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US Patent Number
6188160
Publication Date
2-13-2001
Abstract
A smart material control system and related method is disclosed for adaptively controlling the movement of an adaptive structure. The adaptive structure includes a smart material layer bonded to a conductive substrate in a bimorph configuration. A charge projector, such as an electron gun, is utilized to project charges onto the smart material layer of the adaptive structure. A voltage/charge source adaptively controls the potential of the conductive substrate. Depending on the placement of the projected charges and the adaptively controlled potential of the conductive substrate the displacement/curvature is precisely controlled. In an alternate embodiment, two smart material layers are bonded together to form an adaptive structure controlled independently in the x- and y- directions. Also, an array of charge projectors and/or conductive substrate sections may be used to provide varying and broad control of adaptive structures.
Assignees
University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Lexington, KY (US)
Application Number
09/152,236
Filing Date
09/11/1998
Recommended Citation
Main, John A. and Nelson, George C., "Smart Material Control System and Related Method" (2001). Mechanical Engineering Faculty Patents. 6.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/me_patents/6
