Acoustic Transducer Patents (Class 29/594)
  • Publication number: 20120230523
    Abstract: The invention relates to a condenser microphone element (10) with an electrically conducting transducer membrane (15) having an acoustically active area (20) that is arranged to receive sound waves and to vibrate in response to said sound waves, wherein the membrane (15) is arranged in parallel with and at a distance from a back plate (60), which is formed from a non conductive base (61), which is provided with a conductive layer (65). The conductive layer has an active area (66) that is arranged opposite the acoustically active area (20) of the membrane (15) and has a shape that faces said acoustically active area (20), and is delimited by an area where no conductive layer is provided. The invention further relates to a microphone and to a method of producing the microphone element (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Göran Ehrlund
  • Publication number: 20120227495
    Abstract: A method of making a resonating beam accelerometer (RBA). In an example process, a proof mass device and resonators are created from a quartz material. A direct bond is formed between the proof mass and the resonators by applying a predefined amount of pressure at a predefined temperature for a predefined amount of time. One or more damping plates are created from a quartz material. A direct bond is formed between the damping plates and the proof mass device. The proof mass device is created by applying a predefined amount of pressure at pressure at temperature to two bases, two proof mass portions, and a flexure. The proof mass bases are on opposite sides of the flexure. The proof mass portions are on opposite sides of the flexure. A gap is present between the proof mass bases and the proof mass portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: John S. Starzynski
  • Patent number: 8262824
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing electret diaphragms is provided. First, a dielectric film is attached to a frame by an adhesive material and a fastening element grips the peripheral area of the dielectric film on the frame. Afterward, the dielectric film is subjected to a metal sputtering process to form a conductive material layer thereon. Finally, the dielectric film is subjected to a polarizing process thereby forming an electret diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Fang Ching Lee
  • Patent number: 8261427
    Abstract: Crystal devices are disclosed, of which an exemplary device includes a crystal frame comprising a crystal vibrating piece having an electrode pattern and an outer frame supporting the crystal vibrating piece. The device also includes a crystal package base including at least one connection electrode formed on a first main surface and at least one external electrode formed on a second main surface, wherein the second main surface is opposite the first main surface. The crystal frame and crystal base are layered together with a lid wafer to form a 3-layer sandwich. The layers of the sandwich are bonded together by siloxane bonding, which results in the connection electrodes contacting the electrode pattern on the crystal vibrating piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Inose, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8258891
    Abstract: An acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric substrate, interdigital electrodes arranged on the piezoelectric substrate, a first dielectric element arranged between the interdigital electrodes, a second dielectric element that covers the interdigital electrodes and the first dielectric element, and an adjustment element that has been formed on the first dielectric element. The adjustment element has been formed from a material whose specific gravity is greater than that of the first dielectric element and that of the second dielectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Miura, Suguru Warashina, Takashi Matsuda, Shogo Inoue, Kazunori Inoue, Satoru Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8256093
    Abstract: An acoustic mirror of alternately arranged layers of high and low acoustic impedances is manufactured in that a basic material having a first layer of the layer sequence is initially provided, on which a second layer of the layer sequence is created on the first layer such that the second layer of the layer sequence partially covers the first layer. Subsequently, a planarization layer is applied onto the layer sequence, and the planarization layer is removed in an area which in the common layer plane projects laterally beyond the second layer so as to result in a residual planarization layer. Finally, a termination layer is applied onto the layer sequence and the residual planarization layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Wireless IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Gernot Fattinger
  • Patent number: 8256076
    Abstract: A leaded piezoelectric transducer element is attached to the inside of the end surface of a closed-end cylindrical container such as a plastic cup. The outside end surface of the cup is intended for exposure to a fluid. The required components to isolate and/or resonate with the piezoelectric element are added, after which a rigid encapsulant is formed in the cup to make a single solid assembly strong enough to be clamped. The end of the cup is then thinned to yield a thin, compliant, and environmentally protecting acoustic window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Murray F Feller
  • Publication number: 20120207332
    Abstract: A housed loudspeaker array includes a first substrate having a plurality of loudspeaker elements formed therein, a second substrate fixed at a first surface of the first substrate in a flip-chip manner and comprising a plurality of orifices that are aligned with the loudspeaker elements of the plurality of loudspeaker elements of the first substrate, and a cover applied to a second surface of the first substrate opposite to the first surface. A method for manufacturing the housed loudspeaker array is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Alfons Dehe
