This article presents an experimentally validated electromechanical beam model for a representative cymbal-like piezocomposite active segment of a bioinspired piezocomposite aquatic propulsor/pump. The proposed concept is a self-contained propulsion/pumping system involving a series of piezoactive soft cymbal-like segments that are connected by passive soft connective segments. A series of phased excitations in expansion and contraction applied to active segments create a traveling wave along the axis of the pump, which in return propels the fluid. A parametric analysis is conducted using the proposed model to understand the effectiveness of the cymbal-like piezocomposite active segment as a function of critical structural parameters. Area change of the cymbal-like actuators, which is correlated to the propulsion power, is studied based on the analysis of the induced moment, curvature, and area change due to piezoelectric excitation. Objective functions and criteria are proposed and evaluated to understand the effectiveness, and to identify the optimal structural parameters of the piezocomposite pump. The influence of a sealant layer for waterproofing is also examined. Both bimorph and unimorph configurations are analyzed, and the results are compared.

中文翻译：

---

仿生压电复合材料推进器：机电模型

本文介绍了一种经过实验验证的机电梁模型，用于仿生压电复合材料水动力推进器/泵的代表性钹状压电复合材料活动段。提出的概念是一个独立的推进/泵送系统，包括一系列由被动软连接段连接的压电式软钹状段。应用于活动段的一系列膨胀和收缩的相位激励会产生沿泵轴的行波，从而推动流体。使用所提出的模型进行参数分析，以了解作为关键结构参数函数的钹状压电复合材料活动段的有效性。与推进功率相关的钹状执行器的面积变化，基于对压电激励引起的感应力矩、曲率和面积变化的分​​析进行研究。提出并评估了目标函数和标准，以了解其有效性，并确定压电复合泵的最佳结构参数。还研究了防水密封层的影响。分析了双压电晶片和单压电晶片的配置，并比较了结果。