Linear Drive Based on Silicon/Ethanol Composite

The paper presents a concept of an actuator, based on a silicon/ethanol composite placed in the brass bellows. Such actuator is operating based on a change in the physical state of ethanol, which is enclosed in bubbles surrounded by a matrix of silicone rubber. In this paper, the prototype of the ac...

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Main Authors: Tomasz Kapłon, Andrzej Milecki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
Series:Polymers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/16/2668
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author Tomasz Kapłon
Andrzej Milecki
author_facet Tomasz Kapłon
Andrzej Milecki
author_sort Tomasz Kapłon
collection DOAJ
description The paper presents a concept of an actuator, based on a silicon/ethanol composite placed in the brass bellows. Such actuator is operating based on a change in the physical state of ethanol, which is enclosed in bubbles surrounded by a matrix of silicone rubber. In this paper, the prototype of the actuator is described, and a series of its test results, in the open and closed loops, are presented. Two laser distance-sensors, with different accuracies, were used as a source of the feedback signal. During the investigations the temperature of the actuator was also measured. This has allowed us to determine the delay in heat flow from the heater to the composite. In the closed loop, P- and PI-type controllers were used in the drive positioning experiments. It was discovered that in the closed loop control, it was possible to achieve a positioning error of less than 200 µm. During the tests, the temperature inside the drive and the ambient temperature were also measured. In order to improve the dynamics of the drive, a small fan was used, controlled by the automation system. It allowed us to shorten the time to return the drive to its starting position. The results of frequency tests of the drive have also been presented.
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spelling doaj.art-7b0fb4c8b8e7458281b1d7c2622ed2292023-11-22T09:22:34ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602021-08-011316266810.3390/polym13162668Linear Drive Based on Silicon/Ethanol CompositeTomasz Kapłon0Andrzej Milecki1Institute of Mechanical Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Pl. M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 5, 60-965 Poznan, PolandInstitute of Mechanical Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Pl. M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 5, 60-965 Poznan, PolandThe paper presents a concept of an actuator, based on a silicon/ethanol composite placed in the brass bellows. Such actuator is operating based on a change in the physical state of ethanol, which is enclosed in bubbles surrounded by a matrix of silicone rubber. In this paper, the prototype of the actuator is described, and a series of its test results, in the open and closed loops, are presented. Two laser distance-sensors, with different accuracies, were used as a source of the feedback signal. During the investigations the temperature of the actuator was also measured. This has allowed us to determine the delay in heat flow from the heater to the composite. In the closed loop, P- and PI-type controllers were used in the drive positioning experiments. It was discovered that in the closed loop control, it was possible to achieve a positioning error of less than 200 µm. During the tests, the temperature inside the drive and the ambient temperature were also measured. In order to improve the dynamics of the drive, a small fan was used, controlled by the automation system. It allowed us to shorten the time to return the drive to its starting position. The results of frequency tests of the drive have also been presented.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/16/2668silicon/ethanol actuatorsmart materialsphase change materialpositioning
spellingShingle Tomasz Kapłon
Andrzej Milecki
Linear Drive Based on Silicon/Ethanol Composite
Polymers
silicon/ethanol actuator
smart materials
phase change material
positioning
title Linear Drive Based on Silicon/Ethanol Composite
title_full Linear Drive Based on Silicon/Ethanol Composite
title_fullStr Linear Drive Based on Silicon/Ethanol Composite
title_full_unstemmed Linear Drive Based on Silicon/Ethanol Composite
title_short Linear Drive Based on Silicon/Ethanol Composite
title_sort linear drive based on silicon ethanol composite
topic silicon/ethanol actuator
smart materials
phase change material
positioning
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/16/2668
work_keys_str_mv AT tomaszkapłon lineardrivebasedonsiliconethanolcomposite
AT andrzejmilecki lineardrivebasedonsiliconethanolcomposite