Balloon actuators based on the dielectric elastomer

In this paper, we present a theoretical and experimental study about the carrying capacity of flight dielectric elastomer (DE) balloon in electromechanical performance. This paper deals with some structures which are consist of helium balloons or air balloons based on theoretical analysis. We compared the two kinds of gas balloons at the same initial pressure, air and helium, there was no great difference in original volume and volume change when applied voltages. It is very important to get large deformation to achieve control, we can increase the voltage, diameter, pre-stretch and preload to get that goal; The initial volume is very important for the deformation, and it needs to be big enough; The greater volume changes, the more weight can be taken by a helium balloon in the controlling condition.