CA2149518A1 - Electrochemical actuator - Google Patents
Electrochemical actuatorInfo
- Publication number
- CA2149518A1 CA2149518A1 CA002149518A CA2149518A CA2149518A1 CA 2149518 A1 CA2149518 A1 CA 2149518A1 CA 002149518 A CA002149518 A CA 002149518A CA 2149518 A CA2149518 A CA 2149518A CA 2149518 A1 CA2149518 A1 CA 2149518A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- contact
- housing
- gas
- contact spring
- actuator
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
- F03G7/005—Electro-chemical actuators; Actuators having a material for absorbing or desorbing gas, e.g. a metal hydride; Actuators using the difference in osmotic pressure between fluids; Actuators with elements stretchable when contacted with liquid rich in ions, with UV light, with a salt solution
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
- Electrically Driven Valve-Operating Means (AREA)
- Air Bags (AREA)
- Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)
- Measuring Oxygen Concentration In Cells (AREA)
- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
- Secondary Cells (AREA)
Abstract
2149518 9508710 PCTABS00036 An electrochemical actor with a closed gas chamber has a plurality of stacked cells (7), each of which contains a solid electrode of an electrochemically reversibly oxidisable material and a gas-generating or consuming counter-electrode, whereby a rise of fall in pressure convertible in one movement is effected by a reversible d.c.-generated electrochemical reaction cycle in the gas chamber. To limit the gas formation and vertical movement there is a mechanically actuatable electric switch, the actuating member (14) of which is arranged in the path of movement of an adjuster (4) to which gas pressure is applied in such a way that, when the adjuster (4) reaches a predetermined end position, the connecting line to the d.c. source is interrupted.
Description
` ;~ 21~9518 ::
!
PATENT :
Attorney Docket No. 81983 ;:~
~LECTROCHEMI~AL ACTUATOR ..
:
This invention relates to an electrochemical actuator which corresponds to the introductory clause of claim ~
1. .
German patent document DE 41 1~ 739 Cl discloses an ;-electrochemical actuator with a housing in which ::
electrochemical cells;are stacked. When a direct current is applied, gas is generated or absorbed, depending on the dir~ction of the current, so that a bellows operatively :.
coupled with the cells expands or contracts. A disadvantage of such known actuators is that gas continues to be generated -"
when current flows in an uncontrolled, continuing manner which is dangerous and can lead to the destruction of the ~' instrument~
The problem underlying the invention is to provide an electrochemical actuator in ac~ordance with the preamble of"!,`,' claim 1 which limits the generation of gas while the actuator remains functional.
This problem is solved as ~t Porth in t~e characterizing clause of claim 1.
The construction of the electrochemical actuator in .
accordance with the invention has the ad~antage that once a pred~termi~ed end position o~ the actuator element has b~en .:~' reached, no more gas i~ generated. The actuator element :~.
remains in its end position until, as a result ~f a current in `~-:
the opposit~ dîrection, gas is absorbed and the actuator plate iæ m~ved back. The electric switch therefor functions as an .`.
: emergency switch which can also ~ reset. A self-destruction o~ the instrument is prevented and i~s safety is maintaine~ at :` ~ all time~
~ In a preferred embodiment, the electric switch is constructed of a con~act spring attached to the base of the housing within which~th~ cells are mounted. The contact `~
spring is electrically coupled to the lower cell and has a .
;;
:
` ~ 21~51~
!
PATENT :
Attorney Docket No. 81983 ;:~
~LECTROCHEMI~AL ACTUATOR ..
:
This invention relates to an electrochemical actuator which corresponds to the introductory clause of claim ~
1. .
German patent document DE 41 1~ 739 Cl discloses an ;-electrochemical actuator with a housing in which ::
electrochemical cells;are stacked. When a direct current is applied, gas is generated or absorbed, depending on the dir~ction of the current, so that a bellows operatively :.
coupled with the cells expands or contracts. A disadvantage of such known actuators is that gas continues to be generated -"
when current flows in an uncontrolled, continuing manner which is dangerous and can lead to the destruction of the ~' instrument~
The problem underlying the invention is to provide an electrochemical actuator in ac~ordance with the preamble of"!,`,' claim 1 which limits the generation of gas while the actuator remains functional.
