Real-Time Parallel Control of Connected Piezoelectric Actuators by Using FEM.

In this paper, Finite Element Method (FEM) is proposed to apply for a real-time parallel control system of connected piezoelectric actuators, assuming an actuator as finite elements, which are mainly used in the computational mechanics field. Conventional control system has necessity to change state equations slightly, depending on the shape of the system or the quantity of the linked members. Meanwhile, FEM is capable of expressing the state of the total system by stiffness equations, and can cope flexibly with lack or disability of constituting members of the system by controlling stiffness matrices. An inverse problem theory, to calculate required electric voltage for obtaining target displacements, is applied to the control analysis of connected actuators. Noncompatible finite element, which allows in-plane bending mode by fewer numbers of elements, is used in the FEM control program to make the real-time control possible. As a result, the possibility of controlling piezoelectric actuators by the newly proposed methodology has been confirmed.