  • Publication number: 20120204416
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a passive component for an acoustic transducer, wherein a mixture of metal oxide filler with an epoxy resin is subjected to ultrasonic wave generated and followed by an addition of a hardener to cast the passive component for the acoustic transducer. Mixing the materials with the ultrasonic wave improves the dispersion of the metal oxide filler over conventional passive components, thus enabling the passive component to have uniform surfaces, resulting in improved sound velocity and attenuation characteristics with acoustic transducers that use the passive component manufactured by the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: ALPINION MEDICAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byungkuk Bae, Yongrae Roh, Hoseop Shin
  • Publication number: 20120204415
    Abstract: A process for producing an acoustic device having a phononic crystal structure comprising inclusions produced in a first medium distributed in a matrix of a second medium, to block propagation of acoustic waves within a bandgap frequency band, includes: defining geometric parameters of said inclusions, which have walls contacting said matrix, making at least one non-zero first wall angle, to the normal of the plane of said structure, said geometric parameters including said first wall angle; determining a function relating to variation in frequency position of said bandgap with said wall angle or relating to variation in width of said bandgap with said wall angle; determining said at least first angle, for a selected frequency position and/or selected width of the bandgap, from the function or functions determined beforehand; and producing said inclusions having at least said first wall angle in said matrix formed by said second medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Marie GORISSE, Alexandre REINHARDT
  • Patent number: 8240023
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a quartz crystal unit comprises the steps of forming a quartz crystal tuning fork resonator vibratable in a flexural mode of an inverse phase and having a quartz crystal tuning fork base and first and second quartz crystal tuning fork tines connected to the quartz crystal tuning fork base, forming at least one groove having at least three stepped portions in at least one of opposite main surfaces of each of first and second quartz crystal tuning fork tines, disposing an electrode on a surface of one of the at least three stepped portions of the at least one groove and an electrode on one of opposite side surfaces of each of the first and second quartz crystal tuning fork tines, mounting the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator on a mounting portion of a case, and connecting a lid to the case to cover an open end of the case, wherein the step of forming the quartz crystal tuning fork base and the first and second quartz crystal tuning fork tines is performed before the step of formin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Piedek Technical Laboratory
    Inventor: Hirofumi Kawashima
  • Publication number: 20120201413
    Abstract: A module for containing an earpiece for an audio device, the earpiece having at least one protruding electrical contact. The module comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being opposable and forming a cavity sized to accommodate an earpiece. The module further comprises at least one electrical contact within the cavity, on one of the first portion and the second portion. The electrical contact is positioned to engage a protruding electrical contact of the earpiece positioned within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Cody Allen Balk, David Kazmierz Szczypinski, Benjamin Michael Finney
  • Patent number: 8234774
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for decreasing a temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) of a MEMS resonator. The method comprises lithographically defining slots in the MEMS resonator beams and filling the slots with oxide. By growing oxide within the slots, the amount of oxide growth on the outside surfaces of the MEMS resonator may be reduced. Furthermore, by situating the slots in the areas of large flexural stresses, the contribution of the embedded oxide to the overall TCF of the MEMS resonator is increased, and the total amount of oxide needed to decrease the overall TCF of the MEMS resonator to a particular target value is reduced. As a result, the TCF of the MEMS resonator may be reduced in a manner that is more effective relative to prior art approaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: SiTime Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Merritt Hagelin, Charles Grosjean
  • Patent number: 8230562
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an acoustic resonator comprises providing a substrate; fabricating a first electrode adjacent the substrate; fabricating a piezoelectric layer adjacent the first electrode; depositing electrode material to form a second electrode up to a first thickness adjacent the piezoelectric layer; depositing a first photo mask over the second electrode; depositing additional electrode material to form the second electrode up to a second thickness; removing the photo mask thereby forming a recessed region in the second electrode; and filling the recessed region with a fill material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Wireless IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ronald S. Fazzio, Richard C. Ruby
  • Patent number: 8230564
    Abstract: A millimeter wave transmission line filter having a plurality of filter pole determining coupled cavities fabricated with a multiple lithographic layer micromachining process. The filter cavities are oriented perpendicular to an underlying substrate element in order to achieve micromachining, fabrication and accuracy advantages. Multiple filters can be used in a frequency multiplex arrangement as in a duplexer. Radio frequencies in the 15 to 300 gigahertz range are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: J. Robert Reid, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8231534
