CLoVER transducer for strain sensing

Hui Zhang

We investigated the theoretical formulation and initial experimental investigation of static and dynamic strain sensing using the Composite Long-range Variable-direction Emitting Radar (CLoVER) transducers. CLoVER Transducers are manufactured using the piezoelectric fibers integrated with the interdigitated electrodes with wedge-shaped sectors arranged in a circular way. A coupled-field analytical model was developed based on the piezoelectricity constitutive equations with the consideration of the anisotropic material properties of CLoVER transducers. The analytical formulation was derived under a cylindrical coordinate system for a single CLoVER sector. The influence from the measuring electronic circuit and a non-uniform strain field were considered. The final sensing formulation contained three strain components and six strain gradients. Sensing signals from nine independent CLoVER sectors with different installation orientations were used to compute for the nine unknown strain related components.

The picture of CLoVER and the derivation of the strain sensing are shown below

here.

For more information about the algorithm and features, please check the following references.

References

  1. Yanfeng Shen, Hui Zhang, Carlos E. S. Cesnik, “CLoVER Transducers for Static and Dynamic Strain Sensing”, IWSHM (2015).