This paper presents a new sort of multilayer piezoelectric ceramic transformer for switching regulated power supplies. This piezoelectric transformer operates in the second thickness extensional vibration mode. Its resonant frequency is higher than 1 MHz. First, numerical simulation was implemented using a distributed constant electromechanical equivalent circuit method. It was calculated that this piezoelectric transformer, which has higher than 200 mechanical quality factor Qm, could work with higher than 90% efficiency and in more than 20-W/cm3 high power density. Second, a trially fabricated transformer, which is 15 mm long, 15 mm wide and 2.2 mm thick, was examined. Modified PbTiO3 family ceramics were used for the piezoelectric transformer material, because of the large anisotropy between electromechanical coupling factors kt and kp. Obtained results indicate that the piezoelectric transformer has good resonant characteristics, with little spurious vibration, and exhibits 16-W/cm3 power density with high efficiency at 2 MHz. Moreover, a switching regulated power supply, applying the piezoelectric ceramic transformer, was built and examined.

Steady-state characteristics of the push-pull inverter with a piezoelectric transformer are analyzed. The piezoelectric transformer operating in the 3rd-order longitudinal vibration mode is used in place of a conventional magnetic transformer to produce a high output voltage to light up a cold cathode fluorescent lamp. The circuit operation, the load characteristics, the efficiency and the ZVS conditions are analyzed using equivalent circuits. These analytical results are confirmed by experiments. An example of the output current control is also shown.

A power converter with a new piezoelectric transformer is presented. The piezoelectric transformer, made of lead titanate solid solution ceramic, is operated with a thickness extensional vibration mode. This transformer can operate at high frequency, over several megahertz, with about 90% high efficiency. The resonant frequency for the transformer is 2 MHz. The power converter with the transformer applies the theory for a class-E switching converter using an electromagnetic transformer. Maximum output power was obtained when the switching frequency was slightly higher than the resonant frequency. 4.4 W output power was successfully obtained with 52% efficiency at 2.1 MHz switching frequency.

A piezoelectric transformer (PT) converter with PWM control is presented. The combination of an active-clamp circuit and a resonant circuit makes it possible to control the output voltage of the PT converter with PWM at a constant switching frequency. The PT converter circuit is evaluated using an AC analysis, and a design procedure is presented. The PT converter implemented on a printed circuit board is experimentally evaluated and a good controllability is successfully achieved.