Piezo-composite actuated control surface system for flying vehicle

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to develop lightweight actuators in order to replace conventional hydraulic/pneumatic actuators and to apply the actuation system to a small flying vehicle. Design/methodology/approach - A new type of control surface using a piezo-composite actuator for a small flying vehicle has been designed and manufactured. The piezo-composite actuator is composed of a piezoelectric ceramic layer, a carbon/epoxy layer and glass/epoxy layers. Through this, the miniaturization and weight reduction of the actuation systems for flying vehicle can be achieved. A simple model of the control surface has been manufactured and evaluated through experiments. Findings - The performance test results showed that the developed actuator can produce stable angle of attack independent of the applied loading. A radio controller for the actuator was developed to control the motions wirelessly. It was found that the piezo-composite actuator and its integrated controller system have a possibility to be used not only as a small flying vehicle but also as a control surface actuator of a small unmanned flying robot throdgh the miniaturization of power supply and control system. Originality/value - The paper describes the procedures of designing and manufacturing smart structure application of the piezo-composite actuator with performance evaluation and comparison method. It is expected that piezo-composite actuator can be used as a small flying vehicle control surface actuator through the miniaturization of power supply and control system with the use of the integrated radio controller MIPAD.