The aim of this book is to provide insight on the vibration problem in structurally flexible mechanisms, particularly robotic manipulators. The book covers different aspects of flexible structures. It partially includes the fundamental formulations for modelling of a flexible structure actuated with piezoelectric actuators. Mathematical modelling, when possible, as well as experimental techniques for obtaining models of flexible structures are discussed. Additionally, different control techniques adapted for flexible robotic manipulators equipped with piezoelectric actuators and sensors are covered in the book. Depending on the system, linear and non-linear control techniques for stabilising residual vibrations in the system are discussed.

Lightweight, mechanical systems, including such applications as robots, are generally more flexible, environmentally sustainable, faster and accurate that heavy-duty fixed systems, but their very lightness and flexibility can cause undesirable vibration. To solve this problem, the authors provide the necessary mathematical background for those new to the field, then describe the placement and control of piezoelectric actuators, use of the flexible-link manipulator, calculation and design of friction compensation, design and control of the piezoelectric stack, and design of the macro manipulator. They provide further information on dynamic modeling, piezoelectric stack actuators and macro manipulators in the appendices. Review copy included errata sheet. Readers are advised to confirm data independently.

“Piezoelectric-Based Vibration-control Systems: Applications in Micro/Nano Sensors and Actuators” covers: Fundamental concepts in smart (active) materials including piezoelectric and piezoceramics, magnetostrictive, shape-memory materials, and electro/magneto-rheological fluids; Physical principles and constitutive models of piezoelectric materials; Piezoelectric sensors and actuators; Fundamental concepts in mechanical vibration analysis and control with emphasis on distributed-parameters and vibration-control systems; and Recent advances in piezoelectric-based microelectromechanical and nanoelectromechanical systems design and implementation.

The transformation of vibrations into electric energy through the use of piezoelectric devices is an exciting and rapidly developing area of research with a widening range of applications constantly materialising. With Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting, world-leading researchers provide a timely and comprehensive coverage of the electromechanical modelling and applications of piezoelectric energy harvesters. They present principal modelling approaches, synthesizing fundamental material related to mechanical, aerospace, civil, electrical and materials engineering disciplines for vibration-based energy harvesting using piezoelectric transduction. Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting provides the first comprehensive treatment of distributed-parameter electromechanical modelling for piezoelectric energy harvesting with extensive case studies including experimental validations, and is the first book to address modelling of various forms of excitation in piezoelectric energy harvesting, ranging from airflow excitation to moving loads, thus ensuring its relevance to engineers in fields as disparate as aerospace engineering and civil engineering. Coverage includes: Analytical and approximate analytical distributed-parameter electromechanical models with illustrative theoretical case studies as well as extensive experimental validations Several problems of piezoelectric energy harvesting ranging from simple harmonic excitation to random vibrations Details of introducing and modelling piezoelectric coupling for various problems Modelling and exploiting nonlinear dynamics for performance enhancement, supported with experimental verifications Applications ranging from moving load excitation of slender bridges to airflow excitation of aeroelastic sections A review of standard nonlinear energy harvesting circuits with modelling aspects.

Time delays in feedback control systems have intrigued researchers especially over the past five decades. Some recent studies have discovered that deliberate introduction of delays within certain control laws yields favorable results. This work follows the same philosophy and stems from a pedigree of research where delays are viewed as a tool, and their unique features are exploited. Delayed Resonators use the destabilizing effect of delays to induce resonance in an active vibration absorber, providing complete vibration suppression against time varying tonal disturbances. Inspired by these developments, this work embarks on another exploration on systems that harvest energy from mechanical vibrations. In this research, an analytical framework is developed on generic active mechanical vibration absorbers with delayed feedback control. The interplay between the generated and consumed energy is investigated from a physics viewpoint. It is shown that energy harvesting capacity can be significantly enhanced by introducing a properly designed time-delayed feedback. A critical feature in this work is the use of piezoelectric materials. Considerable research has been devoted to the use of piezoelectric components for both vibration control and energy harvesting. Piezoelectricity provides a bi-directional coupling between mechanical strain and electrical fields. This allows the use of resistive-inductive electrical circuits, which are reconfigured to serve as resonators for mechanical structures. In this work, time-delayed control laws are devised for such systems, primarily to serve two purposes: (a) effective vibration suppression and (b) increased energy harvesting. The essence of the scientific contribution lies at the point that the electrical circuit is actively sensitized to replace a conventional proof-mass absorber (or harvester). This idea could evolve into a design mechanism which has many advantages, such as compactness, reduced weight, and deployment practicality. An experimental setup, consisting of a cantilever beam with piezoelectric patches connected to a shunt circuit, is constructed to demonstrate the core concepts in this effort. Delayed proportional control is applied within the electrical circuit to test the analytical findings. As expected, many practical issues are encountered and addressed during this effort. Favorable experimental results on vibration control and energy harvesting are presented and discussed in detail.

This book presents recent developments in vibration control systems that employ embedded piezoelectric sensors and actuators, reviewing ways in which active vibration control systems can be designed for piezoelectric laminated structures, paying distinct attention to how such control systems can be implemented in real time. Includes numerous examples and experimental results obtained from laboratory-scale apparatus, with details of how similar setups can be built.

An advanced look at vibration analysis with a focus on active vibration suppression As modern devices, from cell phones to airplanes, become lighter and more flexible, vibration suppression and analysis becomes more critical. Vibration with Control, 2nd Edition includes modelling, analysis and testing methods. New topics include metastructures and the use of piezoelectric materials, and numerical methods are also discussed. All material is placed on a firm mathematical footing by introducing concepts from linear algebra (matrix theory) and applied functional analysis when required. Key features: Combines vibration modelling and analysis with active control to provide concepts for effective vibration suppression. Introduces the use of piezoelectric materials for vibration sensing and suppression. Provides a unique blend of practical and theoretical developments. Examines nonlinear as well as linear vibration analysis. Provides Matlab instructions for solving problems. Contains examples and problems. PowerPoint Presentation materials and digital solutions manual available for instructors. Vibration with Control, 2nd Edition is an ideal reference and textbook for graduate students in mechanical, aerospace and structural engineering, as well as researchers and practitioners in the field.