A piezoelectric inchworm motor is developed for battery powered unmanned aerial vehicles where energy efficiency is critical. The motor comprises two stationary clamps and a moving extender, which uses two piezoelectric stack actuators in push-pull mode with a displacement amplification mechanism. The effect of internal compliance and its effect on the load capacity are investigated. A switching converter is used to provide the voltage supply, and switching amplifiers are used to drive the piezoelectric stacks. These were designed for efficiency, weight and reliability.
Reference:
Williams, EF, Loveday, PW and De Villiers, MFR. 2010. Piezoelectric inchworm motor with energy-efficient power supply and controller for use on battery-powered unmanned aerial vehicles. CSIR 3rd biennial conference: 2010 science real and, relevant, CSIR International Convention Center, Pretoria, South Africa, 30 August-1 September 2010, pp 13
Williams, E., Loveday, P. W., & De Villiers, M. (2010). Piezoelectric inchworm motor with energy-efficient power supply and controller for use on battery-powered unmanned aerial vehicles. CSIR. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/4236
Williams, EF, Philip W Loveday, and MFR De Villiers. "Piezoelectric inchworm motor with energy-efficient power supply and controller for use on battery-powered unmanned aerial vehicles." (2010): http://hdl.handle.net/10204/4236
Williams E, Loveday PW, De Villiers M, Piezoelectric inchworm motor with energy-efficient power supply and controller for use on battery-powered unmanned aerial vehicles; CSIR; 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/4236 .
CSIR 3rd biennial conference: 2010 science real and, relevant, CSIR International Convention Center, Pretoria, South Africa, 30 August-1 September 2010.
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