Piezo Actuator for an EOD Manipulator Arm

Honeybee Robotics proposes to develop an ultrasonic actuator using high performance single crystal relaxor piezoelectric materials. These new materials, with strains exceeding 1% and electromechanical coupling exceeding 90%, allow for higher output torques and better efficiencies than possible with previous piezo materials. While traditional ultrasonic actuators are commonly used for micro-positioning applications, we seek to demonstrate that the improvement in the performance capabilities of ultrasonic actuators will enable their use in applications where greater torque, precision control, and demanding volume/weight constraints require novel actuators. The proposed innovation, based on a patent held by Honeybee Robotics, departs from conventional designs for ultrasonic actuators and changes the basic geometry by generating traveling waves on a stator surface. In this manner, a combination of the single crystal relaxor ceramics and amplification by the geometric design of the stator would achieved improved performance of the actuator. Our proposed solution provides a compact actuator with a high torque/volume ratio, fail-safe braking, no required lubrication, and no electromagnetic interference. It will have low mass and few mechanical parts in a simple geometric arrangement. The actuator proposed will also demonstrate benefits with respect to reliability, safety and cost-effectiveness.