Piezoelectric Devices

Piezoelectric devices generate electrical signals in response to vibrations and produce mechanical energy in response to electrical signals. There are several basic types of piezoelectric devices. Piezoelectric actuators produce a small displacement with a high force capability when voltage is applied. They are used mainly in ultra-precise positioning and in the generation and handling of high forces or pressures. Piezoelectric motors use a piezoelectric ceramic element to produce ultrasonic vibrations in a stator structure. The elliptical movements of the stator are converted into the movement of a slider that is pressed into frictional contact with the stator. Depending on the stator’s design, the resulting movement can be either rotational or linear. Piezoelectric transducers convert electrical pulses to mechanical vibrations and then convert the returned mechanical energy into electrical energy. Piezoelectric sensors measure the electrical potential caused by applying mechanical force to a piezoelectric material. They are used in a variety of pressure-sensing applications. Piezoelectric drivers and piezoelectric amplifiers are power sources used to provide the high voltage levels needed to drive other piezoelectric devices. 

Selecting piezoelectric devices requires an analysis of physical and performance specifications. Typically, manufacturers specify length, diameter or height, thickness and mass as physical specifications. Performance specifications differ by device type. For example, specifications for piezoelectric actuators include maximum displacement, blocked force, maximum operating voltage, stiffness, resonance frequency, and capacitance. For piezoelectric motors, important considerations include motor type, operating frequency, displacement, no-load speed, and capacitance. For piezoelectric sensors, performance specifications include pressure range, accuracy, and operating temperature.

Piezoelectric devices use several types of electrical connectors. Bayonet Neil-Concelman (BNC) connectors were designed for military applications, but are used widely in video and RF applications to 2 GHz. They have a slotted outer conductor and a plastic dielectric that causes increasing losses at higher frequencies. Both 50   and 75  BNC connectors are commonly available. American wire gauge (AWG) connectors include connection points that accept two wires. A U.S. standard for non-ferrous wire conductor sizes, AWG uses the term “gauge” to refer to a wire’s diameter. The higher the gauge number, the smaller the diameter and the thinner the wire. For example, AWG 26 connectors accommodate wires that are 15.9 mils in diameter while AWG 30 connectors accept wires that are 10.0 mils in diameter. Some piezoelectric devices use LEMO^Ò connectors, push-pull devices that lock in place for demanding applications. LEMO is a trademark of LEMO S.A. Typically, these connectors are marked with the LEMO name and the first five characters of the part number, which represent the model, size, and series.

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Part Numbers for Piezoelectric Devices