Development of piezoelectrically actuated micro-aerial vehicles

Adam G. Cox; Daniel J. Monopoli; Michael Goldfarb; Ephrahim Garcia

doi:10.1117/12.357814

18 August 1999 Development of piezoelectrically actuated micro-aerial vehicles

Adam G. Cox, Daniel J. Monopoli, Michael Goldfarb, Ephrahim Garcia

Proceedings Volume 3834, Microrobotics and Microassembly; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.357814
Event: Photonics East '99, 1999, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

A discussion of the principles involved in small-scale flight is presented here. In addition, several novel mechanisms have been developed in an attempt to mechanically emulate flapping flight on the meso-scale. Wings are being developed which will exploit particular material properties to emulate the dynamic characteristics of insect wings. The flapping mechanisms developed in this paper use piezoelectric unimorph actuators integrated with compliant, solid-state flexure based mechanisms. Four and five bar linkages are used to convert the linear unimorph output into a single degree-of-freedom rotational flapping motion. Due to their capacitive nature, piezoelectric actuators generally dissipate less power than traditional actuation methods such as electromagnetic mirrors. Piezoelectric actuators possess a high power density and are capable of high force output. They are frequently used to induce structural resonances, making them suitable for use in these devices. The dynamics of these systems rely on the mechanics of flexure mechanisms, the mechanical and electrical behavior of the piezoelectric elements, and the aerodynamic interaction of the wing and the air, resulting in a complex, nonlinear problem.

Citation Download Citation

Adam G. Cox, Daniel J. Monopoli, Michael Goldfarb, and Ephrahim Garcia "Development of piezoelectrically actuated micro-aerial vehicles", Proc. SPIE 3834, Microrobotics and Microassembly, (18 August 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.357814

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