In this thesis, the performance of piezoelectric patches on investigation of vibration characteristics and active vibration control of a smart beam is presented. The smart beam is composed of eight surface-bonded piezoelectric patches symmetrically located on each side of a cantilever aluminium beam. At first, vibration characteristics of the smart beam is investigated by employment of piezoelectric patches as sensors and actuators. Smart beam is excited by either impact hammer or piezoelectric patch and the response of the smart beam particular to these excitations is measured by piezoelectric patches used as sensors. In order to investigate the performance of piezoelectric patches in sensing, the measurements are also conducted by commercially available sensing devices. Secondly, active vibration suppression of the smart beam via piezoelectric sensor/actuator pair is considered. For this purpose, system identification of the smart beam is conducted by using four piezoelectric patches as actuators and another piezoelectric patch as a sensor. The designed robust controller is experimentally implemented and active vibration suppression of the free and first resonance forced vibration is presented. Thirdly, active vibration control of the smart beam is studied by employment of piezoelectric patches as self-sensing actuators. Following the same approach used in the piezoelectric sensor/actuator pair case, system identification is conducted via self-sensing piezoelectric actuators and robust controller is designed for active vibration suppression of the smart beam. Finally, active vibration suppression via self-sensing piezoelectric actuators is experimentally presented.

L’étude présentée est le fruit d’une collaboration entre le groupe de recherche de l'Electrodynamique du INP-ENSEEIHT (Toulouse), LAPLACE Laboratoire de Recherche et l'École Polytechnique de Gdańsk, le Département Génie Electrique et Automatique. L’objectif de cet projet est la conception d’un moteur piézoélectrique multicellulaire composé de plusieurs stators de moteurs à rotation de mode (3 au minimum) permettant de garantir des fréquences de résonance élevées ainsi qu’une répartition des efforts de frottement plus favorables. Le dimensionnement du moteur s’appuiera sur un cahier des charges du domaine de l’automobile, en visant une structure la plus simple possible à mettre en oeuvre. Outre un travail important concernant la conception, il faudra procéder à sa caractérisation après la réalisation du prototype. La dernière étape concernera la définition des stratégies d’alimentation et de commande d’une telle structure qui posera inévitablement le problème de l’autoadaptativité des cellules résonantes à une même fréquence de résonance. Le moteur multicellular (MPM) proposé sera une combinaison du moteur à onde progressive annulaire (Shinsei) et moteur à rotation de mode. Il combine les avantages des deux moteurs par une combinaison de trois cellules élémentaires de moteurs à rotation de mode. La combinaison de ces deux concepts, accroît le nombre de surface de contact. Les dimensions préliminaires et les paramètres de la MPM prototype ont été vérifiés en utilisant son modèle développé analytique (géométrique) et méthodes numériques (MÉF). Le modèle analytique de la MPM a été développé sur la base de circuit équivalent de la Langevin actuateur. La model analytique a été fait dans Matlab. Les principaux paramètres calculés sont: fréquence de résonance 26.2 kHz, couple bloque 0.4 Nm et la vitesse 40 tr/mn. En utilisant le modèle MÉF les fréquences de résonance et les valeurs du stress de la MPM prototype ont été déterminés. . Des simulations ont été effectuées pour sélectionner la fréquence de résonance et la forme pour concevoir le contre mass. Les fréquences de résonances résultantes sont 25.6 kHz et simulations du stress moins de 9 N/mm2. Comparaison des résultats fréquence de résonance calcule à modèle analytique (26.2 kHz) et le modèle FEM (25.6 kHz) du une prototype MPM, il convient de noter, que de modèle analytique est fortement modèle précis. Enfin, la