Patrick Chouinard

Bistable Antagonistic Dielectric Elastomer Actuators for Binary Robotics and Mechatronics

Binary systems can lead to simple and efficient robotic and mechatronic systems since such systems use a large number of simple bistable actuators to affect its state. Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are prime candidates for use in binary systems since they are simple, low cost, and lightweight. However, previously proposed bistable DEAs (flip-flop) have relatively low volumetric energy density that limits their use in practical devices. This paper investigates the potential of improving the energy density of bistable designs by employing DEAs in compact antagonistic configurations. To do so, two antagonistic configurations (linear and rotating) are designed and studied using an experimentally validated Bergstrom–Boyce viscoelastic material model. The proposed antagonistic configurations show up to ∼10× higher volumetric energy densities than flip-flop designs. This represents a significant advantage for DEA reliability, since, based on volumetric energy density, antagonist actuators require the manufacturing of significantly less film layers than flip-flop designs. This study also reveals that, in the design of antagonistic DEAs, limiting the polymer films actuation stretch minimizes viscoelastic losses and allows higher actuation speeds and power outputs for a given actuator stroke and size.

Projected PID controller for Tendon-Driven Manipulators actuated by magneto-rheological clutches

Tendon-Driven Manipulators (TDM) have been used in various applications requiring low inertia robots having multiple degrees-of-freedom (DOF) and redundancy. TDMs are generally actuated by gear electric motors placed at the base of the robot, and consequently require complex cable tension feedback from force sensors or dynamic modelling to maintain cables under tension. This paper presents a high performance TDM actuated by magneto-rheological clutches along with a specialized motion control algorithm, termed Projected PID, that requires no tension feedback. A 2-DOF proof-of-concept TDM powered by magneto-rheological clutches is used to demonstrate overall controller performance, and a reconfigurable 2-DOF TDM powered by direct-drive electric motors is used to demonstrate the controllers ability to compensate for configuration variations and actuator failure. Experimental results also demonstrate the ability of Projected PID to control magneto-rheological cable-driven TDMs with high accuracy.

Design of a MRI-compatible dielectric elastomer powered jet valve

Binary Pneumatic Air Muscles (PAM) arranged in an elastically-averaged configuration can form a cost effective solution for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) guided robotic interventions like prostate cancer biopsies and brachytherapies. Such binary pneumatic manipulators require about 10 to 20 MRI-compatible valves to control the pressure state of each PAM. In this perspective, this paper presents the design of a novel dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) driven jet-valve to control the states of the PAMs. DEAs are MRI compatible actuators that are well suited to the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the binary manipulation approach. The key feature of the proposed valve design is its 2 stages configuration in which the pilot stage is moved with minimal mechanical friction by a rotary antagonistic DEA made with acrylic polymer films. The prismatic geometry also integrates the jet nozzle within the DEA volume to provide a compact embodiment with a reduced number of parts. The low actuation stretches enabled by the rotary configuration minimize viscoelastic losses, and thus, maximize the frequency response of the actuator while maximizing its reliability potential. The design space of the proposed jet valve is studied using an Ogden hyperelastic model and the valve dynamics is predicted with a 1D Bergstrom-Boyce viscoelastic model. Altogether, the low friction of the pilot stage and optimized DEA dynamics provide an experimental shifting time of the complete assembly in the 200-300ms range. Results from this work suggest that the DEA driven jet valve has great potential for switching a large number of pneumatic circuits in a MRI environment with a compact, low cost and simple embodiment.

Thermodynamic model using experimental loss factors for dielectric elastomer actuator design

Dielectric Elastomer Actuators (DEAs) are a promising actuation technology for mobile robotics due to their high forceto- weight ratio, their potential for high efficiencies, and their low cost. The preliminary design of such actuators requires a quick and precise assessment of actuator energy conversion performance. To do so, this paper proposes a simple thermodynamic model using experimentally acquired loss factors that predict actuator mechanical work, energy consumption, and efficiency when operating under constant voltage and constant charge modes. Mechanical and electrical loss factors for both VHB 4905 (acrylic) and Nusils CF19-2186 (silicone) are obtained by mapping the performances of cone-shaped DEAs over a broad range of actuator speeds, capacitance ratios, and applied voltages. Extensive experimental results reveal the main performance trends to follow for preliminary actuator design, which are explained by the proposed model. For the tested conditions, the maximum experimental brake efficiencies are ~35% and ~25% for VHB and CF19-2186 respectively.

