The dynamic performance of flexural ultrasonic transducers

Feeney, A. , Kang, L., Rowlands, G. and Dixon, S. (2018) The dynamic performance of flexural ultrasonic transducers. Sensors, 18(1), 270. (doi: 10.3390/s18010270)

Abstract

Flexural ultrasonic transducers are principally used as proximity sensors and for industrial metrology. Their operation relies on a piezoelectric ceramic to generate a flexing of a metallic membrane, which delivers the ultrasound signal. The performance of flexural ultrasonic transducers has been largely limited to excitation through a short voltage burst signal at a designated mechanical resonance frequency. However, a steady-state amplitude response is not generated instantaneously in a flexural ultrasonic transducer from a drive excitation signal, and differences in the drive characteristics between transmitting and receiving transducers can affect the measured response. This research investigates the dynamic performance of flexural ultrasonic transducers using acoustic microphone measurements and laser Doppler vibrometry, supported by a detailed mechanical analog model, in a process which has not before been applied to the flexural ultrasonic transducer. These techniques are employed to gain insights into the physics of their vibration behaviour, vital for the optimisation of industrial ultrasound systems.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Feeney, Dr Andrew
• Authors: Feeney, A., Kang, L., Rowlands, G., and Dixon, S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Sensors
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1424-8220
• ISSN (Online): 1424-8220
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 by the authors
• First Published: First published in Sensors 18(1):270
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence