title: A one-stage, high-load capacity separation actuator using anti-friction rollers and redundant shape memory alloy wires.
abstract: This paper proposes a SMA (shape memory alloy) wire-based separation actuator with high-load capacity and simple structure. The novel actuator is based on a one-stage locking mechanism, which means that the separation is directly driven by the SMA wire. To release a large preload, a group of anti-friction rollers are adopted to reduce the force for triggering. In addition, two SMA wires are used redundantly to ensure a high reliability. After separation, the actuator can be reset automatically without any auxiliary tool or manual operation. Three prototypes of the separation actuator are fabricated and tested. According to the performance test results, the actuator can release a maximum preload of 40 kN. The separation time tends to decrease as the operation current increases and it can be as short as 0.5 s under a 7.5 A (the voltage is 5.8 V) current. Lifetime test indicates that the actuator has a lifetime of more than 50 cycles. The environmental tests demonstrate that the actuator can endure the typical thermal and vibration environment tests without unexpected separation or structure damage, and separate normally after these environment tests.
authors.affiliation: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiaojun
authors.affiliation: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
authors.forename: Huang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dawei
authors.affiliation: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xiaoyong
authors.affiliation: China Academy of Space Technology, Youyi Road, Beijing 100094, China.
authors.forename: Liu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.affiliation: China Academy of Space Technology, Youyi Road, Beijing 100094, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qiaolong