Patents Examined by Derek J Rosenau
  • Patent number: 11937509
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to circuitry for driving a piezoelectric transducer. The circuitry comprises pre-processor circuitry configured to process an input signal to generate a processed signal; driver circuitry coupled to the pre-processor circuitry and configured to generate a drive signal, based on the processed signal, for driving the piezoelectric transducer; and processor circuitry configured to determine a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric transducer. The pre-processor circuitry is configured to process the input signal based on the determined resonant frequency so as to generate the processed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Lesso, Anthony S. Doy
  • Patent number: 11930711
    Abstract: A vibration structure that includes a piezoelectric film constructed to deform in a plane direction as a voltage is applied thereto, a frame-shaped member, a vibration portion surrounded by the frame-shaped member in a plan view of the vibration structure, a support portion connecting the vibration portion and the frame-shaped member, and supporting the vibration portion within the frame-shaped member such that the vibration portion vibrates in the plane direction when the piezoelectric film is deformed in the plane direction, a first connection member that connects the piezoelectric film to the vibration portion, and a second connection member that connects the piezoelectric film to the frame-shaped member. Of the connection members, the first connection member is disposed between the center of gravity of the vibration portion and the second connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Hashimoto, Jun Endo, Toru Tominaga, Shozo Otera
  • Patent number: 11917920
    Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric array, a resin portion, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The piezoelectric array includes piezoelectric pillars having a columnar shape and made of piezoelectric ceramic. The piezoelectric pillars are provided along a row direction and a column direction in a two-dimensional array such that the piezoelectric pillars are parallel or substantially parallel to each other in height direction thereof. The resin portion is located in and preferably fills a gap between the piezoelectric pillars. The first electrode includes first electrode wires extending in the column direction. The second electrode includes second electrode wires extending in the row direction. Both of the piezoelectric pillars and the resin portion resonantly vibrate in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode, and a resonant frequency of the resin portion is higher than a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric pillars by about 15% or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hironari Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11917922
    Abstract: A mounting structure includes: a first substrate that has a first surface on which a functional element is provided; a wiring portion that is provided at a position, which is different from a position of the functional element on the first surface, and is conductively connected to the functional element; a second substrate that has a second surface that is opposite to the first surface; and a conduction portion that is provided on the second surface, is connected to the wiring portion, and is conductively connected the functional element. The shortest distance between the functional element and the second substrate is longer than the longest distance between the second substrate and a position where the wiring portion is connected to the conduction portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Ohashi, Chikara Kojima, Hiroshi Matsuda, Hironori Suzuki, Shuichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11910720
    Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric device and an MEMS device whose size can be reduced. The piezoelectric device includes: a first substrate that includes a first surface on which a piezoelectric element and a first electrode coupled to the piezoelectric element are disposed; a second substrate that includes a second surface on which a second electrode configured to be coupled to a control circuit is disposed; and a third substrate that is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and includes a third surface bonded to the first surface and a fourth surface facing the second surface, in which the third substrate has a through hole passing through from the third surface to the fourth surface, and a third electrode provided in the through hole and coupled to the first electrode, and the second electrode is coupled to the third electrode and is electrically coupled to the first electrode via the third electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Osawa, Hikaru Iwai
  • Patent number: 11910717
