Novel graph model and analysis method for piezoelectric thickness-drive transducers

This study develops a new graph model and analysis scheme for representing and analyzing a piezoelectric thickness-drive transducer. The proposed TWSF graph model, expressed via electrical and acoustical variables instead of electromechanical analogy, simplifies understanding of the physical mechanism of the transducer. The primary advantage of the graph model analogy is that performance characteristics, such as the electrical and mechanical impedance, and the force and velocity responses of the transducer system can be calculated directly using the topology scheme based on the graph model. The dynamic equations do not need to be formulated according to the analogy model for design and analysis. The proposed method also does not require computation schemes to solve the equations for obtaining the characteristics and the responses. Compared to the classical method, the present graph and analysis scheme offers a more efficient technology to obtain precise results with less analysis. Moreover, the derived results are expressed as both analytical and closed-form formulas, making them convenient to apply in analysis and design.