Electrode design method for optimal efficiency of longitudinal-bending actuators

We present a new method for electrode design in order to improve efficiency of energy conversion in piezoelectric elements used as a longitudinal-bending actuators. An analytical method of electromechanical coupling calculation based on strain analysis of a piezoelectric element is presented. This method allows for simple computation of conversion efficiency of a set of electrodes associated with a given stimulated mode. We propose an optimal electrode pattern in the case of an ultrasonic curved longitudinal-bending actuator.