Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5008209 | Sensors and Actuators A: Physical | 2017 | 9 Pages |
Abstract
This paper presents a new type of electromagnetic actuator driven by a low voltage of 5.5 V for potential applications in insect scale Flapping-wing Micro Aerial Vehicles (FMAVs). The actuator can generate vibratory motions via cantilever-beam or cantilever-plate structures to drive artificial wings through flapping motion. The induced magnetic Lorentz force is analyzed by a simplified lumped mass model and the dynamic characteristics including resonant frequency and amplitude are investigated through experimental tests. In the prototype designs and tests, a peak amplitude of 29.8 mm from a 25 mm-long cantilever beam structure has been achieved. Furthermore, a prototype device with the cantilever beam actuator using small magnets of 197.2 mg has demonstrated 5.7 times higher output power density at 0.56 W/Kg as compared with that of another prototype device using larger magnets of 2409.2 mg. This implies the potential for further miniaturized systems toward FMAVs. Under a driving voltage of 5.5 V, a cantilever plate actuator has been shown to drive a pair of artificial wings to achieve 20° flapping amplitude at 101.4 Hz, which results in a high power density of 9.52 W/Kg. By applying AC current to a planar coil, the power density of the actuator can be further enhanced to 48.56 W/Kg. As such, the low-voltage electromagnetic actuators could broaden the driving mechanisms for insect scale FMAVs.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemistry
Electrochemistry
Authors
Zhiwei Liu, Xiaojun Yan, Mingjing Qi, Xiaoyong Zhang, Liwei Lin,