摘要:
A singly or doubly encapsulated actuator/sensor package in which a ceramic actuator/sensor (10) may be first encapsulated in a primary encapsulating material (12) and is encapsulated in a fiber-reinforced composite material (20, 22). A combination of the material and lay-up angles (θ) of the fiber-reinforced composite material (20, 22) are used to control selection of a composite coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the stiffness or compliance of the package with respect to a selected axis. By optimal selection of the material and the lay-up angle, based upon a suitable actuation strength figure of merit, a CTE of zero or a CTE matching that of an underlying structural member (24) is obtained, while simultaneously maximizing the actuation strength in a selected actuation direction. Application of the invention to precision structures permits the underlying structures to be designed with very low stiffness, because precise, thermally stable, pointing or shaping actuation forces may be obtained in a thermally stable manner.