Dynamic Actuation of Electro-Elastic Spherical Membranes Using Dielectric Elastomers

Aerospace ◽  
2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nakhiah Goulbourne ◽  
Eric Mockensturm ◽  
Mary Frecker
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Response ◽  
Applied Voltage ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Applied Pressure ◽  
Material Model ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Inertial Effects ◽  
Mechanical Pressure ◽  
Material Parameters ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

This paper presents dynamic results for spherical dielectric elastomer actuators subject to an inflating mechanical pressure and an applied voltage. Different equilibria modes arise during dynamic operation due to inertial effects. In previous work, the inertial effects have been studied for the limited case of a constant applied pressure during membrane deformation [1]. Here, novel results are presented in which the dynamic response of spherical dielectric elastomer actuators to a pressure-time loading history as well as a more realistic constant gas flow rate are considered. The results are calculated for both the damped and the zero-damped cases. The spherical membrane is assumed to follow the Mooney material model where various inflation modes arise depending on the material parameters. The range of Mooney material parameters considered, the driving pressure and the applied voltage all affect the dynamic response.

A Modulated Voltage Waveform for Enhancing the Travel Range of Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitesh Arora ◽  
Pramod Kumar ◽  
M. M. Joglekar
Keyword(s):  
Material Model ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Electrostatic Energy ◽  
Driving Voltage ◽  
Voltage Waveform ◽  
Qualitative Comparison ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer Actuators ◽  
The Stability ◽  
High Deformability ◽  
Practical Feasibility

This paper presents a method to achieve high deformability levels in dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) by applying a modulated voltage waveform. The method relies on supplying the electrostatic energy during the specific phase of the oscillation cycle, resulting in the enhanced travel range at a relatively low driving voltage. We consider a standard sandwich configuration of the DE actuator with neo-Hookean material model and outline an energy-based approach for delineating the underlying principles of the proposed method. A comparison of the deformability levels achieved using the quasi-static, Heaviside step, and the modulated input waveforms is presented. Significant reduction in instability voltages together with a considerable increase in the stable actuation limit is observed in the case of the modulated voltage input. The estimates of the stability thresholds are validated by integrating the equation of motion obtained using Hamilton's principle. The effect of energy dissipation is assessed by considering variations in the quality factor. Further, a qualitative comparison with experimental observations is presented highlighting the practical feasibility of the method. This investigation can find its potential use in the design and development of DEAs subjected to a time-dependent motion.

An Energy-Based Approach to Extract the Dynamic Instability Parameters of Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Joglekar
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Dynamic Instability ◽  
Time History ◽  
Material Model ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Step Voltage ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer Actuators ◽  
Time History Response ◽  
Maximum Stretch ◽  
Static Instability

An energy-based approach is presented to extract the thresholds on the transient dynamic response of step voltage driven dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). The proposed approach relies on establishing the energy balance at the point of maximum stretch in an oscillation cycle followed by the application of an instability condition to extract the dynamic instability parameters. Explicit expressions are developed for the critical values of maximum stretch and the corresponding nominal electric field, thus circumventing the need to perform iterative time-integrations of the equation of motion. The underlying principles of the approach are enunciated for the neo-Hookean material model and further extended to analyze relatively complex multiparameter hyperelastic models (Mooney–Rivlin and Ogden) that are employed prevalently for investigating the behavior of DEAs. The dynamic instability parameters predicted using the energy method are validated by examining the time-history response of the actuator in the vicinity of the dynamic instability. The development of dynamic instability parameters is complemented by energy-based extraction of static instability parameters to facilitate a quick comparison between the two. It is inferred quantitatively that the nominal electric field sufficient to cause the dynamic instability and the corresponding thickness stretch is lower than those corresponding to the static instability. A set of representative case studies for multiparameter material models is presented at the end, which can be used as an input for further experimental corroboration. The results of the present investigation can find their potential use in the design of DEAs subjected to transient loading.

Lifetime Prediction of Tires with Regard to Oxidative Aging5

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Nasdala ◽  
Y. Wei ◽  
H. Rothert ◽  
M. Kaliske
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Temperature Distribution ◽  
Superposition Principle ◽  
Accelerated Aging ◽  
Material Model ◽  
Aging Behavior ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Material Parameters ◽  
Reaction Processes

Abstract It is a challenging task in the design of automobile tires to predict lifetime and performance on the basis of numerical simulations. Several factors have to be taken into account to correctly estimate the aging behavior. This paper focuses on oxygen reaction processes which, apart from mechanical and thermal aspects, effect the tire durability. The material parameters needed to describe the temperature-dependent oxygen diffusion and reaction processes are derived by means of the time–temperature–superposition principle from modulus profiling tests. These experiments are designed to examine the diffusion-limited oxidation (DLO) effect which occurs when accelerated aging tests are performed. For the cord-reinforced rubber composites, homogenization techniques are adopted to obtain effective material parameters (diffusivities and reaction constants). The selection and arrangement of rubber components influence the temperature distribution and the oxygen penetration depth which impact tire durability. The goal of this paper is to establish a finite element analysis based criterion to predict lifetime with respect to oxidative aging. The finite element analysis is carried out in three stages. First the heat generation rate distribution is calculated using a viscoelastic material model. Then the temperature distribution can be determined. In the third step we evaluate the oxygen distribution or rather the oxygen consumption rate, which is a measure for the tire lifetime. Thus, the aging behavior of different kinds of tires can be compared. Numerical examples show how diffusivities, reaction coefficients, and temperature influence the durability of different tire parts. It is found that due to the DLO effect, some interior parts may age slower even if the temperature is increased.

scholarly journals Effects of operating and material parameters on the thermal characteristics of a wet clutch

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 168781402110341
Author(s):  
Zhigang Zhang ◽  
Ling Zou ◽  
Hang Liu ◽  
Yonglong Chen ◽  
Benzhu Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Applied Pressure ◽  
Thermal Characteristics ◽  
Thermal Models ◽  
Material Parameters ◽  
Heat Transfer Theory ◽  
Friction Disk ◽  
Viscous Shear ◽  
Wet Clutch ◽  
Transient Thermal

Based on the frictional mechanism of a wet clutch, frictional models of wet clutch engagement were established using the modified Reynolds equation and the elastic contact model between frictional pairs. Then, the heat flux models for the viscous shear and asperity friction were built, and the two-dimensional transient thermal models for the separator plate, friction disk, and ATF heat convection model were deduced based on the heat transfer theory and conservation law of energy. Finally, the Runge–Kutta numerical method was used to solve the frictional and thermal models. The average temperature of the separator plate, friction disk, and ATF were calculated. The effects of operating and material parameters, such as applied pressure, initial angular velocity, friction lining permeability, surface combined roughness RMS, equivalent elastic modulus, and ATF flow, on the thermal characteristics of friction pairs and ATF during engagement, were studied. The simulation results show that the temperature characteristics of the separator plate, friction disk, and ATF depend mainly on the viscous shear and asperity friction heat flux, and that the operating and material parameters of the wet clutch also have significant impacts on the overall variation trend of the thermal characteristics of the separator plate, friction disk, and ATF.

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