Simscape - piezoelectric dual flexural bar sonar transducer

This is a relatively simple model that illustrates the capability to model this type of sonar transducer.

The piezoelectric double bar sonar transducer was described by Woollett [1]. It consists of two flexural bars connected to a hinging mechanism at their ends and moving in opposition, as shown in Fig. 1. The reader is referred to Chapter 1 of Woollett for a full description of the construction and operation of the device. The figure shows two bender bars driven to vibrate in opposition. Each bender bar is a trimorph structure having upper and lower layers of piezoelectric material and a center layer of an inactive metal. The air cavity in the center provides a pressure release mounting for each bar. The structure at the ends of the bars is intended to provide a hinging boundary condition at the ends of the bars.

This paper describes a Simscape model for a somewhat simpler system where each of the bender bars is a piezoelectric bimorph, with ideal hinged end supports. This example could be the starting point for a more realistic mechanical structure. The fundamental component for each bender bar is the “Piezo Bender” component that was introduced to Simscape in version R2021a.

More documentation on the model is included as a pdf file in the submission. The full model is shown below.

Many more realistic features can be built into this model to better describe more complex structures.

1. Woollett, Ralph S., The Flexural Bar Transducer, originally published by Naval Underwater Systems Center, New London CT., 1986 available at this link, checked June 4, 2024.