Bidirectional electrohydrodynamic pump with high symmetrical performance and its application to a tube actuator

Abstract

The previously reported electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps can generate bidirectional flow with asymmetrical performance in two directions. This configuration causes difficulty to control the system that the EHD pump and soft actuators are integrated. This paper proposes a new design with a simple structure to reduce the pressure difference in the two directions of the EHD pump. The EHD pump in this work consists of a flexible cover and base, copper electrodes, and soft fluidic channels, which indicates the flexible properties. We investigate the pressure performance of this proposed EHD pump. Besides, the structure of the EHD pump is optimized in terms of the reduction of pressure difference. Finally, we apply this new pump to drive the soft tube actuator.