A novel plate type linear piezoelectric actuator using dual-frequency drive

In this paper, a novel rectangular structure linear piezoelectric actuator that utilizes two lower order decoupled vibration modes is developed and investigated. A noticeable trait of the linear piezoelectric actuator is that it can realize bi-directional motion by changing the vibration mode of the stator with different exciting frequencies. Modal and harmonic analysis of the stator are performed by the finite element method to determine the actuator structure and dimensions and stablished that the driving tip trajectories are diagonal lines. The direction of the actuator is controlled by the orientation of the diagonal motion generated at the driving tip. When the diagonal motion is inclined right as the driving tip approaches the linear guide, it will move the linear guide right. Correspondingly, the linear guide will move to the left, if the diagonal motion inclines left. In addition, a prototype linear piezoelectric actuator is fabricated and experimented. The results of the experiments indicate that the actuator has good mechanical output characteristics. Typical output of the prototype is no-load speed of 504 mm s−1 and maximum mechanical load of 6.5 kg.