Mechanical energy transductions in standing wave ultrasonic motors: Analytical modelling and experimental investigations

The present work deals with experimental and theoretical analyses of mechanical energy transductions in standing wave ultrasonic motors. A piezoelectric translator prototype previously developed is tested with regard to both out-of-plane and tangential mechanical behaviours. Influences of the vibration amplitude, the normal pre-load and the dynamic friction coefficient at the stator/frame interface are pointed out through the acquisition of speed-driving force characteristics. In the main part of the article, theoretical approaches assuming the decoupling df the out-of-plane and tangential behaviours are proposed: the 'complete' model takes into account transient phenomena and tangential inertia effects, and the 'simplified' model supposes that the steady state is achieved. In both models, equivalent mass-spring systems allow the intermittent stator/frame contact to be characterized with regard to the vibration amplitude and the normal pre-load. Successive contact and flight periods are clearly shown. During contact periods, the sequences of stick-slip phases are at the origin of the driving mechanism. They are theoretically discriminated through the study of their behaviour equations. Finally, experimental and theoretical data fitting proves the validation of analytical analyses and allows the future optimization of standing wave ultrasonic motors to be envisaged. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.