<title>Heat generation of a piezoceramic induced-strain actuator embedded in a glass/epoxy composite panel</title>

Abstract

The thermal response of a specific piezoceramic induced-strain actuator (the Penn State SPICES "frame" actuator) was investigated under two conditions: 1) as a free device; and 2) embedded in a woven glass/epoxy composite panel. Actuators were driven at various combinations of electric field strengths and frequencies. Field strengths ranged from 75 kV/m to 1.5 MV/rn (10 to 200 Vrms over a 135 micron thickness), while frequencies ranged from 100 Hz to 2000 Hz. The 50-ply composite panel was instrumented with thermocouples at 4 locations through the panel thickness. Temperature measurements were recorded continuously from an initial ambient isothermal state until a steady state temperature distribution was reached. Temperatures increased with frequency and field level, with heat generation roughly proportional to the frequency and to the square of the field level, consistent with a dielectric loss mechanism. The temperature rise at the actuator-composite interface, when driven at 100 Vrms and 500 Hz, was 50 C. The data indicate that self-heating in applications involving a combination of high field levels, high frequencies, and thick composites can result in high internal temperatures, and possibly lead to reduced performance and reliability.

Experimental Investigation and Theoretical Modeling of Piezoelectric Actuators Used in Fuel Injectors

“…Another mathematical model that explains self-heating phenomenon in piezoelectric materials was proposed by Lesieutre et al [49]. The main difference was the inclusion of heat dissipation from the actuator by convection and radiation [47] or by only convection [49].…”

“…Another mathematical model that explains self-heating phenomenon in piezoelectric materials was proposed by Lesieutre et al [49]. The main difference was the inclusion of heat dissipation from the actuator by convection and radiation [47] or by only convection [49]. Lesieutre et al [49] studied the thermal response of PZT actuators under two different conditions: (1) stand-alone actuators; and (2) actuators embedded in a composite.…”

“…The main difference was the inclusion of heat dissipation from the actuator by convection and radiation [47] or by only convection [49]. Lesieutre et al [49] studied the thermal response of PZT actuators under two different conditions: (1) stand-alone actuators; and (2) actuators embedded in a composite. For the latter case, it was reported that the actuator-composite interface had the highest temperature increase.…”

Microheaters based on ultrasonic actuation of piezoceramic elements

“…Heat generation in free PZT actuators and PZTembedded composite structures is a known phenomenon at the macroscale [36]. The temperature of the piezoelectric (PZT) element increases while converting the electrical energy to mechanical energy.…”

“…This is mainly due to the dielectric loss in the PZT and the structural damping in the PZT and the surrounding medium. For example, a (27 × 10 × 1) mm 3 PZT-4S actuator embedded in a (177.8 × 165.1 × 5.08) mm 3 50-ply glass epoxy laminate, when excited by 100 V rms at 1000 Hz, has been reported to result in a temperature rise of about 55 • C above the ambient temperature [36]. Heat generation in multilayered piezoelectric actuators under high frequency of excitation has been studied in [37].…”