Adaptive devices for precise position control

Lowell D. Jones; David V. Newton; Ephrahim Garcia

doi:10.1117/12.152797

8 September 1993 Adaptive devices for precise position control

Lowell D. Jones, David V. Newton, Ephrahim Garcia

Proceedings Volume 1917, Smart Structures and Materials 1993: Smart Structures and Intelligent Systems; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.152797
Event: 1993 North American Conference on Smart Structures and Materials, 1993, Albuquerque, NM, United States

Abstract

While many new smart materials have been developed over the last few years, the integration of these materials into useful systems must be exploited if this emerging technology is to become viable. Two applications of piezoelectric and electrostrictive materials are proposed that generate both micro and macro positioning control. Additionally, an overview of these smart materials and their properties is given. Precise micro positioning devices have applications to adaptive optical systems. A NASA project called Space Laser Energy (SELENE) involves such a system. This project proposes to control the surface of a power transmission dish comprised of several thousands of small lenses or lenslets. A major objective of the dish is to increase efficiency by compensating for atmospheric disturbances. A second application of piezoelectric materials is presented for micro and macroscopic one dimensional motion. Specifically, a novel design of an inchworm device is presented. This device has the ability to generate macroscopic motion from microscopic piezoelectric expansions and contractions, the frequency of these expansion/contraction cycles should allow the motor to move for significant distances as well as provide incremental micro positioning.

Citation Download Citation

Lowell D. Jones, David V. Newton, and Ephrahim Garcia "Adaptive devices for precise position control", Proc. SPIE 1917, Smart Structures and Materials 1993: Smart Structures and Intelligent Systems, (8 September 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.152797

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