Design of a piezoelectric rotation actuator

In order to facilitate active damping within a linear motion system, a self-sensing piezoelectric rotation actuator has been designed. The rotation actuator consists of two piezoelectric stacks that function as linear actuators, embedded in a mechanical interface with several elastic elements, thus allowing for an efficient transformation of linear deformation into rotational motion. Each stack consists of a d33 ceramic multilayer actuator and a d33 ceramic single layer sensor. Key issues in the design are - the trade-off between strength and stiffness of the elastic elements on the one hand and actuator stroke at the other hand - appropriate integration of piezoelectric force sensors so as to allow for active damping based on collocated control - practical mechanical considerations e.g. gluing, preloading, stroke limitation so as to ensure correct loading of the piezoelectric actuators The rotation actuator as such comprises many of the typical design trade-offs as encountered when using piezoelectric elements in a mechatronic application.