Abstract
High-authority piezoelectric actuator (HAPA) is a term used to describe high-performance piezoelectric actuators of relatively large displacement (≥50 μm) and high blocking force (≥100 N), but compact in size. One such piezoelectric actuator is described in this paper, which is made possible by means of high-bending-stiffness connector (HBSC) that connects multiple commercial piezoceramic stacks into a stable 2- (or multi-) level actuation configuration. Key design requirements for the HBSC are described. Computer simulation results and experimental verification are presented. A HAPA-(2 + 2) actuator was fabricated from such a HBSC, in which there are two commercial PZT stacks projecting upwards in the upper level and two projecting downwards in the lower lever, all of 5 × 5 mm2 in cross-section and 40 mm in length. The HAPA-(2 + 2) actuator prototype displays about twice the overall stroke and blocking force of individual stacks, being about 90 μm and >1600 N, respectively. This compares favorably with lever-arm, flextensional, and telescopic actuators, of which the blocking force is adversely affected. Using a similar concept, HBSCs and HAPAs of other designs are presented. In addition to being stand-alone actuators, the HAPAs can be used as the active material to drive existing displacement amplification schemes to produce piezoelectric actuators of exceptional performance characteristics.
Highlights
High-authority piezoelectric actuator is a term used to describe compact, high-performance piezoelectric actuators of relatively large displacement and high blocking force [1,2]
Direct push-pull piezoelectric actuators include longitudinal (d33 ) mode multilayer stacks and transverse (d31 ) mode tube actuators made of piezoceramics, notably lead zirconate titanate (PZT)
Various displacement enhancement schemes have been devised to increase the axial displacement of piezoceramic stacks including lever-arm, flextensional, meander-line and telescopic approaches
Summary
High-authority piezoelectric actuator is a term used to describe compact, high-performance piezoelectric actuators of relatively large displacement and high blocking force (say, stroke ≥50 μm and blocking force ≥100 N) [1,2]. Such actuators are needed in many technological applications, including industrial, aerospace, defence, medical, and scientific [3]. Various displacement enhancement schemes have been devised to increase the axial displacement of piezoceramic stacks including lever-arm, flextensional, meander-line and telescopic approaches. Lever-arm actuators utilize the lever mechanism to increase the displacement
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