Optimal piezoelectric shunt damper using enhanced synthetic inductor: simulation and experimental validation

Piezoelectric material has the ability to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy and vice versa, making it suitable for use as an actuator and sensor. When used as a controller in sensor mode, the piezoelectric transducer is connected to an external electrical circuit where the converted electrical energy will be dissipated through Joule heat; also known as piezoelectric shunt damper (PSD). In this work, a PSD is used to dampen the first resonance of a cantilever beam by connecting its terminal to an RL shunt circuit configured in series. The optimal resistance and inductance values for maximum energy dissipation are determined by matching the parameters to the first resonant frequency of the cantilever beam, where R = 78.28 kΩ and L = 2.9 kH are found to be the optimal values. To realize the large inductance value, a synthetic inductor is utilized and here, the design is enhanced by introducing a polarized capacitor to avoid impedance mismatch. The mathematical modelling of a cantilever beam attached with a PSD is derived and simulated where 70% vibration reduction is seen in COMSOL. From experimental study, the vibration reduction obtained when using the piezoelectric shunt circuit with enhanced synthetic inductor is found to be 67.4% at 15.2 Hz. Results from this study can be used to improve PSD design for structural vibration control at targeted resonance with obvious peak