Dynamic actuation of electro-elastic spherical membranes using dielectric elastomers

This paper presents dynamic results for spherical dielectric elastomer actuators subject to an inflating mechanical pressure and an applied voltage. Different equilibria modes arise during dynamic operation due to inertial effects. In previous work, the inertial effects have been studied for the limited case of a constant applied pressure during membrane deformation [1]. Here, novel results are presented in which the dynamic response of spherical dielectric elastomer actuators to a pressure-time loading history as well as a more realistic constant gas flow rate are considered. The results are calculated for both the damped and the zero-damped cases. The spherical membrane is assumed to follow the Mooney material model where various inflation modes arise depending on the material parameters. The range of Mooney material parameters considered, the driving pressure and the applied voltage all affect the dynamic response.