Frequency response analysis of piezoelectric actuator driven system through finite difference modelling

Analytical techniques for modelling piezoelectric-driven systems are well-known. Nonetheless, analytical modelling is of little or no use when complex mechanical systems or non-linear behaviour are investigated. A flexible and easy-to-implement method for modelling mechanical systems driven by piezoelectric actuators is the finite difference method. The finite difference model presented herein includes a multilayer actuator, a mass-spring-damper load, and the driving circuitry. Piezoelectric multilayer actuators are widely used in applications like active vibration control, energy harvesting applications, switching valves, piezoelectric transformers. The behaviour of a multilayer piezoelectric actuator driven by an voltage source is investigated through the estimation of the frequency response function. The influence of the various parameters such as driving circuit elements, actuator mass and configuration, and load specifications are analysed in order to find the key design variables.