réalisation des pièces par imprimante 3D a été décidée (contre-mass et carter) et les matériaux: aluminium et nylatron. Les autres parties ont été réalisés sur une machine à commande numérique à l'aide de l'acier. Les mesures de la MPM prototype ont été effectuées. L'étape suivante a consisté à tester le moteur et vérifier la fréquence de résonance, et la mesure de déplacement, résonances fréquences résultantes sont 22 kHz et déplacement 1.1 μm sur rotor/stator point du contact. Finalement, les paramètres mécaniques ont été mesurés. Les meilleurs paramètres mécaniques ont été obtenus sur dSpace support de laboratoire: vitesse - 46-48 tr/mn, et le couple bloqué – 0.4 Nm. Les résultats sont satisfaisants et donnent un bon point de départ pour les futurs travaux. / The research works in the frame of the dissertation have been carried out with the cooperation between the University INP - ENSEEIHT - LAPLACE (Laboratory on Plasma and Conversion of Energy), Toulouse, France, and the Gdańsk University of Technology, Faculty of Electrical and Control Engineering, Research Unit Power Electronics and Electrical Machines, Gdańsk, Poland. The main scope of the dissertation was following: development a novel concept, implementation and analysis of the multicell piezoelectric motor (MPM) for the control of the car seat position. The new concept of the MPM is based on a combined topology using the working principles of the traveling wave motor/actuator (known as the Shinsei motor), and the electromechanical structure of the rotating-mode motor/actuator. The electromechanical structure of each rotating-mode motor has been considered as an independent one – referred to as a "single cell". The application of the novel MPM for the control of the car seat position will reduce the number of gears due to its direct coupling with the driving/movement shaft of the seat positioning system. The achieved effects of a such integrated structure will be following: a higher efficiency, a lower noise of performance, a low cost of manufacturing, and in general a lower pollution of the environment. The preliminary dimensions and parameters of the prototype MPM have been verified using its developed analytical (geometrical) model and numerical methods (FEM). The prototype MPM has been manufactured. Finally, the laboratory measurements of the MPM prototype has been carried out.

Este trabalho apresenta o projeto de pesquisa desenvolvido para a obtenção do título de Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica, na área de concentração de engenharia de sistemas, da Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de um sistema de acionamento (driver) para os atuadores piezoelétricos do interferômetro de Fabry-Pérot do espectrômetro BTFI (Brazilian Tunable Filter Imager), um instrumento visitante do telescópio SOAR (Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope), no Chile. O Fabry-Pérot é um instrumento óptico composto de duas superfícies paralelas altamente reflexivas (espelhos), cuja distância é controlada por um sistema de nanoposicionamento composto de três atuadores piezoelétricos (piezos) do tipo APA® (Amplified Piezoelectric Actuators) e um sistema de medida capacitivo. O principal requisito técnico de desempenho do sistema de nanoposicionamento do Fabry-Pérot é tal que o ruído de posicionamento dos espelhos deve ser limitado a 3 . No entanto, os fenômenos não lineares de histerese e escorregamento (creep) dos piezos limitam a precisão de posicionamento do sistema de controle, razão pela qual foi desenvolvido um sistema de acionamento por carga e tensão para os piezos, com o intuito de atenuar suas não linearidades e, consequentemente, melhorar o desempenho do sistema de controle em malha fechada, em termos de ruído de posicionamento. A primeira etapa deste trabalho consistiu da caracterização do modelo e da instrumentação do sistema de nanoposicionamento do Fabry-Pérot, composto de sensores capacitivos, conversores de sinal, atuadores piezoelétricos e sistema de aquisição de dados. Após a caracterização dos componentes do sistema, sua especificação