Multilayer piezoelectric transducer design guidelines for low profile magnetic-less DC/DC converter

In this paper, multilayer piezoelectric transducer design guidelines are presented for a low profile magnetic-less DC/DC converter. Power capacity considerations are very important in designing magnetic less power converters with piezoelectric devices, as it has different characteristics from conventional power devices such as magnetic inductors and transformers. Piezoelectric devices have fundamental limitations on power handling, such as maximum operation voltage and current capacity. Using an electro-mechanically coupled equivalent circuit model of a piezoelectric element, the power capacity is discussed and the current capacity equations, including material constants, are derived. In addition, benefits and trade-offs of a multilayer structure application to improve power capacity of piezoelectric transducers are discussed and design considerations for a piezoelectric power application are given. Customized piezoelectric transducers can be designed based on the design guidelines to meet system requirements. Experimental results with a 15W prototype magnetic-less DC-DC converter using a multilayered piezoelectric transducer verify the feasibility of the research.