Magnetostriktiver Aktor

摘要

The magnetostrictive material TbxDy1-xFe2 (terfenol) can be used to develop drive elements which have mechanical properties and control distances comparable to those of piezoelectric actuators, but a significantly smaller volume. In spite of these properties, magnetostrictive actuators have so far been used only in applications in which no rapid switching operations or control movements are necessary. The application describes a compact-design actuator which responds very rapidly to an electric control signal and is capable of generating large control forces. The actuator proposed typically includes approximately 100 drive elements (1, 1') stacked one on top of the other in layers and fitted with electrical connections. Each of the drive elements (1, 1') consists of a metal plate (4, 4'), disposed between two insulators (2, 2', 3, 3'), and an actuator element (5, 5') manufactured from terfenol. The metal plate (4, 4') is slotted to form a U-shape so that, when current flows through it, it acts as a toroidal coil whose magnetic field passes through the actuator element (5, 5') where it causes magnetostriction. The actuator proposed is suitable for use in drives for injection valves, pumps, relays, etc.