Development of a novel Electro Active Polymer (EAP) actuator for driving the wings of flapping micro air vehicle

S. C. Burgess*, C. S. Ling, A. Conn, S. Araromi, J. Wang, R. Vaidyanathan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper describes the development and testing of an EAP (electroactive polymer) actuator for driving the wings of an MAV (micro air vehicle). Creating the drive system for a flapping MAV is extremely challenging because of the required combined bending/twisting of the wing during flapping. Silicone-based DEs (dielectric elastomer) were used for the actuator material. In addition, the EAP actuators were operated at resonant frequency which is an important means of producing optimal flight performance with reduced power consumption. The paper presents the optimisation of the structural and operational performance of the EAP actuator. The paper also presents the test results of the actuator driving an actual MAV wing.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCOMPUTER AIDED OPTIMUM DESIGN IN ENGINEERING XI
EditorsS Hernandez, CA Brebbia
Place of PublicationSOUTHAMPTON
PublisherWIT Press
Pages207-217
Number of pages11
ISBN (Print)978-1-84564-185-6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Publication series

NameWIT Transactions on the Built Environment
PublisherWIT PRESS
Volume106
ISSN (Print)1746-4498

Keywords

  • electroactive polymer
  • micro air vehicle
  • resonant frequency
  • INSECT FLIGHT
  • DESIGN

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