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High performance piesoelectric array devices for digital loudspeakers and steered array antennas (PADS)

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No existing technology can produce linear-actuators which are long-travel, low cost, small-size, high-efficiency and high-speed. Arrays of such devices would enable Digital-Loudspeakers (DLS) and low-cost Low-Earth-Orbit satellite-traking Phased-Array-Antennas(PAA), which would provide consumers with improved sound quality and communications. We will develop a novel long-travel actuator based on a piezoelectric ceramic helix, a gas-filled rolling bearing an a light-weight piston. The objectives are to fabricate these materials and devices; to design, analyse, fabricate and test arrays of actuators; and to develop feasibility prototypes of the DLS and the PAA. This will also involve developments in digital-signal-processing electronics and software, and a new type of sound-absorbing structure based on aerogels. The results will include new ceramic processing routes, the novel actuator, and a protoype DLS and PAA. The materials and devices will have other potential applications.
1.Two high displacement piezoelectric transducers were developed in the project:
-an audio transducer using a Helimorph(r) piezo actuator;
-an optical shutter using an S-morph stack piezo actuator. The Helimorph(r) actuator is a coiled-coil piezoelectric bender and the S-morph Stack a split-bender-stack; both are compact and capable of several mm of displacement, equivalent to over 100% strain in a selected dimension.

2. Piezoelectric manufacturing processes were developed to produce the actuators by a number of routes:
-Bi-layer, multi-turn and tapered Helimorph(r) devices by Viscous Plastic Processing
-Multi-layer Helimorph(r) devices by Tape Casting;
-S-morph Stacks from Solufil and tape cast tapes.

3. Wide range piezoelectric loudspeakers were demonstrated, operating from 120 Hz to 20 kHz.

4. A Digital Loudspeaker comprising an array of 42 piezoelectric transducers was demonstrated. Conventional drive produced acceptable sound; novel Unary drive delivered both greater output (higher SPL) and a smoother frequency response, although accompanied by significant noise.

4. An optical shutter incorporating a piezoelectric actuator was demonstrated.

5. A high performance sound absorber with exceptional attenuation down to low frequencies (100 Hz) was demonstrated.

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CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

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UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
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Letzte Aktualisierung: 12 April 2005

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/G1RD-CT-1999-00121/de

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