Development of a linear actuator cell using piezoelectric and magnetic effects

You are here: Homepage > Search

Development of a linear actuator cell using piezoelectric and magnetic effects

Delehelle, Adao / Nogarede, Bertrand

As power-by-wire actuation is today interest in aircraft control, this paper deals with a new concept of direct drive actuator. Many aeronautical applications can use piezo electric devices. Up until now, development of power-by-wire systems for aeronautical applications has typically focused on hybrid solutions like electrohydrostatic actuators (EHA) and electromechanical actuators (EMA). These solutions are already operational indeed, but drawbacks still exist. Complexity and sophistication of EHA subsystems and EMA irreversible behaviour or gripping risks lead to research new concepts of actuation within the specific domain of high force density at low speed, to offer unblocked system when not activated for example. So as to avoid some drawbacks of electrohydrostatic and electromechanical actuator structures, the proposed principle is based on the combination of a high force density piezoelectric actuator and two electromagnetic controlled clamping elements. The paper describes the design and the tests of an elementary cell working like a jack. The experimentation of the built demonstrator validates the working principle of the actuator, showing promising performances.