More Than Two Patents (Class 310/366)
  • Patent number: 11951041
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a positioning device for positioning an object in a positioning plane. To minimize the position error (contouring error) in a continuous orbital travel in contrast to two linear adjusters (X and Y) arranged at a right angle to each other, the positioning device includes two rotation drives having different diameters and an object receiver for receiving the object. The object receiver is coupled to a first of the two rotation drives, which in turn is coupled to the second of the two rotating drives so that the object receiver is rotatable about the axes of rotation (A2, A3) of both rotation drives that are offset in parallel, and is thereby adjustable in the positioning plane. A light processor having such a positioning device, and a method for laser eye surgery using such a light processor are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: PHYSIK INSTRUMENTE (PI) GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Mathias Rosenkranz
  • Patent number: 11929726
    Abstract: A multiplexer includes a common terminal, a first filter connected to the common terminal, a wiring line connecting the common terminal and the reception filter to each other, a second filter connected to a connection node on the wiring line, a third filter connected to a connection node on the wiring line, a wiring line connecting the connection node and the transmission filter to each other, a wiring line connecting the connection node and the first filter to each other, and an inductor connected between a wiring region of the wiring line that extends from the connection node to the first filter and the ground or between the wiring line and the ground. The length of a portion of the wiring line extending from the common terminal to the connection node is longer than the length of a portion of the wiring line extending from the common terminal to the connection node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Takata
  • Patent number: 11930713
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric body, an electrode layer, and a reinforcing layer. The piezoelectric body has a first main surface, a second main surface, and a side surface. The first main surface and the second main surface oppose each other. The side surface extends in an opposing direction in which the first main surface and the second main surface oppose each other in such a way as to connect the first main surface and the second main surface. The electrode layer is provided in the piezoelectric body. The reinforcing layer is provided on the first main surface. The electrode layer is provided opposing the first main surface and apart from the side surface. When viewed from the opposing direction, the electrode layer has a corner. When viewed from the opposing direction, the reinforcing layer overlaps the corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiki Ohta, Hideya Sakamoto, Kazushi Tachimoto, Yoshikazu Shimura, Tetsuyuki Taniguchi, Akihiro Takeda
  • Patent number: 11910717
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes an electrode layer including a trunk portion and a plurality of branch portions branched from the trunk portion. The trunk portion includes a plurality of junction points from each of which a corresponding branch portion of the plurality of branch portions are branched, an end spaced from the plurality of junction points, and a second through hole positioned between the plurality of junction points and the end of the trunk portion. A plurality of first through holes are grouped into a first group and a second group. The first group overlaps, in a first direction, a particular area defined between the end of the trunk portion and the second through hole and the second group overlaps, in the first direction, another particular area defined between the second through hole and the plurality of junction points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Kura, Takashi Aiba
  • Patent number: 11852608
    Abstract: A fluid measuring device for determining at least one characteristic property of a fluid includes a measuring tube having a fluid duct and a measuring section in which an area of a measuring tube wall is configured as a waveguide for surface acoustic waves which forms an interface to the fluid. At least two piezoelectric transducers are arranged in direct contact with an outer surface of the waveguide and one of which serves as a transmitter for exciting acoustic waves and at least one as a receiver for receiving acoustic waves. Acoustic waves excited by the transmitter can propagate as a volume wave through the fluid, and the piezoelectric transducers are configured to be elastically flexible while retaining their function in that the piezoelectric transducers have strip-shaped piezoelectric elements arranged parallel to each other, are rigid per se and between which a respective layer of an elastic material is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Yannick Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11841342
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a shear-type vibration-ultrasonic composite sensor and a measuring device. In the shear-type vibration-ultrasonic composite sensor, a metal matching layer includes an insulating layer arranged on a lower surface and a supporting pillar arranged on an upper surface, the metal matching layer is in contact with a to-be-detected object via the insulating layer, a first negative electrode face of a first normal piezoelectric element is attached to one side of the metal matching layer, a first positive electrode face of the first normal piezoelectric element is attached to a second positive electrode face of a second normal piezoelectric element, a second negative electrode face is attached to a first surface of a backing block, and a second surface of the backing block is provided with a metal housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: XI'AN JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Junhao Li, Yanfeng Song, Zhaoyu Zhang
  • Patent number: 11835338
