A new type of piezoelectric motor using a roller clutch mechanism

A new type of piezoelectric motor using a roller clutch mechanism is described. It consists of four stack-type piezoelectric actuators, a pair of displacement amplifiers and two roller clutches. The construction, operational principle and characteristics of the motor are described. The motor can be operated at variable speed by changing the excitation frequency of the piezostacks. Three different input wave shapes have been used to investigate the electrical and mechanical characteristics of this prototype motor. The experimental results show the characteristics of the motor, maximum achievable torque and rotational speed.