Power Electronics Concepts for Driving EAP Actuators

Compared to single layer electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators, stack actuators exhibit advantageous properties such as large displacements at acceptably low operating voltages. Therefore, EAP stack actuators seem to be a promising option for the successful use in commercial applications. For an energy-efficient operation of EAP stack actuators or EAP actuators in general an adequate power electronics with high voltage capability is indispensable. Depending on the specific application, the use of different converter topologies combined with suitable control concepts has to be considered. In this contribution different possible converter concepts for driving EAP stack actuators are presented. For each fundamental converter concept, different converter topologies are proposed. A flyback converter combined with an active discharging circuit is analyzed in detail and suitable control designs are developed. Finally, simulation and experimental results of the prototype flyback converter are presented.