Semi-passive Piezoelectric Structural Damping by Synchronized Switching on Voltage Sources

• Published in: Journal of intelligent material systems and structures 2006-09, Vol.17 (8-9), p.653-660
• Main Authors: Lefeuvre, Elie, Badel, Adrien, Petit, Lionel, Richard, Claude, Guyomar, Daniel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); General equipment and techniques; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Measurement and testing methods; Physics; Servo and control equipment; robots; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics
• ISSN: 1045-389X; 1530-8138
• DOI: 10.1177/1045389X06055810

Semi-passive damping techniques have been developed recently to address the problem of structural damping. Contrary to the standard passive piezoelectric damping, these new techniques adapt to environmental variations. Moreover, they present interesting multimodal damping performances. However, their efficiency is strongly correlated with their electromechanical coupling. The enhanced semi-passive damping technique presented herein compensates for this drawback. It reinforces the electromechanical coupling by artificially increasing the voltage amplitude delivered by the piezoelectric patches. Theoretical predictions and experimental results show a −24 dB attenuation on the vibration of a resonant cantilever steel beam, while reducing the piezoelectric material volume by 83%.