Title:  Improved Control Strategy of a Piezoelectrically Actuated Fast Mechanical Switch for Hybrid Circuit Breakers

Committee: 

Dr. Graber, Advisor       

Dr. Grijalva, Chair

Dr. Saeedifard

Abstract:

The objective of the proposed research is to develop an advanced control strategy for piezoelectrically actuated fast mechanical switches that yields optimal switching performances to satisfy the requirements for sequential tripping in hybrid circuit breakers. The innovations in the proposed work include the control algorithm with a feedback controller and hysteresis operators, the self-sensing techniques based on charges or capacitances of piezoelectric actuators, and the construction of piezoelectric drivers that are controllable and highly power dense. The control goals of this research include travel curve control, contact force control and actuation efficiency optimization. The control strategy will be robust under influences of both mechanical tolerances and external pressures. It is expected that this improved control strategy will enable a new generation of piezoelectrically actuated fast mechanical switches to perform more delicate operations that enhance the capabilities of overall hybrid circuit breakers.