Piezoelectric transducer parameter selection for exciting a single mode from multiple modes of Lamb waves

Excitation and propagation of Lamb waves by using rectangular and circular piezoelectric transducers surface-bonded to an isotropic plate are investigated in this work. Analytical stain wave solutions are derived for the two transducer shapes, giving the responses of these transducers in Lamb wave fields. The analytical study is supported by a numerical simulation using the finite element method. Symmetric and antisymmetric components in the wave propagation responses are inspected in detail with respect to test parameters such as the transducer geometry, the length and the excitation frequency. By placing only one piezoelectric transducer on the top or the bottom surface of the plate and weakening the strength of one mode while enhancing the strength of the other modes to find the centre frequency, with which the peak wave amplitude ratio between the S0 and A0 modes is maximum, a single mode excitation from the multiple modes of the Lamb waves can be achieved approximately. Experimental data are presented to show the validity of the analyses. The results are used to optimize the Lamb wave detection system.     

Design of optimal configuration for generating A0 Lamb mode in a composite plate using piezoceramic transducers

This work concerned a technique for a health monitoring system based on the generation and sensing of Lamb waves in composite structures by thin surface-bonded piezoceramic transducers. The objective was to develop transducers that are adapted for the damage detection in orthotropic composites. The key problem with the investigated Lamb waves was to select a mode to be sensitive to the damage. A hybrid modeling technique was therefore used to conceive transducers that were adapted to achieve such a feature. This modeling technique enabled studying the influence of the transducer characteristics on the Lamb waves propagating in orthotropic plates. It was demonstrated that a Lamb mode could be generated dominantly to other modes by using a multi-element transducer. The effectiveness of this technique was successfully verified experimentally on composite plates. It was shown that the dominant Lamb mode, obtained by use of dual-element transducers, was an appropriate mode for successfully detecting a damage in composites.     

Modeling of integrated Lamb waves generation systems using a coupled finite element-normal modes expansion method

As part of the research work on Smart Materials and Structures, the development of self-monitoring materials is an emerging issue. In the case of plate-shaped structures, Lamb waves can be used for their relevant properties: long-range propagation, sensitivity to internal flaws and whole-thickness interrogation. This concept requires the use of thin piezoelectric transducers integrated to the structure. Since it is of primary importance to be able to control the generated modes, a suitable modeling technique of this kind of system has been tested on different cases of practical interest. The model uses a coupled finite element-normal modes expansion approach, which allows one to consider either the case of bonded or embedded transducers. The results presented deal with examples of multi-element transducers integrated to composite materials. The influence of parameters such as the dimensions, positions and relative excitation delays of the transducers is studied.     

Beam profile measurements and simulations for ultrasonic transducers operating in air

This paper outlines a method that has been implemented to predict and measure the acoustic radiation generated by ultrasonic transducers operating into air in continuous wave mode. Commencing with both arbitrary surface displacement data and radiating aperture, the transmitted pressure beam profile is obtained and includes simulation of propagation channel attenuation and where necessary, the directional response of any ultrasonic receiver. The surface displacement data may be derived directly, from laser measurement of the vibrating surface, or indirectly, from finite element modeling of the transducer configuration. To validate the approach and to provide experimental measurement of transducer beam profiles, a vibration-free, draft-proof scanning system that has been installed within an environmentally controlled laboratory is described. A comparison of experimental and simulated results for piezoelectric composite, piezoelectric polymer, and electrostatic transducers is then presented to demonstrate some quite different airborne ultrasonic beam-profile characteristics. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained. The results are compared with those expected from a classical aperture diffraction approach and the reasons for any significant differences are explained.     

Modeling of functionally graded piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers

The application of functionally graded material (FGM) concept to piezoelectric transducers allows the design of composite transducers without interfaces, due to the continuous change of property values. Thus, large improvements can be achieved, as reduction of stress concentration, increasing of bonding strength, and bandwidth. This work proposes to design and to model FGM piezoelectric transducers and to compare their performance with non-FGM ones. Analytical and finite element (FE) modeling of FGM piezoelectric transducers radiating a plane pressure wave in fluid medium are developed and their results are compared. The ANSYS software is used for the FE modeling. The analytical model is based on FGM-equivalent acoustic transmission-line model, which is implemented using MATLAB software. Two cases are considered: (i) the transducer emits a pressure wave in water and it is composed of a graded piezoceramic disk, and backing and matching layers made of homogeneous materials; (ii) the transducer has no backing and matching layer; in this case, no external load is simulated. Time and frequency pressure responses are obtained through a transient analysis. The material properties are graded along thickness direction. Linear and exponential gradation functions are implemented to illustrate the influence of gradation on the transducer pressure response, electrical impedance, and resonance frequencies.     

