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Super amplified piezo actuator
19 June 2023
MICROMEGA DYNAMICS is a spin-off company of the “Université Libre de Bruxelles” (ULB), Department of Mechanical Engineering and robotics of Pr PREUMONT. This department created in 1989, is specialized in the modeling and control of mechatronic systems and in the active control of vibrations.
Rotating piezoelectric motors for high precision positioning & space applications
19 June 2023
Piezo-electric motors have been successfully developed for various applications like autofocus drives in camera lenses and handling equipment for semiconductor production. Their high speed and accurate positioning capability, combined with a favourable holding torque in unpowered condition, make piezomotors also very attractive for actuation purposes in spacecraft mechanisms. The paper introduces a new concept of a versatile ultrasonic piezomotor. The testing campaign carried out on the designed rotating piezomotor has validated the vacuum compatibility and the lifetime of the motor in air.
Rotating step by step piezomotor for nanopositioning and space applications
19 June 2023
Piezomotors are well known in various applications where high precision actuation is required like AFM or handling equipment for semiconductor production. Their specific low speed in direct drive and high torque characteristics combined with high holding torque in off power conditions make them very attractive for any positioning application and especially space mechanisms where low electrical consumption is always sought. A new concept of rotating stepping piezomotor has been developed in the frame of the LISA space project where the mechanism of the telescope orientation was addressed.
Rotation free linear actuator
19 June 2023
This paper presents the development of a rotation free linear actuator: The use of highly dynamic actuator in the rotating frame, such as piezo actuator, required dedicated devices to transmit the electrical power from the static frame to the rotating one. Slip rings and rotating transformers are able to provide this function. However the integration of such components required invasive operations
Scanning piezo mechanisms Rosetta Fligth model
19 June 2023
The MIDAS (Micro Imaging Dust Analysis System) instrument jointly developed by IWF Graz (AT) and the Solar Space Division of ESA/ESTEC (NL) will flow on ROSETTA and will analyse the dust of the 46P/Wirtanen cometa using an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM).
Segmented bimorph mirrors for adaptive optics:segment design and experiment
19 June 2023
This paper discusses a concept of light weight segmented bimorph mirror for adaptive optics. The segment consists of a monocrystal Silicon substrate actuated by an array of in-plane piezoceramic (PZT) actuators with honeycomb electrodes. The paper focuses on technological aspects of the segment design which are critical for space applications and describes a single segment demonstrator. The morphing capability of the segment is evaluated experimentally. The paper also discusses the local deformations (dimples) associated with the shape of the electrodes acting on the PZT array.
