+++ title = "Multi-stage actuation systems and control" author = ["Dehaeze Thomas"] description = "Proposes a way to combine multiple actuators (short stroke and long stroke) for control." keywords = ["Control", "Mechatronics"] draft = false +++ Tags : Reference : (Du and Pang 2019) Author(s) : Du, C., & Pang, C. K. Year : 2019
## Mechanical Actuation Systems {#mechanical-actuation-systems} ### Introduction {#introduction} When high bandwidth, high position accuracy and long stroke are required simultaneously: dual-stage systems composed of a coarse (or primary) actuator and a fine actuator working together are used. Popular choices for coarse actuator are: - DC motor - [Voice Coil Motors]({{< relref "voice_coil_actuators.md" >}}) (VCM) - Permanent magnet stepper motor - Permanent magnet linear synchronous motor As fine actuators, most of the time [Piezoelectric Actuators]({{< relref "piezoelectric_actuators.md" >}}) are used. In order to overcome fine actuator stringent stroke limitation and increase control bandwidth, three-stage actuation systems are necessary in practical applications. ### Actuators {#actuators} #### Primary Actuator {#primary-actuator} Without loss of generality, the VCM actuator is used as the primary actuator. When current passes through the coil, a force is produced which accelerates the actuator radially. The produced force is a function of the current \\(i\_c\\): \\[ f\_m = k\_t i\_c \\] where \\(k\_t\\) is a linearized nominal value called the torque constant. The resonance of the actuator is mainly due to the flexibility of the pivot bearing, arm, suspension. Then the bandwidth of the control loop is low and the resonances are not a limiting factor of the control design, the actuator model can be considered as follows: \\[ P\_v(s) = \frac{k\_{vcm}}{s^2} \\] When the bandwidth is high, the actuator resonances have to be considered in the control design since the flexible resonance modes will reduce the system stability and affect the control performance. Then the actuator model becomes \\[ P\_v(s) = \frac{k\_{vcm}}{s^2} P\_r(s) \\] which includes the resonance model \\[ P\_r(s) = \Pi\_{i=1}^{N} P\_{ri}(s) \\] and the resonance \\(P\_{ri}(s)\\) can be represented as one of the following forms \begin{align\*} P\_{ri}(s) &= \frac{\omega\_i^2}{s^2 + 2 \xi\_i \omega\_i s + \omega\_i^2} \\\\ P\_{ri}(s) &= \frac{b\_{1i} \omega\_i s + b\_{0i} \omega\_i^2}{s^2 + 2 \xi\_i \omega\_i s + \omega\_i^2} \\\\ P\_{ri}(s) &= \frac{b\_{2i} s^2 + b\_{1i} \omega\_i s + b\_{0i} \omega\_i^2}{s^2 + 2 \xi\_i \omega\_i s + \omega\_i^2} \end{align\*} #### Secondary Actuators {#secondary-actuators} We here consider two types of secondary actuators: the PZT milliactuator (figure [1](#figure--fig:pzt-actuator)) and the microactuator. {{< figure src="/ox-hugo/du19_pzt_actuator.png" caption="Figure 1: A PZT-actuator suspension" >}} There are three popular types of micro-actuators: electrostatic moving-slider microactuator, PZT slider-driven microactuator and thermal microactuator. There characteristics are shown on table [1](#table--tab:microactuator).