A piezoelectric actuator for miniature trailing-edge effectors for rotorcraft

Michael R. Thiel, George A. Lesieutre

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

This work focuses on the design and testing of a piezoelectric actuator for a Miniature Trailingedge Effector (MiTE). MiTEs have the ability to increase performance of rotorcraft. A MiTE actuator is designed for a VR-12 rotorcraft airfoil with a chord of 0.356 m (14 in.). The requirements for this design include having a natural frequency of greater than 50 Hz to allow for quasi-static operation and a maximum deflection of 3.56 mm. Design of this actuator, a piezoelectric bimorph augmented by centrifugal loads, was done in conjunction with the design of a flap assembly. A tapered bimorph connected to a flexure hinge was the result of the design process. A full scale bench-top model was fabricated and tested and the design requirements were met.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication19th International Conference on Adaptive Structures and Technologies 2008, ICAST 2008
PublisherSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)
Pages584-591
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781617389870
StatePublished - 2008
Event19th International Conference on Adaptive Structures and Technologies 2008, ICAST 2008 - Ascona, Switzerland
Duration: Oct 6 2008Oct 9 2008

Publication series

Name19th International Conference on Adaptive Structures and Technologies 2008, ICAST 2008

Other

Other19th International Conference on Adaptive Structures and Technologies 2008, ICAST 2008
Country/TerritorySwitzerland
CityAscona
Period10/6/0810/9/08

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Computer Science Applications

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