Analysis of the influence of porosity and non-uniform polarization of piezoelectric ceramics on the efficiency of a bridge transducer as sensor and actuator

Flexible piezoelectric transducers, and the transducers with bridge shaped end-caps in particular, have found wide application as acoustic emitters and energy harvesting devices. In this paper, we investigate the possibilities of using porous piezoceramics as an active element of a bridge transducer. Particular attention is paid to taking into account the non-uniform polarization of porous piezoceramics with the use of simplified models. A finite element analysis of the bridge piezoelectric transducer under steady-state oscillations is performed in resonant and non-resonant modes of its operation. It is found that the use of porous piezoceramics increases the efficiency of the transducer during oscillations near the first frequency of electrical antiresonance.