técnica de desempenho de 3 foi traduzida em requisitos de engenharia para o projeto do sistema eletrônico de acionamento dos piezos por carga e tensão, notadamente em termos de ruído, tempo de resposta, banda de resposta em frequência, ganho, corrente e tensão elétricas e dissipação de potência. Uma vez concluído o projeto do driver, um protótipo foi implementado e testado com o sistema real, a fim de se verificar experimentalmente a atenuação dos efeitos não lineares. Finalmente, foram realizados alguns experimentos com o driver e o sistema de nanoposicionamento em malha fechada, controlado por um compensador PI, a fim de se verificar a influência da atenuação das não linearidades dos piezos nesta configuração. Após a análise dos resultados experimentais obtidos, verificou-se que o ruído de posicionamento do sistema, em malha fechada, é significativamente menor quando os fenômenos não linearidades dos piezos são atenuados. / This work represents the research project to obtain the degree of Master of Sciences in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Systems Engineering, at the Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo, in São Paulo, Brazil. The main objective of this project was to design an electronic power driver for the piezoelectric actuators of the Fabry-Pérot interferometer of the BTFI spectrometer, a visitor instrument of the SOAR telescope, in Chile. Fabry-Pérot is an optical instrument composed by two high reflexive parallel surfaces (mirrors), which distance is controlled by a nanopositioning system composed by three piezoelectric actuators (piezos) of the class APA® (Amplified Piezoelectric Actuators) and a capacitive measurement system. The main performance specification of the Fabry-Pérots nanopositioning system is such that the positioning noise must be limited to 3 . However, the nonlinear behaviors (hysteresis and creep) of the piezos limit the positioning precision of the control system, for which reason a charge and voltage actuation system was developed for the piezos, in order to mitigate its nonlinearities and, consequently, improve the performance of the control system in closed loop, in terms of positioning noise. The first step in this work consisted on the characterization of the Fabry-Pérot nanopositioning systems model and instrumentation, which are composed by capacitive sensors, signal converters, piezoelectric actuators and a data acquisition board. After the characterization of the components of the nanopositioning system, the 3 specification was interpreted to low level engineering requirements for the design of the charge and voltage driver, especially in terms of noise, response time, frequency bandwidth, gain, electrical current, voltage and power dissipation. Once concluded the design of the driver, a prototype was implemented and tested in the real system, in order to verify the attenuation of the nonlinear effects. Finally, some experiments with the driver and the nanopositioning system were performed in closed loop, controlled by a PI compensator, in order to verify the influence of the attenuation of the nonlinearities of the piezos in such configuration. The analysis of the obtained experiment results showed that the nanopositioning systems noise, in closed loop, is significantly reduced when the nonlinear effects of the pizeos are attenuated.

The master’s thesis deals with the proposal of microactuator based on SMART material. The thesis opens with the comparison of SMART materials which are suitable for actuator construction from the point of view of a reaction on stimulation in form of deformation. Subsequent part of the thesis is the report theory of piezoelectric effect, it also describes direct and indirect effects and it concerns about the description of piezoelectric materials. The thesis focuses on several principles of piezoactuators and motors. The last part of the thesis includes modeling and simulation of piezoelectric material in program ANSYS 13.0 and dimensioning geometric of actuator with evaluation of impact of parameters on final motion.

