Ultrasonic thin-walled tube wave structure for sensing devices

• Published in: IEEE transactions on ultrasonics, ferroelectrics, and frequency control Vol. 43; no. 2; pp. 331 - 336
• Main Authors: Xing Li, Zuoqing Wang, Cheng Kuei Jen, Viens, M., Cheeke, J.D.N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.03.1996; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Subjects: Acoustic sensors; Acoustic transducers; Acoustic waves; Acoustical measurements and instrumentation; Acoustics; Coaxial components; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Mass and density; Measurements common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Metrology, measurements and laboratory procedures; Physics; Piezoelectric films; Piezoelectric transducers; Steel; Thin film sensors; Thin wall structures; Titanium compounds; Acoustic wave device; Gravimetric analysis; Tube; Measurement sensor; Interdigital transducer; Theoretical study; Curved surface; Measurement method; Experimental study; Thin wall; Ultrasound; Monitoring
• ISSN: 0885-3010; 1525-8955
• DOI: 10.1109/58.485961

Theoretical and experimental investigations of thin-walled tube acoustic wave devices for gravimetric sensing applications are presented. Integrated sensor configurations have been demonstrated by employing a sol-gel processed thin piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) film. This was coated coaxially on stainless steel tubes and interdigital transducers (IDT) fabricated as the transmitter and receiver on the curved tube surfaces. We have observed tube waves along both the axial and circumferential directions between 1 and 6.6 MHz. We have also analyzed the mass sensitivities of different modes propagating along the tubes and shown that high mass sensitivity can be achieved by keeping the tube wall thin.