Furthermore, with their silent drive characteristics, piezo actuators are in use in mobile phones as well as autofocusing mechanisms in microphone-equipped video cameras. You can even find them in use in braille machines, consumer electronic devices, and precision machinery. With their simplistic design, high-reliability, and minimal moving parts, the piezoelectric actuator warrants its widespread use. This includes the automotive industry, military, medical field, and aerospace, to name a few. Piezoelectric actuators produce minimal heat and consume minimum power while in an energized state, making them incredibly useful across a variety of industries. When we apply an electrical input, one ceramic layer contracts while the other expands, which causes the actuator to flex. They are usually in the direction of the coinciding polarization with an electrically parallel connection. In turn, this deflection provides a large stroke with a minimal blocking force in comparison to the stack actuator.Ī stripe Actuator utilizes two thin layers of piezoelectric ceramic that bonds together. The Stripe Actuator, or bending actuator, produces a reasonably large mechanical deflection in reaction to an electrical signal. High piezoelectric towers in the setting sun Other Types of Piezo Actuators Achieving this typically involves using bare stacks, coating materials, or encasing them in stainless steel. In either case, discrete or co-fired, it is possible to protectively insulate them from environmental extremes and mechanical stresses. However, they do use high-temperature sintering of the complete electrode and ceramic pile, and their operating voltage can be as much as 200 volts. Now, co-fired stack actuators (multilayer) are also called monolithic stacks, and they do not utilize adhesives. Typically, operating voltages range from 500 to 1,000 volts. If it is indeed discrete (high-voltage stack actuators), then its composite structures are made by separately stacking finished piezoelectric ceramic rings or discs and metal electrode foil with an adhesive. Depending on your design requirements, a piezo stack actuator can be either co-fired or discrete. Aside from the category list of actuator types above, two other types of actuators that warrant mentioning are Stack Actuators and Stripe Actuators.Ī Piezo stack actuator provides a low stroke with a high blocking force. Piezo actuator types include pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, and mechanical. Whether the application is for mirrors on satellites or non-magnetic and miniaturized medical devices, there is a type of piezo actuator in line with the task. Since they create zero force, we refer to these particular types of actuators as free stroke. Conversely, a freely moving actuator that encounters no resistance to its motion will generate its maximum displacement (travel). In summary, the more force an actuator has to generate against a load, the less movement (travel) it can produce. The relationship between force and displacement in piezo materials is an inverse relationship. We typically use a load in the direction of travel to achieve the necessary blockage of movement. However, when we block the actuator from moving, it will generate a force. This type of functionality is highly desirable in applications that need precise positioning of mechanical devices.Ī Piezo actuator functions on the inverse piezoelectric effect when we apply voltage, the actuator will contract or expand. For example, when you press a button signalling an electric actuator to transfer that button press signal into a rotary motion to either close or open a valve. So, what is a piezo actuator? You should first note that all actuators are device components that facilitate the conversion of signal energy into a required or necessary controlling motion. The piezoelectric effect functions similarly, except that the governing of its defining states is by voltage and purposeful obstruction. However, everything changes for water once we reach the defining point of 32 0 Fahrenheit.Īs we know, at 32 0 F water changes state from a liquid to a solid. For example, water can be cooled from 70 0 Fahrenheit to 33 0 Fahrenheit without any real noticeable changes. In the area of Science or Physics, there are defining points. Piezoelectric Buzzer and Sensor with Lead Wire
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