Research On The Performance Of Lightweight Piezoceramic Composite Actuator LIPCA

The actuator used in the adaptive structures, active vibration control, MEMSsystems, and robot is usually regarded as the key factor in limiting the componentperformance and lifespan. Compared with other actuators (including magnetostrictive,shape memory alloys, etc.), piezoelectric actuator gets more attention because of itsadvantages of smaller size, faster response, higher driving force, lower driving powerand wider frequency band. However, piezoelectric actuator has the shortcoming ofsmall output displacement, so the new novel piezoelectric actuators with mini-type,light weight, large displacement and certain carrying capacity must been quicklydeveloped.In this article，a new type of lightweight piezoelectric actuator, called LIPCA, isproposed which has advantages of small quality, large output displacement per unitmass and simple manufacturing process. According to the theory of elasticity andpiezoelectricity, the key design parameters which impact performance of LIPCA aregot, including actuation moment arm, bending stiffness, dome height, thermal residualstress. Then, programs are written based on the classic lamination theory with the VFlanguage. The key parameters for3to6layers of LIPCA composite structure arecalculated theoretically to obtain the key design parameters effect on the performanceof LIPCA curve. Finally, by the finite element analysis method, the static and dynamicperformance of a typical LIPCA is simulated, and the effects of the number of layers,stacking sequence, aspect ratio and the thickness of the piezoelectric ceramic andthermal on the performance of a typical LIPCA, are emphasisly analyzed. The resultsof calculation and of simulation agree fairly closely.These results has some reference value for design and manufacturing of LIPCA,and also lays a good foundation to in-depth study of the characteristics of LIPCA in thefuture work.