A study of piezoelectric-based actuator for aerospace application

• Main Author: Rong, Yu
• Other Authors: Li King Ho, Holden
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Engineering; Aerospace; Piezoelectric; Compliant mechanism
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/176673
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Since the discovery of piezoelectricity, researchers have used piezoelectric materials to build sensors and actuators for applications including inkjet printer head, Medical Ultrasound detector, and the Moving mechanism of an Inlet Guide Vane. Piezoelectric actuator, known for its high precision, fast response time, and high power density does have limitations, one of which is its small displacement output, making it insufficient for large-scale applications, thereby necessitating the use of amplification methods. This study looks into the design of a compliant parallel-guided mechanism (CPGM), a potential solution that can amplify the displacement output and is suitable for miniaturization. The compliant mechanism produces a displacement output of 0.28195mm with an input displacement of 0.04mm and can be used in a piezoelectric actuator. Apart from the design of the mechanism itself, this study also provides a thorough review of analysis methods of compliant mechanisms, as well as the material selection procedure for a compliant mechanism in the field of piezoelectric actuator.