Abstract: Interaction of acoustic waves in a piezoelectric-semiconductor resonant cavity with the charge carriers in the semiconductor layer can be directed toward amplification of the acoustic waves; such amplification scheme can be applied in building unilateral amplifiers, zero loss filters, oscillators, high detection range circuit-less wireless sensors, isolators, duplexers, circulators and other acoustic devices. An apparatus for acoustoelectric amplification is described. The apparatus includes a semiconductor layer and a thin piezoelectric layer bonded (or deposited) onto the semiconductor layer forming an acoustic cavity. Two or more tethers forming a current conduction path through the semiconductor layer and two or more access pads to silicon are positioned on two ends of the acoustic cavity and configured to inject a DC current in the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: An acoustic matching layer includes a base material having a plate-shaped member made of a metal, a ceramic, or glass. Depressed portions are partially provided in a vibration surface of the base material toward a joining surface of the base material that is in a propagation direction of a sound wave.

Abstract: A device and method using the electromechanical properties of piezoelectric materials to generate and deliver electrical power to a high speed electrically powered rotatable shaft. The device has a stationary module that is connected to an electrical source; and has a rotatable module, which is mechanically connected to the electrically powered rotatable shaft. The rotatable module rotates relative to the stationary module. When the stationary module is electrically energized, the stationary piezoelectric component expands and causes the rotatable piezoelectric component to compress. When the rotatable piezoelectric component compresses, it generates electrical power transferred to the electrically powered rotatable shaft. Thus, electrical energy can be delivered to the electrically powered rotatable shaft without a direct electrical connection. The present invention is particularly useful in applications requiring large diameter through-hole dimensions.

Abstract: A non-contact transporting apparatus (10) includes: a negative pressure assembly (100) configured to generate a negative pressure airflow within the non-contact transporting apparatus; and an ultrasonic assembly (200) connected to the negative pressure assembly (100). The ultrasonic assembly (200) includes: an ultrasonic transducer (210) configured to convert a high-frequency ultrasonic electrical signal into a high-frequency mechanical vibration, one end of the ultrasonic transducer (210) is connected to the negative pressure assembly (100); an ultrasonic horn (230) configured to amplify the high-frequency mechanical vibration, one end of the ultrasonic horn (230) is connected to one end of the ultrasonic transducer (210) away from the negative pressure assembly (100); and an ultrasonic chuck (250) configured to amplify and convert the high-frequency mechanical vibration, the ultrasonic chuck (250) is connected to one end of the ultrasonic horn (230) away from the ultrasonic transducer (210).

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for ultrasonic borehole logging using an ultrasonic borehole imaging tool in a borehole intersecting the earth formation. Methods may include adjusting a focus for an ultrasonic beam generated from a single-transducer ultrasonic assembly of the ultrasonic imaging tool; using a receiver to generate measurement information responsive to an ultrasonic signal caused by the ultrasonic beam; and estimating a parameter of interest from the measurement information. Methods may include adjusting the focus in dependence upon environmental conditions, the environmental conditions comprising at least one of: i) standoff between the ultrasonic imaging tool and a wall of the borehole; and ii) borehole annulus conditions. Methods may include adjusting the focus in substantially real-time. The ultrasonic beam may be focused with a focal zone at the borehole wall configured to produce a beam spot size of a selected diameter.

Abstract: The fluid-level sensor has an acoustic waveguide comprising a flexible metal rod, an electroacoustic transducer coupled to one end of the acoustic waveguide and an acoustic resonator coupled to the other end of the acoustic waveguide. The flexible metal rod has two ends, one cylindrical waveguide coupled via a conical acoustic concentrator to one end of the flexible metal rod, the other cylindrical waveguide coupled via a conical concentrator to the other end of the flexible metal rod. One cylindrical waveguide is coupled to the electroacoustic transducer and the other cylindrical waveguide is coupled to the acoustic resonator. The structure provides for the enhanced functional capabilities of the sensor by using it under the conditions of high temperature, radiation, strong electromagnetic interference, intense vibrations, impacts, and other negative factors. The sensor can be installed, maintained, and repaired without hazard to servicing personnel.

Abstract: Transmission/reception units 1 are fixed to both sides of a pipe body P in a clamp type. The transmission/reception unit 1 has a mounter 3 provided with a through-hole 3c and a transmitter/receiver 4 inserted into the through-hole 3c. The transmitter/receiver 4 has a surface contact portion 4a, an element fixing portion 4b provided with an installation hole 4c, and a ultrasound transmitting body 4e installed in the installation hole 4c. A transmitting/receiving element 4h is attached on a top surface 4g of the ultrasound transmitting body 4e. When the mounter 3 is fastened, a force applied to the mounter 3 is transmitted to the surface contact portion 4a such that the surface contact portion 4a comes into close contact with the pipe body P, therefore an ultrasonic beam is transmitted smoothly between the pipe body P and the transmitting/receiving element 4h.

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic transducer for measuring stretch loads on bolts is provided. The improved ultrasonic transducer is separated into a pickup unit and a base sensor unit. The base sensor unit includes a piezo ceramic inside an aluminum can covered by a PCB for protection, which is surrounded by a strong magnet. Honey is used as a couplant between the base sensor unit and the bolt during operation. The base sensor unit stays on the bolt before and after tightening without changing the mechanical bonding between the sensor and bolt therefore achieving higher accuracy stretch readings. The base sensor unit is low cost and reusable, as it can be placed on number of bolts before tightening and can be removed after tightening, washed and then reused.

Abstract: An ultrasonic peening-type integrated machining method for cutting and extrusion includes: applying transverse ultrasonic vibration or a vibration component, which is vertical to a cutting speed direction to a cutting tool on a machine tool; setting a cutting parameter and an ultrasonic vibration parameter such that a dynamic negative clearance angle is generated in a cutting procedure and a flank face of the cutting tool conducts ultrasonic peening extrusion on the surface of the workpiece; setting an extrusion overlap ratio; setting a wear standard of flank faces extruded by the cutting tool; controlling a vibration cutting trajectory phase difference of the cutting tool during two adjacent rotations; and turning on the machine tool in order to ensure that cutting and surface extrusion strengthening of the workpiece are completed in one procedure without separate strengthening procedures. The method conducts extrusion strengthening on the surface of the workpiece while cutting the workpiece.

Abstract: A structure of an acoustic transducer array probe for transmission of acoustic waves from a front radiation surface into an acoustic load material, where said acoustic waves can have frequencies in a high frequency (HF) band and further lower frequency (LF1, . . . , LFn, . . . , LFN) bands with N?1, arranged in order of decreasing center frequency. The acoustic waves are transmitted from separate high and lower frequency arrays stacked together with matching layers in a thickness dimension into a layered structure, with at least a common radiation surface for said high and lower frequency bands. At least for said common radiation surface at least one lower frequency LFn electro-acoustic structure (n=1, . . . , N) comprises a piezoelectric array with an acoustic isolation section to its front face.

Abstract: A new tri-electrode topology reduces the control voltage requirement for electrostatic actuators. Conventional parallel plate actuators are dual-electrode systems, formed by the MEMS structure and the drive electrode. By placing a perforated intermediate electrode between these elements, a tri-electrode configuration is formed. This topology enables a low voltage on the intermediate electrode to modulate the electrostatic force of the higher voltage drive electrode, whose voltage remains fixed. Results presented show that in comparison to conventional parallel plate electrostatic actuators, the intermediate electrode's modulating voltage can be as low as 20% of normal, while still providing the full actuation stroke.

Abstract: A shock wave generating unit includes a housing and a disk in the housing. The disk includes a vibration plate, which corresponds to a shock wave transmission member covering a first opening of the housing and includes an insulating thin elastic plate and a thin metal plate. The insulating thin elastic plate, with one side corresponding to the shock wave transmission member and the opposite side provided with the thin metal plate, has a hollow portion for partially exposing the thin metal plate and forms an accommodating cavity together with the exposed portion of the thin metal plate and the shock wave transmission member. A shock wave transmission medium can circulate through the accommodating cavity via a channel in the housing and is in contact with the exposed portion of the thin metal plate to facilitate dissipation of the heat generated by the disk during operation.

Abstract: A composite substrate according to the present invention includes a support substrate having a diameter of 2 inches or more, and a piezoelectric substrate having a thickness of 20 ?m or less and bonded to the support substrate to transmit light. The piezoelectric substrate has a thickness distribution shaped like a fringe. A waveform having an amplitude within a range of 5 to 100 nm in a thickness direction and a pitch within a range of 0.5 to 20 mm in a width direction appears in the thickness distribution of the piezoelectric substrate in a cross section of the composite substrate taken along a line orthogonal to the fringe, and the pitch of the waveform correlates with a width of the fringe. In the piezoelectric substrate, the fringe may include either parallel fringes or spiral or concentric fringes.

Abstract: An arrangement, comprising a housing wall, an ultrasonic transducer and a damping element with a longitudinal axis, which damping element connects the ultrasonic transducer with the housing wall. The ultrasonic transducer has an end piece with a medium-contacting surface, from which ultrasonic signals are transferred into a gaseous or liquid medium. The damping element is provided for body sound damping between the ultrasonic transducer and the housing wall, and wherein the damping element has at least one, especially a number of, oscillatory nodes, characterized in that there is arranged between the damping element and the housing wall at least a first sealing ring, which is positioned at a height of an oscillatory node.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer for an ultrasonic flow meter, with a transducer housing, with a transducer element for generating and/or for receiving ultrasonic signals and with an emitting element, the emitting element being exposed to ultrasonic signals at least indirectly from the transducer element and emitting the ultrasonic signals via one end face on one front side of the emitting element into the vicinity bordering the ultrasonic transducer and/or the emitting element picking up ultrasonic signals from the vicinity via one end face on one front side of the emitting element and transmitting them at least indirectly to the transducer element. A good directional action in spite of small dimensions is achieved by the emitting element being connected to the transducer housing via a connecting element and being free standing on its periphery on the front side such that it can oscillate freely on the periphery.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer having a transducer element, a housing, a coupling element with a front and a back, wherein the back of the coupling element is acoustically coupled to the top of the transducer element in order to couple the ultrasonic waves generated by the transducer element out to the environment in a transmit mode or in order to pass the ultrasonic waves received from the environment by the coupling element on to the transducer element in a receive mode. The transducer element and the coupling element are arranged in the housing. A first electrode is connected to a contact area formed on the bottom of the transducer element. The transducer element is arranged in a shielding device made of a metallically conductive material, and the opening of the shielding device is covered by a metallic, conductive screen so that the shielding device and the screen form a Faraday cage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe includes a piezoelectric layer, including a number of piezoelectric posts arranged in a number of rows along a first direction and arranged in a number of columns along a second direction, and an angle between the first direction and the second direction being an acute angle, a distance between the two adjacent piezoelectric posts along the first direction being greater than a distance between the two adjacent rows of the piezoelectric posts. The ultrasonic probe improves the density of the piezoelectric post by misaligning the two adjacent rows of piezoelectric posts and compressing the row spacing, which makes better use of the space between the two adjacent rows of piezoelectric posts. That is, the space utilization of the ultrasonic probe is improved and pixel density is high.

Abstract: In the composite substrate 10, the piezoelectric substrate 12 and the support substrate 14 are bonded by direct bonding using an ion beam. One surface of the piezoelectric substrate 12 is a negatively-polarized surface 12a and another surface of the piezoelectric substrate 12 is a positively-polarized surface 12b. An etching rate at which the negatively-polarized surface 12a is etched with a strong acid may be higher than an etching rate at which the positively-polarized surface 12b is etched with the strong acid. The positively-polarized surface 12b of the piezoelectric substrate 12 is directly bonded to the support substrate 14. The negatively-polarized surface 12a of the piezoelectric substrate 12 may be etched with the strong acid.

Abstract: A material of the stator core is different from a material of the housings, in a state where one end portion in the axis direction of the stator core is contacted to the first housing, and the other end portion in the axis direction of the stator core is contacted to the second housing; and a neighboring portion of a contact portion, at which the first housing is contacted to the stator core, and another neighboring portion of a contact portion, at which the second housing is contacted to the stator core, are connected by a connecting component in the axis direction, of which material is the same as a material of the stator core, whereby the first housing and the second housing are connected each other; and the first housing and the second housing face each other in a state where a gap intervenes between both housings.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a vessel having deposits on an interior surface includes removably bonding an ultrasonic transducer to an external wall of the vessel and using the ultrasonic transducer to produce ultrasonic energy coupled into the vessel wall such that at least a portion of the ultrasonic energy is transmitted to the interior surface.

Abstract: A PZT transducer-horn integrated ultrasonic driving structure consists of a nut, a bolt, a left PZT circular stack, a flange, a right PZT truncated stack and a horn. The horn, the right PZT truncated stack, the flange and the left PZT circular stack are arranged in sequence and connected via the bolt and then fastened via the nut; the right PZT transducer is a truncated cone-shaped stack formed by PZT circular plates; and the right PZT transducer and the horn are integrated to form the ultrasonic driving structure. Considering the dimension of PZT on two sides of the flange and the horn meet the requirements for ultrasonic vibration node and antinode, the dimension of round contour of the circular PZT stack and flange is reduced to increase the thickness of the truncated PZT stack and flange.

Abstract: An ultrasonic machining module that includes an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is adapted to receive a machining tool and a vibration-isolating housing adapted to be both compatible with a machining system and to receive the ultrasonic transducer therein, wherein the housing further includes at least one modification for isolating all vibrations generated by the ultrasonic transducer when the device is in operation except axial vibrations transmitted to the machining tool, thereby preventing unwanted vibrations from traveling backward or upward into the machining system.

Abstract: In a lateral sealing mechanism, a cylindrical film is sandwiched and ultrasonic sealing is performed along a direction that intersects a conveying direction while a first horn and a first anvil, and a second horn and a second anvil rotate. The first horn is mounted on a first rotating body in a state of being coupled to a plurality of vibrating elements. The second horn is mounted on the second rotating body in a state coupled to a plurality of vibrating elements. A securing member grips a horn unit, which includes the horns and the plurality of vibrating elements, on the forward and rearward sides in the direction of rotation of the horn assembly in the vicinity of the node of ultrasonic vibration and secures the horn unit to the first rotating body and the second rotating body, respectively.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an apparatus, including: at least one hot-swappable component; at least one engagement device, wherein the engagement device selectively operates to prevent removal of a non-failed hot-swappable component from a carrier; and a detector; the detector detecting at least one failed hot-swappable component. Other embodiments are described and claimed herein.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an outer housing, an inner housing disposed within the outer housing, and an ultrasonic transducer disposed within the inner housing. The outer housing has an aperture that enables pressurized fluid to enter the outer housing while allowing the outer housing to acoustically isolate the inner housing and the ultrasonic transducer from an additional component when the outer housing is connected to the additional component. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laminated piezoelectric element that includes a piezoelectric element layer and a matching layer. The piezoelectric element layer is configured to have a plurality of piezoelectric layers and a plurality of electrode layers laminated together. The matching layer is laminated on the piezoelectric element layer, and is different in acoustic impedance from the piezoelectric element layer. When Vp represents the acoustic velocity in the piezoelectric element layer, Vm represents the acoustic velocity in the matching layer, Tp represents the thickness dimension of the piezoelectric element layer, and Tm represents the thickness dimension of the matching layer, Vp/Vm=Tp/Tm holds. Further, when W represents the dimension of the laminated piezoelectric element in the width direction, Tp+Tm>W holds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drive device 1 which is adapted to move a driven member used on a speed difference between during extending and during contracting in a course of vibration of a vibrator. The vibrator, e.g., a piezoelectric element 4, 5, is formed in a structure which has two resonance modes identical in terms of a vibration direction, and allows a ratio between resonance frequencies of the two resonance modes to become approximately 2. A drive signal to be given to the vibrator is configured to approximately conform to the two resonance modes. The drive device 1 having the above configuration makes it possible to generate pseudo-sawtooth displacement vibration multiplied by an amplitude amplification factor Q through resonance, thereby improving a movement speed, and allow a larger part of input energy to be used for mechanical vibration, thereby improving energy efficiency.

Abstract: An acoustic antenna includes an array of elementary submarine transducers, each elementary transducer including, between a counterweight and a horn, at least one ceramic. Each elementary transducer is mounted on a printed circuit so that the printed circuit is clamped between the ceramic and counterweight thereof. The printed circuit includes conductors for connection to electrodes of the respective ceramic for individual control of the elementary transducers. The weight of each element of the elementary transducer is set to minimize cross-talk between channels.

Abstract: A tunable acoustic resonator device has a piezoelectric medium as a first thin film layer and a tunable crystal medium as a second thin film layer. The tunable crystal medium has a first acoustic behavior over an operating temperature range under a condition of relatively low applied stress and a second acoustic behavior under a condition of relatively high applied stress. The acoustic behaviors are substantially different and, consequently, the different levels of applied stress are used to tune the acoustic resonator device. Compared with the tunable resonator device consisting of only tunable crystal medium, a device having both the piezoelectric and tunable crystal medium has advantages such as larger inherent bandwidth and less nonlinearity with AC signals. The device also requires a smaller applied stress (i.e. bias voltage) to achieve the required frequency tuning.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element (20) is attached to a vibration member (10). A plurality of electrodes (22) are two-dimensionally arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric element (20) so as to be spaced apart from each other. A supporting frame (40) supports an edge of the vibration member (10). A control unit (50) inputs an independent driving signal to each of the plurality of electrodes (22). Thus, a large output can be obtained with a resonance frequency depending on what signal is input to which electrode (22). For example, the piezoelectric element (20) is a resin film that is formed of a high molecular material indicating a piezoelectric property.

Abstract: An electrostatic electroacoustic device comprising a first electrode configured to receive an audio signal, a second electrode configured to receive the audio signal, a first electret between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first electret including at least one dielectric layer containing electrostatic charges, a second electret between the first electrode and the second electrode, the second electret including at least one dielectric layer containing electrostatic charges, and a conductive layer sandwiched between the first electret and the second electret, the conductive layer, the first electret and the second electret being capable of vibratory motion relative to the first electrode and the second electrode based on the audio signal.

Abstract: A tunable acoustic resonator device has a piezoelectric medium as a first thin film layer and a tunable crystal medium as a second thin film layer. The tunable crystal medium has a first acoustic behavior over an operating temperature range under a condition of relatively low applied stress and a second acoustic behavior under a condition of relatively high applied stress. The acoustic behaviors are substantially different and, consequently, the different levels of applied stress are used to tune the acoustic resonator device. Compared with the tunable resonator device consisting of only tunable crystal medium, a device having both the piezoelectric and tunable crystal medium has advantages such as larger inherent bandwidth and less nonlinearity with AC signals. The device also requires a smaller applied stress (i.e. bias voltage) to achieve the required frequency tuning.

Abstract: A resonator is described. The resonator includes multiple electrodes. The resonator also includes a composite piezoelectric material. The composite piezoelectric material includes at least one layer of a first piezoelectric material and at least one layer of a second piezoelectric material. At least one electrode is coupled to a bottom of the composite piezoelectric material. At least one electrode is coupled to a top of the composite piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A sound generator includes a transducer converting electric energy to mechanical energy, a mechanical amplifier mechanically amplifying a vibration generated in a piezoelectric component of the transducer, and a radiation plate radiating a sound wave from a signal amplified by the mechanical amplifier, wherein the radiation plate includes a first step having a height for compensating for a first resonance frequency and a second step having a height for compensating for a second resonance frequency.

Abstract: An energy harvesting apparatus and method that is especially well suited for harvesting low frequency broadband vibration energy from a vibrating structure is presented. The apparatus includes a pair of disc springs that are arranged in an opposing relationship. A threaded fastening member and a threaded nut extend through apertures in each of the disc springs and enable a predetermined preload force to be applied to the disc springs. The preload effectively “softens” the disc springs, thus heightening the sensitivity of the disc springs to low frequency, low amplitude vibration energy. A piezoelectric material ring is secured to each of the disc springs. Each piezoelectric material ring experiences changes in strain as its associated disc spring deflects in response to vibration energy experienced from a vibrating structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling unit (24) for transmitting high-frequency mechanical vibrations from a vibration generator (12) onto a tool (34). Said coupling unit comprises in input part (22) and an output part (30) that are interconnected via two identical vibration bars (26, 28), said bars being off-set from each other. The bars may have the shape of quadrants to provide the output movement in a direction that forms an angle of 90° with the direction of the input movement.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.

Abstract: A Langevin transducer horn uses split electroding or selective electroding of transducer elements and phase relationships of the voltages applied thereto to determine the relative longitudinal and flexural/transverse motion induced in the tip of the horn.

Abstract: An acoustic wave device including: a substrate; a piezoelectric film formed on the substrate; an lower electrode provided on a first surface of the piezoelectric film; an upper electrode provided on a second surface of the piezoelectric film opposite to the first surface; and a mass loading film having a first pattern and a second pattern in a resonance portion in which the lower electrode and the upper electrode face each other through the piezoelectric film, the first pattern having portions and the second pattern having portions interlinking the portions of the first pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a thin-film bulk acoustic resonator such as including an acoustic mirror, a piezoelectric region acoustically coupled to the acoustic mirror, and first and second conductors electrically coupled to the piezoelectric region. In an example, an integrated circuit substrate can include an interface circuit connected to the first and second conductors of the resonator, the integrated circuit substrate configured to mechanically support the resonator. An example can include an array of such resonators co-integrated with the interface circuit and configured to detect a mass change associated with one or more of a specified protein binding, a specified antibody-antigen coupling, a specified hybridization of a DNA oligomer, or an adsorption of specified gas molecules.

Abstract: An ultrasonic vibration apparatus includes a vibrator, wherein the vibrator includes at least two vibration elements to generate ultrasonic vibration when a driving voltage is applied to the vibration elements, at least three electrode portions wherein the vibration elements and the electrode portions is alternately arranged side by side in a vibrating direction, at least the three electrode portions includes at least two first electrode portions and at least one second electrode portion alternately arranged in the vibrating direction, the vibrator integrally vibrates ultrasonically in the vibrating direction when the driving voltage is applied to the first electrode portions and the second electrode portion, and a bridging portion coupling and electrically connecting two first electrode portions of at least the two first electrode portions with each other, and the ultrasonic vibration apparatus further includes an anti-vibration portion to suppress vibration of the bridging portion in any other direction exc

Abstract: A resonator body of a resonator device includes a base portion, two resonating arms that are extended from the base portion in a Y axis direction and arranged in parallel to an X axis direction that is orthogonal to the Y axis direction, and excitation electrodes that are arranged on each of the resonating arms in a pair and excite the resonating arms by applying an electric current, wherein a plurality of holes that partially penetrates at least one side of a pair of excitation electrodes in a thickness direction is formed so that the vibration characteristic of the resonating arm is adjusted.

Abstract: A resonator body includes a base portion, resonating arms that are extended from the base portion, piezoelectric body elements that are arranged on the resonating arms, first electrode layers that are arranged on the resonating arms, piezoelectric body layers that are arranged on the first electrode layers and second electrode layers that are arranged on the piezoelectric body layers, and a plurality of fine holes that penetrates at least any one layer of these layers in a thickness direction is formed.

Abstract: A micro or nano electromechanical transducer device formed on a semiconductor substrate comprises a movable structure which is arranged to be movable in response to actuation of an actuating structure. The movable structure comprises a mechanical structure having at least one mechanical layer having a first thermal response characteristic, at least one layer of the actuating structure having a second thermal response characteristic different to the first thermal response characteristic, and a thermal compensation structure having at least one thermal compensation layer. The thermal compensation layer is different to the at least one layer and is arranged to compensate a thermal effect produced by the mechanical layer and the at least one layer of the actuating structure such that the movement of the movable structure is substantially independent of variations in temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for cooling ultrasonic transducers. The inventive device is characterised in that it consists of at least one piezo stack (4) and at least two cylindrical transducer bodies (5), which together with the piezo stack (4) form an ?/2 oscillator. In multiple transducer assemblies, two respective transducer bodies (5) can be combined to form a common transducer body (6) and the transducer bodies (5, 6) comprise flow channels (7), through which pressurised coolant can flow. The inventive method for cooling ultrasonic transducers is characterised in that the body of the ultrasonic transducer is traversed and/or surrounded by a pressurised coolant. This enables the heat that is generated in the transducers to be directly dissipated by convection. In addition the inventive elements enable the creation of a large common contact surface between the transducers and the coolant.

Abstract: A method of harvesting energy from a vibrational energy source having a varying energy characteristic. The method includes the step of varying a characteristic of a harvesting arrangement arranged to harvest the energy, the characteristic of the harvesting arrangement being varied in response to the varying energy characteristic of the vibrational energy source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for coupling low-frequency high-power ultrasound resonators by a tolerance-compensating force-transmitting connection having at least one contact surface between the at least two resonators on or proximate to the oscillation maximum of the oscillation to be transmitted by the coupling for the purpose of transmitting low-frequency ultrasound power between the resonators coupled in this manner.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes: piezoelectric elements; a pair of clamping members which clamp said piezoelectric elements; and a cover member which is crimped to at least one of said pair of clamping members in a state where said cover member cooperates with said pair of clamping members to surround said piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an ultrasonic device comprising an ultrasound transducer; and a disk-shaped metallic low-frequency ultrasound (NFLUS) resonator being mechanically connected with the ultrasound transducer on one side of the resonator; a container with an opening on its bottom side and being arranged on the other side of the disk-shaped resonator such that the opening is facing the disk-shaped resonator; an elastic sealing element arranged between the disk-shaped resonator and the container for sealing the container around the opening; and means for supplying a pressing force such that the container is tightened on the resonator during ultrasonication, but can be repeatedly disassembled and assembled after ultrasonication.