We all might come across the situations of energy conversions either in our day-to-day life scenarios or in industrial purposes. So, for the conversion of energy, we need a device to calculate the unfamiliar quantities and calibrations. And the device that comes into invention is “Transducer”. As every scenario that we come across either directly or indirectly related to the energy conversion, there are many kinds of transducers and their application is widespread. Out of multiple kinds of transducers, today our article is more focused on the one foremost type and it is “Piezoelectric Transducer”. Let’s move ahead in getting familiarized with the concepts related to this.
What is Piezoelectric Transducer?
A piezoelectric transducer is a kind of electroacoustic transducer which is utilized for the conversion of mechanical force or pressure into other kinds of altering electrical energy. These transducers can be able to measure other physical quantities such as pressure, stress, and force as these quantities are not able to calculate in a direct approach. The output of the piezoelectric transducer which is the electrical voltage can be easily calculated either through any digital or analog meters. The term ‘piezoelectric’ corresponds to electricity that is generated by the force. Few of the kinds of these are
- Quartz – a natural kind of piezoelectric crystal
- Ammonium dehydration, lithium sulfate, Rochelle salts, phosphate, comes as examples of man-made crystals.
- Ceramic material is also employed as a type of piezoelectric transducer.
At first, we shall be clear on the concept of the piezoelectric effect. The application of varying electric fields on any piezoelectric transducer will generate an EMF and this deforms the material dimensions. So, this effect is termed as the piezoelectric effect. The force is plied to the materials with the assistance of the summing procedures. For instance, stress on the crystals is applied by pressure sensors, few types of mechanical pressure devices and a few others. The change in the dimension stimulates the EMF that defines the applied force value.
So, through the above statement, we can conclude that the whole piezoelectric materials might not be of piezoelectric transducers. Materials those are to be considered as piezoelectric transducers need to meet the necessities of increases output standards, constancy in frequency, being impervious to high temperature and humidity values and those might be obtainable in multiple shapes or they need to flexible to develop as various sizes and shapes showing no other variations in their properties. Quartz is one of the piezoelectric materials which can be employed as piezoelectric transducers. It is extensively stable and is naturally obtainable, whereas it delivers minimal output voltages. Only gradually differing factors can be calculated with this material. Whereas Rochelle salt shows maximum output values, but easily susceptible to atmospheric scenarios and it does not function above the temperature of 11500F.
Theory of Piezoelectric Transducer
For the piezoelectric material, the polarity of the charge is based on which direction the pressure is applied and the charge is represented as
Charge C = d × F Coulombs
Where d corresponds to the material charge sensitivity and
F corresponds to the applied force
The thickness of the crystal will be modified depending on the applied force and
F = AE/t ∆t Newtons
piezoelectric-transducer-working
And here, A is the total area of the crystal and measured in a square meter, t is the crystal thickness and measured in meter whereas E corresponds to Young’s modules and measured in N/m2
The Young’s module (Y) is derived as below.
Y = stress/strain = (F/A). (1/(∆t/t))
Y = Ft/A∆t N/m2 and
A = w × L
Where,
‘w’ corresponds to crystal width and measured in meter
‘l’ corresponds to crystal length and measured in meter
So, by substituting force equation in the charge, the output is
Q = dAY(∆t/t)
Then the output voltage due to the electrode charges is
E0 = Q/Cp = dF/(ErE0A/t)
E0 = d/(ErE0) tP
E0 = gtP
Where g = d/ ErE0
And g is termed as crystal voltage sensitivity and g = E0/tP. The crystal voltage sensitivity is stated as the ratio to intensity of the electric field and pressure.
And E0 is the strength of the electric field and measured in V/m
When there exists, crystal mechanical distortion, then the charge is developed across the electrodes.
Please refer to this link to know more about Piezoelectric Transducer MCQs
Piezoelectric Transducer Circuit
The below circuit diagram will clearly explain the operation of how a piezoelectric transducer performs.
The best example of piezoelectric material, quartz crystal is given with a coating layer with silver and this is utilized as a sensor to develop voltage when there is the application of stress on the crystal. Here, a charge amplifier is included in the circuit so as to calculate the amount of generated charge having no dissipation. To deliver minimal currents, the resistance R1 has to be of high value. There is a lead wire which is used as a connection between the piezoelectric sensor and the transducer and this wire also shows its effect on the calibration values. So, there has to be a charge amplifier near the sensor. Thus, when there is the application of mechanical stress, a linear electric voltage is developed, and this is amplified through a charge amplifier.
piezoelectric-transducer-circuit
Piezoelectric Transducer Formula
The amount of voltage that is developed is also based on the crystal alignment. The crystal might be arranged either in a transverse or longitudinal position.
