Longitudinal Vibration of Multilayered Piezoelectric Elements

The longitudinal vibration of piezoelectric elements is analyzed using the wave equation. The element is fabricated of multilayer piezoelectric ceramics which are applied to such devices as actuators because of their capacity for electrical to mechanical energy conversion. The fundamental equations of electricity, based on the constitutive equations for piezoelectric elements, are derived by considering the longitudinal vibration. The dynamic behavior of the elements is presented in terms of the general solution of longitudinal vibration. The calculated results are verified by comparison with the current excited by the longitudinal vibration in the driving circuit.