TY - GEN
T1 - Reliability of electrostatically driven resonant sensors under mechanical shock
AU - Ibrahim, Mahmoud I.
AU - Younis, Mohammad I.
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - This paper presents a theoretical and experimental investigation of the response of electrostatically actuated parallel-plate resonators when subjected to mechanical shock. Resonators are commonly employed in resonant sensors, where they are operated at low pressure for enhanced sensitivity making their response to external disturbances such as shock a critical issue. A single-degree-of-freedom system is used to model a resonator, which is electrostatically driven by a DC load superimposed to an AC harmonic load. Simulation results are demonstrated in a series of shock spectra that help indicate the combined influence of shock, DC, and AC loads. The effect of the shock duration coinciding with the AC harmonic frequency is investigated. It is concluded that accounting for the electrostatic forces, especially the AC load, is crucial when addressing the reliability and performance of resonators against shock. It is found that for specific shock and AC excitation conditions, the resonator may experience early dynamic pull-in instability. Experimental work has been conducted on a capacitive sensor to verify the obtained theoretical results. The sensor is mounted on top of a small shaker and then both are placed inside a vacuum chamber. Acceleration pulses were applied on the sensor while powered by DC and AC load. The response of the device was monitored using a laser-Doppler vibrometer. The experimental results were compared to the theoretical results and were found to be in good agreement.
AB - This paper presents a theoretical and experimental investigation of the response of electrostatically actuated parallel-plate resonators when subjected to mechanical shock. Resonators are commonly employed in resonant sensors, where they are operated at low pressure for enhanced sensitivity making their response to external disturbances such as shock a critical issue. A single-degree-of-freedom system is used to model a resonator, which is electrostatically driven by a DC load superimposed to an AC harmonic load. Simulation results are demonstrated in a series of shock spectra that help indicate the combined influence of shock, DC, and AC loads. The effect of the shock duration coinciding with the AC harmonic frequency is investigated. It is concluded that accounting for the electrostatic forces, especially the AC load, is crucial when addressing the reliability and performance of resonators against shock. It is found that for specific shock and AC excitation conditions, the resonator may experience early dynamic pull-in instability. Experimental work has been conducted on a capacitive sensor to verify the obtained theoretical results. The sensor is mounted on top of a small shaker and then both are placed inside a vacuum chamber. Acceleration pulses were applied on the sensor while powered by DC and AC load. The response of the device was monitored using a laser-Doppler vibrometer. The experimental results were compared to the theoretical results and were found to be in good agreement.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77954308555&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1115/IMECE2009-12366
DO - 10.1115/IMECE2009-12366
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:77954308555
SN - 9780791843857
T3 - ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings
SP - 89
EP - 100
BT - Proceedings of the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition 2009, IMECE 2009
PB - American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
T2 - ASME 2009 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE2009
Y2 - 13 November 2009 through 19 November 2009
ER -