Piezoelectric Fans: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Piezoelectric Zirconate Titanate (PZT) is a material that has many applications. One of its application is in piezoelectric (PE) fans. PZT material that acts as an actuator, by sticking to the surface of a beam or plate-like structural element, or by embedding in it a sandwich blade is obtained. The blade in the shape of a beam or plate is exposed to vibration by applying AC voltage to the PZT actuator. The blade that is exposed to vibration ensures the removal of hot ambient air. In recent years, PE fans have been used in technologically sensitive areas for heat transfer due to some important advantages. Therefore, literature survey shows that there are many studies about fans with PE actuators. In this review paper the historical background and the research areas of studies on PE fans are explained in detail to readers. Studies on the electro-mechanical properties and components of PE fans are described in detail. In addition, innovative analytical, numerical and experimental studies on PE fans in the open literature were investigated. Finally, the visual representations of the physical and experimental models used in the studies are summarized in a table. According to literature survey, it is clear that studies on PE fans have only recently begun and are gradually advancing. In particular, analytical modeling and fan blade solving methods, vibration control, blade-actuator optimization for optimum energy performance with minimum energy, experimental setups to accurately measure blade velocity and performance, the types of used PZT materials are the most popular research topics.

Keywords

• Piezoelectric fans
• Vibrating cantilevers
• Heat transfer enhancement

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