Composite Transducer Research Articles

Fractional-order positive position feedback compensator for active vibration control of a smart composite plate

In this paper, Active Vibration Control (AVC) of a rectangular carbon fibre composite plate with free edges is presented. The plate is subjected to out-of-plane excitation by a modal vibration exciter and controlled by Macro Fibre Composite (MFC) transducers. Vibration measurements are performed by using a Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) system. A fractional-order Positive Position Feedback (PPF) compensator is proposed, implemented and compared to the standard integer-order PPF. MFC actuator and sensor are positioned on the plate based on maximal modal strain criterion, so as to control the second natural mode of the plate. Both integer and fractional-order PPF allowed for the effective control of the second mode of vibration. However, the newly proposed fractional-order controller is found to be more efficient in achieving the same performance with less actuation voltage. Moreover, it shows promising performance in reducing spillover effect due to uncontrolled modes.

Analytic model for ultrasound energy receivers and their optimal electric loads II: Experimental validation

In this paper, we verify the two optimal electric load concepts based on the zero reflection condition and on the power maximization approach for ultrasound energy receivers. We test a high loss 1–3 composite transducer, and find that the measurements agree very well with the predictions of the analytic model for plate transducers that we have developed previously. Additionally, we also confirm that the power maximization and zero reflection loads are very different when the losses in the receiver are high. Finally, we compare the optimal load predictions by the KLM and the analytic models with frequency dependent attenuation to evaluate the influence of the viscosity.

Design, Characterization and Sensitivity Analysis of a Piezoelectric Ceramic/Metal Composite Transducer.

This article presents experimental characterization and numerical simulation techniques used to create large amplitude and high frequency surface waves with the help of a metal/ceramic composite transducer array. Four piezoelectric bimorph transducers are cascaded and operated in a nonlinear regime, creating broad band resonant vibrations. The used metallic plate itself resembles a movable wall which can align perfectly with an airfoil surface. A phase-shifted operation of the actuators results in local displacements that generate a surface wave in the boundary layer for an active turbulence control application. The primary focus of this article is actuator design and a systematic parameter variation experiment which helped optimize its nonlinear dynamics. Finite Element Model (FEM) simulations were performed for different design variants, with a primary focus in particular on the minimization of bending stress seen directly on the piezo elements while achieving the highest possible deflection of the vibrating metallic plate. Large output force and a small yield stress (leading to a relatively small output stoke) are characteristics intrinsic to the stiff piezo-ceramics. Optimized piezo thickness and its spatial distribution on the bending surface resulted in an efficient stress management within the bimorph design. Thus, our proposed resonant transduction array achieved surface vibrations with a maximum peak-to-peak amplitude of 500 m in a frequency range around 1200 Hz.

Structural Tests of Freight Wagons on the Basis of Signals Generated By Piezoelectric Macro Fiber Composites

AbstractPaper presents a report of a research work that concerns possibilities of freight wagons modernization using new composite materials. The main aim of presented work was to verify the possibility of inference from the dynamic response of the wagon about the changes in its technical condition. During the presented works tests on real objects were carried out using Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) piezoelectric transducers glued to the freight wagon’s frame. The dynamical response of the wagon was measured while the object was driving. On the next stage the measured signal was generated on a laboratory stand using electrodynamic modal shaker and vibrations of the laboratory model were measured. Measured signals were juxtaposed on charts and analysed. The aim of this work was to verify if it is possible to detect the change in the system using measurements of vibrations that are being generated during exploitation of the freight wagon.

Transit Time Difference Flowmeter for Intravenous Flow Rate Measurement Using 1–3 Piezoelectric Composite Transducers

The flow rate of injected medication implemented by intravenous (IV) systems must be accurately monitored and meticulously controlled to prevent medical accidents. In this paper, an ultrasonic flowmeter (UF) with 1-3 piezoelectric composite transducers was designed, fabricated, and tested on a variety of flow rates of mimic medical injections. The transducer wedge for the angled beam propagation and an acoustic impedance matching layer were included in the design for transmission enhancement. To ensure an accurate measurement of flow rate, the effect of the flow distributions inside the IV tube was taken into account. The developed UF exhibited the capability of detecting low flow rates (<;0.005 m/s), with 1%-2% discrepancy compared with the reference rate of infusion.

Comparison of vibration damping of standard and PDCPD housing of the electric power steering system

A comparison of two different types of electric power steering system housing is presented. The first considered type of the housing was a standard one that is made of an aluminium alloy. The second one is made of polydicyclopentadiene polymer (PDCPD) and was produced using the RIM technology. Considered elements were analysed in order to verify their properties of vibrations damping. This property is very important taking into account noise generated by elements of a car’s power steering system. During the carried out tests vibrations of analysed power steering housings were measured using Marco Fiber Composite (MFC) piezoelectric transducers. Results obtained for both considered power steering housings in case of the same parameters of vibrations excitations were measured and juxtaposed. Obtained results were analysed in order to verify if the housing made of PDCPD polymer has better properties of vibration damping than the standard one.

A 3D model of new composite ultrasonic transducer

A three-dimensional (3D) model of a high-power ultrasonic, composite, unidirectional transducer is proposed in this paper. The proposed 3D Matlab/Simulink model of the composite transducers predicts the thickness and the radial modes of oscillation as well as their mutual couplings. This longitudinal, prestressed, asymmetrical, piezoelectric transducer, which consists of two active piezoelectric layers, front, back and central oscillating metal mass, is realized. Due to its special structure, the central mass is not bounded using a bolt and performs unidirectional piston motion as compression and expansion occur in cycles keeping the axial dimension of the transducer roughly constant because of mutually opposite polarization of active elements. The electromechanical equivalent circuit of the transducer, representing one-dimensional (1D) model, is derived first and is also presented in this paper, while the resonance frequency equation is obtained analytically. Few composite transducers are designed and manufactured. Their resonance frequencies are measured and compared with the analytically obtained results for a large number of electrical connection combinations. In order to demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of the 1D model, comparison with the results from the 3D model are made. Results show that the measured frequencies are in good correspondence with the analytically obtained from 1D model only for the thickness modes and from the 3D model for the thickness and the radial modes of oscillation and their mutual coupling.

Expand bandwidth of composite transducer via matching layer design

ABSTRACTThe bandwidth of composite transducer was successfully expanded via matching layer design. Firstly, the admittance equation of transducer was deduced through combining the equivalent model of 1–3 piezoelectric composite with the electromechanical equivalent circuit of piezoelectric crystal thickness vibration. Then, the relations between bandwidth and the parameters of matching layer were summarized by the conductance curves. Finally, a composite transducer with matching layer was designed and fabricated. Experimental results show that the bandwidth reaches to 56 kHz and the mechanical quality factor Q drops to 1.8. The results are in agreement with the theoretical calculation.

A Robust Capacitive Digital Read-Out Circuit for a Scalable Tactile Skin

This paper presents a robust, capacitive digital read-out circuit (ROC) for sensitive skin applications in humanoid robots. The ROC can be calibrated to null the parasitic effects of transducer variation due to physical assembly. A prototype is fabricated in a 130 nm RFCMOS process, with an active area of $221\times 79~\mu \text{m}^{2}$ and 1.84 $\mu W$ power consumption at $V_{\mathrm {DD}}=1.2\text{V}$ and 1ms read-out rate. The ROC output is robust to $V_{\mathrm {DD}}$ and temperature variations in a range ${|\Delta V_{\mathrm {DD}}|}\leq 20\%$ and (25–53) °C. Furthermore, it can provide up to 200m $V_{\mathrm {pp}}$ power supply sine wave rejection in the range 50Hz–5MHz at $V_{\mathrm {DD}}=1.1\text{V}$ , for an output standard deviation lower than one LSB. Owing to its features and its digital modularity, the ROC was co-designed with a scalable and modular Multi-Walled Carbon NanoTube (MW-CNT) Nano composite transducer, to achieve tunable output sensitivity by adjusting the sensor nominal capacitance and the reference capacitance. The maximum sensitivity of 5.23 fF per LSB was reached when both match. The ROC was then validated with the MW-CNT nanocomposite sensor which exhibits a piecewise behaviour. 5.3 and 7.1 ENOB were extrapolated in the low-load and medium-load regions, respectively. Besides the major advantage of tunable sensitivity, the presented ROC features the lowest acquisition time and one of the most compact sizes among the state-of-the-art ROCs. Moreover, process voltage and temperature (PVT) robust output and ultra-low power consumption make this solution very attractive to replicate human physiology at robotic-level.

Performance validation of printed strain sensors for active control of intelligent tires

To ensure safety and comfort, the automotive industry employs sensors to monitor the vehicle dynamics, with growing interest in intelligent tires. This paper specifically presents the design and validation of a dynamic load sensor proposed for integration in tires to allow active control of noise inside the cabin of the car. The concept of using tire surface strain measurement is first experimentally investigated using a quarter-car test bench, through coherence evaluation between the vertical force injected at the wheel hub and the out-of-plane velocity field over the lateral surface of the tire, as measured using a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV). The tire sidewall deformations are found to correlate well with vertical road excitations, suggesting that strain measurement on the tires could a useful signal for noise control. Specifications are then established for a sensor to measure strain on the tire, leading to the design and fabrication of a Capacitive Strain Transducer (CST) using printed electrodes on a flexible substrate. A number of CSTs are bonded on the tire and characterized to determine optimal sensor locations. The coherence achieved between the CST measurements and the excitation force is compared with a reference Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) transducer. The CST shows promise for providing the reference signal required in feedforward algorithms for active noise and vibration control inside the car, since it shows good coherence with the force reference signal, but only for relatively large loads.

Generation of cylindrical vector beams and optical vortex by two acoustically induced fiber gratings with orthogonal vibration directions.

Mode coupling from the fundamental vector mode (HE11x) to the cylindrical vector beams (CVBs) and optical vortex beams (OVBs) of a few-mode fiber excited by two acoustic flexural waves with orthogonal perturbations is achieved by using a composite acoustic transducer. The HE11x mode is converted to TM01 and TE01 modes, which have radial and azimuthal polarizations, by using the lowest-order acoustic flexural modes of F11x and F11y, respectively. Furthermore, HE11x mode can also be converted to the ± 1-order OVBs of HE21even±iHE21odd through the combined acoustic modes of F11x±iF11y. This technique provides a useful way of generating CVBs and OVBs in optical fiber with conveniently electrically-controlled mode conversion characteristics.

Development of a 2D analytical model for the prediction of directivity pattern of transducers in the generation of guided wave modes

The guided waves (GW) are extensively used in the nondestructive testing (NDT) and structure health monitoring (SHM) of the large and complex structures. It enables to detect the defects up to few meters away from the transducers. However, the defects could occur at longer distances. In order to cover the test area of interest for the estimation of defects and to find the exact position of the transducers to be glued/ embedded, the directivity pattern of the transducers must be known. The aim of the presented work is to develop the 2D analytical model for the estimation of directivity patterns of the transducers at various frequencies and distances. The model was developed using the Huygens's principle of wave propagation distances with considering the known phase dispersive characteristics of the guided wave modes in the medium. The principle of modelling will work to plot the directivity pattern at any distance, at any excitation frequency and with any configuration and shape of the transducers. In order to demonstrate the model, the directivity patterns of P1-type macro-fiber composite (MFC) transducer in the generation of fundamental Lamb modes and shear horizontal mode at 300 mm from the center of MFC were obtained. The input signal used was 80 kHz, 3 period signal and propagation medium was Al plate of 2 mm thickness. The prediction about the position of where MFC transducer should be placed or glued on the object and selection of proper wave modes in order to estimate the defects in various materials is also discussed. The results were validated using finite element analysis (FEA) performed in ANSYS and further verified by the experimental analysis using low-frequency (LF) ultrasonic measurement system ULTRALAB, developed by Ultrasound Research Institute, Kaunas University of Technology. The proposed analytical model will not only facilitate to decide the position and number of transducers but also leads to choosing the configuration of transducer and wave modes suitable to be used for the inspection of defects.

Study on tangentially polarized composite cylindrical piezoelectric transducer with high electro-mechanical coupling coefficient

In this work, we proposed an effective way to fabricate a tangentially polarized composite cylindrical transducer with high electro-mechanical coupling coefficient (EMCC) by radially connecting an inner tangential polarized piezoelectric tube with an outer metal ring. The resonance frequency and EMCC of the proposed transducer are calculated according to frequency equations, which are obtained from the equivalent circuit of the transducer, and the results indicate that EMCC of the tangentially polarized cylindrical transducer is much higher than that of the cylindrical transducer polarized in radial direction. Furthermore, the Finite Element Method (FEM) model of the transducer is established and used for numerical simulation of the vibration models and the optimum configuration parameters. On the basis of those theoretical results, serials of prototype transducers are manufactured with an inner tangential polarized piezoelectric tube connecting with different outer metal cylindrical shells. The admittance characteristics of the fabricated transducers measured by Impedance Analyzer clearly demonstrate that the resonance frequencies of the transducers are in good agreement with those of simulation results, and the effective EMCC of transducers varies with the material of metal cylindrical shell, in which aluminum metal shell possesses the highest EMCC.

Enhancing the bandwidth of piezoelectric composite transducers for air-coupled non-destructive evaluation

This paper details the development of a novel method for increasing the operational bandwidth of piezocomposites without the need for lossy backing material, the aim being to increase fractional bandwith by geometrical design. Removing the need for lossy backing materials, should in turn increase the transmit efficiency in the desired direction of propagation. Finite element analysis has been employed to determine the mode of operation of the new piezocomposite devices and shows good correlation with that derived experimentally. Through a series of practical and analytical methods it has been shown that additional thickness mode resonances can be introduced into the structure by a simple machining process. The shaped composites described in this paper offer increased operational bandwidth. A simple example of a two step thickness design is described to validate and illustrate the principle. A more complex conical design is presented that illustrates a possible tenfold increase in bandwidth from 30kHz to 300kHz, operating in air without backing. An illustration of the applicability of this type of transducer technology for frequency agile guided mode non-destructive evaluation is then presented.

Underwater parametric array source transducer composed of PZT rods and thin polymer plate with high power efficiency for wideband sound generation

Nowadays 1-3-type PZT composite transducers are widely used for underwater parametric array (PA) sound source since they can generate highly directional acoustic beam with high intensity, which is the requirements for the PA acoustic phenomenon that results from nonlinearity of a medium. Thanks to the relatively small mechanical quality factor of 1-3 PZT composite, the transducer using it can generate high intensity sounds by relatively low input voltage in the relatively wide frequency band around its resonance frequency. The low mechanical quality factor, however, increase the internal mechanical loss inside the transducer. Consequently, the acoustic radiation efficiency may be lower than expected. In this paper, a dual-resonant-frequency PZT rods are integrated into a thinner polymer plate. Then, the radiation surface increases to enhance radiation power efficiency. The PZT rods with two different lengths, are integrated in the process of molding a polymer plate. The fabricated transducer are operated with the out-of-phase driving method for a dual resonance transducer to generate direct sound beam with a wide frequency bandwidth. The sound pressure levels (SPLs) of the primary waves of the first and second resonant frequencies were 197 dB and 203 dB (re = 1μP), respectively, at 9 m. The acoustic radiation efficiencies at 98 kHz and 135 kHz were 50% and 33%, respectively. The DFW generated by the PA had an SPL of 150 dB (re = 1μP @ 30 kHz) and a high directivity of 3.4° half-power beam width.

Long-term fatigue behavior of a cantilever piezoelectric energy harvester

Piezoelectric energy harvesting has attracted extensive research in the advancement of new designs and techniques over the last decade. The cantilever shaped piezoelectric energy harvesting beam is one of the most employed designs, due to its simplicity and flexibility for further performance enhancement. The strain distribution along the cantilever piezoelectric energy harvesting beam is nonuniform, which would induce fatigue damage at the root of the cantilever on the long run. This particular issue has seldom been addressed in the literature. This article presents an experimental investigation on the fatigue behavior of a cantilever piezoelectric energy harvesting beam at different base excitation levels. The experimental study is augmented with analytical formulation to examine the strain levels and with finite element analysis formulation to model the piezoelectric energy harvesting beam with a macro fiber composite piezoelectric transducer. A two-dimensional model is developed based on the three-dimensional model to investigate crack propagation in the piezoelectric energy harvesting beam. Furthermore, the electromechanical impedance technique is employed to monitor the progression of damage in the experimental specimens. The root mean square deviation and relative root mean square deviation of the impedance values and voltage obtained from the macro fiber composite transducer provide a profound introspection into the damage propagation in the piezoelectric energy harvesting beam. This study provides an insight into the behavior of the piezoelectric energy harvesting beam undergoing fatigue loading due to a uniform sinusoidal base excitation by analyzing the output voltage, resonant frequency, tip displacement, tip velocity, and impedance variations. It will pave the way for future studies on the fatigue-based design guides for piezoelectric energy harvesting beams.

Wireless Power Transmission Based on Sandwiched Composite Piezoelectric Transducers in Length Extensional Vibration

A new type of wireless power transmission system is proposed. It is composed of two sandwiched composite piezoelectric transducers in length extensional vibration, which are connected together by an intermediate metal transmission cylinder. When the dielectric and mechanical losses are considered, the resonance/antiresonance frequency equations are obtained. The effect of the mechanical and the dielectric loss, the geometrical dimension and the load electric impedance on the effective electromechanical coupling coefficient, the voltage gain, and the power ratio is analyzed. It is shown that the mechanical and the dielectric losses almost have no effect on the resonance/antiresonance frequency. The geometrical dimension has obvious effect on the resonance/antiresonance frequency, the voltage gain, the effective electromechanical coupling coefficient and the power ratio. Corresponding to definite geometrical dimensions, the effective electromechanical coupling coefficient and the voltage gain have maximum values. There is optimum load electric impedance at which the power ratio reaches the maximum value. Two wireless power transmission systems are designed and manufactured; the resonance/antiresonance frequencies, the voltage gain, and the power ratio are measured. It is shown the measured frequencies are in good agreement with the theoretical results.

Transparent lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramic fibers for high-frequency ultrasonic transducer applications

This paper presents fabrication of transparent lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) fibers using extrusion technique. The diameter of the sintered PLZT fiber is about 400-μm, and the fibers exhibit very good transparency. Measured dielectric constant, remnant polarization and coercive field of PLZT fiber were found to be 2340, 22.5-μC/cm2, and 9.8-kV/cm, respectively. The transparent piezoelectric materials may exhibit great potential for Photoacoustic (PA) imaging and hybrid intravascular imaging combining OCT and ultrasound imaging by using the transparent fiber as the path of light propagation and ultrasonic transducer material. In our study, these transparent PLZT fibers were designed to fabricate two types of high-frequency ultrasonic transducers: small aperture single PLZT fiber/epoxy composite and large aperture 1–3 PLZT fiber/epoxy composite ultrasonic transducers. Besides, a 20-μm tungsten wire phantom and the cornea of the porcine eye were also imaged with the 1–3 PLZT fiber/epoxy composite ultrasonic transducer to demonstrate its imaging capability.

Conception of the system for traffic measurements based on piezoelectric foils

A concept of mechatronic system for traffic measurements based on the piezoelectric transducers used as sensors is presented. The aim of the work project is to theoretically and experimentally analyse the dynamic response of road infrastructure forced by vehicles motion. The subject of the project is therefore on the borderline of civil engineering and mechanical and covers a wide range of issues in both these areas. To measure the dynamic response of the tested pieces of road infrastructure application of piezoelectric, in particular piezoelectric transducers in the form of piezoelectric films (MFC - Macro Fiber Composite) is proposed. The purpose is to verify the possibility to use composite piezoelectric transducers as sensors used in traffic surveillance systems - innovative methods of controlling the road infrastructure and traffic. Presented paper reports works that were done in order to receive the basic information about analysed systems and their behaviour under excitation by passing vehicles. It is very important to verify if such kind of systems can be controlled by the analysis of the dynamic response of road infrastructure measured using piezoelectric transducers. Obtained results show that it could be possible.

An analysis of the possibility of Macro Fiber Composite transducers application in modernized freight wagon

Paper presents an analysis of the possibility of application of piezoelectric foils - Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) in modernized freight wagons. It was verified if they can be successfully applied as sensors in developed system for structural health monitoring and in energy harvesting system. It is a part of a research project that aim is to develop a technology of freight wagons modernization. The goal of the project is to elongate the period between periodic repairs (by better corrosion protection) and improve conditions of exploitation of modernized wagons (easier unloading during winter conditions - no freezes of the charge to the freight wagon body shell). The additional aim is to develop system for structural health monitoring of the modernized body of the freight wagon as well as the system supporting management of a fleet of wagons using GPS system with power supply based on the energy recovered by MFC's from the wagon's vibrations during its exploitation. Results of laboratory tests as well as results of measurements on the real freight wagon during observed driving of the wagon are presented. At the same time measurements of the electric voltage generated by the MFC transducers excited by low frequencies harmonic excitation were verified.