Electron gun controlled smart structure

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:874033

Martin, Jeffrey W ^[1]; Main, John Alan ^[2]; Redmond, James M ^[1]; Henson, Tammy D ^[1]; Watson, Robert D ^[3]

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1. Albuquerque, NM
2. Lexington, KY
3. Tijeras, NM

Disclosed is a method and system for actively controlling the shape of a sheet of electroactive material; the system comprising: one or more electrodes attached to the frontside of the electroactive sheet; a charged particle generator, disposed so as to direct a beam of charged particles (e.g. electrons) onto the electrode; a conductive substrate attached to the backside of the sheet; and a power supply electrically connected to the conductive substrate; whereby the sheet changes its shape in response to an electric field created across the sheet by an accumulation of electric charge within the electrode(s), relative to a potential applied to the conductive substrate. Use of multiple electrodes distributed across on the frontside ensures a uniform distribution of the charge with a single point of e-beam incidence, thereby greatly simplifying the beam scanning algorithm and raster control electronics, and reducing the problems associated with "blooming". By placing a distribution of electrodes over the front surface of a piezoelectric film (or other electroactive material), this arrangement enables improved control over the distribution of surface electric charges (e.g. electrons) by creating uniform (and possibly different) charge distributions within each individual electrode. Removal or deposition of net electric charge can be affected by controlling the secondary electron yield through manipulation of the backside electric potential with the power supply. The system can be used for actively controlling the shape of space-based deployable optics, such as adaptive mirrors and inflatable antennae.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories (Albuquerque, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 6297579
• OSTI ID: 874033
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

electron
gun
controlled
smart
structure
disclosed
method
actively
controlling
shape
sheet
electroactive
material
comprising
electrodes
attached
frontside
charged
particle
generator
disposed
direct
beam
particles
electrons
electrode
conductive
substrate
backside
power
supply
electrically
connected
whereby
changes
response
electric
field
created
accumulation
charge
relative
potential
applied
multiple
distributed
ensures
uniform
distribution
single
e-beam
incidence
greatly
simplifying
scanning
algorithm
raster
control
electronics
reducing
associated
blooming
placing
front
surface
piezoelectric
film
arrangement
enables
improved
charges
creating
possibly
distributions
individual
removal
deposition
net
affected
secondary
yield
manipulation
space-based
deployable
optics
adaptive
mirrors
inflatable
antennae
piezoelectric film
potential applied
multiple electrodes
electric charge
conductive substrate
active material
charged particles
electric field
power supply
charged particle
electrically connected
front surface
electron gun
electric potential
multiple electrode
uniform distribution
secondary electron
electroactive material
field created
actively controlling
dual electrode
supply electrical
net electric
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