Structure design and driving voltage optimization of a novel giant magnetostrictive actuator

Abstract

Typical giant magnetostrictive actuator (GMA) cannot meet the requirement of driving a high-speed on–off valve for limitation in bias magnetic field exerted on giant magnetostrictive material. To solve this problem, a novel GMA is designed with zero bias magnetic field. Furthermore, to satisfy the requirement of the displacement direction, a “T” type transfer rod is joined to convert material’s elongating into actuator’s shortening. Simultaneously, long responding time of the actuator, especially the rising time of coil current, is also considered in this paper. The transient-state current is modeled based on the equivalent circuit considering parallel resistance of the coil, and from computed result, high opening voltage can be taken to promote responding speed of the actuator, and then an optimized driving voltage wave is presented. At last, with the help of an experimental system, the current model is verified and the driving effect of optimized voltage wave is tested and analyzed.