Abstract: A drive mechanism for the movement of an object along an axis of motion comprises two clamping elements and a drive element disposed between the two clamping elements which enables a relative movement of the two clamping elements along the axis of motion. Each clamping element comprises a base body and two clamping jaws, wherein a piezo-actuator is disposed between the base body and at least one of the two clamping jaws, which can produce a clamping force acting on the object which is directed transversely to the axis of motion. The base bodies of the two clamping elements are connected by at least two expansible elements. The drive element comprises a further piezo-actuator, which enables the relative displacement of the two clamping elements along the axis of motion. The drive mechanism is suitable for application in a micro-valve.

Abstract: A tubular spring is provided for receiving and pretensioning a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator of an actuator unit, e.g., for actuating a fuel injector valve in internal combustion engines, wherein the tubular spring comprises at least two types of recesses, each comprising different maximum lateral extensions in the longitudinal direction of the tubular spring. The tubular spring is designed to comprise a uniform load distribution about the circumference of the tubular spring even without welding the longitudinal sides thereof abutting one another.

Abstract: A holding device for a piezoelectric vibrator including a support member (11) for separately accommodating a piezoelectric vibrator (1), a first plate spring member (13) which extends from a proximal end fixedly bonded to one side of the support member (11) so as to sandwich opposing sides of the piezoelectric vibrator (1) and is folded back to be fixedly bonded to the piezoelectric vibrator, and a second plate spring member (18) which extends from a proximal end fixedly bonded to another side of the support member (11) so as to sandwich the opposing sides of the piezoelectric vibrator (1) and is folded back to be fixedly bonded to the piezoelectric vibrator. The first plate spring member (13) and the second plate spring member (18) are integrated at portions fixedly bonded to the piezoelectric vibrator (1).

Abstract: An object is to provide a holding device for a piezoelectric vibrator, which eliminates vibration energy loss and a change in vibration characteristics, and is capable of supplying stable output with high efficiency. The holding device for a piezoelectric vibrator of the present invention includes: a support member (11) of a frame shape or a box shape for separately accommodating a piezoelectric vibrator (1); and a plate spring structure (12) interposed between sides of the support member (11) and the piezoelectric vibrator (1).

Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer has input and output terminal electrodes (12c, 12d, 13c, 13d) exposed on a bottom surface thereof. The terminal electrodes are mechanically and electrically connected to connection portions (15a-15d) of a flexible printed circuit (18) for connecting with an external circuit. The transformer is held between a base element (21b, 22) and a cover (21a, 23, 25) coupled to each other. The base element may be a circuit board on which the transformer should be mounted.

Abstract: A high frequency transducer capable of transmitting and receiving having an operational range from 100 kHz to 2 MHz, a free field voltage sensitivity (FFVS) greater than -218 dB re 1 V/.mu.Pa (300 kHz), and a maximum hydrostatic pressure rating of 20.68 Mpa (3000 psi). The sensor element is made of lead titanate with a radial mode of 150 kHz being suppressed by the use of a rubber grommet surrounding the lead titanate element. The sensor element is retained within a sensor housing by a plurality of annealed iron wires attached to an annealed iron ring, both of the faces of the sensor housing are then covered with an acoustically transparent window of natural gum rubber. The sensor housing is attached to a non-metallic preamplifier housing made of a rigid polyurethane containing a preamplifier circuit, a transmit protection circuit, and a plurality of relays for switching the preamplifier circuit during the transmit and receive modes.

Abstract: A supporting device including four independent and identical U-shaped coupling flanges each cooperating with a pair of springs. Each spring is formed of a circular cross section metal wire made of high elastic limit alloy. The set of coupling flanges and springs is symmetrical with respect to two mutually perpendicular axial planes of resonator and with respect to a central plane of the resonator. A cylindrical element is mounted inside the casing in a region of a lateral wall of the housing and has a circular groove on its inner face and located on a center plane parallel to the top and bottom walls of the housing. For each pair of springs cooperating with a coupling flange, one of the springs engages by a first portion into an upper slot formed in a planar rear face of the coupling flange and by a second portion in the circular groove. The inner faces of the coupling flanges rest directly on the edge of the top and bottom faces of the resonator.

Abstract: A piezoelectric buzzer comprising a case having the shape of a bottomed cylinder, a piezoelectric diaphragm fixedly disposed within the case, a cover plate fitted in the open end of the case, and terminals integrally combined with the cover plate and each having one end in contact with the piezoelectric diaphragm and the other end projecting outside from the cover plate. Since the cover plate and the terminals are combined together by insert molding, no gap is formed between the cover plate and the terminals, no sealing work for sealing gaps between the cover plate and the terminals is necessary, the manufacturing process is simplified, and the piezoelectric element is not exposed to the external atmosphere.

