Hoist-Based Shape Memory Alloy Actuator with Multiple Wires for High-Displacement Applications
Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are smart materials that change their crystalline structures when subjected to heat or tension, resulting in a macroscopic deformation. When applied to actuators, SMAs present a remarkable load–weight ratio and flexibility, making them suitable for diverse applications. Ho...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-04-01
|
| Series: | Actuators |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/12/4/159 |
| _version_ | 1797606887691124736 |
|---|---|
| author | Carmen Ballester Dorin Copaci Janeth Arias Luis Moreno Dolores Blanco |
| author_facet | Carmen Ballester Dorin Copaci Janeth Arias Luis Moreno Dolores Blanco |
| author_sort | Carmen Ballester |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are smart materials that change their crystalline structures when subjected to heat or tension, resulting in a macroscopic deformation. When applied to actuators, SMAs present a remarkable load–weight ratio and flexibility, making them suitable for diverse applications. However, challenges such as their energy consumption, nonlinear control, and low displacement must be considered. This paper presents a new strategy for improving the total displacement while adding neither supplementary SMA wires nor complex external devices. In addition, a novel control strategy is proposed to improve the nonlinearity of SMAs’ behavior. A hoist system was developed to linearly increase the displacement with the number of pulleys and wire turns used. The design also used parallel actuation to increase the load capacity. The actuator presented a high load capacity with reduced weight, lifting more than 100 times its own mass, with a low-cost and robust external system. The simplicity of the actuator’s control and production and its lightness make it a suitable option for a wide range of applications, including wearable exoskeletons. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:21:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d80cae84c4ee465881be4d251ccb02b9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0825 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:21:19Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Actuators |
| spelling | doaj.art-d80cae84c4ee465881be4d251ccb02b92023-11-17T17:51:13ZengMDPI AGActuators2076-08252023-04-0112415910.3390/act12040159Hoist-Based Shape Memory Alloy Actuator with Multiple Wires for High-Displacement ApplicationsCarmen Ballester0Dorin Copaci1Janeth Arias2Luis Moreno3Dolores Blanco4Department of Systems Engineering and Automation, Carlos III University of Madrid, Leganés, 28911 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Systems Engineering and Automation, Carlos III University of Madrid, Leganés, 28911 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Systems Engineering and Automation, Carlos III University of Madrid, Leganés, 28911 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Systems Engineering and Automation, Carlos III University of Madrid, Leganés, 28911 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Systems Engineering and Automation, Carlos III University of Madrid, Leganés, 28911 Madrid, SpainShape memory alloys (SMAs) are smart materials that change their crystalline structures when subjected to heat or tension, resulting in a macroscopic deformation. When applied to actuators, SMAs present a remarkable load–weight ratio and flexibility, making them suitable for diverse applications. However, challenges such as their energy consumption, nonlinear control, and low displacement must be considered. This paper presents a new strategy for improving the total displacement while adding neither supplementary SMA wires nor complex external devices. In addition, a novel control strategy is proposed to improve the nonlinearity of SMAs’ behavior. A hoist system was developed to linearly increase the displacement with the number of pulleys and wire turns used. The design also used parallel actuation to increase the load capacity. The actuator presented a high load capacity with reduced weight, lifting more than 100 times its own mass, with a low-cost and robust external system. The simplicity of the actuator’s control and production and its lightness make it a suitable option for a wide range of applications, including wearable exoskeletons.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/12/4/159smart materialsSMA-based actuatorshigh displacementnonlinear controlwearable exoskeletons |
| spellingShingle | Carmen Ballester Dorin Copaci Janeth Arias Luis Moreno Dolores Blanco Hoist-Based Shape Memory Alloy Actuator with Multiple Wires for High-Displacement Applications Actuators smart materials SMA-based actuators high displacement nonlinear control wearable exoskeletons |
| title | Hoist-Based Shape Memory Alloy Actuator with Multiple Wires for High-Displacement Applications |
| title_full | Hoist-Based Shape Memory Alloy Actuator with Multiple Wires for High-Displacement Applications |
| title_fullStr | Hoist-Based Shape Memory Alloy Actuator with Multiple Wires for High-Displacement Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hoist-Based Shape Memory Alloy Actuator with Multiple Wires for High-Displacement Applications |
| title_short | Hoist-Based Shape Memory Alloy Actuator with Multiple Wires for High-Displacement Applications |
| title_sort | hoist based shape memory alloy actuator with multiple wires for high displacement applications |
| topic | smart materials SMA-based actuators high displacement nonlinear control wearable exoskeletons |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/12/4/159 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT carmenballester hoistbasedshapememoryalloyactuatorwithmultiplewiresforhighdisplacementapplications AT dorincopaci hoistbasedshapememoryalloyactuatorwithmultiplewiresforhighdisplacementapplications AT janetharias hoistbasedshapememoryalloyactuatorwithmultiplewiresforhighdisplacementapplications AT luismoreno hoistbasedshapememoryalloyactuatorwithmultiplewiresforhighdisplacementapplications AT doloresblanco hoistbasedshapememoryalloyactuatorwithmultiplewiresforhighdisplacementapplications |