Piezoelectric Sensor Applications

The piezoelectric sensor is made of piezoelectric effect generated by some dielectric after loading. The piezoelectric effect refers to certain dielectric in one direction by external force and deformation (including bending and deformation), due to the polarization of the internal charge, will be produced in the surface charge of the phenomenon. Piezoelectric ceramic sensors convert a physical, acceleration, pressure, or other input to an electrical signal that serves as an input to a data processing system. This sensor signal often results in a response from the system. One example of such a piezoelectric ceramic sensor is an accelerometer. Accelerometer sensors often measure vibration or acceleration of various devices, such as motors, pumps, etc. A piezoelectric sensor of this type is often used to measure vibration of motor bearings, or other device, to determine the wear on the bearing so that maintenance can be performed before there is a catastrophic bearing failure. An automotive knock sensor is another example of an accelerometer sensor that is used to measure the engine vibration to adjust the fuel / air ratio to reduce engine vibration and “engine pinging”, thereby resulting in improved engine performance.

Another group of piezo sensors operate on the principle of measuring distance in a fluid, primarily through the use of transit time measurements and a corresponding data processing system. This system can yield a preprogrammed response that will control some aspect of the process by keeping the operation within desired operating parameters. An example of this piezoelectric ceramic sensor system would be the throttling of a valve in the following applications for piezoelectric flow and level sensors.