Helical Kirigami-Inspired Centimeter-Scale Worm Robot With Shape-Memory-Alloy Actuators

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ketao Zhang ◽  
Chen Qiu ◽  
Jian S. Dai
Keyword(s):  
Shape Memory Alloy ◽  
Shape Memory ◽  
The Body ◽  
Helical Motion ◽  
Body Structure ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Sma Actuators ◽  
Parallel Kinematic ◽  
Motion Characteristics

The worm-like robots are capable of imitating the amazing locomotion of the long and thin creature. This paper presents a novel centimeter-scale worm robot inspired by a kirigami-fold which is a variation of origami with helical motion. The body structure is extracted from the kirigami structure and its motion characteristics are analyzed in terms of kinematic principles. This leads to identification of the capability of the segmented worm robot with integrated parallel kirigami structures to imitate contracting motion, omega-shaped bending motion and twisting motion of the locomotion in nature. A prototype of the worm robot with three segments is fabricated with paper-made body structure and actuated by shape-memory-alloy (SMA) coil springs. The robot is lightweight and can be used in confined environments for detection and inspection. The study creates a new approach of integrating SMA actuators in origami-enabled parallel kinematic structures for the development of compliant and miniaturized robots including the presented worm robot.

Low-Power, Minimal-Heat Exposure Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Actuators for On-Body Soft Robotics

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Ozbek ◽  
Esther Foo ◽  
J. Walter Lee ◽  
Nicholas Schleif ◽  
Brad Holschuh
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Shape Memory Alloy ◽  
Low Power ◽  
Shape Memory ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Dynamic Compression ◽  
Heat Exposure ◽  
The Body ◽  
Compression Garments ◽  
Sma Actuators

In the world of soft-robotic medical devices, there is a growing need for low profile, non-rigid, and lower power actuators for soft exoskeletons and dynamic compression garments. Advanced compression garments with integrated shape memory materials have been developed recently to alleviate the functional and usability limitations associated with traditional compression garments. These advanced garments use contractile shape memory alloy (SMA) coil actuators to produce dynamic compression on the body through selective heating of the SMA material. While these garments can create spatially- and temporally-controllable compression, typical SMA materials (e.g., 70°C Flexinol) consume considerable power and require considerable thermal insulation to protect the wearer during the heating phase of the SMA actuation. Alternative SMA materials (e.g., NiTi #8 by Fort Wayne Metals, Inc.) transform below room temperature and do so using no applied electrical power and generate no waste heat. However, these materials are challenging to dynamically control and require active refrigeration to reset to material. In theory, low-temperature SMA actuators made from materials like NiTi #8 may maintain additional dynamic actuation capacity once equilibrated to room temperature (i.e., the material may not fully transform), as the SMA phase transformation temperature window expands when the material experiences applied stress. This paper investigates this possibility: we manufactured and tested low-temperature NiTi coil actuators to determine the magnitude of the additional force that can be generated via Joule heating once the material has equilibrated to room temperature. SMA spring actuators made from NiTi #8 consumed 84% less power and stabilized at significantly lower temperatures (26.0°C vs. 41.2°C) than SMA springs made from 70°C Flexinol, when actuated at identically fixed displacements (100% nominal strain) and when driven to produce equal forces (∼3.35N). This demonstration of low-power, minimal-heat exposure SMA actuation holds promise for many future wearable actuation applications, including dynamic compression garments.

Structural fatigue and fracture of shape memory alloy actuators: Current status and perspectives

2021 ◽  
pp. 1045389X2110572
Author(s):  
Md Mehedi Hasan ◽  
Theocharis Baxevanis
Keyword(s):  
Shape Memory Alloy ◽  
Shape Memory ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Structural Fatigue ◽  
Sma Actuators ◽  
Empirical Relations ◽  
Fatigue And Fracture ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Commercial Applications ◽  
Crack Growth Rates

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)-actuators are efficient, simple, and robust alternatives to conventional actuators when a small volume and/or large force and stroke are required. The analysis of their failure response is critical for their design in order to achieve optimum functionality and performance. Here, (i) the existing knowledge base on the fatigue and overload fracture response of SMAs under actuation loading is reviewed regarding the failure micromechanisms, empirical relations for actuation fatigue life prediction, experimental measurements of fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rates, and numerical investigations of toughness properties and (ii) future developments required to expand the acquired knowledge, enhance the current understanding, and ultimately enable commercial applications of SMA-actuators are discussed.

Modeling of Shape Memory Alloy Actuators Using Matlab and dSpace Platform

2010 ◽  
Vol 166-167 ◽  
pp. 149-154
Author(s):  
Ioan Adrian Cosma ◽  
Vistrian Măties ◽  
Ciprian Lapusan ◽  
Rares Ciprian Mîndru
Keyword(s):  
Shape Memory Alloy ◽  
Shape Memory ◽  
Dynamic Model ◽  
Dynamic Equations ◽  
Control Technique ◽  
Positioning System ◽  
Unknown Parameters ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Model Based Control ◽  
Input And Output

The aim of the paper is to describe an approach for modeling the dynamic behavior of a positioning system actuated by two shape memory alloy springs, placed in opposition. The mathematical analysis of the system in order to develop the dynamic model is difficult in this case because of the unknown parameters within the dynamic equations (thermodynamics, change in austenite fraction) and therefore a new approach is presented. Thus, a positioning system is considered, and its behavior is determined using Matlab Software, D-space platform and an optical sensor, which analyses the position/velocity of the moving cart. The dynamic model of the system is determined in order to develop a further model based control technique. The model is generated using system identification toolbox within Matlab and input and output (response) of the considered system.

Optimal H∞ Control of Structural Vibrations Using Shape Memory Alloy Actuators

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Sun ◽  
Ali R. Shahin
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Shape Memory Alloy ◽  
Shape Memory ◽  
Model Uncertainty ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Structural Vibrations ◽  
Design Procedures ◽  
Sma Actuators ◽  
Temperature Dynamics ◽  
The Mathematical Model

Abstract This paper investigates robust control problem of structural vibrations using shape memory alloy (SMA) wires as actuators. The mathematical model for these SMA actuators is derived with emphasis in model uncertainty. The linearization of the relation between stress and temperature dynamics of SMA actuators is analyzed for active control. To handle the uncertainties caused by the linearization and the neglected high frequency dynamics, optimal H∞ control was employed to design a controller. An example is used to demonstrate the design procedures and the control system is tested in a nonlinear environment.

scholarly journals Seismic Assessment of RC Bridge Columns Retrofitted with Near-Surface Mounted Shape Memory Alloy Technique

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ammar Abbass ◽  
Reza Attarnejad ◽  
Mehdi Ghassemieh
Keyword(s):  
Shape Memory Alloy ◽  
Shape Memory ◽  
Plastic Hinge ◽  
Bridge Columns ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Seismic Rehabilitation ◽  
Bridge Column ◽  
Near Surface Mounted ◽  
Fiber Element Modeling

From past earthquakes, it has been found that the large residual displacement of bridges after seismic events could be one of the major causes of instability and serviceability disruption of the bridge. The shape memory alloy bars have the ability to reduce permanent deformations of concrete structures. This paper represents a new approach for retrofitting and seismic rehabilitation of previously designed bridge columns. In this concept, the RC bridge column was divided into three zones. The first zone in the critical region of the column where the plastic hinge is possible to occur was retrofitted with near-surface mounted shape memory alloy technique and wrapped with FRP sheets. The second zone, being above the plastic hinge, was confined with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) jacket only, and the rest of the column left without any retrofitting. For this purpose, five types of shape memory alloy bars were used. One rectangular and one circular RC bridge column was selected and retrofitted with this proposed technique. The retrofitted columns were numerically investigated under nonlinear static and lateral cyclic loading using 2D fiber element modeling in OpenSees software. The results were normalized and compared with the as-built column. The results indicated that the relative self-centering capacity of RC bridge piers retrofitted with this new approach was highly greater than that of the as-built column. In addition, enhancements in strength and ductility were observed.

A shape memory alloy–actuated soft crawling robot based on adaptive differential friction and enhanced antagonistic configuration

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (16) ◽  
pp. 1920-1934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Liang ◽  
Yongquan Wang ◽  
Tao Yao ◽  
Botao Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Shape Memory Alloy ◽  
Shape Memory ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Parametric Design ◽  
Thermoplastic Polyurethane ◽  
Interaction Mechanism ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
The Body ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Miniature Robot

This article presents a soft crawling robot prototype with a simple architecture inspired by inchworms. The robot functionally integrates the torso (body) and feet in a monolithic curved structure that only needs a single shape memory alloy coil and differential friction to actuate it. A novel foot configuration is proposed, which makes the two feet, with an anti-symmetrical friction layout, can be alternately anchored, to match the contraction–recovery sequence of the body adaptively. Based on the antagonistic configuration between the shape memory alloy actuator and the elastic body, a vertically auxiliary spring was adopted to enhance the interaction mechanism. Force and kinematic analysis was undertaken, focusing on the parametric design of the special foot configuration. A miniature robot prototype was then 3D-printed (54 mm in length and 9.77 g in weight), using tailored thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer as the body material. A series of experimental tests and evaluations were carried out to assess its performance under different conditions. The results demonstrated that under appropriate actuation conditions, the compact robot prototype could accomplish a relative speed of 0.024 BL/s (with a stride length equivalent to 27% of its body length) and bear a load over five times to its own weight.

