Design optimization of flexible piezoelectric PVDF unimorphs for surface pressure transducer applications

Arun K. Ramanathan; Leon M. Headings; Marcelo J. Dapino

doi:10.1117/12.2514371

18 March 2019 Design optimization of flexible piezoelectric PVDF unimorphs for surface pressure transducer applications

Arun K. Ramanathan, Leon M. Headings, Marcelo J. Dapino

Proceedings Volume 10973, Smart Structures and NDE for Energy Systems and Industry 4.0; 1097307 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2514371
Event: SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation, 2019, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

Piezoelectric elements serve as a preferred candidate for measuring dynamic pressure owing to their high sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, high natural frequency, and suitability for miniaturization. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a mechanically tough, flexible, low density polymer commercially available as a film. Being mechanically compliant and minimally invasive to the host structure, PVDF can be conformed to a variety of surfaces using adhesive bonding, thus making it a suitable candidate for surface pressure mapping and acoustic pressure measurement applications. However, PVDF sensors in compressive mode are insufficient for the low frequency and high sensitivity requirements of vehicle surface pressure measurements. Under steady flow conditions, cantilever and clamped-clamped unimorphs with segmented electrode coverage configurations serve as alternative candidates for differential pressure measurements. This paper presents an analytical and computational design framework for optimizing the performance of PVDF unimorphs. Electrode coverage, thickness ratio, and elastic modulus ratio are optimized for cantilever and clamped-clamped configurations for a given sensor geometry. The goal of the optimization procedure is to maximize charge sensitivity of the pressure sensor while minimizing deflection. A closed-form solution is derived for deflection and charge sensitivity of cantilever and clamped-clamped configurations based on Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. For a given deflection sensitivity target and sensor geometry, the charge sensitivity of the optimized cantilever sensor is three orders of magnitude greater than compressive (d₃₃ mode) design and 3.15 times higher than the clamped-clamped configuration with segmented electrodes.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Arun K. Ramanathan, Leon M. Headings, and Marcelo J. Dapino "Design optimization of flexible piezoelectric PVDF unimorphs for surface pressure transducer applications", Proc. SPIE 10973, Smart Structures and NDE for Energy Systems and Industry 4.0, 1097307 (18 March 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2514371

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available