Deflection-voltage performance of asymmetrically activated piezoelectric C-block actuators

Diann E. Brei; James D. Ervin; Andrew J. Moskalik

doi:10.1117/12.239031

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1 May 1996 Deflection-voltage performance of asymmetrically activated piezoelectric C-block actuators

Diann E. Brei, James D. Ervin, Andrew J. Moskalik

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Proceedings Volume 2717, Smart Structures and Materials 1996: Smart Structures and Integrated Systems; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.239031
Event: 1996 Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, 1996, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

As the field of smart materials and structures emerges, there is an increasing need for high- force, high-displacement actuators. An actuator architecture that shows potential in meeting this need is the C-block. C-blocks are curved piezoelectric laminated beams, poled in the radial direction, that flex when voltage is applied. One of the main advantages of C-blocks is they can be combined into distributed arrays to generate more force and/or deflection. The original C-block design was a polymeric bimorph and required the piezoelectric layers to experience both tension and compression. Unfortunately, ceramic versions of the actuator would fail as a result of the tensile stress. Therefore, the C-block design has been modified to an asymmetrically loaded unimorph. This paper introduces a ceramic C-block actuator design along with a simple model for deflection-voltage performance. To verify the model, piezoelectric polymeric and ceramic C-block prototypes were fabricated and deflection-voltage experiments were performed. These experiments demonstrate that the model predicts well the performance of asymmetric C-blocks. The model may be used to design a variety of C-block actuators, potentially including a high-force, high displacement actuator for smart structures applications.

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Diann E. Brei, James D. Ervin, and Andrew J. Moskalik "Deflection-voltage performance of asymmetrically activated piezoelectric C-block actuators", Proc. SPIE 2717, Smart Structures and Materials 1996: Smart Structures and Integrated Systems, (1 May 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.239031

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