Distributed segmented piezo-electric actuators bonded to an elastic substructure and embedded inside a laminated composite material are modeled. Static mechanical models for various actuator geometries exciting both extension and flexure in the substructural material are developed. The flexural static models for both surface bonded and embedded cases are then integrated into a simple dynamic mo...

In this paper, flexure hinges as the main part of the actuators frame are studied considering different profiles of flexure hinges and effective design parameters to introduce the best profile of the hinge based on the application that is needed. For this purpose five different profiles (right circular, elliptical, corner-filleted, hyperbolic and parabolic) of flexure hinges have been considere...

In this paper we introduce the principles necessary to synthesize hybrid flexure systems and elements. Flexure systems consist of rigid bodies that are joined together by flexure elements that elastically deform to guide the system’s rigid bodies with desired degrees of freedom (DOFs). The principles introduced here for synthesizing hybrid flexure systems and elements are extensions of the Free...

The constraint-based design of flexure mechanisms requires a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the constraint characteristics of flexure elements that serve as constraints. This paper presents the constraint characterization of a uniform and symmetric cross-section, slender, spatial beam—a basic flexure element commonly used in threedimensional flexure mechanisms. The constraint cha...

This investigation examines the role of carboxyl functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWCNTs) in the on- and off-axis flexure and the shear responses of thin carbon woven fabric composite plates. The chemically functionalized COOH-MWCNTs were used to fabricate epoxy nanocomposites and, subsequently, carbon woven fabric plates to be tested on flexure and shear. In addition to the n...

Flexure hinges inherently lose stiffness in supporting directions when deflected. In this paper a method is presented for optimizing the geometry of flexure hinges, while supporting stiffnesses are retained. These hinges are subjected to a load and deflected an angle of up to ±20°. The measure of performance is defined by the first unwanted eigenfrequency, which is closely related to the suppor...

This paper presents the derivation of the kinetostatic model of a flexure-based 3-RRR compliant micro-motion stage. The kinetostatic model has closed-form equations and flexure hinge compliances are one of the variables in the model. Researchers have an option of selecting the most suitable flexure hinge compliance equations to calculate the kinetostatics of the stage. Two cases are studied whe...

Flexure parallel mechanism (FPM) possessing selective actuation (SA) feature can be used as a micropositioner. The design of SA FPMs consists of type synthesis of parallel mechanisms possessing the required number of degree of freedom (DOF), geometric arrangement of the structure to obtain the SA and conversion of the kinematic mechanism into the flexure mechanism. This paper focuses on the SA ...

An experimentally based study has been conducted to quantify the effects of coupled water saturation and low temperatures on quasi-static dynamic mechanical behavior E-Glass Carbon Epoxy laminates. The relative performance materials as a function decreasing temperature was characterized through detailed experiments, specifically in-plane (tensile/compressive) shear material properties, static M...