Large-Scale Piezoelectric-Based Systems for More Electric Aircraft Applications
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micromachines Review Large-Scale Piezoelectric-Based Systems for More Electric Aircraft Applications Tran Vy Khanh Vo 1 , Tomasz Marek Lubecki 1, Wai Tuck Chow 2, Amit Gupta 1 and King Ho Holden Li 2,* 1 Rolls-Royce@NTU Corporate Lab, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637460, Singapore; [email protected] (T.V.K.V.); [email protected] (T.M.L.); [email protected] (A.G.) 2 School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +65-6790-6398 Abstract: A new approach in the development of aircraft and aerospace industry is geared toward increasing use of electric systems. An electromechanical (EM) piezoelectric-based system is one of the potential technologies that can produce a compactable system with a fast response and a high power density. However, piezoelectric materials generate a small strain, of around 0.1–0.2% of the original actuator length, limiting their potential in large-scale applications. This paper reviews the potential amplification mechanisms for piezoelectric-based systems targeting aerospace applications. The concepts, structural designs, and operation conditions of each method are summarized and compared. This review aims to provide a good understanding of piezoelectric-based systems toward selecting suitable designs for potential aerospace applications and an outlook for novel designs in the near future. Keywords: piezoelectric stack; amplification mechanism; quasi-static stepped system; ultrasonic Citation: Vo, T.V.K.; Lubecki, T.M.; system; piezoelectric-hydraulic; aerospace applications Chow, W.T.; Gupta, A.; Li, K.H.H. Large-Scale Piezoelectric-Based Systems for More Electric Aircraft Applications. Micromachines 2021, 12, 1. Introduction 140. https://doi.org/10.3390/ A concept of more/all-electric aircraft has recently received huge attention in the mi12020140 research and development work in the field of aerospace engineering [1–7]. The intent is to use more electrical systems in aircraft and aerospace applications to bring an impact on Academic Editor: Jose the environment [8]. With the fast development of electrification, more researchers and Luis Sanchez-Rojas manufacturers are shifting to this dynamic trend involving a high demand for increasing Received: 24 December 2020 the load, improving fuel efficiency, reducing emissions, and lowering the total cost of oper- Accepted: 22 January 2021 Published: 28 January 2021 ation. Researchers seek different approaches and technologies to broaden this fashionable concept in a wide range of applications. The choice of actuators in the aircraft is based on Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral various critical factors, such as power density, reliability, efficiency, control features, and with regard to jurisdictional claims in thermal robustness, as well as the weight, size, and maintenance cost. In a commercial published maps and institutional affil- aircraft, actuators are essential in various applications, such as flight control, engine starter, iations. landing system, brake actuation, and fuel pump [9,10]. The specifications of actuators in an aircraft vary across a wide range. Typical requirements can be listed as 1–320 kN of force, 10–700 mm of stroke, and 10–500 mm/s of speed, with the requirement of both modulated and two-position control methods [4,11]. For these actuation systems in the aircraft engine, the working temperature is from −50 to 150 ◦C at the engine intake; and it is higher for the Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. actuators located toward the high-pressure compressor void (300–400 ◦C) or the tail cone Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. ◦ This article is an open access article area (500–600 C) [12]. Overall, actuators in an aircraft require both the advantages of mate- distributed under the terms and rials that allow them to deliver the required power in extreme environmental conditions conditions of the Creative Commons and the optimal structural designs to maximize their performance within a constrained Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// weight and space. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ In the development of signal-by-wire and power-by-wire actuators in aircraft, elec- 4.0/). tromechanical (EM) systems have seen a huge improvement, with significant results from Micromachines 2021, 12, 140. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi12020140 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/micromachines Micromachines 2021, 12, 140 2 of 28 Micromachines 2021, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 29 both researchers and manufacturers. Electrical actuators, which have taken advantage of In the development of signal-by-wire and power-by-wire actuators in aircraft, elec- state-of-the-arttromechanical (EM) motors systems and have power seen screws, a huge improvement, are among these with systems significant [13 results–17]. Thefrom electrical actuatorsboth researchers could and provide manufacturers. a load range Electrical of up actuators, to 90 kN wh, withich have over taken 90% advantage efficiency, of making themstate-of suitable-the-art motors for replacing and power several screws, conventional are among these hydraulic systems or [13 fueldraulic–17]. The electrical systems in the jetactuators engine could [18, 19provide]. These a load systems range bringof up moreto 90 kN advantages, with over in90% terms efficiency, of a compactmaking design (eliminatingthem suitable for pipes replacing and heavy several elements) conventional and hyd power-to-weightraulic or fueldraulic ratio systems (weight in the reducing), enhancingjet engine [18,19]. aircraft These stability systems and bring thus more providing advantages the ability in terms to incorporateof a compact moredesign functions within(eliminating thecontrol pipes and system heavy toelements) further and enhance power- aircraftto-weight utility. ratio (weight Besides reducing), electrical en- actuators, smart-material-basedhancing aircraft stability actuators and thus areproviding also considered the ability ato promising incorporate approach. more functions The develop- mentwithin of the smart control materials, system to such further as enhance piezoelectric aircraft materials utility. Besides [20], shapeelectrical memory actuators, alloys [21], smart-material-based actuators are also considered a promising approach. The develop- magnetostrictive materials [22], and electroactive polymers [23,24], also offers advantages ment of smart materials, such as piezoelectric materials [20], shape memory alloys [21], in the aerospace applications [25,26]. Looking beyond the potential of replacing the con- magnetostrictive materials [22], and electroactive polymers [23,24], also offers advantages ventionalin the aerospace system applications with similar [25,26]. or even Looking better beyond performance the potential actuators, of replacing the smart the con- behavior of suchventional materials system may with offersimilar more or even room better for performance the development actuators, ofnovel the smart systems. behavior For of example, thesuch shape-changing materials may offer ability more of room smart for materials the development can be exploredof novel systems. in morphing For example, aircraft [27,28]. Shapethe shape memory-changing alloy-based ability of smart [29,30 materials] and piezoelectric-based can be explored in morphing bender designs aircraft [ [27,28].31] can be used forShape noise memory reduction alloy- whenbased mounting[29,30] and thepiezoelectric bender on-based the bender trailing designs edge of [31] the can jet enginebe fan nozzleused for and noise the reduction rotor of when the helicopter, mounting the respectively. bender on the Each trailing material edge respondsof the jet engine differently to thefan nozzle stimuli, and and the various rotor of the actuation helicopter, modes respectively. can be achieved Each material with responds distinct differently working concepts andto the geometrical stimuli, and designs. various actuation Among them, modes piezoelectric can be achieved materials with distinct have shownworking great con- potential incepts aircraft and geometrical and spacecraft designs. applications Among them, [32– 36piezoelectric]. The definition materials of have piezoelectric shown great materials is thatpotential they in can aircraft either and generate spacecraft an applications output voltage [32–36]. when The definition subjected of piezoelectric to mechanical ma- stress or terials is that they can either generate an output voltage when subjected to mechanical perform a dimensional change when subjected to an electric field. These phenomena are stress or perform a dimensional change when subjected to an electric field. These phe- knownnomena asare direct known and as direct indirect and modesindirect ofmodes operation, of operation, which which can becan used be used for for generators gen- [37], sensorserators [37], [38], sensors and actuators [38], and [actuators39]. Piezoelectric [39]. Piezoelectric materials materials have the have advantages the advantages of high power density,of high power high efficiency,density, high driving efficiency, force, driving and displacement force, and displacement resolution resolution over electromagnetic over materials.electromagnetic They materials. also do not They generate also do electromagneticnot generate electromagnetic noise and arenoise nonflammable and are non- [40–42]. Piezoelectricflammable [40– materials42]. Piezoelectric come inmaterials different come forms, in different such asforms, sheet, such