复合圆环弯曲振动四极子模态分析

针对压电圆环弯曲振动机电转换性能较差的问题,提出了一种复合圆环弯曲振动换能器,它由一个径向极化的压电陶瓷内圆环和一个金属外圆环复合而成。基于能量原理推导得到了复合圆环弯曲振动的谐振频率和有效机电耦合系数,探讨了弯曲振动四极子模态特性与其结构尺寸间的关系。当压电圆环尺寸不变时,随外侧金属圆环壁厚增加,复合圆环弯曲振动四极子模态谐振频率上升,有效机电耦合系数迅速上升到极大值后缓慢下降。最后,设计制作了圆环换能器并对其谐振频率和有效机电耦合系数进行了实验测试,测试结果与解析结果和数值模拟结果吻合得较好。      

一种高灵敏压电平面水声换能器

设计并制作了一种高灵敏压电平面水声换能器。该换能器敏感元件是对1-3-2型压电复合材料结构的改进,即在带基底的压电陶瓷小柱阵列间不注入聚合物,并在其上表面直接覆盖金属板,构成“带基底的压电小柱阵列+金属盖板”结构敏感元件(称为“空气填充型”敏感元件)。对“空气填充型”敏感元件的谐振频率进行了理论计算和有限元仿真,与实测结果较吻合。为便于对比性能,同时制作了同尺寸“1-3-2型压电复合材料+金属盖板”结构敏感元件(称为“聚合物填充型”敏感元件)换能器。分别对“空气填充型”和“聚合物填充型”敏感元件换能器的有效机电耦合系数、发送电压响应和接收灵敏度进行有限元仿真和实测,结果均显示,“空气填充型”敏感元件换能器具有较高的接收灵敏度,相较于“聚合物填充型”敏感元件换能器可提高21 dB。该敏感元件换能器能有效提高灵敏度,可为研制高灵敏换能器提供参考。      

PVDF梳状换能器接收非线性兰姆波的实验研究*

该文基于PVDF压电薄膜对梳状换能器进行设计制作,并将该换能器应用于接收非线性兰姆波信号实验研究。首先通过输出矢量和方法分析PVDF梳状换能器的工作特性,然后将设计制作的PVDF梳状换能器应用于铝板中非线性兰姆波信号的接收,并与传统压电陶瓷换能器经斜劈接收的非线性兰姆波信号进行比较分析。实验结果表明,两种换能器所接收到的信号幅值随传播距离的变化趋势相近,线性增长的积累效应表征结果相似,且PVDF梳状换能器可以对基波和二次谐波信号同时响应。除此之外,PVDF梳状换能器用于接收非线性兰姆波信号更加稳定。因此,PVDF梳状换能器有望应用于复杂构件的在线检测与监测研究。     

Identification of the piezoelectric material coefficients using the finite element method with an asymptotic waveform evaluation

A rapid identification of the piezoelectric material constants for a piezoelectric transducer is proposed. The validity of a three-dimensional finite element routine was confirmed experimentally. The asymptotic waveform evaluation (AWE) was adopted for a fast frequency sweep of the finite element analysis. The three-dimensional finite element method with an AWE and a design sensitivity method was used for a material inversion scheme of piezoelectric transducers. In order to confirm the inversion routine of the material constants, the mechanical displacements, which mean the mode shape, were calculated along the vertical and lateral position of the sample transducer.     

Elastic guided wave propagation in a periodic array of multi-layered piezoelectric plates with finite cross-sections

In this study, we present a model study of guided wave dispersion and resonance behavior of an array of piezoelectric plates with arbitrary cross-sections. The objective of this work is to analyze the influence of the geometry of an element of a 1D-array ultrasound transducer on generating multi-resonance frequency so as to increase the frequency bandwidth of the transducers. A semi-analytical finite-element (SAFE) method is used to model guided wave propagation in multi-layered 1D-array ultrasound transducers. Each element of the array is composed of LiNbO₃ piezoelectric material with rectangular or subdiced cross-section. Four-node bilinear finite-elements have been used to discretize the cross-section of the transducer. Dispersion curves showing the dependence of phase and group velocities on the frequency, and mode shapes of propagating modes were obtained for different geometry consurations. A parametric analysis was carried out to determine the effect of the aspect ratio, subdicing, inversion layer and matching layers on the vibrational behavior of 1D-array ultrasound transducers. It was found that the geometry with subdiced cross-section causes more vibration modes compared with the rectangular section. Modal analysis showed that the additional modes correspond to lateral modes of the piezoelectric subdiced section. In addition, some modes have strong normal displacements, which may influence the bandwidth and the pressure field in front of the transducer. In addition, the dispersion curves reveal strong coupling between waveguide modes due to the anisotropy of the piezoelectric crystal. The effect of the matching layers was to cluster extensional and flexural modes within a certain frequency range. Finally, inversion layer is found to have a minor effect on the dispersion curves. This analysis may provide a means to analyze and understand the dynamic response of 1D-array ultrasound transducers.     

