SBIR Phase I: Non-linear Mechanical System for Creating Propulsive Thrust in a Fluid Medium

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将开发一种生物启发的波动游泳设备，其中所有的运动都是通过电活性聚合物（EAP）传感器驱动的预应力找形结构系统的周期性弹性变形来实现的。该设计提出并集成了多个机械，电气和系统控制创新：？将找形的挑战与驱动分开，使相对简单的系统能够再现波动运动（简化制造和控制，提高可靠性）？通过回收EAP传感器所需的电气和机械预充能量，最大限度地提高能源效率。克服EAP传感器作为拉力致动器的局限性？开发低占空比功率电子器件和控制算法，用于灵活支持相控EAP致动/发电周期。使用数值建模和传递函数，将为（i）所选EAP换能器的机电响应（ii）用于操作高压阵列的微处理器驱动架构，低占空比换能器（iii）由弹性双稳态鳍状元件产生的流体-结构相互作用。该公司将这些模型与现有的Abaqus鳍状元件FEA模型集成，以实现系统虚拟化和参数提取，以进行概念验证和进一步优化。将建造一个驱动系统组件用于测试和模型验证。该项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力将是开发一种推进器，模拟动物模型的高效率和可操作性，在推进和其他流体-结构-相互作用装置中具有潜在应用。在无人水下航行器（UUV）中实施，特别是如果开发出潜在的自充电变体，将能够提高性能和耐久性。新UUV的市场？2010-2019年估计为1，144个单位，价值23亿美元，这表明提高UUV能源效率和可靠性的经济激励，以最大限度地减少停机时间和与现场重新充电或维修相关的运营风险。 提高无人水下航行器技术的经济效益，可促进具有社会重要性的工程和研究工作，包括开发近海发电和海洋学勘测和传感技术，以监测气候变化及其影响。这项工作探讨了双稳态的形式发现行为的驱动系统，以实现有用的机械工作的机会。 严格的物理建模都需要开发这样的系统和测试EAP致动器的限制。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a biologically inspired undulatory swimming device in which all motion is achieved by the cyclical elastic deformation of a pre-stressed form-finding structural system actuated by Electroactive Polymer (EAP) transducers. The design presents and integrates multiple mechanical, electrical and system control innovations to: ? separate the challenges of form-finding from actuation to enable a relatively simple system to reproduce undulatory motion (simplifying manufacture and control, improving reliability)? maximize energy efficiency by recycling priming energy, both electrical and mechanical, required by EAP transducers.? overcome limitations of EAP transducers as pull-actuators? develop low duty cycle power electronics and control algorithms for flexible support of phased EAP actuation/generation cyclesUsing numerical modeling and transfer functions, analytical models will be developed for (i) the electromechanical response of selected EAP transducers (ii) the microcontroller-driven architecture for operating arrays of high-voltage, low duty cycle transducers (iii) the fluid-structure interactions produced by resilient bi-stable finlike elements. The company will integrate these models with its existing Abaqus FEA model of fin-like elements to achieve system virtualization and parameter extraction for proof of concept and further optimization. A drive system subassembly will be built for testing and model validation.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project will be development of a propulsor emulating the high efficiency and maneuverability of animal models with potential applications in propulsion and as well as other fluid-structure-interaction devices. Implementation in Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), particularly if a potential self-recharging variant is developed, would enable enhanced performance and endurance. The market for new UUV?s 2010-2019 has been estimated at 1,144 units, value $2.3 billion, indicating the economic incentive to enhance UUV energy efficiency and reliability to minimize downtime and operational risk associated with re-charging or repair in the field. Improved economics for UUV technology may facilitate socially important work in engineering and research, including development of offshore power generation and oceanographic surveying and sensing to monitor climate change and its impacts. The work explores the opportunities presented by bi-stable form-finding behavior in actuated systems to achieve useful mechanical work. Rigorous physical modeling is required both to develop such systems and test the limits of EAP actuators.