    Abstract: The ultrasonic transmitter/receiver device comprises a transmission section which transmits ultrasonic waves generated by a piezoelectric element when a transmission signal is inputted, a reception section which is superposed directly or indirectly on the transmission section and outputs a reception signal generated by a piezoelectric element when ultrasonic waves are received, a pair of a transmission signal wire and a transmission grounding wire for supplying the transmission signal to the transmission section, and a pair of a reception signal wire and a reception grounding wire for taking the reception signal from the reception section. The transmission grounding wire and the reception grounding wire are used in common as a common grounding wire. The common grounding wire and the transmission signal wire, and further the common grounding wire and the reception signal wire are disposed on different side surfaces of the transmission section and the reception section superposed with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Habu, Yuji Hosoi, Takayuki Sasaki, Toshihisa Takeyama
  • Patent number: 8230576
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a capacitive electromechanical transducer, including: forming a lower electrode layer on a substrate; forming a sacrificial layer on the lower electrode layer; forming by application a resist layer on the sacrificial layer to form a cavity pattern; forming an insulating layer above regions including a region that contains the resist layer used to form the cavity pattern, and then removing a part of the insulating layer that is formed above the resist layer along with the resist layer, thereby leaving the insulating layer in the other regions than the region where the cavity pattern has been formed; forming a vibrating film above the region where the cavity pattern has been formed and the regions where the insulating layer remains; and removing the sacrificial layer to form a cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichi Masaki
  • Publication number: 20120189152
    Abstract: Measures are provided for improving the acoustic properties of a component (10) having a micromechanical microphone structure realized in a layer construction (20) over a substrate (1), and for simplifying the production method. The microphone structure of such a component (10) includes a diaphragm (11) deflectable by acoustic pressure, spanning a cavity (13) that acts as a rear-side volume in the rear side of the component, and includes a stationary, acoustically permeable counter-element (12) situated over the diaphragm (11). According to the invention, the layer construction (20) has, between the diaphragm (11) and the substrate (1), an enclosing layer (3) in which there is fashioned an acoustically transparent aperture (4). The diaphragm (11) is connected to the rear-side volume (13) via this aperture in the enclosing layer (3). Under the enclosing layer (3), the rear-side volume (13) extends laterally beyond this aperture (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Jochen Reinmuth
  • Patent number: 8225470
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a process of making a surface acoustic wave device having a series connected interdigitated transducers with center chirping. A piezoelectric substrate is provided. Two acoustic reflectors may be formed on the piezoelectric substrate to define an acoustic cavity between the acoustic reflectors. In addition, at least three beta interdigitated transducers (IDTs) adjacent one another are formed on the piezoelectric substrate in electrical series with each other and aligned in acoustic series with each other between the acoustic reflectors, such that the at least three beta IDTs comprise at least one inner beta IDT between two outer beta IDTs, a center portion of the at least one inner beta IDT being chirped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Aleh Loseu, Jayanti Jaganatha Rao
  • Patent number: 8229141
    Abstract: A transducer array assembly includes a support structure having a plurality of predetermined openings therein for accommodating transducer components. Flexible circuits are embedded in the support structure. Each flexible circuit has first ends being positioned in the support structure predetermined openings. Terminal blocks are joined to the second ends. Transducer elements are positioned in the support structure predetermined openings and placed in electrical communication with the flexible circuit first ends. A polymer material is provided surrounding the transducer elements, said support structure, and said flexible circuit first ends. There is also provided a method for manufacturing the transducer array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Kim C. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 8224006
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing aid device and a method of manufacturing the hearing aid device. The hearing aid device comprises a housing and a first conductive layer. The housing further comprises a first non-conductive layer and a second non-conductive layer. The first conductive layer is between the first non-conductive layer and the second non-conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Frank Beck, James Edward De Finis, Jens-Christian Holst, Harald Klemenz, Lavlesh Lamba, Pei Chyi Kristy Lim, Uwe Rass, Joseph Sauer, Amit Vaze
  • Patent number: 8214999
    Abstract: A differential microphone having a perimeter slit formed around the microphone diaphragm that replaces the backside hole previously required in conventional silicon, micromachined microphones. The differential microphone is formed using silicon fabrication techniques applied only to a single, front face of a silicon wafer. The backside holes of prior art microphones typically require that a secondary machining operation be performed on the rear surface of the silicon wafer during fabrication. This secondary operation adds complexity and cost to the micromachined microphones so fabricated. Comb fingers forming a portion of a capacitive arrangement may be fabricated as part of the differential microphone diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventor: Ronald N. Miles
