76 research outputs found
Linear actuators for locomotion of microrobots
University of Technology, Sydney. Faculty of Engineering.The successful development of the miniaturisation techniques for electronic components
and devices has paved the way for the miniaturisation in other technological fields. In
the past two decades, the research achievements in micromechatronics have spurred fast
development of micro machines and micro robotic systems. Miniature or micro
actuators are the critical components to make these machines more dexterous, compact
and cost effective.
The main purpose of this dissertation is to develop micro actuators suitable for the
locomotion of an in-pipe or endoscopic microrobot. The content of the thesis covers the
selection of the actuation principle, robotic system design, actuator design and prototype
construction, performance analysis, and design, analysis, and implementation of the
appropriate drive control system.
Among different types of actuation principles, piezoelectric and electromagnetic
actuators are the two major candidates for the micro robotic systems. In order to find a
suitable actuation principle for the desired robotic application, a comparative study was
conducted on the scaling effects, attainable energy density, and dynamic performances
of both types of actuators. Through the study, it was concluded that the electromagnetic
actuator is more suitable for the endoscopic microrobot.
Linear actuators are the common design used for the locomotion of microrobots due to
many advantages compared to their rotational counterparts. Through a thorough review
and comparison of the electromagnetic linear actuator topologies, a moving-coil tubular
linear actuator was chosen as the first design due to its simplest structure. Via the
magnetic circuit analysis and numerical magnetic field solutions, the actuator was
designed for optimum force capability, and the electromagnetic force and the machine
parameters of the actuator were predicted. According to the results obtained from the
magnetic field analysis, the dynamic model of the actuation system with a driving
control scheme was established and used in the actuation performance analysis of the
robotic system.
Based on the experience achieved through the first design, a new moving-magnet
tubular linear actuator was designed. The methodology developed in the design and
analysis of the moving-coil linear actuator was adopted for the moving-magnet actuator
design. However, the optimal design is more complicated due to the multi-pole and
multi-phase structure of the moving-magnet actuator. The electromagnetic force of the
actuator was analysed under the condition of different excitation methods. An enhanced
parameter computation method is proposed for predicting the actuator parameters.
Based on the results of magnetic field analysis, a comprehensive dynamic model of the
actuator was developed. Through the coupled field-circuit analysis, this model can
predict accurately the dynamic performance of the actuator. The characteristics analysis
shows that the performance of the moving-magnet actuator is much better than that of
the moving-coil actuator.
Two prototypes of the moving-magnet tubular linear actuator with different dimensions
were constructed to verify the performance and the scaling theory. Various precision
machining techniques were employed during the fabrication. The performances and
parameters of the two different prototypes were measured and the results agree
substantially with the theory.
The brushless DC drive method was chosen for the driving control of the proposed
linear actuator because of the compact circuit topology and simple implementation,
which are two essential factors for micro applications. A sensorless control scheme
based on the back EMF was developed as physical position sensors are not permitted in
such a micro system. The control scheme was then applied to the locomotion control of
the proposed microrobot. The system simulation shows that the control performances of
both the actuator and microrobot are satisfactory.
A dSPACE prototyping system based driving control hardware was designed and
implemented to experimentally verify the control design. The experimental results agree
substantially with the theoretical work
Actuator Feasibility Study for Active Control of Ducted Axial Fan Noise
A feasibility study was performed to investigate actuator technology which is relevant for a particular application of active noise control for gas turbine stator vanes. This study investigated many different classes of actuators and ranked them on the order of applicability. The most difficult requirements the actuators had to meet were high frequency response, large amplitude deflections, and a thin profile. Based on this assessment, piezoelectric type actuators were selected as the most appropriate actuator class. Specifically, Rainbows (a new class of high performance piezoelectric actuators), and unimorphs (a ceramic/metal composite) appeared best suited to the requirements. A benchtop experimental study was conducted. The performance of a variety of different actuators was examined, including high polymer films, flextensional actuators, miniature speakers, unimorphs, and Rainbows. The displacement/frequency response and phase characteristics of the actuators were measured. Physical limitations of actuator operation were also examined. This report includes the first known, high displacement, dynamic data obtained for Rainbow actuators. A new "hard" ceramic Rainbow actuator which does not appear to be limited in operation by self heating as "soft" ceramic Rainbows was designed, constructed and tested. The study concludes that a suitable actuator for active noise control in gas turbine engines can be achieved with state of the art materials and processing
