Optimization of IPMC Actuator Conversion Efficiency

Paola Brunetto; Luigi Fortuna; Pietro Giannone; Salvatore Graziani; Salvatore Strazzeri

doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AST.61.131

Paper Titles

Monte Carlo Simulation of Electroactive Polymer Actuators
p.101

Dielectric Elastomer Actuators as Elements of Active Vibration Control Systems
p.103

Electro-Chemo-Mechanical Actuators Touching and Sensing Both, Physical and Chemical Ambient
p.112

Conducting Polymer Soft Actuators Based on Polypyrrole -Training Effect and Fatigue
p.122

Optimization of IPMC Actuator Conversion Efficiency
p.131

Tunable Membrane for Electromagnetic Devices Using Dielectric Elastomers
p.141

Synthesis and Application of Electro-Thermally Sensitive Gels
p.147

Distributed Impedance Model of Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Actuators
p.157

Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Actuator Behaviour in Two Novel Configurations
p.163

HomeAdvances in Science and TechnologyAdvances in Science and Technology Vol. 61Optimization of IPMC Actuator Conversion...

Optimization of IPMC Actuator Conversion Efficiency

Abstract:

IPMCs are suitable candidates to realize artificial muscles for possible autonomous applications. In such a field power budget is of great importance. The goal of this paper is to maximize the IPMC electromechanical conversion efficiency in order to increase the performance of these transducers. More specifically, the optimal frequency, amplitude, and waveform to be used to drive the IPMC membrane has been investigated. By using a novel model of IPMC actuators, the waveform of the applied voltage signal that maximize the IPMC conversion efficiency was found. The amplitude of the first 15 harmonics of the IPMC driving signal was determined, for different constrains such as the minimum output power and the maximum input voltage. The paper reports about the proposed IPMC model, the optimization algorithm, the optimal driving signals, and the validation of the approach.