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes an electrode layer including a trunk portion and a plurality of branch portions branched from the trunk portion. The trunk portion includes a plurality of junction points from each of which a corresponding branch portion of the plurality of branch portions are branched, an end spaced from the plurality of junction points, and a second through hole positioned between the plurality of junction points and the end of the trunk portion. A plurality of first through holes are grouped into a first group and a second group. The first group overlaps, in a first direction, a particular area defined between the end of the trunk portion and the second through hole and the second group overlaps, in the first direction, another particular area defined between the second through hole and the plurality of junction points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Kura, Takashi Aiba
  • Patent number: 11909380
    Abstract: An acoustic resonator and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The acoustic resonator includes a resonating part including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer; and a plurality of seed layers disposed on one side of the resonating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ran Hee Shin, Tae Kyung Lee, Sung Han, Yun Sung Kang, Sung Sun Kim, Jin Suk Son, Jeong Suong Yang, Hwa Sun Lee, Eun Tae Park
  • Patent number: 11909337
    Abstract: A dielectric elastomer power generation system A1 includes a dielectric elastomer power generation element 3 having a dielectric elastomer layer 31 and a pair of electrode layers 32 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 31. The dielectric elastomer power generation system A1 further includes a piezoelectric element 1 and a multi-stage voltage multiplier/rectifier circuit 2 that boosts and rectifies the voltage generated by the piezoelectric element 1 and applies the resulting voltage as an initial voltage to the dielectric elastomer power generation element 3. This configuration enables the system to be constructed at a lower cost and increase the amount of power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: ZEON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiki Chiba, Mikio Waki, Makoto Takeshita, Mitsugu Uejima
  • Patent number: 11903322
    Abstract: An electromechanical device comprising: first and second electrodes each comprising a metal layer; an active layer comprising at least one ferroelectric polymer and disposed between the first and the second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode each comprise an interface layer comprising poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene). Each interface layer is interposed between the active layer and the corresponding metal layer. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT À L'ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventor: Mohammed Benwadih
  • Patent number: 11901875
    Abstract: A sensor device that includes an integrated sensor assembly having a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor disposed on a piezoelectric substrate. The SAW sensor is adapted to measure an environmental condition of an environment in response to an RF signal. The SAW sensor includes an interdigitated transducer (IDT) formed on a substrate having at least a layer of a piezoelectric material. The SAW sensor includes either one or more SAW reflectors of a second IDT formed on the piezoelectric material. The SAW sensor further includes an RF antenna formed on the piezoelectric material. The SAW sensor and the RF antenna are integrated with one another on the piezoelectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Chuang-Chia Lin
  • Patent number: 11890890
    Abstract: A light-emitting module structure comprises a support substrate and a micro-module disposed on or in the support substrate that extends over only a portion of the support substrate. The micro-module comprises a rigid module substrate, an inorganic light-emitting diode, a power source, and a control circuit. The inorganic light-emitting diode, the power source, and the control circuit are disposed on or in the module substrate and the control circuit receives power from the power source to control the inorganic light-emitting diode to emit light. A light conductor is disposed on or in the support substrate and in alignment with the micro-module so that the inorganic light-emitting diode is disposed to emit light into the light conductor and the light conductor conducts the light beyond the micro-module to emit the light from the light conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: X Display Company Technology Limited
    Inventors: Mark Willner, Ronald S. Cok, Robert R. Rotzoll, Christopher Andrew Bower
  • Patent number: 11890643
    Abstract: A PMUT includes a substrate, a stopper, and a multi-layered structure, where the substrate includes a corner, and a cavity is disposed in the substrate. The stopper is in contact with the corner of the substrate and the cavity. The multi-layered structure is disposed over the cavity and attached to the stopper and the multi-layered structure includes at least one through hole in contact with the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: You Qian, Joan Josep Giner de Haro, Rakesh Kumar, Jia Jie Xia
  • Patent number: 11890140
    Abstract: Ultrasound transducer assemblies and associated systems and method are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an ultrasound transducer assembly includes at least one matching layer overlies a transducer layer. A plurality of kerfs extends at least into the matching layer. In some aspects, the kerfs are at least partially filled with a filler material that includes microballoons and/or microspheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SONOSITE, INC.