Shape Memory Alloys in Automotive Applications

2014 ◽  
Vol 663 ◽  
pp. 248-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaronie Mohd Jani ◽  
Martin Leary ◽  
Aleksandar Subic
Keyword(s):  
Shape Memory Alloy ◽  
Shape Memory Alloys ◽  
Shape Memory ◽  
External Force ◽  
Active Element ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Competitive Market ◽  
Automotive Applications ◽  
Market Prices ◽  
Sma Actuators

Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators have drawn much attention and interest due to their unique and superior properties, and are expected to be equipped in many modern vehicles at competitive market prices. The key advantage is that SMA actuators do not require bulky and complicated mechanical design to function, where the active element (e.g. SMA wire or spring) can be deformed by applying minimal external force and will retain to their previous form when subjected to certain stimuli such as thermomechanical or magnetic changes. This paper describes the SMA attributes that make them ideally suited as actuators in automotive applications and to address their limitations, feasibilities and prospects.

Modeling and Tracking Control System of Shape Memory Alloy Actuator

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Y. Ren ◽  
B. Q. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Shape Memory Alloy ◽  
Shape Memory ◽  
Tracking Control ◽  
Fuzzy Controller ◽  
Smart Structures ◽  
Constitutive Law ◽  
Hysteresis Model ◽  
Sma Actuators ◽  
Sma Actuator

The different Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators have been widely used in the fields of smart structures. However, the accurate prediction of thermomechanical behavior of SMA actuators is very difficult due to the nonlinearity of inherence hysteresis of SMA. Therefore, the tracking control accuracy of SMA actuator is very important for the practical application of the SMA actuator. A dynamic hysteresis model of bias-type SMA actuator based on constitutive law developed by Brinson et al. and hysteresis model developed by Ikuta et al. is presented. The control systems composed of the Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller as well as a fuzzy controller or a fuzzy-PID composite controller for compensating the hysteresis is proposed. The effort of tracking control system is analyzed according to the simulation on the displacement of SMA actuator with the three kinds of controllers. The result can provide a reference for the application of SMA actuator in the fields of smart structures.

Wet Shape Memory Alloy Actuated Robotic Heart

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Ertel ◽  
Stephen Mascaro
Keyword(s):  
Shape Memory Alloy ◽  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Shape Memory ◽  
Preliminary Analysis ◽  
Design Concept ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Sma Actuators ◽  
Fluid Analysis ◽  
Cold Fluid ◽  
Simulation And Experiment

This paper presents a conceptual design and preliminary analysis for a biomimetic robotic heart. The purpose of the robotic heart is to distribute hot and cold fluid to robotic muscles composed of wet shape-memory alloy (SMA) actuators. The robotic heart is itself powered by wet SMA actuators. A heart design concept is proposed and the feasibility of self-sustaining motion is investigated through simulation and experiment. The chosen design employs symmetric pumping chambers for hot and cold fluid. Analysis of this design concept shows that there exists a range of design parameters that will allow the heart to output more fluid than it uses. Additionally, it is shown that the heartbeat rate decreases as the system increases in size, and that the number of actuators and their length limit the power output of the pump. Experimental results from a prototype heart agree with the predicted trends from theoretical analysis and simulation.

Segmented Binary Control of Shape Memory Alloy Actuators — Feedforward Servo Control

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Selden ◽  
Kyu-Jin Cho ◽  
H. Harry Asada
Keyword(s):  
Shape Memory Alloy ◽  
Shape Memory ◽  
Transient Response ◽  
Feedback Loops ◽  
Servo Control ◽  
Dramatic Improvement ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Local Feedback ◽  
Binary Control ◽  
And Control

A new approach to the design and control of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators, called Segmented Binary Control (SBC), is extended from previous work. The transient response of SBC is examined and is discovered to be inadequate in real time servo control because of significant latency times. A dramatic improvement is shown using a feedforward method in which a predetermined path is known and appropriate actions are calculated beforehand. In addition, this feedforward servo control of SMA is accomplished with only internal local feedback loops and no global feedback of position.

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