HADEC - High-Response Artificial Muscle Actuator Using Dimethyl Ether Combustion
Kengo Mori, Koya Tsurumi, Ryunosuke Sawahashi, Ryuto Enjo, Taro Nakamura, Manabu Okui
AI summary
Problem
Conventional pneumatic artificial muscles suffer from slow response delays due to fluid compressibility, while other artificial muscles lack sufficient force output or require complex mechanical components.
Approach
The authors developed HADEC, a McKibben-type artificial muscle filled with a combustible dimethyl ether and air mixture that generates rapid internal pressure upon ignition to drive contraction without latches or brakes.
Key results
- Achieved ~1–2 ms dead time and peak response under 50 ms
- Generated contraction forces and displacements closely matching theoretical combustion models
- Demonstrated stable repeated actuation up to 10 Hz with continuous gas flow
- Validated low-cost, simple construction requiring only ~5 mg of fuel per cycle
Why it matters
Provides a simple, low-cost pathway to achieve biological-muscle-like responsiveness and high force in soft robotic systems.
Abstract
This paper introduces a high-response artificial muscle actuator using dimethyl ether combustion (HADEC), which is a novel method to enhance the responsiveness and force output of pneumatic actuators. The HADEC system integrates a McKibben-type artificial muscle filled with a combustible mixture of dimethyl ether (DME) and air, and it is ignited to generate rapid fluid pressure through combustion. This approach achieves force, displacement, and response speeds comparable to those of biological muscles while maintaining the simplicity and low-cost structure of McKibben-type actuators. The system provides instantaneous force generation without the need for complex mechanisms such as latches or brakes. DME, which is an environment- friendly fuel, ensures minimal emissions. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of HADEC in improving responsiveness, and the findings suggest superior force generation, faster response times, and high- frequency operability compared to that of conventional pneumatic actuators. Further, the paper discusses the potential for repeated actuation and highlights the benefits of HADEC in various robotic applications that require rapid and significant force.