Design and Development of SMH Actuator System

SMH 액추에이터 시스템 설계 및 개발

This paper presents the temperature-pressure characteristics of SMH actuator using a peltier module. The simple SMH actuator, consisting of the plated hydrogen-absorbing alloy as a power source, Peltier elements as a heat source and a cylinder with metal bellows a functioning part has been developed. The SMH actuator is characterized by its small size, low weight, noiseless operation and a compliance similar to that of the human body. A new special metal hydride(SMH) actuator that uses the reversible reaction between the heat energy and mechanical energy of a hydrogen absorbing ally. It is well known that hydrogen-absorbing alloys can reversibly absorb and desorb a large amount of hydrogen, more than about 1000 times as their own volume. To improve the thermal conductivity of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy, an electro-less copper plating has been carried out. The effects of the electro-less copper plating and the dynamic characteristics of the SMH actuator have been studied. The hydrogen equilibrium pressure increases and hydrogen is desorbed by heating the hydrogen-absorbing alloys, whereas by cooling the alloys, the hydrogen equilibrium pressure decreases and hydrogen is absorbed. Therefor, the SMH actuator has the characteristic of being light and easy to use and so is suitable for use in medical and rehabilitation applications.