  • Publication number: 20120170794
    Abstract: A speaker includes a frame, a diaphragm disposed in a top end of the frame of the speaker and a bobbin disposed below the diaphragm A voice coil is wound around a bottom end of the bobbin and a magnetic member having a groove in which the bottom end of the bobbin around which the voice coil is wound, is inserted and reciprocated in a straight line upward and downward A central pillar is fixed to the magnetic member at a center of the bobbin and extends parallel to the movement of the bobbin. A damper supports an inner circumferential surface of the bobbin from the central pillar. The damper additionally supports an outer circumferential surface of the bobbin, from the frame, so as to allow the bobbin to reciprocate in a straight line. Support of the bobbin by the damper in both lengthwise and width directions results in minimization of wobble and distortion, so that accurate sound is generated by the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min KIM, Hag-do KIM, Sang-hun JEON
  • Patent number: 8209826
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a coupled resonator device includes forming a first BAW-device on a first substrate, forming a second BAW-device on a second substrate, and bonding the first and the second BAW-device such that the bonded first and second BAW-device are sandwiched between the first and second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Wireless IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Handtmann, Klaus-Guenter Oppermann, Martin Fritz
  • Patent number: 8209828
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making a piezoelectrical device, whose electrode layers contain copper. The usage of copper in the electrode layers is enabled by a debindering process, which is carried out by steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Epcos AG
    Inventors: Adalbert Feltz, Sigrid Gansberger, Heinz Florian, Harald Kastl
  • Publication number: 20120153776
    Abstract: Ultrasound transducers and methods of forming ultrasound transducers are provided. An ultrasound transducer can include an acoustic stack including: a dematching layer and a flexible circuit including a nonconductive layer and a conductive material. The conductive material can include a plurality of substantially parallel strips. Adhesive can be provided between the dematching layer and the flexible circuit such that it contacts the strips of conductive material and portions of the nonconductive layer between the strips of conductive material. A plurality of substantially parallel cuts can extend through the dematching layer, through the adhesive and into the nonconductive layer without cutting into the strips of conductive material. The flexible circuit can include a ground area and the strips of conductive material and cuts can be located thereon. The adhesive can encapsulate each strip of conductive material on three surfaces, including a top surface and two sides of each strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Guéron, Jean-Pierre Malacrida
  • Patent number: 8201311
    Abstract: A piezoelectric layer is coupled to a bottom electrode in a method of fabricating a piezoelectric resonator. A bottom metal layer of a top electrode is deposited on the piezoelectric layer. The bottom metal layer is patterned and etched. A top metal layer of the top electrode is deposited on the etched bottom metal layer. The top metal layer is patterned and etched. An interconnect metal layer is deposited on the etched top metal layer and the piezoelectric layer such that the interconnect metal layer isolates the bottom metal layer from subsequent etch steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Haim Ben Hamou, Ralph N. Wall, Guillaume Bouche
  • Publication number: 20120148071
    Abstract: A digital loudspeaker includes a substrate, a first stator fixed with respect to the substrate, a second stator fixed with respect to the substrate and spaced at a distance from the first stator, and a membrane between the first stator and the second stator. The membrane is displaceable between a first position in which the membrane mechanically contacts the first stator and a second position in which the membrane mechanically contacts the second stator. The first stator and the second stator are arranged to electrostatically move the membrane from a rest position spaced apart from the first position and the second position to the first position and the second position, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Alfons Dehe
  • Publication number: 20120148083
    Abstract: A System and method to provide a cost-effective implementation of a microphone package, very good microphone performance being achieved even with a high degree of miniaturization. A microphone package includes a MEMS microphone component having a microphone diaphragm, and a housing having a housing base and a housing cover, the housing enclosing the back-side volume of the microphone component, and an acoustic access channel to the microphone diaphragm being provided in the housing which is closed off with respect to the back-side volume and which connects at least one sound opening in the housing to one side of the microphone diaphragm. An interposer is mounted inside the housing which defines the acoustic access channel to the microphone diaphragm in that the interposer is coupled to the sound opening in the housing, and has at least one exit opening above which the microphone component together with the microphone diaphragm is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Michael KNAUSS, Scott NAUGLE, Andy DOLLER, Eric OCHS
  • Patent number: 8196282
