Active Vibration Control Using NiTiNOL and Piezoelectric Ceramics

The results of a study recently completed by Boeing Aerospace & Elec tronics to investigate the use of NiTiNOL Shape Memory Metals as the sensor and actua tor components of active vibration suppression systems are presented. Two different test set-ups consisting of aluminum cantilever beams with NiTiNOL wires fastened along both sides were developed. The test article for the first set-up was a very flexible, low frequency beam which utilized NiTiNOL wires for both sensing and actuation. The test article for the second set-up was a much stiffer, high frequency beam which utilized NiTiNOL wires for sensing and piezoelectric ceramics for actuation. The settling times of both beams were significantly reduced through the use of the NiTiNOL wire sensors and actuators. Analytical simulations were developed which correlated well with the experimental results. The results of the study demonstrated the feasibility of using NiTiNOL sensors and actuators for active vibration control of structural members.