Identification of the piezoelectric material coefficients using the finite element method with an asymptotic waveform evaluation

A rapid identification of the piezoelectric material constants for a piezoelectric transducer is proposed. The validity of a three-dimensional finite element routine was confirmed experimentally. The asymptotic waveform evaluation (AWE) was adopted for a fast frequency sweep of the finite element analysis. The three-dimensional finite element method with an AWE and a design sensitivity method was used for a material inversion scheme of piezoelectric transducers. In order to confirm the inversion routine of the material constants, the mechanical displacements, which mean the mode shape, were calculated along the vertical and lateral position of the sample transducer.     

压电陶瓷复合换能器固有频率的有限差分法*

为丰富换能器固有频率的研究理论,以及提供一种新的计算方法供工程人员选择,提出了计算其固有频率的有限差分法。以由径向极化的压电陶瓷圆管与金属预应力管沿径向复合而成的二元压电陶瓷复合换能器为例,建立并推导了其向振动的数学模型及其有限差分形式,给出了换能器径向振动的特征方程。利用MTALAB对计算实例的径向振动的固有频率进行编程计算,理论计算结果与已有实验结果符合很好,验证了有限差分法计算压电陶瓷复合换能器固有频率的可行性及准确性。通过仿真计算,给出了换能器径向振动固有频率与其结构尺寸的影响关系：换能器径向振动的固有频率随压电陶瓷圆管内径的增大而降低,随换能器壁厚比的增大而降低。该文所建立的换能器径向振动固有频率的有限差分法同样适用于结构形式相近的换能器及其他元器件。     

Design and modeling of inversion layer ultrasonic transducers using LiNbO3 single crystal

Using inversion domain engineering controlled by heating temperature, the LiNbO(3) (LNO) piezoelectric plate with both odd and even-order thickness-extensional modes can be excited simultaneously. Therefore, the inversion layer ultrasound transducer is expected to be capable of operating over a wider frequency range. In this paper, the electrical impedance and the acoustic characteristics of LiNbO(3) (LNO) inversion layer transducer have been studied by finite element modeling (FEM). The transducer designed for this study uses a 36 degrees rotated Y-cut LiNbO(3) thin plate with an active element thickness of approximately 100 microm. First the electrical and elastic properties of the 36 degrees rotated Y-cut LNO were obtained by transforming a basic piezoelectric matrix for Z-cut LNO. In order to validate the FEM using the transformed properties several pieces of pure and 50% inversion layer LNO were tested on the electrical impedance analyzer. The modeled impedance characteristics were consistent with the measured data. Next the model was used to design 50-60 MHz transducers using pure and 30% inversion LNO. Two lambda/4 matching layers and a Tungsten loaded epoxy backing were used in these designs. The modeled results show that an over 90% bandwidth transducer can be made with proper matching and 30% inversion layer.     

Conventional electromagnetic acoustic transducer development for optimum Lamb wave modes

Lamb waves are normally utilized for inspecting thin metal sheets. Wheel type probes using piezoelectric oscillators have generally been used as the sensors for Lamb waves. Recently, the electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) has been developed and is beginning to be used as a Lamb wave detector. We have developed a useful type of transducer for Lamb waves. The new EMAT consists of a meander coil with a narrow distance of 2.5 mm and has a symmetrical structure in the vertical direction for both surface sides. The new EMAT can generate Lamb waves with variable wavelengths corresponding to the frequency range from approximately 300 kHz to 2.5 MHz and multiple modes, and can also generate selected symmetrical and anti-symmetrical mode Lamb waves. It is demonstrated that the optimum Lamb wave mode could be produced by the appropriate positioning of the EMATs and controlling the phase (same or inversed) of the electrical signal driving the device. The described EMAT can be used to examine steel (or other material) sheets of different thickness. It is also shown that the S0 (0.3 MHz) mode Lamb wave is the most effective for the deepest (up to 6 mm) penetration.     