    Abstract: A sensor element includes a piezoelectric body, a plurality of excitation electrodes, and a plurality of detecting electrodes. The piezoelectric body includes a frame and a driving arm and detecting arm which extend from the frame within a predetermined plane parallel to an xy plane in an orthogonal coordinate system xyz. The excitation electrodes are located on the driving arm. The detecting electrodes are located on the detecting arm enabling detection of a signal generated by bending deformation of the detecting arm in a z-axis direction. The detecting arm includes first and second arms. The first arm extends from the frame in the predetermined plane. The second arm extends from a front end side of the first arm toward a frame side within the predetermined plane. An end part of the second arm on the frame side is formed as a free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Munetaka Soejima
  • Patent number: 11812666
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element comprising a compound represented by Formula 1, a piezoelectric device including the piezoelectric element, a vibration module including the piezoelectric device, and a display apparatus including the piezoelectric device are provided, where (1?x)(LizNa0.5-zK0.5)(Nb1-ySby)O3·xCaZrO3??[Formula 1] where x, y, and z have a range of 0.001?x?0.2, a range of 0?y?0.5, and a range of 0?z?0.2, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: LG Display Co., Ltd., Korea University Research and Business Foundation
    Inventors: Taeheon Kim, Sahn Nahm, YongGyoon Jang, Jonghyun Kim, Ku-Tak Lee, Chiwan Kim, Sung-Eui Shin, YongWoo Lee, Seok-June Chae
  • Patent number: 11806750
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a piezoelectric layer made of a piezoelectric single crystal, a first electrode on a first surface of the piezoelectric layer, and a first layer covering the first surface of the piezoelectric layer. At least a portion of the piezoelectric layer is included in a membrane portion. The first electrode is covered with the first layer and includes a recess. The piezoelectric layer includes a through hole that passes through the piezoelectric layer between a surface of the piezoelectric layer, which is opposite to the first direction, and the recess at a position corresponding to at least a portion of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Kishimoto, Shinsuke Ikeuchi, Katsumi Fujimoto, Tetsuya Kimura, Fumiya Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 11778749
    Abstract: To provide a mounting structure in which a connection unit is protected and a non-flexible region is small, the mounting structure includes a flexible wiring board, a non-flexible component, and a connection unit provided in a region smaller than a bottom face of the non-flexible component and connecting the flexible wiring board and the non-flexible component. The mounting structure includes a protection resin sealing the connection unit in such a way that the flexible wiring board and the non-flexible component are separable. The protection resin covers only a region where the connection unit is provided. To a face of the flexible wiring board, being on an opposite side to the connection unit, a reinforcing material is added. The reinforcing material covers a region where the connection unit is provided and being narrower than the bottom face of the non-flexible component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kyoko Otsuka
  • Patent number: 11767896
    Abstract: A method in which at least one piezoceramic sensor, which converts every mechanical force to which it is subjected into an electrical signal and having a Curie temperature higher than 200° C., is solidarized directly onto the surface of a metal support element of a vehicle braking element, which during use faces a vehicle element to be braked. While in contact with such a surface, an electrical circuit is implemented that picks up and eventually processes the electrical signal, the electrical circuit being connected with a connector integrated with the metal support element. An electrically insulating layer sandwiches the at least one piezoceramic sensor and the electrical circuit, and a block of friction material with an underlying damping layer is formed upon the electrically insulating layer. After forming the block of friction material, the piezoceramic sensor is polarized by applying a predetermined potential difference thereto by means of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: ITT Italia S.R.L.
    Inventors: Luca Martinotto, Fabrizio Merlo, Daniele Donzelli
  • Patent number: 11768302
    Abstract: Technologies for multifunction sensor devices include a multifunction sensor having a pair of electrodes separated by a thin film polymer. The multifunction sensor is coupled to a nano-amplifier that receives a sensor signal and amplifies the sensor signal to generate an amplified sensor signal. A controller coupled to the nano-amplifier processes the amplified sensor signal based on the type of the multifunction sensor device to generate sensor data. The type of the multifunction sensor device may be a static charge sensor, a high-energy particle sensor, a microwave sensor, or an ultraviolet/X-ray sensor. The sensor data may be output, for example, to an external computing device via a serial link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventor: Shuza Binzaid
  • Patent number: 11746000
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a membrane portion, a piezoelectric layer made of a piezoelectric single crystal, a first electrode on a first surface of the piezoelectric layer, a second electrode on a second surface of the piezoelectric layer opposite to the first direction, and a first layer covering the first surface of the piezoelectric layer. At least a portion of the piezoelectric layer is included in the membrane portion. Each of the first electrode and the second electrode has a tapered cross-sectional shape with a width which decreases with increasing distance from the piezoelectric layer on a cross section along a plane vertical to the surface in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Kishimoto, Shinsuke Ikeuchi, Katsumi Fujimoto, Tetsuya Kimura, Fumiya Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 11733027