This work is an experimental study of applying an impedance-based health monitoring technique to complex structures. The work is presented in three parts. In the first part we consider effects of the following three factors on damage detection abilities: actuator excitation level, test wire length and ambient conditions (temperature, structural loading and vibration). It was concluded that increasing the applied voltage improves the signal to noise ratio and damage detection abilities. Test wire lengths under 30m do not affect damage detection abilities. The technique is able to distinguish and detect damage even with variations in temperature, structural loading and vibration. In the second part we apply our health monitoring technique to a complex truss structure and a massive steel steam header. We discovered that with multiplexing (acquiring a single signal from distributed actuators) the actuators on the truss structure we could detect damage but with less location information. Damage detection on the steel pipe ended in inconclusive results. The use of this technique on massive structures needs further investigation. Finally, we conducted a detailed experimental study of monitoring the integrity of composite-reinforced masonry structures. We developed a software package which enables even a casual user to determine if significant damage has occurred in these structures. The technique was successfully applied to detect damage (particularly due to delamination) in these composite-concrete structures. Most significantly, the technique was also able to detect damage well in advance of actual failure. This work relies mainly on frequency response plots and damage metric charts to present the data and to arrive at any conclusions. While frequency response plots give a qualitative approach to the analysis, damage metric charts attempt to quantify the data. / Master of Science

In this report, a novel smart nanocantilever with self-deflection sensor using embedded piezo-resistor and self-actuation using integrated piezo-electric actuator is proposed, designed and simulated to enable highly sensitive label free biosensor and ultra-short cantilever probe for AFM applications. The smart nanocantilever comprises of a triangular Si3N4 nanocantilever (10µm long, 400nm width and 100nm thickness) connected to a multi-layer support structure (Si3N4 (100nm)/PZT (100nm)) having n-type silicon piezo resistor (7µm long ,2µm width and 20nm thickness) embedded in the Si3N4 layer in both the support structure and nanocantilever. The nanocantilever is designed to maximize the resonance frequency and lower spring constant whereas piezoelectric actuator and piezo resistor is designed to maximize excitation and maximize change in resistance of nanocantilever respectively. The results show that the nanocantilever enhances sensitivity in static mode by factor of 36.5 while in dynamic mode by a factor of 658 for AFM application. For biosensor application, the nanocantilever enhanced the sensitivity in static and dynamic mode by factors of 5.6 and 13.8, respectively. / I denna rapport presenteras en ny, smart nano-kantilever med självdetektion via sensorer som använder inbäddade piezoresistorer, och självpådrivning via integrerade piezoelektriska pådrivare. Dessa är designade och simulerade för att möjliggöra högsensitiva titelfria biosensorer och ultrakorta kantilever-prober för AFM-applikation. Den smarta nano-kantilevern består av en triangulär Si3N4 nano-kantilever (10µm lång, 400nm bred and 100nm djup) kopplad till en stödstruktur med flera lager (Si3N4 (100nm)/PZT (100nm)) och med en n-typ silikon piezoresistor (7µm lång ,2µm bred and 20nm djup) inbäddad i Si3N4 – lagret i både stödstrukturen och i nano-kantilevern. Denna är designad för att maximera resonansfrekvens och sänka fjädringskonstanten, medan den piezo-elektriska pådrivaren och piezo-resistorn är designade för att maximera excitering samt resistansändring för nano-kantilevern. Resultatet i denna rapport visar att nano-kantilevern förstärker känslighet i statiskt läge med en faktor på 36,5, med motsvarande faktor på 658 i dynamiskt läge för AMF- applikation. För biosenor-applikation förstärkte nano-kantilevern känsligheten i statiskt och dynamiskt läge med 5,6 och 13,8 respektive.

The dissertation focuses on one of the major research needs in the area of adaptive /intelligent/smart structures, the development and application of finite element analysis and genetic algorithms for optimal design of large-scale adaptive structures. We first review some basic concepts in finite element method and genetic algorithms, along with the research on smart structures. Then we propose a solution methodology for solving a critical problem in the design of a next generation of large-scale adaptive structures -- optimal placements of a large number of actuators to control thermal deformations. After briefly reviewing the three most frequently used general approaches to derive a finite element formulation, the dissertation presents techniques associated with general shell finite element analysis using flat triangular laminated composite elements. The element used here has three nodes and eighteen degrees of freedom and is obtained by combining a triangular membrane element and a triangular plate bending element. The element includes the coupling effect between membrane deformation and bending deformation. The membrane element is derived from the linear strain triangular element using Cook's transformation. The discrete Kirchhoff triangular (DKT) element is used as the plate bending element. For