This paper deals with a recently developed actuator based on piezoelectric bimorphs which are useful for ASAC applications. The actuator takes the form of two channels with pairs of bimorphs. Each of the bimorph transducers in the couple is connected separately so that the actuator can act in both moment and force configurations simultaneously. The control algorithm allows the ratio between the...

This article presents a comparison of hysteresis courses in the motion two-input actuator (bimorph) and single-input (unimorph). The was based on results laboratory numerical experiments, subject which an built three layers: carrier layer from glass-reinforced epoxy laminate two piezoelectric layers Macro Fiber Composite. were glued together, electrodes Composite connected to system that includ...

A new class of polymeric piezoelectric bimorph actuators, called C-blocks because of their curved shape, has been developed to overcome limitations of conventional bimorph and stack piezoelectric configurations. Design tradeoffs are investigated in the current research using various performance criteria such as maximum deflection, force, and strain energy. The set of design variables to optimiz...

This paper presents a mathematical model and a finite element model to investigate the model parameters of mechanical dither in a ring laser gyroscope in which the bimorph piezoelectric actuator are employed as driving mechanisms to avoid the problem of so-called lock-in effects. The validity and efficiency of the mathematical model and finite element model are conformed by comparing with the s...

The potential use of piezoelectric bimorph actuators in minimally invasive surgery suture-needle grasper/holder applications is explored computationally. Upon defining the design/functional requirements for such surgical tools, a finite element analysis of the underlying piezoelectric boundary value problem is combined with the genetic algorithm optimization routine to arrive at an optimal morp...

The generalized plane quasistatic deformations of linear piezoelectric laminated plates are analyzed by the Eshelby–Stroh formalism. The laminate consists of homogeneous elastic or piezoelectric laminae of arbitrary thickness and width. The three-dimensional differential equations of equilibrium for a piezoelectric body are exactly satisŽ ed at every point in the body. The analytical solution i...

Piezoelectric bimorphs have been used as a micro-gripper in many applications, but the system might be complex and the response performance might not have been fully characterized. In this study the dynamic characteristics of bending piezoelectric bimorphs actuators were theoretically and experimentally investigated for micro-gripping applications in terms of deflection along the length, transi...

Vibration energy harvesting with piezoelectric materials currently generate up to 300 microwatts per cm2, using it to be mooted as an appropriate method of energy harvesting for powering low-power electronics. One of the important problems in bimorph piezoelectric energy harvesting is the generation of the highest power with the lowest weight. In this paper the effect of the shape and geometry ...

Flexoelectricity allows a dielectric material to polarize in response to a mechanical bending moment and, conversely, to bend in response to an electric field. Compared with piezoelectricity, flexoelectricity is a weak effect of little practical significance in bulk materials. However, the roles can be reversed at the nanoscale. Here, we demonstrate that flexoelectricity is a viable route to le...

This paper describes a new class of flight control actuators using Post-Buckled Precompressed (PBP) piezoelectric elements. These actuators are designed to produce significantly higher deflection and force levels than conventional piezoelectric actuator elements. Classical laminate plate theory (CLPT) models are shown to work very well in capturing the behavior of the free, unloaded elements. A...