Abstract: Parallel kinematics with rod guidance are nowadays used in machine tools, production machines and robotics. Changes in rod length caused by the special position of the moving work platform (P), by its acceleration and other force impact, can lead to positional errors. Such errors are eliminated by means of piezo-actuators (PA1-PA6) which are integrated into the rods (S1 to S6).

Abstract: A precision positioning unit composed of a table on which an article is to be placed, a linearly movable rod which is connected with the table at one end and further connected with a rod actuating device at another end, in which the rod actuating device is capable of linearly moving the rod forward and backward, has the following characteristics: the rod is connected with the actuating device via cushion mechanism; and by the side of the rod is placed a rod movement control device composed of an elastic member, a ultrasonic transducer, and a ultrasonic emitting surface, in which the elastic member is constituted to push the ultrasonic emitting surface to a side surface of the rod when the transducer is inactive, and the transducer functioning to draw the ultrasonic emitting surface away from the rod when it is active.

Abstract: A device for operating a tool has an ultrasound adapter with an capacitive electro-acoustic transducer (4) connected to an electrical ultrasonic frequency generator (8) for producing ultrasonic wave for a tool (2) driven by the device, wherein the capacitive electro-acoustic transducer (4) is connected with a secondary winding (5) and the ultrasonic frequency generator (8) is connected with a primary winding (7) of a transformer (6).

Abstract: The present invention is an actuator using a piezoelectric element as a displacement element, wherein a drive signal voltage and current are reduced, and power consumption is reduced, while output is increased. A structure comprising two displacement units of laminate-type piezoelectric elements 10 and 10′ and elastic elements 25 and 25′ resonated by the piezoelectric elements are arranged so as to mutually intersect, and a tip 20 provided at the intersection point of the elastic members 25 and 25′ describes a circular path or elliptical path, and moves a rotor 40. The oscillation of the piezoelectric elements 10 and 10′ is suppressed by the elastic members 25 and 25′, so as to set the phase of the electromotive force produced by the voltage effect of the piezoelectric elements 10 and 10′ themselves to the opposite of the phase of the drive signal, thereby reducing current consumption.

Abstract: A positioner for positioning an object with sub-micron resolution is disclosed. The positioner includes a first stage having a first stage housing and adapted to provide dual-axis motion for coarse positioning of the object, and a second stage secured substantially within the first stage housing and adapted to provide dual-axis motion for fine positioning of the object. The second stage comprises a second stage housing on which the object may be removably secured. The first stage is preferably a stepper motor or servo motor and the second stage is a piezoelectric actuator. The first stage housing preferably includes air bearings positioned on a surface thereof.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive device includes a pair of mutually opposing thin plate sections made of metal and a fixation section for supporting the thin plate sections. One or more piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements are arranged on at least one thin plate section of the pair of thin plate sections. An object is attached to forward end portions of the pair of thin plate sections. An areal size of a surface of the object interposed between the thin plate sections is larger than an areal size of an object attachment surface of the thin plate sections.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing linear motion to a generally flat flexible material, comprising: (a) at least one piezoelectric ceramic motor situated on a first side of the flat flexible material and having a contact surface which contacts the flat flexible material and which imparts said linear motion; and (b) a bearing surface situated on a second side of the flat flexible material opposite said contact surface.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator set includes a pair of elongated piezoelectric actuators. The elongated piezoelectric actuators establish the standard attitude of a head slider when no electric signal is supplied to the piezoelectric actuator set. When the electric signal is applied to the piezoelectric actuator set, the tip ends are pulled back toward the base ends in the elongated piezoelectric actuators. The piezoelectric actuator set generates a couple for driving the head slider for rotation around the rotational axis only in a predetermined direction from the standard attitude. The moment of inertia can be reduced in the head slider during rotation as compared with the case where the head slider is moved based on a swinging movement. The natural frequency can be raised in the vibration system comprising the head slider and the piezoelectric actuator set. The frequency of the electric signal or servo signal can be set over a wider frequency range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoelectric actuator (1) for driving a movable part (2), for example a rotor, having an elongate piezoelectric resonator (3), which serves to perform longitudinal vibrations and which is acted upon by elastic means (10), for example a spring (10). The elastic means (10) acts upon the piezoelectric resonator (3) mainly in the longitudinal direction (11) and serves to exert a force on the resonator (3) in a direction towards the movable part (2), the resonant frequency of the elastic means (10) being substantially smaller than the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric resonator (3), and the piezoelectric resonator (3) is guided by at least one guide element (4, 5) in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction (11). This enables the resonator (3) to vibrate as freely as possible, which leads to a higher efficiency.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a linear displacement actuator which includes a male part and a female part. One part includes a screw thread and the other part includes at least one peripheral rib which collaborates with the screw thread. The inside diameter of the female part, increased by the depth of the screw thread, is greater than the outside diameter of the male part. The female part bears linear actuators arranged at right angles in a support and is free to be displaced axially with respect to the male part. The linear actuators place the female part in sinusoidal vibration in two perpendicular directions with an appropriate phase shift between the vibrations, and displaces, rotation-wise, the line of contact between the screw thread and the at least one peripheral rib. The screw thread and the peripheral rib remain motionless in terms of rotation and therefore bring about relative linear displacement of the female part and of the male part.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive (P/E) device includes a pair of mutually opposing metal thin plate sections, a movable section, and a fixation section for supporting the thin plate sections and the movable section. One or more piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements are arranged on at least one thin plate section of the pair of thin plate sections. Any one of the movable section and the fixation section has mutually opposing end surfaces, and a distance between the end surfaces is not less than the axial length of the movable section.

Abstract: A driving apparatus enjoying improved performance through the prevention of fluctuations in the driving characteristic, wherein a driven member, which is frictionally engaged with a driving member fixed to an electromechanical conversion element, is driven based on driving that is not symmetrical as to the timing of extension and contraction of the electromechanical conversion element, and wherein the electromechanical conversion element is elastically held by the housing.

Abstract: An electronic watch which can be small-sized even with an additional mechanism such as a calendar mechanism. In the electronic watch, a rectangular piezoelectric oscillator 32 acting as a piezoelectric actuator is forced at its end face to contact with a beam portion 35, which is mounted on a date ring 31 acting as a second indication member, thereby to drive the date ring 31 directly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for micropositioning of objects, for example, in microscopy. The device comprises an accelerating means and a positioning unit connected therewith and connected with the object. The position of the object relative to the positioning unit can be changed at high acceleration or retardation of the accelerating means owing to mechanical inertia of the object. The positioning unit comprises at least two clamping elements between which the object is intended to be held merely by the clamping force and the frictional force exerted by these clamping elements.

Abstract: A wobble motor has at least one shaft guided in a rotatably and axially displaceable fashion, and at least one drive ring which surrounds the shaft and can be tilted with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The at least one guide ring can be displaced in a frictionally locked fashion and free from rotation.

Abstract: A plurality of linear actuators (10, 20, 30) connected in sequence orthogonally to one another constitute rectilinear movement means having a plurality of degrees of freedom in rectilinear movement. Further, a rotary actuator (40) has one end connected to the linear actuator (30) on the last stage and the other end connected to a base side of an end effector (50) and works as attitude change means for changing an attitude of the end effector (50). When the rotary actuator (40) changes the attitude of the end effector (50), the linear actuators (10, 20, 30) are driven to offset a positional movement of an object occurring with the attitude change. This makes it possible to offset the positional movement of the object occurring with the rotary operation with a relatively simple constitution, and further the actuators can be constituted of the minimum elements, thereby providing a downsized micromanipulator.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator has a base and a movable body disposed over a surface of the base for undergoing movement relative thereto. The movable body has a frame and at least one cantilever having a first end integrally connected to the frame and a second free end. A piezoelectric element is disposed on the cantilever for undergoing expansion and contraction movement in response to application of an alternating voltage to bring the second free end of the cantilever into and out of contact with the surface of the base to thereby move the movable body relative to the surface of the base. Spring members are connected to the frame of the movable body for regulating a direction of movement of the movable body relative to the surface of the base.

