Theoretical research and design of a new piezoelectric/ electrorheological hybrid hydraulic step actuator

A new step actuator is designed based on piezoelectric/ electrorheological hybrid hydraulic theory. Firstly, a new kind of driving system is proposed. The piezoelectric pump is adopted for the actuator´s hydro-drive and the electrorheological valve(ER valve) is adopted for the actuator´s control, which are working together to realize the step actuator´s high frequency, hydraulic step drive in a hybrid mode. Then the step actuator´s working principle and sequence control system are presented. The ER valve´s maximum response frequency is 600 Hz, which should be promoted to improve the system operating frequency. Thirdly, the step actuator´s diving characteristics are theoretically deduced. The resolution and the driving force of the step actuator that provide the actuator´s design principle are got.