Harmonic Wave Propagation and Testing of a Piezoelectric Curvilinear Arc Driver

A piezoelectric curvilinear driver designed for an ultrasonic curvilinear motor is presented in this study. The design of piezoelectric curvilinear arc driver is proposed. The system governing equations, vibration behavior and wave propagation are investigated. Then, a conceptual model of piezoelectric circular arc driver is built and tested to demonstrate that the design of the curvilinear arc motor is feasible. Fabrication of the piezoelectric circular arc driver and implementation are respectively discussed, followed by results of the finite element model, and testing of the conceptual model. The demonstrations show that the curvilinear arc motor performs as expected. The experimental data is compared with the finite element results showing that the operating frequency of the conceptual motor compares well with the finite element result.Copyright © 2005 by ASME