Application of shape memory alloy wire actuator for precision position control of a composite beam

The design and experimental results of using a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire as an actuator for position control of a composite beam are presented. The composite beam is honeycomb structured, having wires of SMA embedded in one of its face sheets for the purposes of active actuation. Nickel-titanium SMA wires were chosen as actuating elements due to their high recovery stress (greater than 700 MPa) and tolerance to high strain (up to 8 percent). A simple proportional and derivative controller plus a feed-forward current is designed and implemented for controlling the tip position of the composite beam. Experiments have demonstrated the effectiveness of the SMA wire as an actuator for active position control of a composite beam. (Author)