High Power Rotary Actuator for Kinetic Energy Weapons

"Proposed is the design and development of a high power rotary piezoelectric driveninchworm actuator. The design is essentially an inchworm motor, but it takesadvantage of a novel clamping mechanism to provide very high levels of output force.The clamping mechanism designed by DSM allows the actuator to capitalize on the veryhigh power to weight ratio available in piezoelectric actuators. The simplicity ofthe design allows for very high actuation frequencies without excitation ofundesirable modes, producing smooth macro-motion through an arc. The motor alsoallows micro-motion between steps, for very precise positioning. The proposed motorwill have a power to weight ratio far exceeding current electro-magnetic devices,without the hoses, compressors, and other complicated hardware associated withhydraulic and pneumatic devices. Due to the nature of the inchworm concept, theactuator will have very high startup torque, and eliminate the need for gear trainsand clutch devices. The proposed actuator will have the torque and velocity toreplace current hydraulic and pneumatic systems in aerospace vehicles with fly-by-wire configurations.The proposed piezoelectric rotary actuator will have the force and speed capabilitiesto directly compete with current hydraulic and pneumatic systems for aero-surfaceand thrust vector controls. In addition to replacing heavily geared electromagneticmotors, the actuator will be useful in robotics, and ot