Transient Electro-Mechanics of Piezoelectric Actuator-Driven Active Mechanical Systems

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical model to determine the transient electro-mechanical response of active structures driven by piezoelectric (PZT) actuators. The solution is expressed in terms of actuator and structural mechanical impedances, which are the steady state frequency domain dynamic properties and can be characterized theoretically or experimentally. Theoretical case studies have also been presented using a simple example of a PZT actuator-driven one-degree-of-freedom spring-mass-damper system. The solution of the transient response includes the transient electrical current passing through the PZT actuator and the mechanical response of the system (displacement and force). The solution technique may also be applied to active structures driven by other types of induced strain actuators, including electrostrictive and magnetostrictive actuators.