We report a transducer structure tha t combines two orthogonal phased arrays which enable the real-time scanning of two orthogonal sectors. This biplane phased array is formed by partially dicing the opposite faces of a composite piezoelectric plate in orthogonal directions. Individual elements of the orthogonal arrays show broad radiation patterns close to the theoretical expectations for isol...

Permanently attached, distributed sparse arrays of piezoelectric transducers have been proposed as a cost-effective solution for rapid interrogation of large, plate-like structures for structural health monitoring. Many proposed methods using these arrays rely on guided wave imaging techniques to interpret and graphically display information for damage detection and localization. Guided wave im...

Piezoelectric actuators (PEAs) have been widely used in micro- and nanopositioning applications due to their fine resolution, rapid responses, and large actuating forces. However, a major deficiency of PEAs is that their accuracy is seriously limited by hysteresis. This paper presents adaptive model predictive control technique for reducing hysteresis in PEAs based on autoregressive exogenous m...

Flextensional Piezoelectric Actuator consists of a flexible structure actuated by piezoelectric ceramics. These actuators are applied to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), nanotechnology equipment, microsurgery equipment, etc. However, due to the fact these actuators essentially consist of a compliant mechanism their design is complex. The compliant structure behaves as a mechanical transfo...

Guided waves using spatially distributed piezoelectric transducers are being applied to many structural health monitoring applications. These surface-mounted transducers, which are typically lead zirconate titanate, are generally assumed to be both undamaged and properly bonded to the host structure during usage. However, this assumption may not be valid, particularly after long-term operation ...

A smooth impact drive mechanism (SIDM) is one type of piezoelectric actuator that has been put into practical use. In previous SIDMs, soft-type multilayered piezoelectric elements with low mechanical quality factors were utilized, which meant it was difficult to generate high output power, and the multilayered structure was an obstacle to further miniaturization. We have proposed a resonant-typ...

The piezoelectric internal fixation plate represents a new concept in orthopaedic implants. The purpose of this device is to provide stable bone fixation while delivering internally generated, microampere direct currents to prevent or treat nonunion of a fracture or osteotomy. Clinically, currents of this type have been effective in treatment of nonunion, but application has required separate, ...

In recent years, many researchers have studied vibration suppression of fluttering plates using piezoelectric actuators. Lots of these researchers have focused on optimal placement of piezoelectric patches to obtain maximum controllability. Although mass and stiffness characteristics of bonded patches can alter aeroelastic behavior of fluttering plates, few of them considered the effect of the ...

Consider a piezoelectric transducer that is attached to the back of a plate-like structure, such as is the case for guided wave structural health monitoring. This transducer may be excited to produce guided waves that propagate outward from the source through the structure. These waves interact with impedance discontinuities in the structure at defects, bond lines, plate boundaries, and other g...

Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3–Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 (PIN–PMN–PT) piezoelectric single-crystal rectangular beams with the PIN:PMN:PT ratio of 0.33:0.35:0.32 are prepared, and their mode-coupling effect is investigated both theoretically and experimentally for ultrasonic array transducer applications. The PIN–PMN–PT rectangular beams become a tall-narrow beam and a short-wide plate, and so exhibiting an unc...