Shape memory actuators are a class of very interesting actuators due to the high power to weight ratio, plus the fact that they can work in harsh environments and can be easily constructed. The main defects of this technology are the short strokes and the non-uniformity of the useful force over the stroke. This paper aims to limit these two problems by introducing a passive system of elastic compensation. We first develop a functional design procedure of the active elements and of the compensation system in order to obtain the force and stroke desired. We also show two compensation mechanisms that are able to execute the laws required, and we provide expressions for the kinematic design. A numerical example for an actuator with a single shape memory element shows that, all other conditions being equal, the elastic compensation produces increases in stroke (for equal useful force) or useful force (for the same stroke) that are more than 2.5 times greater. A proof-of-concept actuator including a rocker-arm compensating mechanism is also built and tested to confirm the theoretical predictions.

Increasing stroke and output force of linear shape memory actuatorsby elastic compensation / SCIRE' MAMMANO, Giovanni; Dragoni, Eugenio. - In: MECHATRONICS. - ISSN 0957-4158. - STAMPA. - 21:(2011), pp. 570-580. [10.1016/j.mechatronics.2011.02.005]

Increasing stroke and output force of linear shape memory actuatorsby elastic compensation

SCIRE' MAMMANO, Giovanni;DRAGONI, Eugenio
2011

Abstract

Shape memory actuators are a class of very interesting actuators due to the high power to weight ratio, plus the fact that they can work in harsh environments and can be easily constructed. The main defects of this technology are the short strokes and the non-uniformity of the useful force over the stroke. This paper aims to limit these two problems by introducing a passive system of elastic compensation. We first develop a functional design procedure of the active elements and of the compensation system in order to obtain the force and stroke desired. We also show two compensation mechanisms that are able to execute the laws required, and we provide expressions for the kinematic design. A numerical example for an actuator with a single shape memory element shows that, all other conditions being equal, the elastic compensation produces increases in stroke (for equal useful force) or useful force (for the same stroke) that are more than 2.5 times greater. A proof-of-concept actuator including a rocker-arm compensating mechanism is also built and tested to confirm the theoretical predictions.
2011
21
570
580
Increasing stroke and output force of linear shape memory actuatorsby elastic compensation / SCIRE' MAMMANO, Giovanni; Dragoni, Eugenio. - In: MECHATRONICS. - ISSN 0957-4158. - STAMPA. - 21:(2011), pp. 570-580. [10.1016/j.mechatronics.2011.02.005]
SCIRE' MAMMANO, Giovanni; Dragoni, Eugenio
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/649151
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