On Flatness-Based Control for Shape-Memory Alloy Actuators

Abstract

Mechanical actuators the operating principle of which is based on the deformation of a shape-memory alloy can create high forces while the overall actuator size is comparably small. Often these kinds of actuators are operated in an on-off mode, only. Nonetheless, a continuous operation is also possible, which is usually controlled using heuristic linear or nonlinear controllers. In this article a flatness-based open-loop control of this kind of actuators is proposed using a simple physically inspired model of the alloy.