Accelerometer Application of the Modified Moonie (Cymbal) Transducer

The modified Moonie (Cymbal) transducer has been investigated for an accelerometer application. High effective piezoelectric charge coefficients (d(33)) of the Cymbal transducer was observed around 15000 pC/N, which is much higher than that of the piezoelectric ceramic itself (similar to 550 pC/N). With this feature the Cymbal trasducer is a good candidate for high sensitive accelerometer applications. The sensitivity of the Cymbal accelerometer was measured as a function of driving frequency and compared with the single plate ceramic disk which was used as driving component in the transducer. Besides, the geometry of the transducer such as endcap thickness, the effect of different Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) compositions and metal endcaps on sensitivity was investigated. The sensitivity 50 times higher than the PZT disk was obtained.