Optimization of Electrical Output in Response to Mechanical Input in Piezoceramic Laminated Shells

The piezoelectric ceramic, Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT), is capable of producing large voltages in response to an applied mechanical stress when employed in a laminate manufactured using the THUNDER process. This study addresses the issue of optimizing mechanical parameters in a PZT unimorph to maximize charge generated due to mechanical strain. The PZT unimorph structure is initially curved and generates a surface charge when vertically loaded. In the analysis, the principles of shallow shell and linear piezoelectric laminate theories are employed to obtain an expression for charge in terms of geometry, material properties and loading. Analytical relationships are then derived that can be used to optimize the charge produced from these generators. Numerical parametric studies are then conducted to maximize the charge generation by manipulating dimensions of the components. Experimental results show a “convergence” to a theoretically predicted ‘applied force vs. deformation’ relationship when the PZT unimorph is subjected to a pressure load. Finally, a charge collecting circuitry for harvesting the charge produced is designed and presented.Copyright © 2003 by ASME