Optimization of a new type of ultrasonic linear motor

This paper presents the design, the properties, and the optimization study of a new type of ultrasonic linear motor. Numerical modeling has been carried out and simulations with software have been realized. To avoid performing a large number of simulations, sensitivity analysis has been carried out, in particular using design of experiments. The Doehlert method has been chosen in our study. The results found show that this preoptimization stage allows one to improve the deformation amplitude and to reduce the input parameter variation ranges. Finite element (FE) optimization is then carried out, and results show that the motion amplitudes can be increased compared to the initial design of the motor. Some experiments on prototypes show that the travel range of the motor has been increased while decreasing the applied voltage by a factor of 2.