Reliable and lightweight primary flight control actuation using magneto-rheological clutches in slippage

Replacing aircraft hydraulic actuators with ElectroMechanical Actuators (EMAs) is seen as a necessary step towards the development of safer and more efficient aircraft with minimal environmental impact. EMAs are commonly used in a wide range of applications as they have improved efficiency over hydraulic actuators. However, in their current form, EMAs do not comply with the stringent weight and reliability requirements of primary flight control applications. This paper describes an Active Torque Distribution (ATD) system that could meet flight control reliability requirements, be lightweight, and increase the dynamic performance of current flight controls. The proposed ATD system uses magneto-rheological clutches to modulate the torque transferred from a centralized velocity source to various control surfaces. The fundamental advantage of this approach is found in the fluidic nature of magneto-rheological clutch interfaces which transmit torque without any solid mechanical contact thus preventing wear and failure causing mechanical seizure. The analytical study used to scale an ATD system and an analogue EMA system based on a representative flight control application shows that the proposed ATD system is 42% lighter than a system composed of EMAs and has a weight similar to that of current hydraulic actuators. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that ATD systems add ~100x less inertia to flight surfaces than EMAs allowing implementation of load alleviation control algorithms requiring high frequency motion (~30 Hz). A proof-of-concept clutch and controller confirm the analytical predictions and validate the possibility of using magneto-rheological clutches for flight control actuation.

Design of an Antagonistic Bistable Dielectric Elastomer Actuator Using the Bergstrom-Boyce Constitutive Viscoelastic Model

Dielectric Elastomer Actuators (DEA) has great potential for low cost, high performance robotic and mechatronic devices. However, the reliability of these actuators remains an important issue when used in continuous strain applications. To improve actuators reliability, DEAs can be used in a binary or bistable manner where actuators flip between two stable positions, thus maintaining one of two equilibrium states without any electrical energy input. This paper presents an antagonistic bistable DEA concept using a single, planar polymer film that can lead to compact high force multilayered actuators. The system is made bistable by the addition of carbon fiber leaf springs designed to maximize actuator strain output. The strong viscoelastic nature of the chosen polymer film significantly affects the system’s output force and is accounted for in the Bergstrom-Boyce material model. The model shows good agreement with experimental stress relaxation curves and is used to set the leaf springs’ force curve. Experimental results have shown that the acrylic polymer film’s (VHB 4905) strong viscoelastic nature limits the actuator speed at ∼ 0.9 mm/s; at higher speeds, the leaf springs cannot be matched with the proposed concept. The study also demonstrates that the proposed antagonistic actuator configuration is an interesting solution to provide reliable bistable actuation for compact structures and that developing polymer films with low viscoelasticity is key for optimal performance.Copyright

Design of a Binary Needle Manipulator Using Elastically Averaged Air Muscles for Prostate Cancer Treatments

Affecting 1 out of 8 subjects in the U.S., prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men. Current medical procedures could be improved by the development of an MRI compatible (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) needle manipulator system, to precisely reach small tumors (<5 mm) inside the prostate. This paper presents and analyzes the potential of such a needle manipulator concept, based on hyper-redundant binary air muscles, all controlled by MRI compatible valves (e.g. piezoelectric or dielectric elastomer actuators). The proposed manipulator uses 12 polymer air muscles, each driven by 2 different actuation pressures, offering a total of 4096 (212 ) discrete needle positions. Based on a hyperelastic continuum mechanics air muscle model, a theoretical manipulator design is used to evaluate clinically-relevant design metrics, such as size, stiffness, workspace, accuracy and sensitivity. In this model, the manipulator’s equilibrium configuration (for a given set of input pressures and applied forces) is found by minimizing the system’s potential energy. The model capability is verified experimentally by a one degree of freedom (DOF) prototype. Simulation results show that the proposed elastically averaged air muscle concept can meet all design requirements. In particular, the needle workspace of about 70 mm by 80 mm entirely covers the prostate area, where targets are accurately reachable within 0.7 mm. Also, the pneumatic actuators can generate high forces leading to a system stiffness of ∼4.6 N/mm at the needle tip. Such stiffness can adequately sustain the needle during insertion with minimal deflection to guaranty accurate positioning.Copyright