• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.435-446
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• 2019

The existing piezoelectric spherical transducers with fixed prescribed dynamic characteristics limit their application in scenarios with multi-frequency or frequency variation requirement. To address this issue, this work proposes an improved design of piezoelectric spherical transducers using the resistance tuning method. Two piezoceramic shells are the functional elements with one for actuation and the other for tuning through the variation of load resistance. The theoretical model of the proposed design is given based on our previous work. The effects of the resistance, the middle surface radius and the thickness of the epoxy adhesive layer on the dynamic characteristics of the transducer are explored by numerical analysis. The numerical results show that the multi-frequency characteristics of the transducer can be obtained by tuning the resistance, and its electromechanical coupling coefficient can be optimized by a matching resistance. The proposed design and derived theoretical solution are validated by comparing with the literature given special examples as well as an experimental study. The present study demonstrates the feasibility of using the proposed design to realize the multi-frequency characteristics, which is helpful to improve the performance of piezoelectric spherical transducers used in underwater acoustic detection, hydrophones, and the spherical smart aggregate (SSA) used in civil structural health monitoring, enhancing their operation at the multiple working frequencies to meet different application requirements.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.757-765
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• 2002

The object of this paper is to examine the vibration characteristics of the point-symmetric radial mode in a spherical piezoelectric transducer. The differential equations of piezoelectric radial motion are derived in terms of the radial displacement and electric potential, which are functions of the radial coordinate and time. Applying mechanical and electrical boundary conditions yields the characteristic equation of radial vibration. Numerical results of the natural frequencies are compared with the experimental measurements. The paper discusses the difference between piezoelectric and elastic resonances and the dependence of the natural frequencies on the radius and thickness of the piezoelectric spheres. As a result it is concluded for the first radial mode that the natural frequency is reduced due to the piezoelectric phenomenon and that the frequency exponentially decreases as the sphere radius increases.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 1998

This article describes the application of a coupled finite element-boundary element method to obtain the steady-state response of a sonar transducer. The particular structure considered is a flooded piezoelectric spherical shell. The sonar shell is simulated to be driven by electrical charges applied onto inner and outer surfaces of the shell. It is shown that at relatively low input frequency a beam pattern which is almost close to omnidirection can be obtained. The coupled FE-BE method is described in detail.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Combustion
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.21-29
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• 1996

Flame propagation characteristics of propane-air mixtures were experimentally investigated in constant-volume combustion chambers. Flame propagation process was observed as a function of mixture strength, initial mixture temperature and initial mixture pressure in quiescent mixtures. A cylindrical combustion chamber and a spherical combustion chamber contain a pair of parallel windows through which optical access into the chamber can be provided. Laser two beam deflection method was adopted to measure the local flame propagation, which gave information on the flame size and flame propagation speed. Pressure development was also measured by a piezoelectric pressure transducer to characterize combustion in quiescent mixtures. Burning velocity was calculated from flame propagation and pressure measurements. The effect of flow on flame propagation was also investigated under flowing mixture conditions. Laser two beam method was found to be feasible in measuring flame propagation of quiescent mixtures. Flame was observed to propagate faster with higher initial mixture temperature and lower initial pressure. Combustion duration was shortened in the highly turbulent flowing mixtures.