DESIGN OF PIEZOTRANSFORMERS AND ASSEMBLIES

The efficiency of methods for the analysis of piezotransformers (PT) i s assessed. On the basis of recent experimental data, new technical re quirements for the operation of PT (in the form of six limitations) ar e given. They provide for checking of the occurrence of parasitic reso nances, durability, and the temperature of the piezoelement. If these conditions are ignored, unreliability of the PT and possible breakdown of the piezoceramic structure may result. Using the above-mentioned r equirements, a new engineering principle for analysing a PT as a step- by-step algorithm is proposed. The specified technique leads to more r eliable determination of the design parameters of a PT (length, width, thickness), and also creates preconditions for improved design of mul tifunctional devices and assemblies based on a PT. (C) 1997 Elsevier S cience Ltd. All rights reserved.