A sensorless drive system for controlling temperature-dependent hysteresis in piezoelectric actuators

A novel drive system is described which improves the operational characteristics of piezoelectric actuators. Electronic controls to increase the range of movement across a wide temperature range usually need a temperature sensor for maximum effect. This paper describes a novel system that uses the polarization characteristics of the piezoelectric ceramic to reverse polarize the ceramic without a temperature measurement. Significant improvements in the operating temperature range for devices such as locks or valves are achieved.