The piezoelectric actuator (PEA) is a well-known device for managing extremely small displacements in the range from 10 pm (1 pm = 10 12 m) to 100 m. When developing a control system for a piezo-actuated positioning mechanism, the actuator dynamics have to be taken into account. An electromechanical piezo model, based on physical principles, is presented in this paper. In this model, a first-or...

A new type of rotary motor by inchworm motion using two belts is developed. A rotor is wrapped by two opposite belts which are connected to piezoelectric actuators. A serial lever structure with flexure hinges is used to connect a belt and piezoelectric actuators. The lever structure amplifies micro displacement of a piezoelectric actuator. A rotational motion with the step size of 2.36 mrad is...

A growing demand for actuators with a volume of less than 1 mm3 has driven researchers to produce a varied range of micro/milli-scale designs. By examining the underlying physics of the actuator operation we are able to demonstrate why piezoelectric ultrasonic actuators have the greatest potential to meet this need. Moreover, it allows us to create a new classification system for piezoelectric ...

We describe a micro-operating mechanism for a human-scale teleoperating system. The Bouc-Wen model was used to describe the hysteresis in piezoelectric actuators and parameters were identified to characterize the hysteresis using a genetic algorithm. To improve the performance of the system, a model reference adaptive controller was designed based on the Lyapunov stability theory. Both numerica...

This paper presents a numerical study on optimal voltages and optimal placement of piezoelectric actuators for shape control of beam structures. A finite element model, based on Timoshenko beam theory, is developed to characterize the behavior of the structure and the actuators. This model accounted for the electromechanical coupling in the entire beam structure, due to the fact that the piezoe...

This paper focuses on the design, fabrication and characterization of unimorph actuators for a microaerial flapping mechanism. PZT-5H and PZN-PT are investigated as piezoelectric layers in the unimorph actuators. Design issues for microaerial flapping actuators are discussed, and criteria for the optimal dimensions of actuators are determined. For low power consumption actuation, a square wave ...

Relaxor-PbTiO3 piezoelectric single crystals have been widely used in a broad range of electromechanical devices, including piezoelectric sensors, actuators, and transducers. This paper reviews the unique properties of these single crystals for piezoelectric sensors. Design, fabrication and characterization of various relaxor-PT single crystal piezoelectric sensors and their applications are pr...