Abstract
In this work, the problem of a curved functionally graded piezoelectric (FGP) actuator with sandwich structure under electrical and thermal loads is investigated. The middle layer in the sandwich structure is functionally graded with the piezoelectric coefficient g31 varying continuously along the radial direction of the curved actuator. Based on the theory of linear piezoelectricity, analytical solutions are obtained by using Airy stress function to examine the effects of material gradient and heat conduction on the performance of the curved actuator. It is found that the material gradient and thermal load have significant influence on the electroelastic fields and the mechanical response of the curved FGP actuator. Without the sacrifice of actuation deflection, smaller internal stresses are generated by using the sandwich actuator with functionally graded piezoelectric layer instead of the conventional bimorph actuator. This work is very helpful for the design and application of curved piezoelectric actuators under thermal environment.
Highlights
Due to their excellent electromechanical coupling, fast response and design flexibility, piezoelectric ceramics have been regarded as promising materials for constructing various devices in micromechanicalMaterials 2011, 4 systems (MEMS), such as ultrasonic micromotors [1], actuators [2], micropumps and microvalves [3,4]and accelerometers [5], etc
functionally graded materials (FGMs) layer is assumed as exponentially graded along the radial direction as shown in Equation (10), and the coefficients of Taylor expansion of g31 can be determined from its values at the boundaries of the FGM layer
The geometry of the curved functionally graded piezoelectric (FGP) actuator with sandwich structure is fixed with R1 = 15.5 mm, R2 = 16.0 mm, R3 = 17.0 mm and R4 = 17.5 mm
Summary
Due to their excellent electromechanical coupling, fast response and design flexibility, piezoelectric ceramics have been regarded as promising materials for constructing various devices in micromechanical. Based on the theory of piezoelectricity, an FGP sandwich cantilever under electrical and thermal loads were studied in [23], in which all material parameters are assumed to vary in the direction of the thickness according to a power law distribution. By using Airy stress function, analytical solutions are derived and numerical results are presented to show the effects of material gradients and thermal loads on the stresses, displacements, electric displacements and electric potential of the curved actuator. These results can demonstrate the advantages of using the sandwiched FGP actuator over the traditional piezoelectric bimorph actuator
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