Patent ID: 7551419

Claim:
An electroadhesive device configured to adhere to a substrate, the electroadhesive device comprising: a deformable surface adapted for interfacing with a surface of the substrate, wherein at least a portion of said deformable surface moves closer to the surface of the substrate when said electroadhesive device is adhering to the substrate: a first electrode configured to apply a first voltage at a first location of the deformable surface; a second electrode configured to apply a second voltage at a second location of the deformable surface, wherein the difference in voltage between the first voltage and second voltage includes an electrostatic adhesion voltage that produces an electrostatic force between the device and the substrate that is suitable to maintain a current position of the device relative to the substrate; and an insulation material disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and configured to substantially maintain the electrostatic adhesion voltage difference between the first electrode.