in a hollow cylinder shape having a center of its outer circle displaced from the center of its inner circle.