Dielectric electro‐active polymer push actuators: performance and challenges

Benslimane, Mohamed; Kiil, Hans-Erik; Tryson, Michael J.

doi:10.1002/pi.2768

Cited by 73 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The simulation results show an excellent correlation with the results conducted by Danfoss PolyPower Benslimane et al (2010). The behavioral outputs of the DEAP actuator has been simulated and sketched in Figure 11 and Figure 12.…”

Section: Simulation Resultssupporting

confidence: 61%

nalysis, Modeling and Simulation of Mechatronic Systems using the Bond Graph Method

Alabakhshizadeh¹,

Iskandarani²,

Hovland³

et al. 2011

MIC

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The Bond Graph is the proper choice of physical system used for: (i) Modeling which can be applied to systems combining multidisciplinary energy domains, (ii) Analysis to provide a great value proposition for finding the algebraic loops within the system enabling the process of troubleshooting and eliminating the defects by using the proper component(s) to fix the causality conflict even without being acquainted in the proper system, and (iii) Simulation facilitated through derived state space equations from the Bond Graph model is solved using industrial simulation software, such as 20-Sim, www.20sim.com.The Bond Graph technique is a graphical language of modeling, in which component energy ports are connected by bonds that specify the transfer of energy between system components. Following a brief introduction of the Bond Graph methodology and techniques, two separate case studies are comprehensively addressed. The first case study is a systematic implementation of a fourth order electrical system and conversion to mechanical system while the second case study presents modeling of the Dielectric Electro Active Polymer (DEAP) actuator. Building the systematic Bond Graph of multifaceted system and ease of switching between different domains are aims of the first case study while the second study shows how a complex mechatronic system could be analyzed and built by the Bond Graph. The respective Bond Graphs in each case is evaluated in the light of mathematical equations and simulations. Excellent correlation has been achieved between the simulation results and proper system equations.

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Section: Simulation Resultssupporting

confidence: 61%

nalysis, Modeling and Simulation of Mechatronic Systems using the Bond Graph Method

Alabakhshizadeh¹,

Iskandarani²,

Hovland³

et al. 2011

MIC

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“…The voltage required is dependent among others by the thickness of the EAP film. The EAP technology available today has a film thickness of around 80 µm [5] [17], it has a maximum working voltage of 2.5 kV and requires a voltage above 2kV to fully utilise it as an actuator. To date, conventional converters utilize electromagnetic components and are the only available HV sources for driven EAP actuators.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design of interleaved multilayer Rosen type piezoelectric transformer for high voltage DC/DC applications

Rødgaard¹,

Andersen²,

Meyer³

et al. 2012

6th IET International Conference on Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD 2012)

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Research and development within piezoelectric transformer (PT) based converters are rapidly increasing as the technology is maturing and starts to prove its capabilities. Especially for high voltage and high step-up applications, PT based converters have demonstrated good performance and DC/AC converters are widely used commercially. The availability of PT based converters for DC/DC applications are very limited and are not that developed yet. I this paper an interleaved multi layer Rosen-type PT for high step-up and high output voltage is developed, for driving a 2.5kV dielectric electro active polymer actuator [17]. The targeted application utilises an inductor-less half-bridge driving topology, where the reward of eliminating the series inductor is a reduction in component count, size and price. The absence of a series inductance calls for other means to avoid large hard switching losses and obtain soft switching capabilities. This can be achieved by utilising an advantageous PT structure, which is the main advantage of the interleaved Rosen-type PT. Furthermore the design should be further optimised, in order to achieve soft switching capability. The goal of this paper is to develop a soft switching optimised PT, capable of generating output voltages higher than 2kV from a 24V supply voltage. Furthermore finite element method (FEM) has been the main tool through the PT development.

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“…Several dielectric elastomers and silicon along with compliant electrodes have suggested in literatures [13][14][15][16]. Here, in addition to acceptable performance and geometric requirements for our unique laminated actuator, we also consider materials availability and ease of prototype fabrication and assembly of different flexible actuator configurations.…”

Section: Actuator Materials Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Out-of-plane motion of a planar dielectric elastomer actuator with distributed stiffeners

2012

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A new design for a multi-layer dielectric elastomer actuator, reinforced with periodic stiffeners is presented. The resulting actuator enables complex out-of-plane motion without the need of the elastomer membrane prestretch. An in situ optical imaging system is used to capture the complex deformation pattern and track the non-planar displacement and curvature under the applied voltage. The role of the stiffeners periodicity, φ, on the macroscopic actuator response is analyzed numerically utilizing ABAQUS finite element software. A usermaterial subroutine is developed to represent the elastomer deformation under the applied electric field. It is found that the actuator force-stroke characteristics can be greatly changed by varying φ, while maintaining the same overall actuator stiffness. The numerical results showed a band of localized deformation around the stiffeners. The refinement of the stiffener, φ, increases the total actuated volume within the span of the actuator, and thereby the macroscopic actuator stroke. The stored elastic strain energy within the actuator is also increased. φ might be further refined down to the actuator sheet thickness, wherein the localized deformation bands overlaps. This is the practical limit of the stiffeners spacing to achieve the largest macroscopic actuator stroke. The developed experimental and modeling framework would enable the exploitation and optimization of different actuator designs to achieve a preset load-stroke characteristic. KeywordsElectroactive polymer, dielectric elastomer, actuator, bending, stiffener reinforcement ABSTRACTA new design for a multi-layer dielectric elastomer actuator, reinforced with periodic stiffeners is presented. The resulting actuator enables complex out-of-plane motion without the need of the elastomer membrane prestretch. An in situ optical imaging system is used to capture the complex deformation pattern and track the non-planar displacement and curvature under the applied voltage. The role of the stiffeners periodicity, , on the macroscopic actuator response is analyzed numerically utilizing ABAQUS finite element software. A user-material subroutine is developed to represent the elastomer deformation under the applied electric field. It is found that the actuator force-stroke characteristics can be greatly changed by varying , while maintaining the same overall actuator stiffness. The numerical results showed a band of localized deformation around the stiffeners. The refinement of the stiffener, , increases the total actuated volume within the span of the actuator, and thereby the macroscopic actuator stroke. The stored elastic strain energy within the actuator is also increased.  might be further refined down to the actuator sheet thickness, wherein the localized deformation bands overlaps This is the practical limit of the stiffeners spacing to achieve the largest macroscopic actuator strokeThe developed experimental and modeling framework would enable the exploitation and optimization of different actuator design...

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Dielectric electro‐active polymer push actuators: performance and challenges

Cited by 73 publications

References 16 publications

nalysis, Modeling and Simulation of Mechatronic Systems using the Bond Graph Method

nalysis, Modeling and Simulation of Mechatronic Systems using the Bond Graph Method

Design of interleaved multilayer Rosen type piezoelectric transformer for high voltage DC/DC applications

Out-of-plane motion of a planar dielectric elastomer actuator with distributed stiffeners

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