Determination of the Temperature-Dependent Resonance Behavior of Ultrasonic Transducers Using the Finite-Element Method

Purpose: Langevin transducers are ultrasonic transducers that convert electrical into mechanical energy through the piezoelectric effect. This class of transducers achieves the highest efficiency in their mechanical resonance. Studies have shown that the resonant frequency changes with temperature. The aim of this contribution is to reproduce this temperature-dependence resonance frequency as accurately as possible with FEM simulations. Methods: Therefore, the temperature-dependent resonance behavior of Langevin transducers is examined experimentally. A FEM model is created on the basis of temperature-dependent measured material coefficients. Using parameter correlations and optimization algorithms, the FEM model is fitted and validated by experimental results. Six variants of Langevin transducers are examined in the range from 30 °C to 80 °C with resonance frequencies between 34 and 38 kHz. They differ in three geometries and two materials. Results: The experimental results show that the resonance frequencies decrease with increasing temperatures by 5.0–19.4 Hz/°C, depending on the material and geometry. As decisive parameters for the model fitting of the FEM results, three function-dependent stiffness coefficients of the piezoelectric material PZT8 and the Young’s moduli of the metallic materials are determined by parameter correlation. Conclusion: Through the targeted fitting of these function-dependent parameters, the calculation of the resonance frequencies of Langevin transducers can be qualitatively and quantitatively improved, independent of shape and material.