Three-dimensional finite element simulation of a piezoelectric vibrator under gyration

A three-dimensional finite element modeling is applied to the characteristic evaluation of the piezoelectric gyroscopes. The Coriolis' effect is incorporated with the three-dimensional finite element code that we have already developed. There is no limitation for the vibrational modes and the direction of the gyratory axis. The piezoelectric thin plate gyroscope in plane vibration is again considered for the demonstration. The solution characteristics are compared with those of the two-dimensional modeling and also with the experimental results. Reasonable agreement is achieved. The application is then extended to a bimorph-type gyroscope vibrating out of plane, which is only numerically considered for another example of demonstration. The examination shows that, with this configuration, not only the rotation but also the gyratory axis can be detected in the three-dimensional space.