Piezoelectric materials have long been used for active flow control purposes in aerospace applications to increase the
effectiveness of aerodynamic surfaces on aircraft, wind turbines, and more. Piezoelectric actuators are an appropriate
choice due to their low mass, small dimensions, simplistic design, and frequency response. This investigation involves
the development of piezoceramic-based actuators with two bimorphs placed in series. Here, the main desired
characteristic was the achievable displacement amplitude at specific driving voltages and frequencies. A parametric
study was performed, in which actuators with varying dimensions were fabricated and tested. These devices were
actuated with a sinusoidal waveform, resulting in an oscillating platform on which to mount active flow control devices,
such as dynamic vortex generators. The main quantification method consisted of driving these devices with different
voltages and frequencies to determine their free displacement, blocking force, and frequency response. It was found that
resonance frequency increased with shorter and thicker actuators, while free displacement increased with longer and
thinner actuators. Integration of the devices into active flow control test modules is noted. In addition to physical testing,
a quasi-static analytical model was developed and compared with experimental data, which showed close correlation for
both free displacement and blocking force.
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