Long Life, Long Stroke, Low Power, and High Torque-Force Actuators (TriLHFA) for Extreme Space Environments

The SBIR Phase I project will addresses NASA#39;s need to develop technologies for producing space systems that can operate without environmental protection housings in the extreme environments of NASA missions. Specifically, this project will develop advanced actuators using unique piezoelectric single crystal materials and such actuators will have low driving voltage, large stroke, high driving force, low profile and light weight, low thermal mass, broad operation temperature down to cryogenic temperature, and high reliability. The excellent performance is achieved by using a patented technology that combines (1) d33 mode piezoelectric operation that is at least 100% stronger than d31 mode, (2) piezoelectric single crystal with high piezoelectric response at cryogenic temperature, (3) multilayer design to reduce driving voltage, (4) force amplified design to increase stroke and reliability, and (5) multi stack design to reduce the mechanical impedance. The Phase I project will be built on our previous projects on cryogenic valve and actuator technologies.