Nonlinear electro-elastic dynamics of a hub–cantilever bimorph rotor structure

Abstract

Dynamics of a rotating mini hub–bimorph structure excited by periodic torque supplied to the hub is studied in this paper. The mathematical model of the system is formulated by means of the extended Hamilton’s principle. In the analysis the nonlinear constitutive behaviour of the piezoceramic material is adopted based on experimental results published in literature. Moreover, nonlinear inertia effects related to the system rotation are taken into account. The derived system of three integro-partial differential equations represents the electro-mechanical behaviour of the beam (transverse displacement and transducer output voltage) and the hub rotation coordinate. The state equations are discretized and solved numerically around the first resonance zone for the system excited by a periodic torque supplied to the hub. The obtained response curves reveal strong softening behaviour with additional unstable solutions identified out of the resonance zones. Within the framework of the performed numerical simulations the impact of torque excitation amplitude, torque mean value, hub inertia and electrical load resistance on system behaviour is discussed. Finally, the responses of the system with parallel vs series connected transducers are compared.