Abstract:
The field of adaptive structures has expanded dramatically during the past few years. Inch worm actuators are commercially available, but do not meet all the desired static and dynamic features in one actuator. The objective of the development of the Mighty Worm was to develop such an actuator. The Mighty Work actuator consists of a piezoelectric transducer, its housing, and two clamping devices. In operation, Mighty Worm either pushes or pulls a load.