Gas concentration control by directly linking sensor to actuator

Mike K. Andrews; Murray L. Jansen; Jason C. Morris; Geoffrey M. Spinks; Dezhi Zhou; Gordon G. Wallace

doi:10.1117/12.484824

28 July 2003 Gas concentration control by directly linking sensor to actuator

Mike K. Andrews, Murray L. Jansen, Jason C. Morris, Geoffrey M. Spinks, Dezhi Zhou, Gordon G. Wallace

Proceedings Volume 5051, Smart Structures and Materials 2003: Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD); (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.484824
Event: Smart Structures and Materials, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

An integrated oxygen control system has been explored by using bi-morph actuators based on polypyrrole conducting polymers (CP). The practical focus was control of a fruit storage atmosphere at 5% oxygen. An oxygen sensor and a simple actuator-valve assembly were integrated to limit the influx of atmospheric oxygen to a small chamber representing a fruit storage package. Electrochemical oxygen sensors such as zinc-air cells with output potentials up to one volt appear to be well suited for this task as they are able to drive trilayer strips based on CPs that actuate over a similar voltage range. The bimorph actuator used gave reliable and repeatable mechanical behaviour for about 50 hours. In one sensor-actuator system trialled the output from a lead-oxygen sensor was electronically augmented to drive the actuator-valve. A set oxygen concentration of 5% was readily maintained with response times of tens of seconds. In the other system the voltage output from a zinc-air cell was used directly to control a very light actuator-valve that limited the free diffusion of air into the test chamber. Control of the oxygen concentration was achieved but at lower rates of oxygen flux and with longer response times.

Citation Download Citation

Mike K. Andrews, Murray L. Jansen, Jason C. Morris, Geoffrey M. Spinks, Dezhi Zhou, and Gordon G. Wallace "Gas concentration control by directly linking sensor to actuator", Proc. SPIE 5051, Smart Structures and Materials 2003: Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD), (28 July 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.484824

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