Vibration response and harmonic wave propagation of ultrasonic arc drivers

A piezoelectric curvilinear arc driver designed for an ultrasonic curvilinear motor is evaluated in this study. A design of piezoelectric curvilinear arc driver is proposed and its governing equations, vibration behaviour and wave propagation are investigated. Then, analysis of forced vibration response or driving characteristics to harmonic excitations in the modal domain is conducted. Finite element modelling and analysis of the arc driver are also discussed. Analytical results of free vibration characteristics are compared favourably with the finite element results. Harmonic analyses of the three finite element models reveal changes of dynamic behaviours of three models and also imply operating frequencies with a significant travelling wave component. Parametric study of mathematical and finite element simulation results suggests that stable travelling waves can be generated to drive a rotor on the proposed curvilinear arc motor system.