completeness, a complete derivation of the DKT is presented. Geometrically nonlinear finite element formulation is derived for the analysis of adaptive structures under the combined thermal and electrical loads. Next, we solve the optimization problems of placing a large number of piezoelectric actuators to control thermal distortions in a large mirror in the presence of four different thermal loads. We then extend this to a multi-objective optimization problem of determining only one set of piezoelectric actuator locations that can be used to control the deformation in the same mirror under the action of any one of the four thermal loads. A series of genetic algorithms, GA Version 1, 2 and 3, were developed to find the optimal locations of piezoelectric actuators from the order of 10<SUP>21</SUP> ~ 10<SUP>56</SUP> candidate placements. Introducing a variable population approach, we improve the flexibility of selection operation in genetic algorithms. Incorporating mutation and hill climbing into micro-genetic algorithms, we are able to develop a more efficient genetic algorithm. Through extensive numerical experiments, we find that the design search space for the optimal placements of a large number of actuators is highly multi-modal and that the most distinct nature of genetic algorithms is their robustness. They give results that are random but with only a slight variability. The genetic algorithms can be used to get adequate solution using a limited number of evaluations. To get the highest quality solution, multiple runs including different random seed generators are necessary. The investigation time can be significantly reduced using a very coarse grain parallel computing. Overall, the methodology of using finite element analysis and genetic algorithm optimization provides a robust solution approach for the challenging problem of optimal placements of a large number of actuators in the design of next generation of adaptive structures. / Ph. D.

La thèse porte de manière générale sur les polymères électrostrictifs qui peuvent être utilisés soit comme actionneurs électromécaniques souples, soit comme capteurs ou récupérateurs d’énergie. Le premier chapitre est une introduction générale aux systèmes couplés électromécaniques. Le choix des matériaux est exposé et porte sur les élastomères diélectriques et les polyuréthanes (PU) chargés par des nanoparticules conductrices de noir de carbone (CB). Le second chapitre porte sur la réalisation des films. Des particules de CB sous forme de micelles préformées et une technique « solution-cast » sont employées dans cette optique. Ce procédé permet une bonne dispersion des charges. Une amélioration de la déformation d’un facteur 1,6 est obtenue par introduction de particules de CB à 0.89 vol%. Le troisième chapitre présente la modélisation de phénomènes comme la saturation de la polarisation qui implique directement une saturation de la déformation. En modélisant la polarisation comme une fonction non-linéaire dépendant de deux variables (la permittivité bas niveau et un champ de saturation), on décrit ainsi correctement plusieurs phénomènes qui ne peuvent être interprétés par une approche linéaire et homogène. Les simulations effectuées montrent une bonne corrélation avec les expérimentations menées. Le quatrième chapitre propose une comparaison entre les films PU purs et chargés. Cette analyse porte non seulement sur des mesures mécaniques et électriques mais également en XRD ou en DSC afin de détecter le niveau de cristallisation. Une dispersion importante a ainsi été observée visuellement. Des déformations de l’ordre de 50 % ont ainsi été obtenues. Le cinquième chapitre porte sur l’effet lié à l’injection de charges électriques par bombardement électronique (HEBI), sur la déformation électrostrictive. Une telle approche permet ainsi un gain d’un facteur de l’ordre de 2 sur la déformation et semble réduire les pertes de façon très conséquente. / In a general manner, the present thesis focuses on electrostrictive polymers which can be used either as flexible electromechanical actuators or as sensors or energy harvesters. Chapter 1 is a general introduction to electro-mechanical coupled systems. The choice of the materials is described and focuses on dielectric elastomers, polyurethane (PU) with conductive carbon black (CB) nano-particle fillers. Chapter 2 focuses on the film synthesis. CB nano-particles in the form of micelles and solution cast method were employed to provide good filler dispersion. The strain enhancement of a factor of 1.6 was obtained by 0.89 vol% CB doping. Chapter 3 exposes the modeling of electrostrictive actuation and in particular the saturation of the polarization. By modeling the polarization as a nonlinear function depending on two variables (low-level permittivity and saturation field), it is therefore possible to describe several phenomena that cannot be explained by a classical linear and homogeneous approach. Simulations performed using such an approach show a good agreement with experimental results. Chapter 4 presents the comparison between pure PU and composite films. It includes mechanical/electrical characterization as well as XRD or DSC measurements to detect the crystallization level. High dispersion level was visually confirmed. Strains of the order of 50 % were reached. Chapter 5 deals with the effect of electric charge injection by homogeneous electron beam irradiation (HEBI) on the electrostrictive strain. This technique therefore permits a gain of 2 on the obtained strain and seems to significantly reduce the losses in the material as well.

