Modelling of piezoelectric transducers applied to piezoelectric motors: a comparative study and new perspective

Abstract There has been a great deal of interest devoted to modelling and simulation of electromechanical transducers, and in particular to piezoelectric transducers, during the last decades. Modelling of the electro-mechanical phenomena is a complex matter: transducers comprise laminated structures of varying thickness, consideration of piezoelectric forcing, non-uniform electric field inside the ceramic … Several approaches for modelling the laminate structure have been reported, i.e. classical lamination theory, first order and higher order shear deformation theories. Likewise, the constitutive equations of the piezoelectric media have been included in FEA approaches. In addition, non-uniform electric fields, both linear and quadratic, were analysed. The particular case of travelling wave ultrasonic motors is addressed. This paper reports the comparative results of modelling all these plus additional transducer effects on the accuracy and presents the application to the classical electro-mechanical modelling of the stator of piezoelectric motors. Modelling results are compared with experimental data.