This problem is solved as ~t Porth in t~e characterizing clause of claim 1.
The construction of the electrochemical actuator in .
accordance with the invention has the ad~antage that once a pred~termi~ed end position o~ the actuator element has b~en .:~' reached, no more gas i~ generated. The actuator element :~.
remains in its end position until, as a result ~f a current in `~-:
the opposit~ dîrection, gas is absorbed and the actuator plate iæ m~ved back. The electric switch therefor functions as an .`.
: emergency switch which can also ~ reset. A self-destruction o~ the instrument is prevented and i~s safety is maintaine~ at :` ~ all time~
~ In a preferred embodiment, the electric switch is constructed of a con~act spring attached to the base of the housing within which~th~ cells are mounted. The contact `~
spring is electrically coupled to the lower cell and has a .
;;
:
` ~ 21~51~
2 `
contact head which contacts an eleckrically conductive actuator element forming part of the electric circuit. ~:
Movement of the contact spring is limited by a stop surface on the base of the housing. Current flows through the actuator ~lement until gas pressure separate~ the actuator element from the contact spring when the latter engages the stop surface.
The construction is simplified by extending the contact spring through an opening in the base of the housing and forming the edge of the opening so that it can act as the stop surface, There are two ways for returning the actuator element to a position in which it closes the electric circuit.
It can be done by manually moving the actuator element back or, preferably, by providing an electric lead from the lower cell to a contact pin in the cover for the housing and which can be connected to a direct current source until the contact spring engages the actuator element again. For purposes of ~.
returning the actuator element in accordance with a preferred embodiment, an electric circuit is provided which bridges over the electric switch and effects an absorption of gas so that ~`
the actuator plate is again returned and touches the contact spring, which closes the normal electric circuit so that it .:~
can become ef~ective when a direct current potential is `-::
applied.
A simplified embodiment contemplates to place a metallic contact plate between the lower cell and the base o~
the housing. The contact plate i5 electrically coupled to the lead and mounts the contact spring.
The drawing shows an exemplary electrochemical ~::
actuator which includes a housing 1 having a base 2 with an ~30 opening 3, a metallic actuator plate 4 and a metallic bellows ~ 5. The bellows is secured to the periphery of the actuator .
: plate and to housing lo Housing 1 is made of an electrically nonconductive material, is closed by a metallic cover 60 and ~.
on its inside is a cell stack of electrochemical cells 7. An upper ceIl 7' is electrically coupled to a contact pin 10 via a lead 9.
~ ach electrochemical cell 7 comprises a solid body electrode, made of silvar or nickel hydroxide, for example, - :
2149518 ``~:
` .
contact head which contacts an eleckrically conductive actuator element forming part of the electric circuit. ~:
Movement of the contact spring is limited by a stop surface on the base of the housing. Current flows through the actuator ~lement until gas pressure separate~ the actuator element from the contact spring when the latter engages the stop surface.
The construction is simplified by extending the contact spring through an opening in the base of the housing and forming the edge of the opening so that it can act as the stop surface, There are two ways for returning the actuator element to a position in which it closes the electric circuit.
It can be done by manually moving the actuator element back or, preferably, by providing an electric lead from the lower cell to a contact pin in the cover for the housing and which can be connected to a direct current source until the contact spring engages the actuator element again. For purposes of ~.
returning the actuator element in accordance with a preferred embodiment, an electric circuit is provided which bridges over the electric switch and effects an absorption of gas so that ~`
the actuator plate is again returned and touches the contact spring, which closes the normal electric circuit so that it .:~
can become ef~ective when a direct current potential is `-::
applied.
A simplified embodiment contemplates to place a metallic contact plate between the lower cell and the base o~
the housing. The contact plate i5 electrically coupled to the lead and mounts the contact spring.
