Modeling of Shape Memory Alloy Micro-Actuators for Space Applications

or martensite twin reorientation (MTR) has been identified as a potential agency to drive actuation schemes since discovery. The impetus of this investigation is the utility of the MTR subroutine to predict the transient response of a one-time shape memory alloy micro-actuator. The overall goal of this study is to optimize this system by actuation power profile for energy consumption and overshoot minimization employing a control function. In this paper, the MTR subroutine is used in conjunction with a simpler Ritz-approximation-based model to investigate the system response to a number of power profiles. Results from this ongoing study show the full MTR subroutine and finite element model can be used to ”calibrate” the simpler Ritz model to optimize a feedback controller for overshoot and speed of response. Additional pertinent insights arising from the two sets of simulations are discussed. Nomenclature