Abstract: An oscillating crystal force transducer and method of making the same are provided, the transducer comprising support structure, a plate-shaped piezo-electric crystal having opposed sides and a peripheral edge extending between the opposed sides, and two seating members carried by the support structure and respectively engaging the peripheral edge of the crystal and arranged to apply a force to the crystal along a line extending through the crystal from one of the seating members to the other of the seating members, the support structure comprising a looped spring member having opposed ends spaced from each other to define the mouth of the looped spring member and respectively carrying the seating members whereby the crystal is disposed in the mouth of the looped spring member between the seating members thereof.

Abstract: A tubular piezoelectric oscillator having an electroconductive or non-electroconductive tubular casing, the vacuum interior chamber of which receives piezoelectric oscillating element rectangular plate supported at at least one end thereof by an elastic support element for protecting the piezoelectric oscillating element from thermal deformation and impulsive or vibratory force transmitted from the outside. The interior chamber of the tubular casing is maintained in a vacuum condition by a hermetically sealed pipe-like sealing member or members provided at either one or both axially opposite ends of the tubular casing, at which ends are arranged electroconductive members used as electric leads for extracting an electric oscillating signal from the piezoelectric oscillating element.

Abstract: A traveling wave droplet generator for a continuous stream ink jet printer comprising an ink filled tube connected in the vicinity of one end to an ink reservoir. A piezoelectric driver assembly is mounted at the fill end of the tube. The tube has openings connecting to orifices of an aperture plate bonded thereto. The tube has a terminator at the end opposite to the piezoelectric driver to suppress reflection and standing wave formation. The ink streams emitted through the nozzles of the aperture plate are stimulated by the traveling wave causing the streams to break up at predetermined distances from the nozzles.

Abstract: Device for supporting a piezoelectric resonator inside a casing. The device comprises two cross-shaped half-shells, each one comprising: four branches of which the free ends define angle pieces with a horizontal bearing surface of small dimension, which surface is slightly raised with respect to the central part of the corresponding half-shell, as well as one vertical branch holding the edge of the resonator: four identical independent securing flanges to secure the two half-shells in position, said flanges having the shape of a turned down U, each flange comprising, at the end of each branch of the U, two stop elements bearing against two superposed branches of the two half-shells, on the faces of those branches facing said horizontal bearing surfaces; and at least four pairs of springs for suspending the four securing flanges with respect to the casing.

Abstract: A chip-shaped piezoelectric vibration part provided integrally with capacitors and resistances, which is so constructed that a piezoelectric element including a pair of vibrating electrodes is housed in a tubular casing whose openings at both axial ends are covered by respective caps, both vibrating electrodes being connected with the caps corresponding thereto through conductive connecting materials, the tubular casing being provided with either one or both of the capacitor and resistance, so that the part is small-sized as a whole to enable its integration degree for package to be improved and is easy to handle.

Abstract: A sensor for use on the front end of a flexible, resilient probe for use in an underground duct of the type which contains one or more current-carrying cables. The sensor is provided with a signal generating device for detecting a particular operating condition of a cable in the duct when the sensor moves through the duct adjacent to the cable. In one embodiment of the sensor, acoustical signals are sensed by a crystal when such acoustical signals originate from a leak in the pressurized sheath surrounding the cable. In another embodiment of the sensor, a coil senses the magnetic field surrounding the cable so that electrical shorts occurring in the cable can be monitored. In a third embodiment of the sensor, a heat detector is provided so that the sensor can detect hot spots in a duct.

Abstract: The level detector is to be used for starting and stopping an electric system such as a pump. It comprises a piezo-electric crystal (31) squeezingly mounted between two elastically resilient membranes (22, 23) situated between two squeezing members (11, 12). These squeezing members form a top part (11) and a bottom part (12), respectively, which together form a sensor housing (10). On the outside the membranes are coated with a thin, insulating plastic layer (21, 24) and form the electric connection to the crystal. The two membranes are kept separated by means of a plurality of insulating, annular disks (25-28). In this manner a sturdy and reliable mounting of the piezo-electric crystal is obtained.

Abstract: A chip-like piezoelectric vibrator component is disclosed. The component includes an axially elongated case made of an insulating material, in which an elongated piezoelectric vibrator element is housed. The piezoelectric vibrator element comprises vibrator electrodes formed on opposite main surfaces of a piezoelectric plate, wherein energy is trapped only in the longitudinal direction, whereby thickness sliding vibration is caused. Conductive terminals or caps are fitted into openings at both ends of the case and these are electrically connected to electrodes extending to both ends of the element. Concavities are formed on the conductive terminals or caps at the inner side of the case so that the element may be positioned and held by the concavities, whereby a spacing is secured between the vibrating electrode portions of the element and the inner wall of the case.