Development of Large Strain Actuator Controlled by Hydrogen Pressure for Artificial Muscle

摘要

ABSTRACT: The large strain actuator controlled by hydrogen pressure for artificial muscle was developed. The actuator was constructed with two kinds of soft rubbers for driving and supporting like bimetals. The LaNi5 hydrogen storage alloy powder was dispersed in the driving rubber. The reversible shape change was by hydrogen absorption and desorption. Large strain was observed on long operation time. The large strain over 2000 ppm was observed at above 10000 s of operation time. The actuator developed shows large shape change as large as that of a typical shape memory alloy.