Abstract: A piezoelectric switch for tunable electronic components comprises piezoelectric layers, metal electrodes alternated with the layers and contact pads. Cross voltages are applied to the electrodes, in order to obtain an S-shaped deformation of the switch and allow contact between the contact pads. Additionally, a further electrode can be provided on a substrate where the switch is fabricated, to allow an additional electrostatic effect during movement of the piezoelectric layers to obtain contact between the contact pads. The overall dimensions of the switch are very small and the required actuation voltage is very low, when compared to existing switches.

Abstract: A frequency-tunable resonator comprises a basic element having at least one piezoelectric layer and at least one semiconducting layer. The electrodes, formed on main surface situated opposite one another of the basic element, are loaded with an external voltage, whereby the resonant frequency of the basic element or of the resonator can be in dependence on the voltage.

Abstract: A quartz-crystal oscillator has a configuration wherein a rectangular container 1 accommodating a piezoelectric oscillator device 5 therein is fixed to a rectangular supporting substrate 6 on which an IC device 7 is mounted via spacer members 12 formed of metal bodies. On the surface of the supporting substrate 6, part or all of the IC device 7 and side faces of the spacer members are coated with a resin material. When the quartz-crystal oscillator is implemented on a main board by soldering or the like, the problem that the solder for bonding the quartz-crystal oscillator to the main board is adhered to the spacer members 12, thereby causing a short-circuit can be effectively prevented.

Abstract: A driving circuit of a transmitting apparatus drives a piezoelectric element in a frequency band different from a resonance frequency at which a vibration system including the piezoelectric element resonates the most strongly. A driving circuit of a sound sensor drives the piezoelectric element for transmitting or receiving an acoustic wave in a frequency band different from a resonance frequency at which a vibration system including the piezoelectric element resonates the most strongly. Such a transmitting apparatus is mounted as a transmitting apparatus of a sound sensor to thereby realize the sound sensor with a small measurement error. The sound sensor is adopted for traveling control and steering control of an autonomous traveling vehicle to thereby enable an autonomous traveling vehicle capable of stopping in the vicinity of an obstacle to be realized.

Abstract: A rotary ultrasonic piezoelectric motor is provided and a method of exciting a flexure traveling wave to drive the motor. The motor includes a stator having a piezoelectric ceramic disc polarized in the radial direction and bounded by a top electrode and a segmented bottom electrode. The motor also includes a power source for applying two pairs of alternating voltages to the bottom electrode segments to excite a shear-shear mode vibration in the stator, resulting in a shear-shear mode flexure traveling wave in the stator. The motor further includes a rotor operatively connected to the stator, and the stator is driven to rotate through a frictional force between the rotor and the stator due to the traveling wave deformation of the stator. A linear ultrasonic piezoelectric motor and method of exciting a flexure traveling wave to linearly drive the motor is provided. The motor includes a stator having a rectangular piezoelectric ceramic plate that is polarized in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A piezoelectric blade anchoring structure includes piezoelectric blades mounting onto a circuit board. The piezoelectric blade has electric contacts to connect electrically with conductive members located on the circuit board. A protection plate is provided to keep the conductive member in contact with the electric contact in normal conditions to avoid gaps from occurring between the piezoelectric blades and the conductive members and resulting in breaking off, and prevent oxidation and damage so that the piezoelectric blades and the circuit board can maintain a desired electric connection.

Abstract: To make a substantial mounting area smaller. A piezoelectric resonator has a piezoelectric resonator element accommodated in a package. The piezoelectric resonator element includes a pair of connection electrodes which are connected to excitation electrodes. The respective connection electrodes are joined to mount electrodes formed in the package. The piezoelectric resonator includes four external electrodes at the outer surface of the bottom of the package. The external electrodes disposed along the shorter latus of the package on one side in the lengthwise direction thereof are electrically connected with the mount electrodes to which the respective connection electrodes of the piezoelectric resonator element are connected.

Abstract: The present invention provides diamond tools, and a method for the formation thereof, using CVD techniques. In one aspect, a mold is provided which has an interface surface configured to inversely match a configuration intended for the working surface of a diamond layer in a tool. After the mold is provided, various CVD techniques may be used to deposit diamond layers upon the diamond interface surface of the mold. Following diamond deposition upon the diamond interface surface, the mold may be removed by various means, such as chemical etching, or the mold may be left intact for certain applications, such as SAW filters. Thus, the working surface of the diamond receives a shape which inversely corresponds to the configuration of the mold's diamond interface surface. The diamond layer may then be incorporated into a tool, if such incorporation has not yet taken place.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic generator includes a housing with a thermoacoustic core supported in the housing. The core is operable to introduce acoustical power into the housing to thereby oscillate the pressure of the gas in the housing at a frequency. A piezoelectric alternator is also supported in the housing and has a face that is movable when acted on by the acoustical power. The alternator includes a portion of piezoelectric material operable to produce electrical power when acted upon by a stress. The piezoelectric material is in mechanical communication with the movable face so that movement of the face stresses the piezoelectric material. The alternator has a moving mass that serves as a substantial portion of the resonating mass inside the housing, thereby providing a pressure oscillation frequency in the housing substantially lower than for a similar system with a rigid member replacing the alternator.

