Force optimization of an force artificial muscle actuated underwater probe system using linear motion electrostatic motor

Two linear electrostatic motors were designed in order to optimize the force characteristics of an artificial muscle actuated underwater probe system. finite element method (fem) analyses are used to analyze and optimize the motor’s designed parameters. the two structures are designed to be linear-actuated and are compared under similar conditions. the objective of this research is to design,compare and analyze the effect of varying the motor’s parameters to the actuation force (fx). first,the two structures are designed using ansys maxwell 3d; i.e (a) non-skew-type electrostatic motor and (b) skew-type electrostatic motor. next,the thrust forces were evaluated using finite element method (fem) analyses in order to optimize the motor’s parameters. the fem analyses are carried out by (i) varying the ratio number of electrode-to-spacer (ii) varying the motor’s gap and (iii) varying the motor’s size. the fem analysis shows that the skew-type electrostatic motor exhibit greater actuation force,2.7857n compared to the non-skew-type electrostatic motor,1.7476 μn; when the ratio number of electrode-to-spacer is 1.0:2.5. © 2015 penerbit utm press. all rights reserved.