The drawing shows an exemplary electrochemical ~::
actuator which includes a housing 1 having a base 2 with an ~30 opening 3, a metallic actuator plate 4 and a metallic bellows ~ 5. The bellows is secured to the periphery of the actuator .
: plate and to housing lo Housing 1 is made of an electrically nonconductive material, is closed by a metallic cover 60 and ~.
on its inside is a cell stack of electrochemical cells 7. An upper ceIl 7' is electrically coupled to a contact pin 10 via a lead 9.
~ ach electrochemical cell 7 comprises a solid body electrode, made of silvar or nickel hydroxide, for example, - :
2149518 ``~:
` .
3 ~:~
and a gas generating and gas absorbing counter electrode made, ~
for example, from a carbon mass. Between the lower cell 7'' and base ~ o~ the housing is a contact plate 13 made of metal. ::.
A lead 11 electrically couples it to a further contact pin 12. ~-A contact spring 14 is secured to contact plate 13 and ~xtends into opening 3 in housing base 2. The spring has a contact head 15 which resiliently engages actuator plate 4.
A stop sur~ace 16 defined by the edge of opening 3 prevents further movement of the spring beyond a position 4' once the a~tuator plate 4 has been moved away from base 2. Finally, a ~
connector 8 for a source of direct current is provided on ~-.
cover 6 or bellows 5. The conductive bellows 5 together with -:~
conductive ac~uator plate 4 and thP engaging contact spring 14 and contact plate 13 form an electric circuit to the lower -cell 7' of the cell stack. ~i-When a DC ~oltage is applied to connector 8 and .' contact pin 10, gas; for example, hydrogen, is generated or .-;
absorbed depending on the current direction in cells 7, 7', 7ll. When gas is generatad, gas pressure rises and actuator alem~nt 4 is moved away from base 2 of the housing. A reverse `~
current leads t~ an absorption of gas and a return of actuator e~ement 4 to hase 2. --Wh~n the current is interrupted, the then prevailing gas pres~ure is maintained and actuator element 4 remains in i~s positio~
Reciprocating movement of actuator element 4 is i.
limited by base 2 of housing 1 at one end and, at the other end, by breaking the electric contact between contact spring 14 and actuator plate 4. When the DC potential is applied to 30: generlate gas, contact ~etween contact spring 14 and actuator :~
plate 4 is maintained until stop surface 16 prevents contact :~
spring 14 ~rom further following the motion of ac~uator plate ":
and a gas generating and gas absorbing counter electrode made, ~
for example, from a carbon mass. Between the lower cell 7'' and base ~ o~ the housing is a contact plate 13 made of metal. ::.
A lead 11 electrically couples it to a further contact pin 12. ~-A contact spring 14 is secured to contact plate 13 and ~xtends into opening 3 in housing base 2. The spring has a contact head 15 which resiliently engages actuator plate 4.
A stop sur~ace 16 defined by the edge of opening 3 prevents further movement of the spring beyond a position 4' once the a~tuator plate 4 has been moved away from base 2. Finally, a ~
connector 8 for a source of direct current is provided on ~-.
cover 6 or bellows 5. The conductive bellows 5 together with -:~
conductive ac~uator plate 4 and thP engaging contact spring 14 and contact plate 13 form an electric circuit to the lower -cell 7' of the cell stack. ~i-When a DC ~oltage is applied to connector 8 and .' contact pin 10, gas; for example, hydrogen, is generated or .-;
absorbed depending on the current direction in cells 7, 7', 7ll. When gas is generatad, gas pressure rises and actuator alem~nt 4 is moved away from base 2 of the housing. A reverse `~
current leads t~ an absorption of gas and a return of actuator e~ement 4 to hase 2. --Wh~n the current is interrupted, the then prevailing gas pres~ure is maintained and actuator element 4 remains in i~s positio~
Reciprocating movement of actuator element 4 is i.
limited by base 2 of housing 1 at one end and, at the other end, by breaking the electric contact between contact spring 14 and actuator plate 4. When the DC potential is applied to 30: generlate gas, contact ~etween contact spring 14 and actuator :~
plate 4 is maintained until stop surface 16 prevents contact :~
spring 14 ~rom further following the motion of ac~uator plate ":
4 (see position 4').: The prevailing gas pressure moves the :`-actuator p~ate to position 4 " where the electric circuit ~`
35 between the contact sprîng 14 and the ac~uator plate is ~
interrupted. In this position 4, which corresponds to the end f'~."
position of the reciprocatlng motion, a reversal o~ the potential b~tween connector 8 and contact pin 10 would not `.