    Abstract: A method of making a speaker may be performed partially or completely in a roll-based processing. The method includes: providing an electrode; providing a membrane, which is treated to form an electret membrane by performing a ferroelectric process with a controlled external condition including at least one of humidity and temperature conditions; forming a conductive layer on the membrane; forming first supporting members on one of the electrode and the membrane; providing a substrate; forming second supporting members on one of the substrate and the membrane; and combining the electrode, the membrane, and the substrate to provide a first chamber and a second chamber, and the first supporting members are disposed between the electrode and the membrane in the first chamber and the second supporting members are disposed between the substrate and the membrane in the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ming-Daw Chen, Chang-Ho Liou
  • Patent number: 8197413
    Abstract: A catheter assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes a catheter and an imaging core. The catheter includes a lumen extending along the longitudinal length of the catheter from the proximal end to the distal end and the imaging core is configured and arranged for inserting into the lumen. The imaging core includes a rotatable driveshaft, at least one transducer mounted to the distal end of the rotatable driveshaft, and a twisted wire cable coupled to the at least one transducer. In addition, a number of different transducer arrangements and methods of making transducers are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific SciMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Kurse, Marc Stepkowski, John D. Marshall, Dushyant Shah, Derrik Zimmerman, Joe Carioggia, Lewis Thomas, Peter Thornton
  • Publication number: 20120143063
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer matrix array for an ultrasound probe having a large field of view both in azimuth and elevation direction is proposed. The ultrasound transducer matrix array (1?) comprises a center region (11?) and at least three branch regions (13) each comprising a 2-dimensional matrix array (5) of ultrasound transducer elements (3). The center region comprises at least three edges (15) from which the respective branch regions extend. Each branch region (13) is curved around an axis parallel to the edge (15) of the center region (11) from which the respective branch region (13) extends. With an ultrasound probe comprising such ultrasound transducer area with branch regions interconnected by a common, preferably flat center region, an ideal matrix array having a field of view with a spheroidal shape may be approximated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Andrew L. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8191216
    Abstract: A vibrating piece manufacturing method includes: (a) preparing a supporting body having first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces defining a thickness while being directed toward opposite directions, the supporting body including a base and a plurality of arms, the arms extending side-by-side in a direction orthogonal to a direction of the thickness from the base, a lower electrode film being disposed on the first surface of each of the arms, a piezoelectric film being disposed on the lower electrode films, at least one upper electrode film being disposed on the piezoelectric film, at least a part of the second surface of each of the arms being an exposed area; and (b) etching the exposed area of the second surface so as to reduce the thickness to reduce flexural rigidity of the arms with respect to the thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Yamazaki, Tsukasa Funasaka, Takeo Funakawa, Makoto Furuhata
  • Patent number: 8191228
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surface acoustic wave device including a surface acoustic wave element and an electronic component on a package, the method including a component mounting step including mounting the electronic component on the package; an element mounting step including mounting the surface acoustic wave element on the package; an annealing step; a wire bonding step including wire bonding at least one of the electronic component and surface wave element to the package, the wire bonding step being performed after the annealing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Takebayashi
  • Patent number: 8189850
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a convex type of ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements are arrayed on a backing material in an arc shape in a long axis thereof, an acoustic adjustment layer is provided on top of the piezoelectric element and resin is molded on two side surfaces along the long-axis direction, and an acoustic lens is attached over the acoustic adjustment layer with a chemical-resistant film therebetween, wherein the acoustic lens is attached after the chemical-resistant film has been affixed to cover the surface of the acoustic adjustment layer and at least two edge surfaces of the acoustic adjustment layer, the piezoelectric elements, and the backing material that are exposed in the long-axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiko Ono
  • Patent number: 8188811
    Abstract: A filter with coupled resonator having a substrate; an acoustic mirror intended to support acoustic resonators, and to isolate these resonators from the substrate; a first structure with an upper resonator and a lower resonator coupled to one another through at least one layer of acoustic coupling; a second structure with an upper resonator and a lower resonator coupled to one another through at least one layer of acoustic coupling; the lower resonators of the first and second structure having the same electrodes. The first and second structures are connected via a fifth resonator for which electrodes and the piezoelectric layer of the lower resonators are of the first and second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.A., Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.)
