Piezoelectric spark generator

Fig. 6.21 (a) A piezoelectric spark generator, (b) A piezoceramic cylinder under axial... 

Narrow-necked polythene bottles (50 or 100-mL), piezoelectric spark generator, sparking plug attached to base plate, gas inlet tubes, 1-L beaker, dropping pipette, measuring cylinder, safety glasses, protective gloves. 

Thin sheets of piezoelectric materials are used in sensors, buzzers, and actuators. In addition to the conventional vibrators, pressure and acceleration sensors are now also being manufactured from these materials. Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is one of the most common materials used for these applications. The trend is to produce thinner and thinner and smaller and smaller parts. Therefore tape casting has become the manufacturing route of choice. One of the basic applications of piezoelectric ceramics is as a gas igniter where a spark is generated by the piezoelectric under an applied mechanical stress. Microphone discs are also prepared from thin... 

One of the very basic applications of piezoelectric ceramics is a gas igniter. The very high voltage generated in a piezoelectric ceramic under applied mechanical stress can cause sparking and ignite the gas (Fig. 4.1.5). There are two means to apply the mechanical force, either by a rapid, pulsed application or by a more gradual, continuous increase. 

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