.,:.
~ 21~18 result in a return of the actuator plate~ For a return-motion, a circuit from contact plate 13 to contact pin 12 via the lead 11 is therefore provided.
When a DC potential i~ applied to contact pins lo, 12 so that the current results in an absorption of gas, the ,:
gas pressure decreases and actuator plate 4 moves back. This will lead to a contact between the actuator plate 4 and contact spring 14, thereby closing the electric circuit for normal operation via connector 8.
` ` ' '` ~
:, :~ 21~518 -`;~`.
Reference signs:
. . , 1 housiny 2 base 3 opening 4 actuator plate `
4' in intermediate position 4 " in end position ~`
35 between the contact sprîng 14 and the ac~uator plate is ~
interrupted. In this position 4, which corresponds to the end f'~."
position of the reciprocatlng motion, a reversal o~ the potential b~tween connector 8 and contact pin 10 would not `.
.,:.
~ 21~18 result in a return of the actuator plate~ For a return-motion, a circuit from contact plate 13 to contact pin 12 via the lead 11 is therefore provided.
When a DC potential i~ applied to contact pins lo, 12 so that the current results in an absorption of gas, the ,:
gas pressure decreases and actuator plate 4 moves back. This will lead to a contact between the actuator plate 4 and contact spring 14, thereby closing the electric circuit for normal operation via connector 8.
` ` ' '` ~
:, :~ 21~518 -`;~`.
Reference signs:
. . , 1 housiny 2 base 3 opening 4 actuator plate `
4' in intermediate position 4 " in end position ~`
5 bellows .-6 cover 7 c~lls :
7' upper cell 7 " lower cell 8 connector (position~ `
7' upper cell 7 " lower cell 8 connector (position~ `
9 lead --.
contack pin ll lead -12 contact pin .:
13 contact plate 14 contact spring contact head 16 surface stop ':`
"'~
.,;
- '''' '.
,, '~
'~.
,:
contack pin ll lead -12 contact pin .:
13 contact plate 14 contact spring contact head 16 surface stop ':`
"'~
.,;
- '''' '.
,, '~
'~.
,:
Claims (4)
1. Electrochemical actuator having a sealed gas space and a plurality of cells arranged in a stack, each cell including a solid body electrode made of an electrochemically reversibly oxidizable material and a counter electrode adapted to generate and absorb gas, wherein an electrochemical reaction caused by a D.C.
current leads to an increase or decrease in pressure in the gas space which can be converted into motion, and wherein the gas pressure is operatively applied to an actuator element, characterized by a mechanically activated electric switch having a contact spring (14) secured to a base (2) of a housing (1) for the cells (7) and which is electrically coupled to the lower cell (7''), the contact spring including a contact head (15) engaging the electrically conductive actuator element (4) in the electric circuit, and wherein movement of the contact spring (14) is limited by a stop surface (16) on base (2) of housing (1).
current leads to an increase or decrease in pressure in the gas space which can be converted into motion, and wherein the gas pressure is operatively applied to an actuator element, characterized by a mechanically activated electric switch having a contact spring (14) secured to a base (2) of a housing (1) for the cells (7) and which is electrically coupled to the lower cell (7''), the contact spring including a contact head (15) engaging the electrically conductive actuator element (4) in the electric circuit, and wherein movement of the contact spring (14) is limited by a stop surface (16) on base (2) of housing (1).
2. Electrochemical actuator according to claim 1 characterized in that the contact spring (14) extends through an opening (3) in base (2) of housing (1) and in that an edge of opening (3) defines the stop surface (16).
