Self-sensing refers to extracting the position information from the electromagnetic signals instead of from a physical position sensor. Self-sensing actuator has the benefit of significantly reducing hardware effort. In this paper, we investigate selfsensing actuators applied in direct acing proportional valves. The study is based on the configuration of a dual-solenoid actuator where each sole...

A lumped-parameter model of a piezoelectric stack actuator has been developed to describe actuator behavior for purposes of control system analysis and design, and in particular for microrobotic applications requiring accurate position and/or force control. In addition to describing the input-output dynamic behavior, the proposed model explains aspects of non-intuitive behavioral phenomena evin...

Subject to a voltage, a dielectric elastomer can deform substantially, making it a desirable material for actuators. Designing such an actuator, however, has been challenging due to nonlinear equations of state, as well as multiple modes of failure, parameters of design, and measures of performance. This paper explores these issues, using a spring-roll actuator as an example. We formulate the e...

The future More Electric Aircraft (MEA) technology focus on increasing the use of electrical equipment to a larger extent, e.g. replacing conventional hydraulic and pneumatic actuators with electromechanical or electro hydrostatic actuators to reduce weight, cost and maintenance. Advances in enabling technologies of electric power generation, distribution, and utility equipment have made the us...

The emerging field of materials-based actuation continues to be the focus of considerable research because of its inherent scalability and its promise to drive micromechanical devices that cannot be realized with conventional mechanical actuator strategies. The electrolytic phase transformation actuator offers a new broad-spectrum solution to the problem of direct conversion of electrical to me...

We report progress towards model based, dynamically stable legged locomotion with energy eecient, electrically actuated robots. We present the mechanical design of a prismatic robot leg which is optimized for electrical ac-tuation. A dynamical model of the robot and the actuator as well as the interaction with ground is derived and validated by demonstrating close correspondence between simulat...

This paper presents an analytical, numerical and experimental study of an asymmetric piezoelectric actuator/sensor cantilever beam. The structure consists in a three-layered laminate with a piezoceramic acting as actuator, an elastic material layer and a second piezoceramic layer that can operate as a sensor or actuator. The coupled expansion-bending motion of the system is analytically resolve...

A lternatives to traditional actuators, such as electromagnetic motors, are needed in applications where space and weight are limited, e.g., laparoscopic medical probes, miniature robotics, and micro-lens positioning systems. We present a family of small lightweight actuators that can be composed out of a basic unit cell to yield linear, rotational, and surface actuation. The unit cell actuator...

Alternatives to traditional actuators such as electromagnetic motors are needed in applications where space and weight are limited, for example, laparoscopic medical probes, miniature robotics, and micro-lens positioning systems. We present a family of small light-weight actuators that can be composed out of a basic unit-cell to yield linear, rotational, and surface actuation. The unit-cell act...

In this paper, analytical closed-form expressions to accurately estimate the pull-in characteristics of an electrostatically-actuated doubly-clamped nanobeam are derived and examined. In this regard, a coupled electro-mechanical problem for the nano-actuator is first presented assuming a single mode approximation while taking into account all the possible structural, electrical and nanoscale ef...