Actuator having electrostrictive braking element

An electro-mechanical actuator (10) maintains an external device to which the actuator is connected at an operating position when power is applied to the actuator, and allows the external device to return to a default position when the power is removed. Included in the actuator is a housing (12) and an output coupling (14) rotatably mounted thereon. The output coupling is configured to be connected to the external device and displaces the external device between the operating position and the default position. A driving device (28) is mounted in the housing for providing a torque to the output coupling (14) to displace the external device between the default position and the operating position when the driving device is energized. Also provided is a torque transmitting device (24) for transmitting and changing the torque from the driving device to the output coupling. The torque transmitting device is cooperatively engaged to and is located between the driving device and the output coupling. Operatively connected to the torque transmitting device, a retracting device (38) is configured for exerting a retracting force to return the external device to the default position via the transmitting device when the power to the actuator is removed. An important feature of the invention is a piezoelectric braking device (58) for exerting a braking force on the driving device for maintaining the output coupling at the operating position against the retracting force exerted by the retracting device (38) when the braking device is activated, and for releasing the braking force when the braking device is deactivated.