2. THUNDER Actuator Acknowledgments: Kenneth Ulibarri Adalia Cabanyog Alec Sim Chris Kennedy Tim Usher Funding Provided by California State University, San Bernardino & National Aeronautic Space Administration Grant # 0051-0078 Gevale R. Ashford Finite Element Modeling of Thin-layer composite unimorph ferroelectric driver and sensor (THUNDER) actuators.

3. How are they manufactured? THUNDER actuators are manufactured by binding a thin sheet of piezoelectric ceramic under hydrostatic pressure between a metal substrate and an aluminum electrode at a 320° C. THUNDER actuators are manufactured by binding a thin sheet of piezoelectric ceramic under hydrostatic pressure between a metal substrate and an aluminum electrode at a 320° C. During the cooling process a difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the layers cause the actuator to deform to a shallow dome shape. During the cooling process a difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the layers cause the actuator to deform to a shallow dome shape. The fabrication of THUNDER actuators is completed by the perpendicular poling of the ceramic to the metal interface. The fabrication of THUNDER actuators is completed by the perpendicular poling of the ceramic to the metal interface.

4. How does it work? When a voltage is applied to the actuator the ceramic layer tends to contract resulting in a flatter actuator. When a voltage is applied to the actuator the ceramic layer tends to contract resulting in a flatter actuator. When the voltage is released the actuator tends to return to its natural dome shape. When the voltage is released the actuator tends to return to its natural dome shape. If any type of mass or load were placed on top of the actuator and a voltage was applied and released; the actuator would act as a spring ultimately moving the load or mass. If any type of mass or load were placed on top of the actuator and a voltage was applied and released; the actuator would act as a spring ultimately moving the load or mass. Varying the applied voltage can alter the force that is created when the actuator returns from its displaced position. Varying the applied voltage can alter the force that is created when the actuator returns from its displaced position.

5. Where did the idea originate? RAINBOW (Reduced and Internally Biased Oxide Wafer) RAINBOW (Reduced and Internally Biased Oxide Wafer) Displacement for RAINBOW actuators showed to be 10-25% lower than THUNDER actuators. Displacement for RAINBOW actuators showed to be 10-25% lower than THUNDER actuators. THUNDER actuators are very rugged in comparison. THUNDER actuators are very rugged in comparison. In addition standard commercial manufacturing techniques have been developed for THUNDER actuators. In addition standard commercial manufacturing techniques have been developed for THUNDER actuators. To date there has been no such manufacturing techniques developed for RAINBOW actuators. To date there has been no such manufacturing techniques developed for RAINBOW actuators.

6. Potential Applications Engineers in the Aerospace industry will greatly benefit from the added technology that THUNDER actuators have to offer. Engineers in the Aerospace industry will greatly benefit from the added technology that THUNDER actuators have to offer. –These actuators could potentially change the surface of aircraft wings while in flight. Improving on maneuvers such as takeoffs and landings. For NASA scientist further development of THUNDER actuators may lead to improvements on the quality and reliability of the data that their space exploration robots collect. For NASA scientist further development of THUNDER actuators may lead to improvements on the quality and reliability of the data that their space exploration robots collect. –A computer could apply a voltage to the actuators located on the wheels of a moon rover and insure that its readings were not interrupted by any vibrations caused by debris on the planets surface.

7. Finite Element Modeling Theory FEM consists of a computer model of a material or design that is loaded and analyzed for specific results. FEM consists of a computer model of a material or design that is loaded and analyzed for specific results. Mathematically, the structure to be analyzed is subdivided into a mesh of finite sized elements of simple shape. Mathematically, the structure to be analyzed is subdivided into a mesh of finite sized elements of simple shape. Within each element the variation of displacement is determined by simple polynomial shape functions and nodal displacement. Within each element the variation of displacement is determined by simple polynomial shape functions and nodal displacement. From this, the equations of equilibrium are assembled in a matrix form that can be easily programmed and solved by a computer. From this, the equations of equilibrium are assembled in a matrix form that can be easily programmed and solved by a computer.

8. Research Goals To develop better mathematical and computer models for HDA’s. To develop better mathematical and computer models for HDA’s. To fabricate new and better actuators-via design templates as opposed to the crude trial and error method. To fabricate new and better actuators-via design templates as opposed to the crude trial and error method. To improve the performance of THUNDER actuators by improving their manufacturing process. To improve the performance of THUNDER actuators by improving their manufacturing process. We will also assist NASA research team in producing more effective actuators with our data. We will also assist NASA research team in producing more effective actuators with our data.

