A piezomotor using longitudinal actuators

A new travelling wave type ultrasonic motor has been developed which uses longitudinal piezoelectric actuators to generate a progressive wave on the surface of a metallic ring. The rotor, which moves through frictional force, is pressed on this elastic plate. This paper deals with the motor construction and its characteristics. Theoretical modelling and experimental performances obtained with the motor prototypes are reported. A maximum of 0.8 Nm and a no-load rotation speed of 120 rpm have been obtained with a double rotor prototype. The results indicate that this piezomotor is proved to operate successfully at a mechanical output power of 4 W.