1-3 piezocomposite smart panels for active surface control

Richard L. Gentilman; Daniel Fiore; Hong Pham-Nguyen; William J. Serwatka; Brian G. Pazol; Craig D. Near; Patrick Timothy McGuire; Leslie J. Bowen

doi:10.1117/12.239130

Translator Disclaimer

1 May 1996 1-3 piezocomposite smart panels for active surface control

Richard L. Gentilman, Daniel Fiore, Hong Pham-Nguyen, William J. Serwatka, Brian G. Pazol, Craig D. Near, Patrick Timothy McGuire, Leslie J. Bowen

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2721, Smart Structures and Materials 1996: Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.239130
Event: 1996 Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, 1996, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

A cost-effective technology has been developed for producing 1-3 piezoelectric ceramic/polymer composites for active surface control. SonoPanel^TM 1-3 piezocomposite transducers consist of an array of piezoelectric ceramic rods in a polymer matrix. Stiff face plates are bonded to the composite for stress amplification when used as a sensor and to enhance surface response uniformity when used as an actuator. Many piezocomposite design variations have been produced for specific applications. The key technology in SonoPanel^TM manufacturing is the PZT ceramic injection molding process. Using this process, an entire array of piezoelectric ceramic rods are molded in one operation using specially designed tooling. Injection molded PZT preforms are formed at a rate of one per minute. Several thousand components with excellent piezoelectric properties and part-to-part reproducibility have been manufactured to date. The piezocomposite fabrication process has been scaled up for low volume manufacturing. More than thirty 250 X 250 mm SonoPanel^TM transducers have been produced and evaluated. The transducers show high receiving voltage sensitivity and transmitting voltage response as well as symmetrical beam patterns. Next generation SonoPanel^TM transducers, with materials and designs optimized for Navy systems, are under development, including advanced panels for active surface control. The devices incorporate actuators, pressure sensors, and velocity sensors--all made from 1-3 composite materials--into an autonomous smart panel.

Citation Download Citation

Richard L. Gentilman, Daniel Fiore, Hong Pham-Nguyen, William J. Serwatka, Brian G. Pazol, Craig D. Near, Patrick Timothy McGuire, and Leslie J. Bowen "1-3 piezocomposite smart panels for active surface control", Proc. SPIE 2721, Smart Structures and Materials 1996: Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies, (1 May 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.239130

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE