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U.S. Department of Energy
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The PVDF (polarized polyvinylidene fluoride polymer film) piezoelectric polymer shock-stress sensor: Signal conditioning and analysis for field test application

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5988972

The PVDF shock sensor is a piezoelectric polymer transducing element that converts stress to charge. This unusually versatile sensor allows accurate measurement of stress pulses of durations up to milliseconds with resolution of nanoseconds over a range of a few bars to at least 0.5 Mbar. Its measurement characteristics depend significantly on stress waveform and circuitry. Field test applications require special consideration of signal conditioning, system characterization, and data analysis. This report describes some unfamiliar characteristics of the PVDF sensor and a field-validated hybrid (complementary hardware and software) approach to the general measurement problem as encountered under field test conditions. Discussed are the use of the sensor, for estimation of signal voltage, through characterization and correction for system properties, design, and realization of special filters, to reduction of observed voltage to the stress experienced by the sensor. 9 refs., 10 figs., 1 tab.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
5988972
Report Number(s):
SAND-88-2907; CONF-8811100-3; ON: DE89013348
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English