Analysis of a Cascaded Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Transducer with Three Sets of Piezoelectric Ceramic Stacks

To increase the ultrasonic intensity and power of a piezoelectric transducer, a cascaded piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer with the three sets of piezoelectric ceramic stacks is analyzed. The cascaded piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer consists of four metal cylinders and three sets of piezoelectric ceramic stacks in the longitudinal direction. In analysis, the electromechanical equivalent circuit of the cascaded piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer is obtained, as well as the resonance/anti-resonance frequencies equations. By means of an analytical method, when the position of piezoelectric ceramic stacks PZT-2/PZT-3 changes, the resonance/anti-resonance frequencies and the effective electromechanical coupling coefficient of the cascaded piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer have certain characteristics. Several prototypes of the cascaded piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer are manufactured. The experimentally measured resonance frequencies are in good agreement with the theoretical and simulated results. The cascaded piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer with three sets of piezoelectric ceramic stacks presented in this paper is expected to be used in the field of high power ultrasound.