Abstract: A contactor/circuit breaker type mechanism mounted on a main pulsating, preferably alternating, power line comprising two types of contacts, one active, the other passive, the active contacts being associated with opening and closing activation means comprising at least one piezoelectric motor driven by control means.

Abstract: An ultrasonic drive apparatus for preventing a slip between an object to be driven and a driving part of the apparatus to drive the object. The driving part includes an elastic member through which vibrations from electrical-mechanical converters are transmitted to the object. The elastic member can deform in a direction in which the object is driven. The driving part makes a predetermined locus to drive the object while the elastic member deforms in the direction so as to absorb the slip between the object and the driving part. The elastic member and the converters are mounted symmetrically relative to an axis which is generally perpendicular to the direction in which the object is driven, so that the object can be driven forward and backward.

Abstract: A driving mechanism for holding and shifting a part to be driven. The mechanism has at least three carrying elements for carrying the part elastically by exerting force upon the part in directions generally perpendicular to an axis of the part, at least one of the carrying elements being of a actuating type including a frictional actuator, the frictional actuator having a contact face for contacting the part under the pressure, the contact face oscillating at high frequency so as to make the part move in a direction almost rectangular to that of exerting the force upon the part.

Abstract: A lens driving device which does not make larger an apparatus in which the device is installed, which ensures a longer span for preventing a tilt of a lens therein, and which allows an easy access to the lens after assemblage is disclosed. The lens driving device includes a stationary board; a lens frame holding a lens group; a moving body like a flat plate one end of which is fixed to the lens frame in which the moving body is slid over the stationary board; and a rod, extending in an optical direction of the lens, which guides the moving body in the optical direction and is driven by a piezoelectric element. In the arrangement, the other end of the flat plate is frictionally held by the rod over a predetermined distance in the optical direction. When the piezoelectric element is supplied with a voltage with a predetermined waveform, the lens frame is driven in the direction of the optical axis by the moving body frictionally engaging the rod.

Abstract: In a truss-type driving apparatus, the amplitude of each displacement member and the phase difference therebetween are detected, and by adjusting the amplitudes or the phases of the impressed voltages to drive the displacement members based on the results of such detection, the elliptical locus drawn by the synthesizing member of the truss-type driving apparatus during driving is adjusted such that the desired driving characteristics are obtained.

Abstract: A multidirectional motor system for transmitting motion to a moveable element in at least two directions that are not collinear comprising a first motor that transmits motion to the moveable element along a direction determined by the orientation of the first motor and a second motor operable to change the orientation of said first motor.

Abstract: A reversible positioning device contains a piezoelectric actuator of a linear contact type urged against a rotary or a linear type movable element. The actuator is equipped with two sets of electrodes. The control unit supplies electrical impulses to either one of these sets of electrodes to initiate periodic oscillations of the actuator causing elastic compressions of the movable element and subsequent movements in either one of the opposite directions. One particularly useful application is in the movable arm of the disk drive data storage system such as a CD-ROM or alike. Extreme accuracy of positioning of a readout head and a low inertia allow for fast response time approaching 2 msec. a novel control method is in supplying a higher voltage from a control unit for the longer forward motion of the positioning device followed by a shorter back movement due to lower voltage. That control method increases the positioning accuracy even further to as low as 0.2 microns.

Abstract: A single piezoelectric is excited at a first frequency to cause two vibration modes in a resonator producing a first elliptical motion in a first direction at a selected contacting portion of the resonator that is placed in frictional engagement with a driven element to move the driven element in a first direction. A second frequency excites the same piezoelectric to cause two vibration modes of the resonator producing a second elliptical motion in a second direction at the selected contacting portion to move the driven element in a second direction. The piezoelectric is preloaded in compression by the resonator. Walls of the resonator are stressed past their yield point to maintain the preload. Specially shaped ends on the piezoelectric help preloading. The piezoelectric can send or receive vibratory signals through the driven element to or from sensors to determine the position of the driven element relative to the piezoelectric element or resonator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration type actuator or a vibration type driving apparatus that includes a vibration member that generates therein respective vibration displacements in at least three different directions, and a plurality of contact members contacting the vibration member, wherein the respective vibration displacements in the three different directions generate a composite vibration that simultaneously moves selected contact members of the plurality of contact members relative to the vibration member.

Abstract: A single piezoelectric is excited at a first frequency to cause two vibration modes in a resonator producing a first elliptical motion in a first direction at a selected contacting portion of the resonator that is placed in frictional engagement with a driven element to move the driven element in a first direction. A second frequency excites the same piezoelectric to cause two vibration modes of the resonator producing a second elliptical motion in a second direction at the selected contacting portion to move the driven element in a second direction. The piezoelectric is preloaded in compression by the resonator. Walls of the resonator are stressed past their yield point to maintain the preload. Specially shaped ends on the piezoelectric help preloading. The piezoelectric can send or receive vibratory signals through the driven element to or from sensors to determine the position of the driven element relative to the piezoelectric element or resonator.

Abstract: A driving apparatus that improves the precision of driving control for a driven member by reliably ensuring the desired motion of the tip member. Regulating members, which hold a piezoelectric actuator at positions opposite a rotor R, are located at positions separated from the piezoelectric actuator by a distance L that equals or exceeds the amplitude of the oscillation generated in the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: There is provided an ultrasonic motor whose vibration loss is suppressed, whose structure is miniaturized, whose production process is simplified and which is capable of utilizing electrical energy very efficiently. The inventive ultrasonic motor comprises a first piezoelectric body having a first polarized portion excited when voltage is applied and a second piezoelectric body that is laminated with the first piezoelectric body in a body in the longitudinal direction parallel to the polarizing direction and having a first polarized portion at position separated from the first polarized portion of the first piezoelectric body in the transverse direction vertical to the polarizing direction and moves a moving body by vibration obtained by combining stretching vibration and bending vibration caused by distortion in the polarizing direction of the first polarized portion of the first piezoelectric body and the first polarized portion of the second piezoelectric body.

Abstract: An actuator using the vibration caused by a piezoelectric element. The actuator includes: a base; a vibratory rod bonded to the base; an piezoelectric element bonded to the vibratory rod; and a contact body for contacting frictionally with the vibratory rod under an suitable frictional force exerting therebetween. The piezoelectric element is charged and discharged, so that the piezoelectric element is transformed in one direction relatively fast and in opposite direction relatively slow, and so that the contact body is driven along the vibratory rod in a set direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a piezoelectric vibratory parts feeder comprises a piezoelectric vibrating unit provided with a piezoelectric vibrating element that vibrates at a predetermined frequency, a bowl adapted to discharge parts accommodated therein by means of the piezoelectric vibrating unit, a driving circuit for driving the piezoelectric vibrating element, and a control unit for outputting a driving signal to the driving circuit to cause a predetermined driving. The control is performed by idling the driving of the piezoelectric vibrating element temporarily at every predetermined driving cycles thereof and controlling the vibration of the piezoelectric vibrating element based on a signal obtained therefrom by its piezoelectric effect during the idling period, for instance, based on a phase difference between a waveform of this signal and the driving signal of the driving circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is an actuator using a piezoelectric element as a displacement element, wherein a drive signal voltage and current are reduced, and power consumption is reduced, while output is increased. A structure comprising two displacement units of laminate-type piezoelectric elements 10 and 10′ and elastic elements 25 and 25′ resonated by the piezoelectric elements are arranged so as to mutually intersect, and a tip 20 provided at the intersection point of the elastic members 25 and 25′ describes a circular path or elliptical path, and moves a rotor 40. The oscillation of the piezoelectric elements 10 and 10′ is suppressed by the elastic members 25 and 25′, so as to set the phase of the electromotive force produced by the voltage effect of the piezoelectric elements 10 and 10′ themselves to the opposite of the phase of the drive signal, thereby reducing current consumption.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in an application including at least one of clamping and valving. The apparatus includes a support structure and actuator means for operating the support structure between a rest position and an actuated position. In one embodiment, the actuator means is a piezoelectric device and the support structure is a single piece which is a mechanically active element of the apparatus.

Abstract: An inclination adjusting device for a light controlling element used in an optical scanner of a laser printer etc. includes an ultrasonic motor including a stator with a piezoelectric element and a rotor rotated by a traveling wave generated in the stator and a light controlling element having an inclination adjusted according to rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive device includes: a driving portion which is driven by displacement of a piezo-electric/electrostrictive element, a movable portion which operates on the basis of a drive of the driving portion, and a fixed portion for supporting the above driving portion and movable portion. It has a driving portion including thin plates facing each other and a thin film piezoelectric/electrostrictive element formed on the surface of at least one of the thin plates, and the above fixed portion and the above movable portion are joined by the driving portion. In this piezoelectric/electrostrictive element, the movable portion can largely be displaced, and it is not easily affected by a harmful vibration in operation, and it is excellent in mechanical strength, handling efficiency, impact resistance, and moisture resistance.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element comprising a thin sheet piezoelectric element formed of a piezoelectric ceramic having PZT (PbZrO3.PbTiO3) as a main component with electrodes formed on the surfaces thereof, said thin sheet piezoelectric element being wrapped around a shaft to form a cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor having a cuboid piezoelectric element (1) which carries an actuating member (2) for transmitting a force in an actuating direction (x). In known motors the piezoelectric element (1) is restrained by four restraining elements which are disposed in the plane of vibration (x/y plane) and which exert a preloading force on the piezoelectric element (1) in a direction perpendicular to the actuating direction (x). However, this gives rise to a frictional force between the restraining elements and the piezoelectric element, which reduces the vibration quality and, as a consequence, the motor power. This is avoided by means of the invention, where the piezoelectric element (1) is restrained by means of restraining elements (20, 21, 22, 23) without preloading, i.e. with maximal slidability in the directions (y, z) perpendicular to the actuating direction (x).

Abstract: The application seeks to eliminate errors introduced by bearings and supports. It does so by integrating the drive means, in the form of a piezoelectric actuator, into the bearing or support. Thus the bearing no longer acts against the drive means, eliminating errors. It also describes a drive mechanism for elongate prismatic objects (140). The mechanism uses piezoelectric drives (148) and achieves very high accuracy of positioning with minimal backlash etc, whilst occupying only a small volume. This makes it suitable for use in electro-discharge machining and electro-discharge texturing operations where one or more wire electrodes (140) need to be positioned accurately with respect to a workpiece and maintained in that relative position as the workpiece erodes and the electrode (140) is consumed.

Abstract: A stage comprises a first moving body mounted on a support base for movement in a first direction (e.g., X direction) relative to the support base. A second moving body is mounted on the first moving body for movement in the first direction and in a second direction (e.g., Y direction) relative to the support base and the first moving body. A first piezoelectric actuator is in contact with the first moving body for moving the first moving body in the first direction. A second piezoelectric actuator is in contact with the second moving body for moving the second moving body in the second direction.

Abstract: An actuator using an electromechanical transducer suitable for an apparatus where the magnitude of the load differs depending on drive directions. An apparatus using the actuator in which the actuator is arranged such that a direction of a further advantageous and further efficient displacement characteristic in elongation displacement characteristic and contraction displacement characteristic of the electromechanical transducer, is made to coincide with a drive direction where the load is larger. In the case of a mechanism of a camera for driving a correcting lens, an X-axis actuator and a Y-axis actuator are arranged at a base frame. The correcting lens is driven in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor has a vibrating member vibrationally driven for undergoing periodic vibration by the application of a high-frequency voltage. A moving body is frictionally driven by the periodic vibration of the vibrating member. A node supporting/pressurizing member supports a vibration node of the vibrating member and presses the vibrating member on the moving body.

Abstract: A drive apparatus having a drive pulse generation device that generates drive pulses. An electromechanical transducer has a first end and a second end. The electromechanical transducer expands and contracts in response to pulses supplied from the drive pulse generation device. A support member is secured to the first end of the electromechanical transducer in the expansion/contraction direction thereof. A first friction member secured to the second end of the electromechanical transducer in the extension/contraction direction thereof. A second friction member frictionally coupled to the first friction member. A load detection device detects the magnitude of a drive load. A drive control device carries out drive control on the basis of the detection results of the load detection device.