This paper presents an investigation of 2-D power and energy transduction in piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) for structural health monitoring (SHM). After a literature review of the state of the art, we developed a model of 2-D power and energy transduction of PWAS attached to structure. The model is an extension of our previously presented 1-D model. It allows examination of power and energy flow for a circular crested wave pattern. The model assumptions include: (a) 2-D axial and flexural wave propagation; (b) ideal bonding (line-force) connection between PWAS and structure; (c) ideal excitation source at the transmitter PWAS and fully-resistive external load at the receiver PWAS (d) crested wave energy spread out. Wave propagation method for an infinite boundary plate, electromechanical energy transformation of PWAS and structure, and wave propagation energy spread out in 2-D plate were considered. The parametric study of PWAS size, impedance match gives the PWAS design guideline for PWAS sensing and power harvesting applications. In pitch-catch PWAS application, the frequency response functions of a circular PWAS are developed for voltage in consideration with the receiver capacitance and external resistive loads.

Date Published: 14 April 2011
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 7981, Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2011, 79812R (14 April 2011); doi: 10.1117/12.880120

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7981:
Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2011
Masayoshi Tomizuka, Editor(s)