    Inventors: Andrea Cathelin, Didier Belot, Alexandre Augusto Shirakawa, Eric Kerherve, Jean-Marie Pham, Pierre Jary
  • Patent number: 8176617
    Abstract: A method of making a resonating beam accelerometer (RBA). In an example process, a proof mass device and resonators are created from a quartz material. A direct bond is formed between the proof mass and the resonators by applying a predefined amount of pressure at a predefined temperature for a predefined amount of time. One or more damping plates are created from a quartz material. A direct bond is formed between the damping plates and the proof mass device. The proof mass device is created by applying a predefined amount of pressure at pressure at temperature to two bases, two proof mass portions, and a flexure. The proof mass bases are on opposite sides of the flexure. The proof mass portions are on opposite sides of the flexure. A gap is present between the proof mass bases and the proof mass portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Starzynski
  • Patent number: 8176618
    Abstract: A solid electrolyte body is placed on and fixed to an upper plate of a press jig such that a major surface (an upper surface) of the solid electrolyte body faces one major surface of a guide plate having an open space. The upper plate is rotated by a transfer mechanism to incline the solid electrolyte body in one direction, and the inclined solid electrolyte body is moved toward the other major surface of the guide plate such that a first edge of the solid electrolyte body protrudes from the open space. Then, a cutter is slid along the other major surface, so that the first edge is chamfered to form a first chamfered portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Suzuki, Kouji Tagawa, Kunihiko Nakagaki
  • Publication number: 20120116264
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device comprises a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and a removable transducer module. The transducer module includes a waveguide, a locking mechanism, and an electronics assembly including at least one button. The handle assembly includes a trigger assembly configured to actuate the button(s) of the electronics assembly when the transducer module is coupled with the handle assembly. The shaft assembly engages the waveguide of the transducer module and is disposed at the distal end of the handle assembly. The distal end of the shaft assembly includes a harmonic blade. When assembled with the handle assembly, the transducer module is capable of providing ultrasonic energy to the harmonic blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Wells D. Haberstich, Kevin L. Houser
  • Publication number: 20120116260
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an instrument body and transmission assembly. The instrument body comprises a motor, a switch, and an energy source (e.g., an ultrasonic transducer). The transmission assembly comprises an end effector, a transmission feature (e.g., an acoustic waveguide), and a switch engagement feature. The end effector includes an active feature (e.g., a harmonic blade) in communication with the energy source. The switch engagement feature is operable to mechanically couple the energy source with the transmission feature in response to the switch engagement feature triggering the switch. A yoke of the instrument body is configured to selectively engage a translating member of the transmission assembly. A release switch is operable to selectively disengage the yoke from the translating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Gregory W. Johnson, Kyle P. Moore
  • Publication number: 20120099753
    Abstract: A microphone has a membrane (20) mounted to vibrate in response to pressure fluctuations, a backplate (30) facing the membrane and being more rigid than the membrane, and circuitry (95) for sensing the vibrations relative to the backplate, the backplate being prestressed and having a geometry such that a response of the backplate to structure borne vibration matches a corresponding response of the membrane. This can help reduce or minimize relative movement between these surfaces caused by structure borne vibration and hence improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone. The geometry can be a hub and spoke arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS ASIA PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Casper van der Avoort, Andreas Bernardus Maria Jansman, Geert Langereis, Twan van Lippen, Hilco Suy
  • Patent number: 8161608
    Abstract: To provide a method of manufacturing a quartz-crystal resonator, in which without adding new processes, a desired quartz-crystal piece can be obtained from a quartz-crystal wafer by etching and electrodes can be provided without restraint. When a quartz-crystal piece 10 is formed, etching masks 6 having dummy regions 44, 48 that are provided at two positions corresponding to corner portions on a +X side of the quartz-crystal piece 10 and extend toward a +X axis direction of a wafer W are formed, and when the quartz-crystal piece 10 is formed, etching in groove portions 7 at positions corresponding to the dummy regions 44, 48 is delayed. Accordingly, it is possible to form the quartz-crystal piece 10 without chipped portions at the corner portions in a state where the quartz-crystal piece 10 and the wafer W are connected to and supported by a connection support portion 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Tashiro, Hiroyuki Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20120093353