Longitudinal Case
Here, the amount of charge generated is given by
Q = F × d
Where F corresponds to the applied force
d corresponds to crystal’s piezoelectric coefficient = 2.3 × 10-12 C/N
Transverse Case
Here, the amount of charge generated is given by
Q = F × d × (b/a)
Where (b/a) is more than 1 and here we got the conclusion that the amount of voltage generated in transverse orientation is more than in longitudinal orientation.
piezoelectric-formula-reduction
Piezoelectric Transducer Applications
There are a wide variety of applications where a piezoelectric transducer can be implemented. Few of those areas below:
- Implemented in medical treatments
- Used in fertility diagnosis and inkjet printers
- They are implemented to analyze blast waves and extensive speed shock waves
- As piezoelectric devices do not hold the ability to calculate static values, they are mainly implemented to calculate surface harshness in accelerometer devices
- These are even employed in microphones where the sound energy is transformed as an electrical signal and it is boosted up to deliver louder sounds.
- Employed seismographic devices to calculate the vibrations in rockets
- Implemented in the automotive domain to calculate engine detonations
- These devices are implemented in electric lighter which is operated in kitchens. The pressure developed on the piezoelectric sensor generates an electric signal that finally causes the flash to fire up.
- Used in strain gauge devices to calculate pressure, stress, and vibrations
Advantages and Disadvantages
The advantages and disadvantages of the piezoelectric transducer consist of the following:
Advantages
- As these are active kinds of transducers, no external power is required for their generation and they are completely self-generating devices
- The construction is so streamlined as because of minimal dimensions and high calculating ranges
- Extended frequency responses
- Quartz crystal can be formed into any preferred shape and it has high dielectric constant
Disadvantages
- Does not hold the ability to calculate static values
- As these function with minimal electric charges, they require large impedance cables for an electrical crossing point.
- Temperature modification in the crystal varies the output values
- The output is extensively affected as the relative humidity range rise and drops in the ranges of 85% and 35%. Thus, the material needs to be coated with either wax or polymer kinds of materials.
Piezoelectric Transducer Price
The price of piezoelectric transducer varies in the range of 500 – 600 INR per each unit. These range of transducers are available with manual operating systems and are in black and white. The power source of these is electricity and the surface area is painted. They are obtainable with a minimum warranty of one year.
Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Transducer
These transducers operate with the reverse principle of what a piezoelectric effect function. When there is the application of electricity on the piezoelectric device, there happen physical bends based on the amount of applied charge.
Here, a quartz crystal is positioned in between the electrodes named with P ad Q and these are connected to the initial winding L3 of the transformer. The transformer’s primary winding is inductively attached to the electronic oscillator. The coils L1 and L2, those form the secondary winding of the transformer, is linked to the electronic oscillator. In this kind of connected circuit, the oscillator generates large frequency varying voltage pulses and these pulses have the frequency of
F = 1/(2∏(square root of L1 × C1))
As because of this, EMF is generated in L3 and it gets transferred to quartz crystal through P and Q electrodes. As because of opposing piezoelectric principle, the crystal initiates to expand and contract thus modifying the mechanical sensations.
Resonance happens when the oscillator’s electronic frequency is the same as that of quartz natural frequency. Here, quartz develops longitudinal ultrasonic currents which have high amplitude rates.
Applications
- Piezo ultrasonic transducers are implemented in many kinds of applications.
- In the commercial and industrial domains, these tools permit ultrasonic cleaning equipment to operate in an effective manner either in the most challenging and sensitive activity conditions, like that of ultrasonic jewelry scrubbing.
- In the healthcare domain, piezo ultrasonic transducers deliver abilities like the ultrasonic shattering of kidney stones and in the elimination of dental plaque.
- Furthermore, these devices are implemented to carry out accurate dimensions to know the issues and any kind of faults those are found in between the transmission and reception.
FAQ’s
1). What is the use of a piezoelectric transducer?
The main usage of the piezoelectric transducer is to calculate the changes that occur in force, temperature, and voltage by converting these into electrical charges.
2). What is a piezoelectric device?
A device that functions on the piezoelectric effect is used to calculate the changes that occur in force, temperature, and voltage by converting these into electrical charge.
3). Is piezoelectric AC or DC?
The vibrations of these devices generate AC voltage
4). What is the purpose of the transducer?
Transducers are employed in energy conversions it means one kind of input energy is converted as another form of energy.
5). What is Piezo made of?
In general, piezo’s are developed using lead zirconate titanate.
Know more about Inductive Transducer.
Thus, this article clearly explains the piezoelectric transducers, advantages, limitations & applications. This is the most progressing technology in the electrical scope. Because the cost of these is also economical, they can be easily implemented. So, allow your applications to be built upon these devices. Take an insight into what are the other concepts involved in this?