Hybrid Vibration Control Actuator Systems

Active Control eXperts, (ACX) Inc. proposes to design, fabricate, and demonstrate a novel hybrid vibration ccntrol actuator system capable of very precise, controllable motion. This system will combine the advantages of a capacitive actuator with feedback control capability. This system will possess the force and stroke characteristics of a small hydraulic device and the bandwidth of electric motors. Capacitive devices such as piezoceramic actuators exhibit much more desirable mechanical and electrical characteristics. They have a very efficient coupling of energy from applied charge to mechanical strain which results in a high bandwidth and large force output with negligible resistive heating. The actuator system proposed will utilize piezoceramics with a mechanical advantage to magnify the piezoceramic actuation strain. The mechanical advantage will be accomplished by a flexural mechanical lever stage which is displaced by the piezoceramic motion. The actuator will be instrumented to provide position feedback under this proposed program. This internal servo loop will be implemented to ensure a high degree of accuracy to commanded displacements or forces. This accuracy is needed for actively controlled mounting systems and positioning devices.