Development of Shock-Wave-Powered Actuators for High Speed Positioning (Second Report: Characteristics of Diaphragmless Shock Tube and Responsiveness of Actuator)

Abstract

Shock tubes experiments are conducted on applications of shock waves to the actuator. The high-pressure and low-pressure sections of a general shock tube are separated by a diaphragm. In this study, a shock wave is generated by “diaphragmless shock tube” which is divided into two sections by a driver piston instead of the diaphragm. We have previously reported on the motion of a driven piston powered by a shock wave. However, not only piston speed but also high responsiveness is required for practical actuators used on manufacturing lines, in industrial robots, etc., The diaphragmless shock tube constructed in this paper is structured to be able to examine not only the motion of the driven piston but also the motion of the driver piston. In addition, the responsiveness of the piston motion of the actuator powered by shock waves is examined. It follows from what has been said thus far that a shock wave can be applied to an actuator with high responsiveness.