As estruturas aeronáuticas estão sujeitas a uma variedade de fenômenos aeroelásticos que podem comprometer o desempenho das aeronaves. Com o desenvolvimento de novos materiais, essas estruturas têm se tornado mais leves e flexíveis, e portanto mais sujeitas a problemas aeroelásticos, tais como flutter e buffeting. Pesquisadores têm trabalhado em soluções alternativas para resolver esses problemas aeroelásticos indesejáveis. Uma dessas soluções envolve o conceito de estruturas inteligentes, que são aquelas que apresentam atuadores e sensores incorporados, integrado com sistema de controle e processamento de sinal, possibilitando a adaptação do sistema estrutural a mudanças nas condições operacionais. Modelos matemáticos que incorporam elementos atuadores e sensores são de grande importância nas fases preliminares de análise de estruturas aeronáuticas inteligentes. Neste contexto, métodos de modelagem são necessários para capturar a ação da dinâmica estrutural e de carga aerodinâmica. O presente trabalho apresenta o estudo de um controlador difuso ativo para resposta aeroelástica de uma asa inteligente com atuadores piezelétricos incorporados. Características não-lineares da resposta aeroelástica são analisadas para condições críticas de flutter. É utilizado o método de elementos finitos para o modelo estrutural não-linear e o método de malha de vórtices para o modelo aerodinâmico não-estacionário. / Aeronautical structures are submitted to a variety of aeroelastic phenomena that may compromise its performance. With this development of new materials, aeronautical structures have become lighter, more flexible, and more subjected to aeroelastic problems, such as flutter and buffeting. Researchers have been working on alternatives to solve these undesired aeroelastic problems, as the recent concept of smart or intelligent structures. Smart structures are those that present embedded sensors and actuators, integrated with control systems and signal processing, to enable the adaptation of the structural system to changes in the operational conditions. Mathematical models that incorporate actuator elements or sensors are of great importance in preliminary phases of analysis of smart aeronautical structures. In this context, modeling methods are necessary to capture dynamic-structural behavior and unsteady aerodynamic loading. The present work is the study of an active fuzzy controller for aeroelastic response of a smart wing with embedded piezoelectric actuators. Nonlinear characteristics of aeroelastic responses are analyzed for critical flutter conditions. The finite elements method for the nonlinear structural model and vortex-lattice method for the unsteady aerodynamic model has been used.

This thesis represents the work that has been done by the author in the area of vibration analysis and control of smart structures during his PhD candidature. The research was concentrated on flexible structures, using piezoelectric materials as actuators and sensors. The thesis consists of four major parts. The first part (Chapter 2) is the modelling of piezoelectric laminate structures using modal analysis and finite element methods. The second part (Chapter 4) involves the model correction of pointwise and spatial models of resonant systems. The model correction solution compensates for the errors associated with the truncation of high frequency modes. The third part (Chapter 5) is the optimal placement methodology for general actuators and sensors. In particular, optimal placement of piezoelectric actuators and sensors over a thin plate are considered and implemented in the laboratory. The last part (Chapters 6 to 8) deals with vibration control of smart structures. Several different approaches for vibration control are considered. Vibration control using resonant, spatial H-2 and H-infinity control is proposed and implemented on real systems experimentally. It is possible, for certain modes, to obtain the very satisfactory result of up to 30 dB vibration reduction. / PhD Doctorate