Vibration Analysis of U-Shaped Beam Electrothermal Microactuators
This paper presents an analytical model for the vibration analysis of a U-shaped electrothermal microactuators. A U-shaped electrothermal microactuator has a unique geometrical structure which consist of, interconnected multiple thick and thin beam segments. In this proposed model, both the longitudinal and lateral deflections of each beam segment are incorporated. To facilitate the modelling process, a thick beam is replaced by the thin beam segment using the artificial Young's modulus and density so that the deformation and inertia force of the thin beam can be used to equivalently describe that of the thick beam segment. The relationship of the force and deflections in both longitudinal and lateral directions at connected points between adjacent beam segments is formulated with continuity conditions. The frequency equation is then established subjected to two both boundary and continuity conditions. Solving the frequency equation yields the natural frequencies of the U-shaped beam actuator. The analytical results are compared with the finiteelement simulation results using ANSYS software. A good agreement is observed between analytical and simulation data, and hence the proposed vibration analysis model is verified. This model provides the first insight study on the vibration analysis of U-shaped electrothermal actuators, which is essentially crucial to dynamic system modelling, control, and dimension optimizations.
Experimental Testing and Performance Comparisons between V - and Z-shaped Electrothermal Microactuators
This work presents comprehensive experimental studies on performance comparisons between V - and Z-shaped electrothermal microactuators. The V - and Z-shaped electrothermal microactuators are fabricated by depositing a copper layer on each side of SU-8 photoresist. The steady-state output displacement and dynamic responses of V - and Z-shaped actuators are compared based on experimental testing. In addition, a unique actuator with mixed V - and Z-shaped beams is designed and tested to further compare the force output capabilities of the V - and Z-shaped beams. Experimental data is acquired based on image processing, and a parallel spring model is proposed to analyze the experimental results. Comprehensive discussions are given to provide insights and guidance on the selection and design of the V - and Z-shaped electrothermal micoactuators.
Accurate measurements of output characteristics and detonations of motorbike high-speed racing engine and their optimization at actual atmospheric conditions and combusted mixture composition
Abstract At a motorbike high speed racing engine there is very important an output engine characteristics which depends significantly on a detonation combustion rate, atmospheric conditions and a combusted mixture composition. The combustion process has got a relevant influence on a wear degree of main engine parts or on their damage eventually. The detonation combustion rate is very important because this kind of burning can be not only destructive but a useful phenomenon, as well. If the process of detonation burning is kept on a certain level, it can help significantly to the next increasing of an engine power output. In this article there is described the measurements of output characteristics of a high-speed racing engine which were performed by means of a data-recording system and the detonation combustion was evaluated using a quantitative method. The actual values of atmospheric conditions and the mixture composition were added to the measured values. Then the obtained values are compared visually with a damage degree of an engine piston caused by the detonation burning. The result is a limit value expressed in a number of detonation units related to a run distance interval of the vehicle driven by the high-speed racing engine. In framework of this run distance interval there is the process of detonation burning profitable. As well as it increases an engine power output and together it is not destructive with regard to engine design parts.