    Inventors: Wei Li, Gregg Frey, Simon Hsu
  • Patent number: 11894824
    Abstract: Laser-marked packaged surface acoustic wave devices are provided. The laser-marked packaged surface acoustic wave device may include a package structure encapsulating a surface acoustic wave device on a first side of a piezoelectric substrate. The opposite side of the piezoelectric substrate can be directly marked using a laser. The laser may be a deep ultraviolet laser. By directly marking the piezoelectric substrate itself, the use of a separate marking film can be avoided, making the packaged surface acoustic wave device thinner. When the laser has a wavelength readily absorbed by the piezoelectric substrate, a relatively shallow marking may be made in the piezoelectric substrate. The markings can extend less than 1 micrometer into the piezoelectric substrate, so as not to affect the structural integrity of the piezoelectric substrate or the operation of the packaged surface acoustic wave device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Ann Koo, Takashi Inoue, Vivian Sing Zhi Lee, Ping Yi Tan
  • Patent number: 11889764
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a square suspension plate, an outer frame, a plurality of brackets and a square piezoelectric ceramic plate. The outer frame is arranged around the suspension plate. A second surface of the outer frame and a second surface of the suspension plate are coplanar with each other. Each of the plurality of brackets has two ends, a first end is perpendicular to and connected with the suspension plate, and a second end is perpendicular to and connected with the outer frame for elastically supporting the suspension plate. Each bracket has a length in a range between 1.22 mm and 1.45 mm and a width in a range between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm. A length of the piezoelectric ceramic plate is not larger than a length of the suspension plate. The piezoelectric ceramic plate is attached on a first surface of the suspension plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Microjet Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao-Jan Mou, Shih-Chang Chen, Jia-Yu Liao, Hung-Hsin Liao, Che-Wei Huang, Chi-Feng Huang, Yung-Lung Han, Chun-Yi Kuo, Wei-Ming Lee
  • Patent number: 11888461
    Abstract: An acoustic wave device includes a silicon oxide film, a lithium tantalate film, an IDT electrode, and a protection film that are laminated on a support substrate made of silicon. A wavelength normalized film thickness of a lithium tantalate film is denoted by TLT, an Euler angle is ?LT, a wavelength normalized film thickness of the silicon oxide film is TS, a wavelength normalized film thickness of the IDT electrode in terms of aluminum thickness is TE, a wavelength normalized film thickness of a protection film is TP, a propagation direction in the support substrate is ?Si, and a wavelength normalized film thickness of the support substrate is TSi. Values of TLT, ?LT, TS, TE, TP, and ?Si are set such that Ih corresponding to an intensity of a response of a spurious response represented by Formula (1) is greater than about ?2.4 in a spurious response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryo Nakagawa, Hideki Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 11881838
    Abstract: A resonance device that includes a MEMS substrate including a resonator, an upper lid, and a bonding portion bonding the MEMS substrate and the upper lid to seal a vibration space of the resonator. The bonding portion includes a eutectic layer containing a eutectic alloy as a main component thereof. The eutectic alloy is composed of a first metal containing aluminum as a main component thereof, a second metal of germanium or silicon, and a third metal of titanium or nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kentarou Dehara, Masakazu Fukumitsu
  • Patent number: 11876503
    Abstract: A resonance device that includes a lower cover, an upper cover joined to the lower cover, a resonator having vibrating arms that bend and vibrate in a vibration space between the lower cover and the upper cover, and particles attached to tip portions of the vibrating arms. When a median size of the particle is defined as D50, a specific gravity of the particle is defined as A, and a resonant frequency of the resonator is defined as X, D50?189/(X×?A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichi Goto, Keisuke Takeyama
  • Patent number: 11872592
    Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a base material that has an opening, a vibration plate that is provided on the base material and closes the opening, and a piezoelectric element that is provided on the vibration plate, in which the vibration plate has a first layer provided on the base material, and a second layer that is disposed between the first layer and the piezoelectric element and that suppresses diffusion of a component contained in the piezoelectric element, and a bending rigidity of the second layer is equal to or larger than a bending rigidity of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventors: Chikara Kojima, Koji Ohashi, Eiji Osawa
  • Patent number: 11872591
    Abstract: A micro-machined ultrasonic transducer is proposed. The micro-machined ultrasonic transducer includes a membrane element for transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves, during the transmission/reception of ultrasonic waves the membrane element oscillating, about an equilibrium position, at a respective resonance frequency. The equilibrium position of the membrane element is variable according to a biasing electric signal applied to the membrane element. The micro-machined ultrasonic transducer further comprises a cap structure extending above the membrane element; the cap structure identifies, between it and the membrane element, a cavity whose volume is variable according to the equilibrium position of the membrane element. The cap structure comprises an opening for inputting/outputting the ultrasonic waves into/from the cavity. The cap structure and the membrane element act as tunable Helmholtz resonator, whereby the resonance frequency is variable according to the volume of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Silvia Adorno, Roberto Carminati