Novel Dielectric Stack Actuators for Dynamic Applications

In order to realize dielectric elastomer stack actuators suitable for dynamic applications a new actuator design with rigid, perforated electrodes is developed. The low surface resistance of the metal electrodes predestines this concept for dynamic applications where higher currents are present. Detailed numerical analyses are performed to show the potential of this approach, to study the complex material deformation and to optimize the aperture geometry. A multilayer stack actuator is then manufactured and characterized experimentally under various load conditions to gain suitable parameters for a parametrized model. It is subsequently used to attenuate vibrations of a truss structure. By careful adjusting the parameters it functions both as passive absober and as actuator. A comparison of experimental and simulation results proves the high quality of the simulation model. The work shows the great potential of the new design concept for future applications especially in the field of smart structures.