Composite material with controlled, continuous deflection used e.g. in actuators, comprises active, heated layer bonded with inactive, thermally-conductive layer

摘要

An active layer (2) is connected to a source (3) generating a controllable temperature variation. It is bonded to another layer which is inactive (4) and thermally-conductive. The layers are assembled together. When heated, conduction induces temperature variation in the layers, such that the composite deforms. This occurs in a predetermined direction and to a given extent. The amplitude of deflection is proportional to the temperature variation, as a result of differential deformation between the constituent layers. The source is a heater or cooler; both may be present. The active layer is an electrical conductor and is connected to an electrical source (3) of controlled power output. Inactive layers are thermally- but not electrically-conductive. Variants and details of the composites are described. The conductor is a polymer with additives making it conductive, these are e.g. in powder- or fiber form comprising e.g. metals or carbon fibers. The actuator forms part of an automatic control system operating from programmed and measured data, the latter being especially temperature and displacement.