3. Electrochemical actuator according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the lower cell (7'') is electrically coupled by a lead (11) with a contact pin (12) in cover (6) of housing (1) adapted to be connected to a positive terminal of a D.C. source until contact spring (14) again engages actuator element (4).
4. Electrochemical actuator according to claim 3 characterized in that a metal contact plate (13) is disposed between the lower cell (7'') and base (2) of housing (1), the contact plate being connected to lead (11) and mounting the contact spring (14).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP4331764.2 | 1993-09-18 | ||
| DE4331764A DE4331764C1 (en) | 1993-09-18 | 1993-09-18 | Electrochemical actuator |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2149518A1 true CA2149518A1 (en) | 1995-03-30 |
Family
ID=6498028
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002149518A Abandoned CA2149518A1 (en) | 1993-09-18 | 1994-07-07 | Electrochemical actuator |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0670962B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2651748B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE143099T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2149518A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE4331764C1 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO951017L (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995008710A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19539257C1 (en) * | 1995-10-21 | 1996-10-31 | Daimler Benz Aerospace Ag | Structural element e.g. for incorporation in the surface of an aircraft wing |
| DE19802723A1 (en) * | 1998-01-24 | 1999-08-12 | Kuesters Beloit Gmbh & Co Kg | roller |
| DE19827234A1 (en) * | 1998-06-18 | 1999-12-23 | Voith Sulzer Papiertech Patent | Coating station for the application of a medium to a moving web surface |
| DE19827201A1 (en) * | 1998-06-18 | 1999-12-23 | Voith Sulzer Papiertech Patent | Valve assembly for a web coating applicator |
| DE19859586C1 (en) * | 1998-12-22 | 2000-07-13 | Mwg Biotech Ag | Thermal cycler device |
| DE29925002U1 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 2008-06-19 | Applera Corp. (n.d.Ges.d. Staates Delaware), Foster City | thermocycler |
| DE19920885C1 (en) * | 1999-05-06 | 2001-03-22 | Daimler Chrysler Ag | Chemical actuator |
| DE19925481A1 (en) * | 1999-06-03 | 2000-12-14 | August Winsel | Device for collecting pasty masses, liquids, gases and mobile objects |
| DE10136904A1 (en) * | 2001-07-28 | 2003-02-20 | Eppendorf Ag | Dispenser for very small volumes of fluid, e.g. in cell manipulation, has displacement chamber through which fluid is moved by piston actuated by electrochemically operated bellows |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB925284A (en) * | 1960-11-23 | 1900-01-01 | ||
| FR1316099A (en) * | 1962-02-16 | 1963-01-25 | Actuation system | |
| US3166893A (en) * | 1963-10-07 | 1965-01-26 | John F Sherwood | Electrothermal actuator |
| US3823560A (en) * | 1969-08-07 | 1974-07-16 | Stevens & Co Inc J P | Method and apparatus for obtaining energy from temperature changes |
| DE4116739C1 (en) * | 1991-05-23 | 1992-07-02 | Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft, 7000 Stuttgart, De |
-
1993
- 1993-09-18 DE DE4331764A patent/DE4331764C1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1994
- 1994-07-07 EP EP94920983A patent/EP0670962B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-07-07 WO PCT/EP1994/002290 patent/WO1995008710A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1994-07-07 JP JP7509515A patent/JP2651748B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-07-07 CA CA002149518A patent/CA2149518A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-07-07 AT AT94920983T patent/ATE143099T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-07-07 DE DE59400695T patent/DE59400695D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1995
- 1995-03-16 NO NO951017A patent/NO951017L/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2651748B2 (en) | 1997-09-10 |
| NO951017D0 (en) | 1995-03-16 |
| DE59400695D1 (en) | 1996-10-24 |
| JPH08501859A (en) | 1996-02-27 |
| EP0670962B1 (en) | 1996-09-18 |
| ATE143099T1 (en) | 1996-10-15 |
| NO951017L (en) | 1995-03-30 |
| EP0670962A1 (en) | 1995-09-13 |
| DE4331764C1 (en) | 1994-11-03 |
| WO1995008710A1 (en) | 1995-03-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |