Guided Wave Experimentation Using CLoVER Transducer for Structural Health Monitoring

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76590/1/AIAA-2008-1970-977.pd

A comparison of two configurations for a dual-resonance cymbal transducer

The ability to design tuned ultrasonic devices that can be operated in the same mode at two different frequencies has the potential to benefit a range of applications, such as surgical cutting procedures where the penetration through soft then hard tissues could be enhanced by switching the operating frequency. The cymbal transducer has recently been adapted to form a prototype ultrasonic surgical cutting device that operates at a single frequency. In this paper, two different methods of configuring a dual-resonance cymbal transducer are detailed. The first approach relies on transducer fabrication using different metals for the two end-caps, thereby forming a dual-resonance transducer. The second employs transducer end-caps composed from a shape memory alloy, superelastic Nitinol. The resonance frequency of the Nitinol transducer depends on the phase microstructure of the material, switchable through the temperature and/or stress dependency of the Nitinol end-caps. The vibration response of each transducer is measured through electrical impedance measurements and laser Doppler vibrometry, and finite element analysis is used to show the sensitivity of transducer modal response to the fabrication processes. Through this research, two viable dual-resonance cymbal transducers are designed and characterised, and compared to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of the two different approaches

Modelización del estator de un motor piezoeléctrico de onda viajera: una revision integrada y nueva perspectiva

[EN] Articles from different areas which are closely related to the modelling of the stator of travelling wave ultrasonic motors (TWUMs) are reviewed in this work. Thus, important issues relevant to this problem are identified from the areas of vibration of annular plates, laminated plate theories, and modelling of piezoelectric transducers. From this integrated point of view, it becomes clear that there are some very important issues yet to be addressed in the modelling of TWUMs. Firstly, the influence of material properties and stator dimensions on output efficiency, electromechanical coupling coefficients (EMCC) and maximum output energy is to be investigated in more detail. Secondly, the modelling of the electric potential field (by explicitly including the charge equation) for TWUMs seems to be a must for better prediction of displacements and electric fields close to the resonance, as suggested by some recent works [1]. Moreover, the improvement of current models by using shear deformation (or higher order) laminated plate theories (LPTs) in conjunction with approximated methods of solution are discussed. In addition to analytical models, those works using Finite Element and Finite difference Methods (FEM and FDM) for the modelling and simulation of the TWUM stator dynamics are reviewed.[ES] En este trabajo se realiza una revisión de los trabajos de investigación realizados en diversas áreas sobre el modelado del estátor de los motores ultrasónicos de onda viajera (TWUMs). Entre los problemas relevantes que se han estudiado podemos citar la vibración de placas anulares, las teorías de placas laminadas y el modelado de transductores piezoeléctricos. A raíz de este punto de vista integral se hace manifiesto que todavía quedan asuntos importantes que estudiar en el modelado de los TWUMs. En primer lugar, la influencia de las propiedades del material y las dimensiones del estátor en la eficiencia del motor, los coeficientes de acoplamiento electromecánico (EMCC) y la máxima energía entregada deberían ser estudiados más detenidamente. En segundo lugar, el modelado de la distribución del campo eléctrico en los TWUMs (incluyendo la ecuación de carga explícitamente) parece imprescindible para lograr una predicción mejor del desplazamiento y del campo eléctrico cerca de la resonancia, como se ha apuntado en referencias actuales [1]. Además, se discute las mejoras que incorporaría a los modelos existentes en la actualidad la inclusión de las teorías de placas laminadas (LPTs) con deformaciones de corte (o de orden superior), resueltas mediante métodos aproximados. Como complemento a los modelos analíticos, se realiza asimismo una revisión de las técnicas de elementos finitos (FEM) y diferencias finitas (FDM) empleadas en la simulación de la dinámica del estátor de los motores TWUM.The authors are thankful for the support from the National Science and Research Office (Senacyt), the Institute for Human Resource Development and Proficiency (IFARHU), both of Panama, and the European Union for its support through grant DE-4205.Peer reviewe

A high-performance electromagnetic vibration energy harvester based on ring magnets with Halbach configuration

