Free radial oscillations of an actuated cylindrical tube

Abstract

This work investigates the free radial oscillations of an electrically actuated cylindrical tube. Classical Knowles’ tube problem is explored here with the application of an external electric field. One of the prime objectives is to study the effect of sudden pressure removal from the cylindrical actuator. We attempt to correlate our problem physiologically with an arterial tissue actuation. The tube is introduced to an electrical actuation with an externally applied electric field and is subjected to a sudden pressure which is removed instantly to explore the purely free radial oscillations. Generally, such kind dynamic effects are neglected in designing cylindrical actuators. The dielectric cylindrical tube is assumed to be incompressible, isotropic, and infinite. The obtained results assert that the application of an external electric field reduces the amplitude of the radial oscillations and thus makes the tube contract. Essentially, the actuation is elevating the stiffness of the tube. A similar effect is also observed in the blood vessels, wherein the electric signaling helps the vessels to contract. We propose a complete analytical solution approach that is highly significant in designing cylindrical muscle actuators for various futuristic applications in the biomimetic and medical field.