Magneto-Superelastic Analysis of Shape Memory Alloy Helical Spring Actuators Controlled by Magnetic Force

Abstract

A method of coupled magneto-superelastic analysis by the sequential approach is proposed for shape memory alloy (SMA) helical spring actuators controlled by magnetic force. The commercial finite element software ANSYS/Emag is used for the magnetic field analysis, while the one-dimensional finite element program developed by the authors is used for the analysis of superelastic behaviors of SMA helical springs. The validity of the proposed method is verified by applying the method to the analysis of actuator models utilizing SMA composite or ferromagnetic SMA helical springs and comparing the calculated results with the experimental results.