1-3 piezoelectric composite transducers for swept-frequency calibration of hydrophones from 100 kHz to 2 MHz

Rapid calibration of hydrophones used in biomedical ultrasound is possible with swept frequency techniques such as time delay spectrometry. However, calibrations below 2 MHz largely have been neglected because of insufficient transmitting transducer bandwidth, even though important medical applications operate in this range. To address this deficiency, several transmitting transducer designs were developed and tested, and two 1-3 piezoelectric composite designs were found to have the requisite bandwidth and uniformity of response. In one the element has a plane front face and spherically concave back face (plano-concave), and in the second both faces are concave, but with different radii of curvature (biconcave). The nonuniform thickness disperses the thickness resonance, and the composite structure suppresses radial-mode resonances. Also, the composite's lower acoustic impedance provides a more efficient match to water. The piezoelectric composite transducers were found to have transmitting pressure sensitivities superior to ceramic single-element and segmented designs having similar dimensions, and their responses were significantly more uniform (< 25 dB variation from 0.1-2 MHz, with < 1 dB fine structure variation), likely due to decreased contributions from radial modes.     

夹心式压电超声换能器串并联传输矩阵设计法

将压电环片等效为一有源六端网络,考虑预应力螺栓对系统建模的影响,并将其等效为一机械四端网络,基于串并联传输矩阵法,建立了Langevin换能器的总体网络模型,导出其总传输矩阵,进而推算出换能器的共振频率。结果显示该方法比普遍采用的Langevin换能器传输矩阵设计法有更高的参量计算精度。此方法也为分析换能器其它电学参数提供了方便。     

双椭圆壳串联宽带弯张换能器

提出一种利用多模态耦合的低频、宽带、大功率的新型弯张换能器,其结构上将两椭圆的Ⅳ型弯张壳体沿长轴方向串联为一体,两组长压电陶瓷堆贯穿其中驱动。利用有限元软件设计并制作一款此新型换能器的样机,其工作频带通过耦合壳体前三阶弯曲模态及压电陶瓷堆纵振模态与壳体膜模态的复合模态展宽。经测试在1.4~6.0 kHz范围内,样机的发射电压响应大于128.5dB,声源级大于190dB。结果表明,此弯张换能器与只利用一阶弯曲模态的Ⅳ型弯张换能器相比不仅有更宽的工作带宽,还满足低频和大功率的声辐射要求。      

Focusing and waveguiding of Lamb waves in micro-fabricated piezoelectric phononic plates

This paper presents results on the numerical and experimental studies of focusing and waveguiding of the lowest anti-symmetric Lamb wave in micro-fabricated piezoelectric phononic plates. The phononic structure was based on an AT-cut quartz plate and consisted of a gradient-index phononic crystal (GRIN PC) lens and a linear phononic plate waveguide. The band structures of the square-latticed AT-cut quartz phononic crystal plates with different filling ratios were analyzed using the finite element method. The design of a GRIN PC plate lens which is attached with a linear phononic plate waveguide is proposed. In designing the waveguide, propagation modes in square-latticed PC plates with different waveguide widths were studied and the results were served for the experimental design. In the micro-fabrication, deep reactive ion etching (Deep-RIE) process with a laboratory-made etcher was utilized to fabricate both the GRIN PC plate lens and the linear phononic waveguide on an 80 μm thick AT-cut quartz plate. Interdigital transducers were fabricated directly on the quartz plate to generate the lowest anti-symmetric Lamb waves. A vibro-meter was used to detect the wave fields and the measured results on the focusing and waveguiding of the piezoelectric GRIN PC lens and waveguide are in good accordance with the numerical predictions. The results of this study may serve as a basis for developing an active micro plate lens and related devices.     

采用单个压电传感器的单模式兰姆波激发频率的选择

考虑了压电传感器(PZT)与板之间的耦合作用,从理论上研究了单个压电传感器激发时产生单模式兰姆波的频率调节方法,实验给出了模式选择在兰姆波结构健康监测中的应用. 在板材、板厚以及PZT尺寸一定的情况下,从理论上能够预测到作为频率函数的各兰姆波模式的幅值变化. 根据某特定兰姆波模式的幅值最大而其他模式幅值相对最小时所对应的频率,即可识别出该兰姆波模式优化的激发频率. 数值仿真验证了理论的有效性以及单模式兰姆波选择的可能性. 在不同的激发频率下,分别激发了优化的A0 模式,优化的S0模式以及共存的A0和S0模 关键词： 兰姆波 压电传感器 激发频率 结构健康监测     

Hybrid linear and matrix acoustic arrays

This work describes a new technique for constructing both linear and matrix array transducers. It used completely separated piezoelectric elements whose vibration modes have been studied experimentally. Each piezoelectric element has a $\text{λ}\text{4}$ matching plate and backing, and so it forms a separate transducer. The array is formed by an assembly of these transducers.The technique shows some interesting features such as the possibility of reducing the dispersion of the electroacoustic characteristics of the single elements to the required value, mechanical strength, and the possibility of periodical maintenance.