This paper proposes and studies a ring-shaped architecture with Halbach configuration for electromagnetic vibration energy harvesters. The proposed transducer consists of three ring magnets with a linear Halbach array that concentrates its magnetic field in the inner space of the mechanism where a single vertically-centered concentric coil has been located. This particular structure allows to increase the resonant mass within a fixed dimensions of the transducer and reduces the coil resistance for the same number of turns, enhancing its power generation capabilities. The ring-shaped architecture has been compared with several ring magnet arrangements, including single magnets, double-magnet arrays, and an alternative linear Halbach array, using numerical simulations to determine their influence on its performance. Consequently, this work is the first contribution to the applicability of Halbach configurations for electromagnetic vibration energy harvesters within ring-shaped architectures. Also, a geometrical optimization of the proposed transducer has been conducted, mainly as a function of the inner radius, the height, and the wire diameter of the coil, to increase its power generation. The maximum simulated output power for the optimized generator reaches 3.61 mW for an input harmonic vibration of 0.03 g at a frequency of 61.7 Hz, corresponding to a 29.08 mW/cm 3 g 2 normalized power density performance, significantly higher than devices described in the literature for similar applications. Besides, a harvester prototype based on the proposed configuration has been fabricated to validate the modeling strategy used and to certify the reliability of the proposed design regarding power generation capabilities. Several experimental tests have been conducted under harmonic excitation with frequencies ranging between 10 Hz and 100 Hz and a vibration amplitude of 0.03 g. The experimentally measured induced voltage and electrical output power have been found in good agreement with their corresponding simulated values, with a difference of about 2.1% and 5%, respectivelyPostprint (published version

Guided wave excitation by a CLoVER transducer for structural health monitoring: theory and experiments

The guided wave (GW) field excited by a wedge-shaped, anisotropic piezocomposite transducer, surface-bonded on an isotropic substrate is investigated with applications to large area structural health monitoring. This investigation supports the development of the composite long-range variable-direction emitting radar (CLoVER) transducer. The analysis is based on the three-dimensional equations of elasticity, and the solution yields expressions for the field variables that are able to capture the multimodal nature of GWs. The assumption of uncoupled dynamics between the actuator and substrate is used, and their interaction is modeled through shear tractions along the transducer's radial edges. A similar problem is modeled using three-dimensional finite element simulations to assess the spatial and transient accuracy of the solution. Experimental tests are also conducted on pristine structures to validate the accuracy of the theoretical approach. The experimental studies employ CLoVER transducers developed in-house, and their manufacturing procedure is briefly described. Frequency response experiments based on piezoelectric sensors are conducted to assess the performance of the solution in the frequency domain. These tests are complemented by laser vibrometer measurements that allow the spatial and temporal evolution of the solution to be evaluated. The numerical simulations and experimental tests show that the wave time of arrival, radial attenuation, and azimuthal distribution are well captured by the theoretical solution.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65106/2/sms9_7_075005.pd

A Piezoelectric Minirheometer for Measuring the Viscosity of Polymer Microsamples

This paper describes the electromechanical design, operating principles and performance of a rheometer able to characterize the rheological behavior of microsamples of viscoelastic materials, such as polymer solutions, melt, and rubbers. It was developed with a view to portability, robustness, and ease of operation for very small samples. The rheometer operates by subjecting the samples to small-amplitude sinusoidal strain rates via an inverse piezoelectric actuator and detecting the stress response of the material via a direct piezoelectric sensor. The device operates under frequency-sweep mode in a very wide range of frequencies. Required sample sizes are typically three orders of magnitude smaller than for conventional rheometers. Owing to its lack of moving parts, the rheometer has an extremely simple design and is insensitive to vibration. Measurements on pressure-sensitive adhesives and other polymeric systems are presented and validated against a standard cone-and-plate rheometer

Design of Piezoelectric Transformers for Power Converters by Means of Analytical and Numerical Methods

Piezoelectric transformers (PTs) provide several advantages compared to magnetic components, which are higher power density, lower radiated noise, and higher voltage isolation capability. PT must be properly designed to benefit the power converter with the aforementioned advantages. Analytical models are widely used for PT design in order to validate it before constructing the prototype. In this paper, the additional usefulness of finite element analysis (FEA) for PT design is shown. With FEA, it is possible to optimize the PT design not only by maximizing the energy transference but also by cleaning the working frequency range of spurious modes (geometrical 2D/3D effects). Moreover, FEA tools allow the study of other main aspects of the PT design such as manufacturing tolerances or the influence of the fixing layer on PT performance (which is a critical design point). A method for modeling and designing PTs is proposed, combining analytical 1D models and FEA results. The proposed method is validated with measurements of a PT design for a 10-W ac/dc converter prototype for mobile phone battery charger