DuraAct™— Piezoelectric Patch Transducers for …

1 duraact Piezoelectric Patch Transducers for industry and ResearchPiezo Nano PositioningPiezo Nano Brochure: duraact Piezoelectric Patch Transducers ; piezocomposite Transducers ; adaptronics, commercial applications; aerospace, automotive, machinery;; equipment, building and structures, Smart Materials; P-876; P876 PI Ceramic (PIC) is the piezo-ceramic division of PhysikInstrumente (PI), the world-leading manufacturer of ultra-high-precision piezo nanoposi-tioning systems. Based onknowledge and expertisegained in more than 40 yearsof continuous research andmanufacturing of piezoelectricmaterials and components, PICeramic is a world-class sup-plier of high-performancepiezoelectric actuator andtransducer components andsubassemblies. State-of-the-Art Piezo Com-ponents, Ultrasonic Trans-ducers, Piezo Actuators andPiezo-System Solutions Design & Manufacture ofHigh-ReliabilityComponents for the KeyMarkets of Our Time Custom and Standard Solutions Highly FlexibleProcessing Ensures RapidDelivery Custom Designs All KeyTechnologies and Equip-ment In-House ISO 9001-2000 QualityCertified since 1997 Ultra-High-Precision Tech-nology Years Ahead of Its TimePI has a strategy of verticalintegration with all key tech-nologies developed and main-tained in the company.

2 Directcontrol over every step fromconception to shipment per-mits optimizing quality andcost. As a customer, you, too, can profit from our longexperience in controlling andmeasuring motion at thenanometer level. PI can reactquickly to development andproduction needs of OEM cus-tomers even for highly com-plex custom products and Technologies Under One Roof:a Plus for Our CustomersINVENT GmbH is a 1996 spin-off from the DLR (GermanAerospace Center) Institute ofStructural Mechanics inBraunschweig. Now an estab-lished partner for the aero-space industry , INVENT offersqualified processes for plan-ning, design, engineering andmanufacturing the funda-mentals of successful productdevelopment. INVENT GmbH has earnedrenown as engineering special-ist for composite fiber tech-nologies. The company devel-ops structural components,applying their expertise infields ranging from structuralanalysis, construction methodsto series production.

3 Anothermajor area of activity isresearch and , the focus is on materialand process engineering,including finishing and coatingof composite fiber structures. The quality management sys-tem at INVENT has been DINEN 9100 certified since for IndustryState-of-the-art PI Ceramicfacility in Lederhose Germanyhosts an extensive manufacturing operation, R&D laboratories as well asadministration officesPI headquartersCooperationDuraAct Patch transducersare based on a patenteddevelopment by the GermanAerospace Center (DLR). PICeramic (PIC) produces thepiezoceramic elements andhandles all sales under anexclusive agreement, whileINVENT GmbH puts togetherthe Nano PositioningPiezo Nano PositioningThe development of self-cor-recting, adaptive systems isreceiving more and moreattention in modern industrialresearch. Structures using smart materials which inte-grate sensor and actuator func-tions are taking on growingimportance in this field.

4 Thesesystems are designed to detectand react to changes in theiroperating environment, likeimpact, pressure or bendingforces. With a long history as adaptivematerials, piezo actuators havebeen especially popular for themonitoring and active damp-ing of high-frequency vibra-tion. The novel duraact patchtransducers now offer a com-pact solution in this area. Applied directly to a substrate,or used as part of the structureitself, duraact Patch tranduc-ers can detect and producevibrations or contour deforma-tions at the source, inside thestructure. The magnitude ofusable deflection dependsstrongly on the substrate prop-erties, and extends into themillimeter range. Adaptronics IndustrialApplications of TomorrowPiezoelectric components likethe duraact Patch transducertransform electrical to mechan-ical energy and vice applications are inhigh-precision bender actua-tors, high-dynamics sensors oras power sources.

5 duraact Patch transducersare extremely compact unitsbased on a thin piezoceramicfoil between two conductivefilms, all embedded in a ductilecomposite-polymer this way, the brittle piezo-ceramic is mechanically pre-stressed and electrically insu-lated, which makes the trans-ducers so robust that they canbe applied on curved surfaceswith a bending radius as low as20 mm. The Patch transducersare glued to the surface and canbe used for various purposes. Even in high-dynamics applica-tions, the rugged designensures reliability, high resist-ance to damage and a lifetimewell over 109cycles. Wear andfailure rates are low, as thesolid-state actuators contain nomoving All-Rounder duraact Patch TranducersDuraAct Patch transducerscan extract electric power frommechanical vibrations of up toseveral kilohertz, thus acting asenergy harvesting devices. Thepower, in the milliwatt range,can supply miniature electron-ics like LEDs, sensors or miniRF transmitters for remote datatransfer.