    Abstract: A speaker comprises a permanent magnet (2) and a coil (8) positioned around the permanent magnet (2) and attached to a membrane (10), wherein the membrane comprises an elastomer of thickness less than 0.3 mm and with a Young's modulus below 100 MPa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS ASIA PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Susanne Windischberger, Maria Papakyriacou
  • Patent number: 8156621
    Abstract: The subject processes are for making piezoelectric vibrators, particularly those having a tuning-fork configuration. An exemplary process includes preparing a flat plate of piezoelectric crystal material exhibiting anisotropic etching properties. A corrosion-resistant film is formed on both major surfaces of the piezoelectric material. A first coating of photoresist is formed on the surfaces of the corrosion-resistant film. A lithographic exposure is performed of the pattern of a piezoelectric vibrating device on only one side of the piezoelectric plate. Then, the corrosion-resistant film, appearing unprotected on the one surface, is removed after developing the photoresist. A first etching is performed of the piezoelectric material appearing unprotected after removal of the corrosion-resistant film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu Iwai
  • Patent number: 8156620
    Abstract: A method of producing an ultrasonic probe may include superimposing an ultrasonic wave receiving organic piezoelectric element layer made of an organic material on an ultrasonic wave transmitting inorganic piezoelectric element layer made of an inorganic material, and polarizing the ultrasonic wave receiving organic piezoelectric element layer and the ultrasonic wave transmitting inorganic piezoelectric element layer on a condition that the ultrasonic wave receiving organic piezoelectric element layer is superimposed on the ultrasonic wave transmitting inorganic piezoelectric element layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Habu, Takayuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8141678
    Abstract: A sound-permeable film (11) includes: a porous membrane (13) that contains polytetrafluoroethylene as its main component, allows sound to pass therethrough, and prevents an foreign object such as a water drop from passing therethrough; and a heat-resistant double-sided adhesive sheet (15) that is disposed on a part of at least one of main surfaces of the porous membrane (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Ikeyama, Yuri Horie, Kouji Furuuchi
  • Patent number: 8141216
    Abstract: An ultrasound probe comprising a transmitting piezoelectric layer, an electrode layer and a receiving piezoelectric layer laminated in that order, the ultrasound probe transmitting and receiving an ultrasound, wherein a polarization treatment on the receiving piezoelectric layer is carried out by providing a peelable dielectric layer on the receiving piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Habu, Takayuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8139783
    Abstract: A speaker assembly arrangement for a vehicle is provided that includes a speaker unit including a speaker cabinet defining a first volume and a body part of a vehicle including a hollow member defining a second volume. The speaker cabinet is acoustically coupled to the hollow member by a press-fit coupling having a press-fit direction and mounted on the body part by at least one fastener having a fastening direction substantially perpendicular to the press-fit direction. The body part comprises a first guide arranged and configured to slidably engage with a second guide arranged on the speaker cabinet so that force on the speaker cabinet in the fastening direction is at least in part redirected to the press-fit direction by the slidable engagement of the first guide and the second guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schuster, Joerg Prokisch
  • Patent number: 8139814
    Abstract: An audio speaker with at least two electric coils on opposite sides of at least one ferro-magnetic plate, the coils and plate forming a radial electro-magnet. A radial electro-magnet can offer many advantages in stereo loudspeakers. The coils are electrically driven in opposite directions. Multiple sets of two coils and intervening ferro-magnetic plate may be provided, adjacent sets being separated by a non-magnetic plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventors: William B. Rottenberg, Robert S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8136212
    Abstract: A structure fabricating method plastically deforms a target portion of a substrate, to thereby fabricate a structure having an inclined segment that is inclined relative to a principal surface of the substrate. The method includes forming a projection on the target portion to project from the principal surface of the substrate or from an opposing surface of the substrate on the side opposite to the principal surface, and applying a force to the projection to plastically deform the target portion such that the target portion is bent in a direction from one surface of the substrate on the side where the projection is formed, toward another surface on the side opposite to the one surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Zaitsu, Chienliu Chang, Masao Majima