A dielectric electroactive polymer generator-actuator model: modeling, identification, and dynamic simulation

Ihlefeld, Curtis M.; Qu, Zhihua

doi:10.1117/12.775544

Cited by 14 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 8 publications

(13 reference statements)

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“…Tashiro et al produced a variable gap parallel plate capacitive generator system where the bias was supplied by a capacitor bank, when the variable capacitor generated power, charge was returned back to the capacitor bank [5]. Ihlefeld and Qu presented a DEG system using the same circuit [6]. Their circuit did not replenish charges lost from the system or delivered to the load, but some of the charges were recycled, increasing the time before the priming circuit needed to be recharged.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-priming dielectric elastomer generators

McKay

O’Brien

Calius³

et al. 2010

Smart Mater. Struct.

160

120

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Dielectric elastomer generators (DEG) in their present form are not suitable for autonomous power generation; they simply increase the amount of power that an electrical energy source can supply. They require a priming charge for each cycle, normally provided by an auxiliary power source but, due to charges being transferred to a load or depleted by system losses, the energy source will eventually need replacing. In this paper we present a self-priming DEG system that is capable of replenishing these charge losses from generated energy, meaning that the energy source no longer requires periodic replacement. We then experimentally demonstrate that this system not only can replenish charge losses, but also is capable of increasing the amount of charge in the system and the voltage across the capacitance storing the charge. For instance, the system was capable of gradually boosting its voltage from 10 V up to 3.25 kV. This is highly advantageous because it was also shown that the efficiency of DEG power generation increases monotonically with DEG voltage. Also, this system allows these higher voltages to be reached without the need for a high voltage transformer, reducing the system cost.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-priming dielectric elastomer generators

McKay

O’Brien

Calius³

et al. 2010

Smart Mater. Struct.

160

120

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“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] For example, the ocean wave energy harvesting buoy has an energy density of about 135 J/kg, the DEG with balloon geometry has an energy density of 102 J/kg, and the self-priming DEGs have an energy density from 2.8 J/kg to 12.6 J/kg. 3, 7, 11-13, 15, 16 A relatively high energy density, 0.3 J/g, has been reported for shoe generators, 15 but the significance of this value is difficult to evaluate due to limited technical details reported.…”

Section: -7mentioning

confidence: 99%

Dielectric elastomer generator with equi-biaxial mechanical loading for energy harvesting

et al. 2013

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Dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) are attractive candidates for harvesting electrical energy from mechanical work since they comprise relatively few moving parts and large elastomer sheets can be mass produced. Successfully demonstrations of the DEG prototypes have been reported from a diverse of energy sources, including ocean waves, wind, flowing water and human movement. The energy densities achieved, however, are still small compared with theoretical predictions. We show that significant improvements in energy density (550 J/kg with an efficiency of 22.1%), can be achieved using an equi-biaxial mechanical loading configuration, one that produces uniform deformation and maximizes the capacitance changes. Analysis of the energy dissipations indicates that mechanical losses, which are caused by the viscous losses both within the acrylic elastomer and within the thread materials used for the load transfer assembly, limits the energy conversion efficiency of the DEG. Addressing these losses is suggested to increase the energy conversion efficiency of the DEG.

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“…Electrical model of dielectric EAP can be described by a resistance-capacitance (RC) network (Ihlefeld and Qu, 2008). When voltage is applied to the EAP, electrical energy loss will occur due to the charges drained through insulating resistance, especially in high electrical field.…”

Section: Influence Of Stretch Velocitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental investigation on energy conversion for dielectric electroactive polymer generator

Wang

Zhu

Wang

et al. 2012

Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures

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Dielectric electroactive polymer shows considerable promise for harvesting energy from environmental sources such as wind, water current, and ocean waves. Based on the analysis of an energy conversion cycle, circular energy conversion unit is implemented to conduct experiment. Two main factors, namely, bias voltage and stretch displacement, are subsequently determined to investigate their effect on the generated energy and efficiency. Analytical results indicate that the generated energy and efficiency increase as the bias voltage and displacement increase in a certain range of bias voltage, while over high electrical field reduces electrical energy and efficiency due to charge leakage. Furthermore, the effect of stretch speed on transformed voltage is analyzed. Antagonistic connection of two same energy conversion units is investigated, which can boost the total efficiency to 20% because the retracting force of one energy conversion unit is used to stretch the other. To make full use of the input mechanical energy, a generator with multiple energy conversion units, which are deformed by slider–crank mechanisms, is analyzed. The torque needed to actuate generator with more than two energy conversion units is positive in the whole cycle, which means all the mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy. Moreover, fluctuation of torque becomes smaller as the number of energy conversion units increases.

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A dielectric electroactive polymer generator-actuator model: modeling, identification, and dynamic simulation

Cited by 14 publications

References 8 publications

Self-priming dielectric elastomer generators

Self-priming dielectric elastomer generators

Dielectric elastomer generator with equi-biaxial mechanical loading for energy harvesting

Experimental investigation on energy conversion for dielectric electroactive polymer generator

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