Microsystems technology: objectives
This contribution focuses on the objectives of microsystems technology (MST). The reason for this is two fold. First of all, it should explain what MST actually is. This question is often posed and a simple answer is lacking, as a consequence of the diversity of subjects that are perceived as MST. The second reason is that a map of the somewhat chaotic field of MST is needed to identify sub-territories, for which standardization in terms of system modules an interconnections is feasible. To define the objectives a pragmatic approach has been followed. From the literature a selection of topics has been chosen and collected that are perceived as belonging to the field of MST by a large community of workers in the field (more than 250 references). In this way an overview has been created with `applications¿ and `generic issues¿ as the main characteristics
A two DoF finger for a biomechatronic artificial hand
Current prosthetic hands are basically simple grippers with one or two degrees of freedom, which barely restore the capability of the thumb-index pinch. Although most amputees consider this performance as acceptable for usual tasks, there is ample room for improvement by exploiting recent progresses in mechatronics design and technology. We are developing a novel prosthetic hand featured by multiple degrees of freedom, tactile sensing capabilities, and distributed control. Our main goal is to pursue an integrated design approach in order to fulfill critical requirements such as cosmetics, controllability, low weight, low energy consumption and noiselessness. This approach can be synthesized by the definition "biomechatronic design", which means developing mechatronic systems inspired by living beings and able to work harmoniously with them. This paper describes the first implementation of one single finger of a future biomechatronic hand. The finger has a modular design, which allows to obtain hands with different degrees of freedom and grasping capabilities. Current developments include the implementation of a hand comprising three fingers (opposing thumb, index and middle) and an embedded controller
Concept, modeling and experimental characterization of the modulated friction inertial drive (MFID) locomotion principle:application to mobile microrobots
A mobile microrobot is defined as a robot with a size ranging from 1 in3 down to 100 µm3 and a motion range of at least several times the robot's length. Mobile microrobots have a great potential for a wide range of mid-term and long-term applications such as minimally invasive surgery, inspection, surveillance, monitoring and interaction with the microscale world. A systematic study of the state of the art of locomotion for mobile microrobots shows that there is a need for efficient locomotion solutions for mobile microrobots featuring several degrees of freedom (DOF). This thesis proposes and studies a new locomotion concept based on stepping motion considering a decoupling of the two essential functions of a locomotion principle: slip generation and slip variation. The proposed "Modulated Friction Inertial Drive" (MFID) principle is defined as a stepping locomotion principle in which slip is generated by the inertial effect of a symmetric, axial vibration, while the slip variation is obtained from an active modulation of the friction force. The decoupling of slip generation and slip variation also has lead to the introduction of the concept of a combination of on-board and off-board actuation. This concept allows for an optimal trade-off between robot simplicity and power consumption on the one hand and on-board motion control on the other hand. The stepping motion of a MFID actuator is studied in detail by means of simulation of a numeric model and experimental characterization of a linear MFID actuator. The experimental setup is driven by piezoelectric actuators that vibrate in axial direction in order to generate slip and in perpendicular direction in order to vary the contact force. After identification of the friction parameters a good match between simulation and experimental results is achieved. MFID motion velocity has shown to depend sinusoidally on the phase shift between axial and perpendicular vibration. Motion velocity also increases linearly with increasing vibration amplitudes and driving frequency. Two parameters characterizing the MFID stepping behavior have been introduced. The step efficiency ηstep expresses the efficiency with which the actuator is capable of transforming the axial vibration in net motion. The force ratio qF evaluates the ease with which slip is generated by comparing the maximum inertial force in axial direction to the minimum friction force. The suitability of the MFID principle for mobile microrobot locomotion has been demonstrated by the development and characterization of three locomotion modules with between 2 and 3 DOF. The microrobot prototypes are driven by piezoelectric and electrostatic comb drive actuators and feature a characteristic body length between 20 mm and 10 mm. Characterization results include fast locomotion velocities up to 3 mm/s for typical driving voltages of some tens of volts and driving frequencies ranging from some tens of Hz up to some kHz. Moreover, motion resolutions in the nanometer range and very low power consumption of some tens of µW have been demonstrated. The advantage of the concept of a combination of on-board and off-board actuation has been demonstrated by the on-board simplicity of two of the three prototypes. The prototypes have also demonstrated the major advantage of the MFID principle: resonance operation has shown to reduce the power consumption, reduce the driving voltage and allow for simple driving electronics. Finally, with the fabrication of 2 × 2 mm2 locomotion modules with 2 DOF, a first step towards the development of mm-sized mobile microrobots with on-board motion control is made