Abstract: A laminated piezoelectric transformer is provided using the longitudinal vibration modes for step-up voltage conversion applications. The input portions are polarized to deform in a longitudinal plane and are bonded to an output portion. The deformation of the input portions is mechanically coupled to the output portion, which deforms in the same longitudinal direction relative to the input portion. The output portion is polarized in the thickness direction relative its electrodes, and piezoelectrically generates a stepped-up output voltage.

Abstract: An acoustic wave sensor having a piezoelectric substrate shaped to generate lateral electric fields. The sensor has a pair of electrodes deposited upon a reference surface of the substrate. A sensing surface that is opposite from the reference surface is adapted to be immersed in an environment, such as a gas or a liquid.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator according to an embodiment of the present invention is a piezoelectric resonator for obtaining a signal of a predetermined resonance frequency from a bulk acoustic wave propagating inside a piezoelectric film. This piezoelectric resonator has a plurality of transducers stacked in a predetermined direction, and a propagation area of the bulk acoustic wave varies in a propagation direction of the bulk acoustic wave.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator 10 is disclosed, having drive elements (14a–d) movable in two dimensions and connected to an actuator backing (12). The actuator backing (12) is made of a material being ferromechanically inactive. Furthermore, the joint between the drive element (14a–d) and the actuator backing (12) is stiff and highly stable. This is achieved by use of an irreversible joint made e.g. by thermoset plastic glues, diffusion bonding or co-sintering. Co-sintering is to prefer. The actuator backing (12) material is selected to be stiff, preferably having a stiffness above 70 GPa and more preferably above 100 GPa, and having a high heat conductivity, preferably above 5 W/mK and more preferably above 10 W/mK, Electrodes (22) are preferably integrated in the actuator backing to increase stiffness as well as improving the heat conductivity. The drive elements (14a–d) are preferably covered (28, 26), at least at the driving surface, by heat-conducting material.

Abstract: Reliable piezoelectric restraint mechanisms are provided that substantially reduce the ill effects of acceleration sensitivity through an increasingly rigid and precise orientation system. The piezoelectric resonator stress relief apparatus, devices and systems of the present invention resolve the long-standing disadvantages, limitations and shortcomings of acceleration sensitive resonators by stacking a number of rigid plates, layers and spring cushions around the piezoelectric resonator by means of a mounting structure that provides in-plane stress relief and precise definition of the mounting plane. The piezoelectric resonator stress relief apparatus, device and system can essentially eliminate any deformation or may include precisely defined features to tailor the allowed deformation of the piezoelectric resonator, without suffering from the long-standing disadvantages, limitations and shortcomings of prior art acceleration sensitive resonators.

Abstract: A piezoelectric porcelain composition containing a complex oxide having a perovskite structure mainly composed of Pb, Zr, and Ti; and the following component (a) and/or (b), or component (A) and/or (B): (a) Ag and/or an Ag compound, and Mo and/or an Mo compound (b) silver molybdate [Ag2MoO4] (A) Ag and/or an Ag compound, Mo and/or an Mo compound, and W and/or a W compound (B) silver molybdate-tungstate [Ag2Mo(1?X)WXO4](where X is a number from 0.3 to 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crystal oscillator that is provided with a crystal element; a main surface electrode configured of a first underlayer formed on each of two main surfaces of the crystal element and a first surface layer of Au superimposed over the first underlayer; an end surface electrode having a second underlayer formed on the crystal element to extend over the main surface electrode and a second surface layer of Au superimposed to cover the second underlayer; a supporter for holding the crystal element in the horizontal direction, bonded to the end surface electrode by a eutectic alloy comprising at least Au; and a base on which the supporter stands.

Abstract: A laminated structure in which interconnections can be easily formed for electrodes and in which the damage of an insulating layer attributed to stress is relieved. The laminated structure includes a laminated piece having a first electrode layer provided with a first insulating region, a piezoelectric material layer, and a second electrode layer provided with a second insulating region at a position different from that of the first insulating region, a first interconnection line electrically connected to the first electrode layer while passing through the second insulating region provided in the second electrode layer, and a second interconnection line electrically connected to the second electrode layer while passing through the first insulating region provided in the first electrode layer.

Abstract: To provide an assembly which is as small as possible which contains a well-protected component and effectively dissipates heat, and to provide a device and a method for use in the rapid manufacture of such an assembly, an assembly includes a component and a housing from which the component is partially separated by narrow casting gaps filled with a casting compound containing a relatively large amount of filler. For the manufacture of such an assembly, a device is used for filling with casting compound and which includes a mounting for securing the assembly in a position which permits air to escape from the casting gaps, which have an external connection during filling. Also there are supply containers and supply lines for the casting compound which open into the casting gaps, and an apparatus for generating pressure. A method which is used to fill narrow casting gaps with casting compound by using such a device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus achieving improvement in operation characteristics in the operation of stopping or reversing the direction of or decelerating movement of a vibrating wave actuator constructed to apply an alternating voltage to an electro-mechanical energy conversion element to vibrate a vibration member to obtain a driving force. In the operation of stopping the vibrating wave actuator, it is necessary to cancel the vibration to stop the actuator, in order to stop the actuator in good response. The present invention has achieved the above object by applying an excitation signal, which excites vibration in a direction to cancel free vibration in the vibration member, to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element in the stop operation or the like.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, an energy generation device is provided. A base is fixedly secured to a source of mechanical energy of an oscillatory nature. At least one mass is movably suspended relative to the base. First and second members movably suspend the at least one mass relative to the base. The first and second flexible members convert mechanical energy from oscillations emitted by the source of mechanical energy into electrical signals.