PROJECT TITLE: New types of actuators specific to space applications — ACTOSPACE
Coordinator: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR R&D IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ICPE-CA
Partners:
- POLITEHNICA University of Bucharest (ECEE Center)
- SC STRAERO SA
- SC SMART MECHANICS SRL
Period: 29 November 2013 – 29 November 2015
Project director: Dr. Eng. Pislaru-Danescu Lucian
Project team:
The project involved 24 participants, of which 23 are researchers, as follows:
- from ICPE-CA (CO): 4 PhD. and 4 PhD. Students
- from UPB (P1): 3 PhD., 1PhD. Student, 1 engineer, 1 economist
- from STRAERO (P2): 1 PhD., 2PhD. Student, 2 researcher engineers
- from SMART MECHANICS (P3): 2 PhD., 3 researcher engineers
Description: The project proposes as main objective to achieve two functional models :
- magnetostrictive linear micromor and
- piezoelectric rotating micromotor, each with its own specific driving equipment.
We have proposed a new concept of the linear magnetostrictive micromotor, whose pre-magnetization magnetic field is produced by an auxiliary coil powered by direct current. The auxiliary coil together with a new two smaller permanent magnet, replaces the permanent magnet with coaxial cylindrical geometry and is capable of producing a pre-magnetization magnetic field, directed longitudinally. The activation coil of the linear magnetostrictive micromotor is supplied with a voltage PWM waveform via the new drive that was designed for this application.
From constructive point of view, the new piezeoelectric rotative micromotor presents several novelty elements: the manufacture of a piezeoelectric rotative micromotor which uses a cylindrical piezoceramic converter with multi-phase; the producing of progressive ultrasonic waves is intended by applying four cvasisinusoidal voltages with the phase shift of 45 electric degrees, applied on 8 sectors bounded on the piezoceramic cylinder converter, to obtain a torque increase, as well as achieving the increase of the positioning precision.
From the advantages of the electric drive for rotary piezoelectric micromotor we can include high resolution positioning, fast response, excellent controllability, rapidly braking without inertia, quiet operation (ultrasonic frequency), compact shape and reduced size, ability to withstand high forces and torques compared to the weight and its size, simplicity of structure and manufacturing technology, allowing continuous miniaturization.
Project objectives:
- Fabrication of a linear micromotor using magnetostrictive principles;
- Design and fabrication of the specific driver for the magnetostrictive linear micromotor;
- Fabrication of a rotating micromotor working on piezeoelectric principles;
- Design and fabrication of the specific driver of the piezoelectric rotating micromotor.
Activities:
Phase I – Elaboration and realization of the functional model for electric drive system: magnetostrictive linear motor – specific electronic driver
- A 1.1 Development of physical, mathematical and numerical model for magnetostrictive linear micromotor
- A 1.2 Development of physical, mathematical and numerical model for rotating piezoelectric micromotor
- A 1.3 Study of a specific electronic driver for driving magnetostrictive linear micromotor
- A 1.4 Electronic circuit diagram design of the specific driver for driving magnetostrictive linear micromotor
- A 1.5 Design magnetostrictive linear micromotor
- A 1.6 Realisation of a functional model of the electric drive : magnetostrictive linear micromotor – specific electronic driver
- A 1.7 Experimenting on the functional model of electric drive : magnetostrictive linear micromotor – specific electronic driver
- A 1.8 Demonstration of the utility of the functional model of electric drive : magnetostrictive linear micromotor – electronic driver specifically for space applications
Phase II – Elaboration and realization of the functional model of the electric drive system: rotating piezoelectric micromotor – specific electronic driver
- A 2.1 Study of a specific electronic driver for driving piezoelectric rotating micromotor
- A 2.2 Electronic design diagram design of the specific driver for driving piezoelectric rotating micromotor
- A 2.3 Designing the rotating piezoelectric micromotor A 2.4 Realization of a functional model of electric drive : rotating piezoelectric micromotor – specific electronic driver A 2.5 Experienting of a functional model of electric drive : rotating piezoelectric micromotor – specific electronic driver A 2.6 Demonstration of the utility of the functional model of electric drive : rotating piezoelectric micromotor – electronic driver specifically for space applications
Contributions to the STAR programme objectives:
Through the development of the magnetostrictive linear motors operating in outer space, where the gravitational acceleration is zero thus demanding a special cooling solutions and which can be powered from solar panels satellites, the project brings the contribution to the goal of the STAR Programme.
Well known spacecraft actuators have dominated all aspects of the exploration of the outer planets, satellites, flying to the moon and to every NASA planetary target, like exploring the planet Mars. The problem is that satellites have their attitude perturbed in various ways, whether by airdrag from the outermost layers of the atmosphere or Earth’s gravitational influence or solar radiation pressure exerted on large appendages, or interaction between Earth’s magnetic field.
Homepage: ACTOSPACE