Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to present a new device (thermoelastic actuator) for accurate control of position whose principle is based on thermal dilatation of its working unit brought about by induction heating. Design/methodology/approach -The device must satisfy the prescribed operation parameters (mainly the above thermal dilatation). The task to find them is a multiply coupled problem (interaction of electromagnetic field, temperature field and field of thermoelastic displacements) that is solved by the finite element method supplemented with a number of other procedures. Findings -The control of position based on the described thermoelastic effect is very accurate and ranges from 1 £ 10 2 6 to 1 £ 10 2 3 m. Research limitations/implications -The device also contains two self-locking friction clutches of conical shapes whose purpose is to fix the position of the plunger in the prescribed position. Further attention should be paid to their dynamic behaviour during the process of fixing. Practical implications -The device can be used in various technical domains such as optics and laser or microscope techniques. Originality/value -The principal part of the device contains no movable element, which is a substantial advantage in comparison to other systems based on mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic principles working with movable elements or media.

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A novel possibility of accurate control of position is proposed, based on the thermoelastic effect. The paper presents the relevant device together with the complete mathematical model and methodology of its numerical solution. The theoretical analysis is supplemented with the investigation of the basic operation characteristics of the device.

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