Piezocomposite actuated control surface system for flying vehicle

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop lightweight actuators in order to replace conventional hydraulicpneumatic actuators and to apply the actuation system to a small flying vehicle. Designmethodologyapproach A new type of control surface using a piezocomposite actuator for a small flying vehicle has been designed and manufactured. The piezocomposite actuator is composed of a piezoelectric ceramic layer, a carbonepoxy layer and glassepoxy layers. Through this, the miniaturization and weight reduction of the actuation systems for flying vehicle can be achieved. A simple model of the control surface has been manufactured and evaluated through experiments. Findings The performance test results showed that the developed actuator can produce stable angle of attack independent of the applied loading. A radio controller for the actuator was developed to control the motions wirelessly. It was found that the piezocomposite actuator and its integrated controller system have a possibility to be used not only as a small flying vehicle but also as a control surface actuator of a small unmanned flying robot through the miniaturization of power supply and control system. Originalityvalue The paper describes the procedures of designing and manufacturing smart structure application of the piezocomposite actuator with performance evaluation and comparison method. It is expected that piezocomposite actuator can be used as a small flying vehicle control surface actuator through the miniaturization of power supply and control system with the use of the integrated radio controller MIPAD.