9. Experimental Procedures Utilizing the ANSYS® modeling software, several computer models have been constructed. Utilizing the ANSYS® modeling software, several computer models have been constructed. These models have been constructed using input variables directly from the command line as well as from the toolbars via the GUI interface. These models have been constructed using input variables directly from the command line as well as from the toolbars via the GUI interface. The dimensions as well as the material properties of each element being used in the construction of each model have been defined in order to emulate its physical counterpart. The dimensions as well as the material properties of each element being used in the construction of each model have been defined in order to emulate its physical counterpart.

10. Experimental Procedures, Cont. It will be our focus to compare the data obtained from the models and laboratory experiments to data recorded in previously related experiments. It will be our focus to compare the data obtained from the models and laboratory experiments to data recorded in previously related experiments. These comparisons will insure two things: These comparisons will insure two things: –1. Our experiments are on track and relevant to previously found data. –2. Keep the focus of our experiments at exceeding and improving on related NASA experimental findings.

11. Results Researchers have been diligently working on the NASA project through out the summer and now continuing during the fall quarter. Researchers have been diligently working on the NASA project through out the summer and now continuing during the fall quarter. After spending numerous hours in the laboratory working with the ANSYS® software researchers have gained substantial knowledge and experience in constructing computer generated models. After spending numerous hours in the laboratory working with the ANSYS® software researchers have gained substantial knowledge and experience in constructing computer generated models. We still have a notable amount of experience and knowledge to gain before we are to be considered leading experts in the field of computer modeling. We still have a notable amount of experience and knowledge to gain before we are to be considered leading experts in the field of computer modeling. Recently we have began construction of a computer modeled static mode actuator. Recently we have began construction of a computer modeled static mode actuator.

12. Results, Cont. We have defined the dimensions to exactly represent THUNDER model TH 8-R in every aspect. We have defined the dimensions to exactly represent THUNDER model TH 8-R in every aspect. Currently we are testing the actuator under a range of applied voltages to measure its displacement. Currently we are testing the actuator under a range of applied voltages to measure its displacement. The next goal on the agenda for our research team will be to compare the data that is currently being recorded from our ANSYS® models to the data being recorded from our laboratory experiments. The next goal on the agenda for our research team will be to compare the data that is currently being recorded from our ANSYS® models to the data being recorded from our laboratory experiments. The comparisons of these results will give our research team a better understanding of these THUNDER actuator’s maximum potential. The comparisons of these results will give our research team a better understanding of these THUNDER actuator’s maximum potential.

13. 1.The top layer (purple) is the aluminum electrode. 2.The middle layer (teal) is the piezoelectric ceramic. 3.The bottom layer (purple) is the metal (stainless steel) substrate. Layer composition of THUNDER actuator before bonding occurs.

14. Layer composition of THUNDER actuator after bonding has occurred.

21. Technology used in research ANSYS® 6.0 ANSYS® 6.0 –Finite Element Modeling Program Hummingbird Exceed 7.1.1 Hummingbird Exceed 7.1.1 –X Windows Emulator Program Solaris 5.8 Solaris 5.8 –Unix Operating System –Red Hat Linux 7.2, Windows XP OS

22. Related Documents Related Documents A Feasibility Study To Control Airfoil Shape Using THUNDER Actuators A Feasibility Study To Control Airfoil Shape Using THUNDER Actuators –Jennifer L. Pinkerton and Robert W. Moses –National Aeronautic and Space Administration –Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia –November 1997 Load Characterization of High Displacement Piezoelectric Actuators with Various End Conditions Load Characterization of High Displacement Piezoelectric Actuators with Various End Conditions –James Mulling, Tim Usher, Brian Dessent, Jeremy Palmer, Paul Franzon, Eddie Grant and Angus Kingon –Materials Research Center, North Carolina State University –May 2000

23. Related Documents, Cont. Validation of High Displacement Piezoelectric Actuator Finite Element Models Validation of High Displacement Piezoelectric Actuator Finite Element Models –Barmac K. Taleghani –U.S. Army Research Laboratory –Vehicle Technology Directorate –Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia –August 2000 Modeling and Simulation of THUNDER Actuators Using ANSYS Finite Element Analysis Modeling and Simulation of THUNDER Actuators Using ANSYS Finite Element Analysis –Chris Kennedy, Tim Usher, James Mulling and Angus Kingon –Fourth International Conference on Modeling and Simulation of Microsystems, Head Island, South Carolina –March 2001