Developing Innovative Mesoscale Actuator Devices for Use in Rotorcraft Systems

摘要

The primary goal of this MURI was to develop a superior mesoscale piezoelectric actuator device when compared to conventional smart actuation systems. The secondary goal was to evaluate the potential use of the device in rotorcraft systems to alter fluid-structure interactions and to decrease vibration loads and/or alleviate dynamic stall. The piezoelectric activated device utilized frequency rectification concepts along with single crystal silicon micro-machined gears to produce step-like motions amplifying the displacement output of conventional piezoelectric stacks from microns to millimeters. The order of magnitude displacement improvement was also reflected in an order of magnitude increased power output of the system when operated in structural systems such as the rotorcraft. Accomplishing this goal required several tundamental science and engineering questions to be addressed. These included but were not limited to the long term electro-mechanical fatigue of piezoelectrics, the intrinsic strength of single crystal MEMS components, mesoscale manufacturing concepts, and development of thin film lithium batteries. In regards to Rotorcraft applications, experimental and analytical studies indicated substantial reductions in vibrations up to 90% along with alleviation of dynamic stall.