PIEZO-ELECTRIC LINEAR ACTUATORS IN VACUUM

摘要

Piezo-electric motors and actuators are routinely usedrnin terrestrial applications. These applications rangernfrom rotary motors for auto-focusing mechanisms inrncameras, to micro-pump systems in medical implants.rnIn space applications linear actuators are used in arnvariety of instruments and mechanisms. Anrnunderstanding of the behavior of such devices isrntherefore imperative.rnThis paper presents an assessment into the performancernof three linear actuator devices of interest to the spacernindustry under thermal vacuum conditions performedrnat ESTL. The three actuators assessed are a PI (PhysikrnInstrument) Nexline N110 step/walk device, a SquigglernSQ 125 UHV-N ultrasonic motor, and a NanomotionrnFB050/HR4 actuator. Within the text, these actuatorsrnwill be referred to as the ‘Nexline’, ‘Squiggle’, andrn‘Nanomotion’ devices respectively.rnEach actuator shall be discussed separately, and itrnshould be stressed that a direct comparison between therndevices is not drawn from the testing. Testing of eachrnactuator is typically done through a combination ofrndrive force measurements, and life tests.