6 Miniature Electric Generator forAutonomous SystemsDuraAct Patch Transducers tolerate bending radii as low as 20 mm (3/4in.)PI Brochure: duraact Piezoelectric Patch Transducers ; piezocomposite Transducers ; adaptronics, commercial applications; aerospace, automotive, machinery;; equipment, building and structures, Smart Materials; P-876; P876 4PI Brochure: duraact Piezoelectric Patch Transducers ; piezocomposite Transducers ; adaptronics, commercial applications; aerospace, automotive, machinery;; equipment, building and structures, Smart Materials; P-876; P876 duraact technology allowshigh flexibility in actuatordesign. This means thatDuraAct is also ideally suitedfor research and addition to the range of stan-dard designs, highly individu-alized structural shapes can berealized to meet differentrequirements of geometry,flexibility, stiffness or operat-ing temperature. Standard duraact patchtransducers consist of onepiezoceramic layer only.

7 Forspecial applications, multilayerdevices can be made an actuator, multiple layersresult in higher force genera-tion with the same operating voltage. If the layers are wiredseparately, both sensor andactuator functionality can beused simultaneously. The Piezoelectric transducerscan be designed to fit the appli-cation exactly, including eventransducers with arrays ofmultiple ceramic custom products can beproduced very efficiently, evenin low quantities. Depending on the application,different demands are made onthe electronics. To operate ahigh-precision, high-dynamicspositioner, a low-noise, broad-band amplifier is vibration dampingrequires fast servo-control withbandwidth sufficient for close-coupling the generated force tothe structural mass to bedamped. PI offers special, high-resolu-tion amplifier modules forDuraAct Patch Transducers ,and can always create customversions to meet specialrequirements.

8 Tailored Control ElectronicsSelection of custom modulesDuraAct Patch Transducers Features and AdvantagesCustom Versions forAny ApplicationHigh damage immunityChoice of materials and geometriesWell-defined mechanical and electrical propertiesShort lead-time availabilityCompactLong lifetimeHigh bandwidthCustomized solutionsCan be applied to curved surfacesConstant & proven qualityEasy to useOperation as actuator, sensor or power sourceMultilayer module, for actuator-sensor combinationHighly flexible ceramic elementsCost-effectivePI Brochure: duraact Piezoelectric Patch Transducers ; piezocomposite Transducers ; adaptronics, commercial applications; aerospace, automotive, machinery;; equipment, building and structures, Smart Materials; P-876; P876 5 Piezo Nano PositioningPiezo Nano PositioningFig. 1a: Classical application of the direct piezo effect. Minute deformations of the substratecause displacements in the duraact Patch transducer and produce an electric current pro-portional to the motion.

9 duraact Transducers can detect deformations like those causedby bending strain or pressure very precisely, even at high ExamplesSensor ModeFUUFUUFig. 1b: The same operating mode can be used with an array of several modules. Vibration damping applica-tions: good results can beachieved by combining apiezoelectric sensor with aservo-controller and havingthe sensor signal control an(external) damping mecha-nism. Actuator ModeUFFig. 2: In actuator mode, duraact Patch Transducers use the inversepiezo effect: they contract whenvoltage is applied. Affixed to a sub-strate material, a duraact patchtransducer acts as a benderDuraAct Patch transducersfeature a very high combination with suitableelectronics ( fromPI) they can be used as high-dynamics positioners with sub-micron areas can be surveyedwith an array of multiple mod-ules attached to various pointson the surface. Active monitor-ing, where some transducersare used as actuators while theothers detect the waves theygenerate, is also in the structural material,like microcracks, are detectedby comparing the signals withthose from an undamaged sys-tem.

10 UUUFig. 3: Design principle for a healthmonitoring system: one duraact Patch transducer is controlled byan electronic amplifier (actuatorfunctionality) and induces vibra-tions in the substrate. An array oftransducers detects the vibrationsand transfers the signals to suitablecontrol electronics. Comparisonwith the signal pattern from anundamaged system gives informa-tion concerning the condition ofthe substrate. Structural Health Monitoring(SHM): duraact patchtransducers can be used tomonitor the functional andstructural integrity; the patchtransducers are either part ofthe structure itself, orembedded within it. Fast switching: duraact Patch Transducers providefast response and long life-time and are ideal actuatorsfor these applications. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) Damage Diagnosis6PI Brochure: duraact Piezoelectric Patch Transducers ; piezocomposite Transducers ; adaptronics, commercial applications; aerospace, automotive, machinery;; equipment, building and structures, Smart Materials; P-876; P876 Application Examples (cont.)