Kimikazu Sugiyama

A Ribbon Like Fin Using Electro Conductive Polymer For Precise Motion Control

Precise motion control of underwater vehicles without mechanical noises is a technical issue on underwater observation. As a solution for the problem, we pay attentions to bio-mechanisms of underwater creatures, especially ribbon-like fins being used for attitude control. Bio-mechanisms of creatures are adapted to environment as a result of evolution. If the motor control mechanisms of the creatures can be introduced into underwater robots, there is a possibility that a high performance actuator will be realized. In this research, we have been trying to develop a bio-inspired underwater actuator instead of screw propellers. As the material of a developing actuator,electroconductive polymer is used as an artificial muscle. In this paper, we introduce the concept of the developing actuator and the results of performance evaluation test of the developed electro conductive polymer is discussed.

Development of a Biomimetic Fin Actuator using Electroconductive Polymer

Precise motion control without mechanical noises is a technical issue on the operations of research vessels and underwater vehicles in order to observe creatures in actual. As a solution for the problem, we pay attentions to bio- mechanisms of underwater creatures, especially undulately fins being used for attitude control. Bio-mechanisms of creatures are adapted to environment as a result of evolution. If the motor control mechanisms of the creatures can be introduced into underwater robots, there is a possibility to realize a high performance actuator. In this research, we have been trying to develop a bio-inspired underwater actuator instead of screw propellers. As the material of the actuator, electroconductive polymer is used as an artificial muscle. We describe the concept of the developing actuator, behavior of water creatures, development of electroconductive polymer and the results of performance evaluation test of the developing electro conductive polymer.

Development of an Underwater Actuator by Artificial Muscles

We aim at the development of an actuator that becomes alternative of the Screw propeller to work in underwater environment whereas there are turbulences such as the currents and waves. We have been developing a fin type actuator that imitates the underwater creatures function by using artificial muscles as driving source. In this paper, we will introduce the concept of the fin type actuator and the results of performance evaluation test of the artificial muscle.