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In-vivo pan/tilt endoscope with integrated light source
Endoscopic imaging is still dominated by the paradigm of pushing long sticks into small openings. This approach has a number of limitations for minimal access surgery, such as narrow angle imaging, limited workspace, counter-intuitive motions and additional incisions for the endoscpic instruments. Our intent is to go beyond this paradigm, and remotize sensors and effectors directly into the body cavity. To this end, we have developed a prototype of a novel insertable pan/tilt endoscopic camera with an integrated light source. The package has a size of 110 mm in length and 10 mm in diameter and can be inserted into the abdomen through a standard trocar and then anchored onto the abdominal wall, leaving the incision port open for access. The camera package contains three parts: an imaging module, an illumination module, and a pan/tilt motion platform. The imaging module includes a lens and CCD imaging sensor. The illumination module attaches to the imaging module and has an array of LED light sources. The pan/tilt platform provides the imaging module with pan of 120 degrees and tilt motion of 90 degrees using small servo motors. A fixing mechanism is designed to hold the device in the cavity. A standard joy stick can be used to control the motion of the camera in a natural way. The design allows for multiple camera packages to be inserted through a single incision as well
On the development of a cybernetic prosthetic hand
The human hand is the end organ of the upper limb, which in humans serves the important
function of prehension, as well as being an important organ for sensation and communication.
It is a marvellous example of how a complex mechanism can be implemented,
capable of realizing very complex and useful tasks using a very effective combination of
mechanisms, sensing, actuation and control functions.
In this thesis, the road towards the realization of a cybernetic hand has been presented.
After a detailed analysis of the model, the human hand, a deep review of the state of the
art of artificial hands has been carried out. In particular, the performance of prosthetic
hands used in clinical practice has been compared with the research prototypes, both for
prosthetic and for robotic applications. By following a biomechatronic approach, i.e. by
comparing the characteristics of these hands with the natural model, the human hand, the
limitations of current artificial devices will be put in evidence, thus outlining the design
goals for a new cybernetic device.
Three hand prototypes with a high number of degrees of freedom have been realized and
tested: the first one uses microactuators embedded inside the structure of the fingers, and
the second and third prototypes exploit the concept of microactuation in order to increase
the dexterity of the hand while maintaining the simplicity for the control. In particular, a
framework for the definition and realization of the closed-loop electromyographic control of
these devices has been presented and implemented.
The results were quite promising, putting in evidence that, in the future, there could
be two different approaches for the realization of artificial devices. On one side there
could be the EMG-controlled hands, with compliant fingers but only one active degree of
freedom. On the other side, more performing artificial hands could be directly interfaced
with the peripheral nervous system, thus establishing a bi-directional communication with
the human brain
Design and Fabrication of Soft 3D Printed Actuators: Expanding Soft Robotics Applications
Soft pneumatic actuators are ideal for soft robotic applications due to their innate compliance and high power-weight ratios. Presently, the majority of soft pneumatic actuators are used to create bending motions, with very few able to produce significant linear movements. Fewer can actively produce strains in multiple directions. The further development of these actuators is limited by their fabrication methods, specifically the lack of suitable stretchable materials for 3D printing.
In this thesis, a new highly elastic resin for digital light projection 3D printers, designated ElastAMBER, is developed and evaluated, which shows improvements over previously synthesised elastic resins. It is prepared from a di-functional polyether urethane acrylate oligomer and a blend of two different diluent monomers. ElastAMBER exhibits a viscosity of 1000 mPa.s at 40 °C, allowing easy printing at near room temperatures. The 3D-printed components present an elastomeric behaviour with a maximum extension ratio of 4.02 ± 0.06, an ultimate tensile strength of (1.23 ± 0.09) MPa, low hysteresis, and negligible viscoelastic relaxation
Sensors for Robotic Hands: A Survey of State of the Art
Recent decades have seen significant progress in the field of artificial hands. Most of the
surveys, which try to capture the latest developments in this field, focused on actuation and control systems of these devices. In this paper, our goal is to provide a comprehensive survey of the sensors for artificial hands. In order to present the evolution of the field, we cover five year periods starting at the turn of the millennium. At each period, we present the robot hands with a focus on their sensor systems dividing them into categories, such as prosthetics, research devices, and industrial end-effectors.We also cover the sensors developed for robot hand usage in each era. Finally, the period between 2010 and 2015 introduces the reader to the state of the art and also hints to the future directions in the sensor development for artificial hands
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