• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.361-377
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• 2019

The stiffness of shape memory alloy (SMA) spring while in actuation is represented by an empirical model that is derived from the logistic differential equation. This model correlates the stiffness to the alloy temperature and the functionality of SMA spring as active variable stiffness actuator (VSA) is analyzed based on factors that are the input conditions (activation current, duty cycle and excitation frequency) and operating conditions (pre-stress and mechanical connection). The model parameters are estimated by adopting the nonlinear least square method, henceforth, the model is validated experimentally. The average correlation factor of 0.95 between the model response and experimental results validates the proposed model. In furtherance, the justification is augmented from the comparison with existing stiffness models (logistic curve model and polynomial model). The important distinction from several observations regarding the comparison of the model prediction with the experimental states that it is more superior, flexible and adaptable than the existing. The nature of stiffness variation in the SMA spring is assessed also from the Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA), which as well proves the proposal. This model advances the ability to use SMA integrated mechanism for enhanced variable stiffness actuation. The investigation proves that the stiffness of SMA spring may be altered under controlled conditions.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1077-1082
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• 2007

We present a micromechanical active amplifier, inspired from the principle of the outer hair cells in cochlea, amplifying both displacement and force. The present micromechanical active amplifier modulates the resonant carrier motion using the variable stiffness spring whose stiffness changes proportionally to the input motion. We design, fabricate, and characterize two types of the amplifiers A and B, each having the variable stiffness spring fur the maximum displacement gain and force gain, respectively. In the experimental study, the amplifier A shows the displacement gain of 5.62, which is 2.15 times larger than that of the amplifier 3. The amplifier B shows the force gain of 10.0, resulting in 1.26 times larger value compared to that of the amplifier A. We experimentally verify that the haircell-inspired micromechanical amplifiers are capable to amplify both displacement and force.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2019

In this study, we developed an FSEA(Force-sensing Series Elastic Actuator) composed of a spring and an actuator has been developed to compensate for external disturbance forced. The FSEA has a simple structure in which the spring and the actuator are connected in series, and the external force can be easily measured through the displacement of the spring. And the characteristic of the spring absorbs the shock to the small disturbance and increases the sense of stability. It is designed and constructed to control the stiffness of such springs more flexibly according to the situation. The conventional FSEA uses a fixed stiffness spring and the actuator is not compensated properly when it receives large or small external force. Through this experiment, it is confirmed that FSEA compensates the external force through the proposed algorithm that the variable stiffness compensates well for large and small external forces.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.287-297
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• 1998

The elastic stiffness formula of leaf type holddown spring(HDS) assembly is verified by comparing the values of elastic stiffness with the characteristic test results of the HDS's specimens. The comparisons show that the derived elastic stiffness formula is useful in reliably estimating the elastic stiffness of leaf type HDS assembly. The elastic stiffness sensitivity of leaf type HDS assembly is analyzed using the formula and its gradient vectors obtained from the mid-point formula. As a result of sensitivity analysis, the elastic stiffness sensitivity with respect to each design variable is quantified and design variables of large sensitivity are identified. Among the design variables, leaf thickness is identified as the most sensitive design variable to the elastic stiffness of leaf type HDS assembly. In addition, the elastic stiffness sensitivity, with respect to design variable, is in power-law type correlation to the base thickness of the leaf.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.2146-2150
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• 2004

To evaluate the variation of spring stiffness in nuclear plant operating condition, load-displacement tests ($P-{\delta}$ test) were performed using two kinds of space grid springs in high temperature and high pressure water. With increasing temperature, stiffness of each spring gradually decreased except $100{\sim}150^{\circ}C$. It is apparently showed that spring with convex shape had a relatively high stability of spring stiffness at high temperature compared with I-shaped spring. It is suggested that the variation of spring stiffness with temperature and spring shape should be considered as an important variable in the design and analysis of the fuel assembly.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1276-1290
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• 1997

The previous elastic stiffness formulas of leaf type holddown spring assemblies(HDSs) have been corrected and extended to be able to consider the point of taper runout for the TT-HDS and all the strain energies for both the TT-HDS and the TW-HDS based on Euler beam theory and Castigliano'stheorem. The elastic stiffness sensitivity of the leaf type holddown spring assemblies was analyzed using the derived elastic stiffness formulas and their gradient vectors obtained from the mid-point formula. As a result of the sensitivity analysis, the elastic stiffness sensitivity at each design variable is quantified and design variables having remarkable sensitivity are identified. Among the design variables, leaf thickness is identified as that of having the most remarkable sensitivity of the elastic stiffness. In addition, it was found that the sensitivity of the leaf type HDS's elastic stiffness is exponentially correlated to the leaf thickness.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.619-627
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• 2012

This study was experimentally investigated on the effects of spring stiffness applied to linear compressor chambers. The springs prevented piston head from colliding with engine cover, stored the kinetic energy and regenerated the kinetic energy. The linear engine has two combustion chambers and four compressor chamber. The combustion chamber bore size was 30 mm, maximum stroke was 31 mm and effective stroke volume was 25.45 cc respectively. The spring stiffness was varied such as 0, 0.5, 1.00, 2.9 and 14.7 N/mm. The linear engine was fueled with premixed LPG (propane 99%) and air by pre-mixture device. As an experimental result, The stroke, piston velocity and the piston frequency were increased by high spring stiffness. Also, thermal efficiency was grown. because the increased stroke made the higher compression ratio. In conclusion, electric power and efficiency were improved.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.822-826
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• 2008

A linkage mechanism is a device to convert an input motion into a desired output motion. Traditional linkage mechanism designs are based on trial and error approaches so that size or shape changes of an original mechanism often result in improper results. In order to resolve these problems, an improved automatic mechanism synthesis method that determines the linkage type and dimensions by using an optimization method during the synthesis process has been proposed. For the synthesis, a planar linkage is modeled as a set of rigid blocks connected by zero-length translational springs with variable stiffness. In this study, the sizes of rigid blocks were also treated as design variables for more general linkage synthesis. The values of spring stiffness and the size of rigid block yielding a desired output motion at the end-effecter are found by using an optimization method.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.374-383
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• 2001

A reciprocating compressor unit with variable rotating speed driven by BLDC motor is mounted Inside hermetic chamber on an internal suspension composed of 4 roil springs and a discharge pipe. A method for predicting the dynamic behavior of compressor body is required for a reduction of transmitted vibrations. The mechanical characteristics of spring and discharge pipe stiffness properties have been obtained from experimental tests and mass moment of inertia of the compressor body iron CAD. To confirm the vibration model for the compressor body, free vibration analyses are performed with theoretical and experimental methods. results for analytical investigations on the dynamic behavior of the compressor body and the transmitted forces to the hermetic chamber through the suspension elements are Presented.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.362-367
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• 2001

A reciprocating compressor unit with variable rotating speed driven by BLDC motor is mounted inside hermetic chamber on an internal suspension composed of 4 coil springs and a discharge pipe. A method for predicting the dynamic behavior of compressor frame is required to reduce the transmitted vibration level. Mechanical characteristics such as mass, spring and discharge pipe stiffness properties are obtained with experimentation. To confirm the vibration model for compressor frame, free vibration analyses are performed with theoretical and experimental methods. Results for analytical and experimental investigations on dynamic behavior of the compressor frame are presented, and the agreement between measured and predicted results are satisfactory.