    Abstract: A laser interferometer includes a light source that emits first laser light, an optical modulator that includes a vibrator and modulates the first laser light by using the vibrator to generate second laser light including a modulated signal, a photodetector that receives interference light between third laser light including a sample signal generated by reflecting the first laser light on an object and the second laser light to output a light reception signal, a demodulation circuit that demodulates the sample signal from the light reception signal based on a reference signal, and an oscillation circuit that outputs the reference signal to the demodulation circuit, and the vibrator is a signal source of the oscillation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventors: Kohei Yamada, Takeshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11736087
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical resonator assembly includes a first rectangular resonator array and a second rectangular resonator array, where the first rectangular resonator array and the second rectangular resonator array each have at least two rectangular resonator sub-elements, and the at least two rectangular resonator sub-elements are coupled to each other by one or more connection elements, and the first rectangular resonator array and the second rectangular resonator array are coupled to each other by one or more connection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Tikitin Oy
    Inventor: Antti Jaakkola
  • Patent number: 11689181
    Abstract: A package that includes a first filter comprising a first polymer, a substrate cap, a second filter comprising a second polymer frame, at least one interconnect, an encapsulation layer and a plurality of through encapsulation vias. The substrate cap is coupled to the first polymer frame such that a first void is formed between the substrate cap and the first filter. The second polymer frame is coupled to the substrate cap such that a second void is formed between the substrate cap and the second filter. The at least one interconnect is coupled to the first filter and the second filter. The encapsulation layer encapsulates the first filter, the substrate cap, the second filter, and the at least one interconnect. The plurality of through encapsulation vias coupled to the first filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jonghae Kim, Je-Hsiung Lan, Ranadeep Dutta, Milind Shah, Periannan Chidambaram
  • Patent number: 11626814
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustment device (1), comprising at least two linear stages (2, 3), which are arranged next to each other and which are fixedly connected to each other (6) by means of one of the adjustment sections (5) of each of the linear stages such that an adjustment movement of one linear stage can be transferred to the adjacent linear stage, wherein one linear stage is designed to bring about an increase in the distance between the adjustment sections arranged on said linear stage as a result of actuation of the adjustment element and an adjacent linear stage is designed to bring about a decrease in the distance between the adjustment sections arranged on said linear stage as a result of actuation of the adjustment element so that a displacement of the adjustment device can be realized, which displacement corresponds to the sum of the amounts of the changes in the distance between the adjustment sections of the linear stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: PHYSIK INSTRUMENTE (PI) GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Tomas Navratil
  • Patent number: 11616189
    Abstract: A laminated piezoelectric element 10 includes: a laminated body 11 in rectangle shape formed by alternately laminating a plurality of piezoelectric layers 15 and one or more internal electrode(s) 13; a connection electrode 14 connected to one end portion 13a of the internal electrode(s) 13; and an electric field relaxation region 16c or 16d formed discontinuously with regard to the internal electrode(s) 13 in at least one of two corner portions 13c and 13d of the other end portion 13b opposite to the one end portion 13a of the internal electrode(s) 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumihisa Ito, Yukihiro Matsui
  • Patent number: 11515857
    Abstract: A third through hole is formed in a crystal resonator plate of a crystal resonator to penetrate between a first main surface and a second main surface. A through electrode of the third through hole is conducted to a first excitation electrode. A seventh through hole is formed in a first sealing member of the crystal resonator to penetrate between a first main surface and a second main surface. The through electrode of the third through hole is conducted to the through electrode of the seventh through hole. The third through hole is not superimposed to the seventh through hole in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Daishinku Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Kojo, Satoru Ishino
  • Patent number: 11495732
    Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer comprises at least a laminate of a first member, a first piezoelectric element, a second piezoelectric element and a second member sequentially stacked one on the other in the above-listed order and a pressurizing mechanism for squeezing the first member and the second member together in the stacking direction. The ratio of the electromechanical coupling coefficient k33 relative to the electromechanical coupling coefficient k31 (k33/k31) of the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element is not less than 2.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Uebayashi, Miki Ueda, Takanori Matsuda, Makoto Kubota
  • Patent number: 11487381
    Abstract: An integrated force sensing element includes a piezoelectric sensor formed in an integrated circuit (IC) chip and a strain gauge at least partially overlying the piezoelectric sensor, where the piezoelectric sensor is able to flex. A human-machine interface using the integrated force sensing element is also disclosed and may include a conditioning circuit, temperature gauge, FRAM and a processor core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Wei-Yan Shih, Steve Kummerl, Mark Stephen Toth, Alok Lohia, Terry Lee Sculley, Seung Bae Lee, Scott Robert Summerfelt
  • Patent number: 11469363
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator 10 includes: a piezoelectric element 11; an external electrode 12 covering partially a first surface 11a of the piezoelectric element 11 in a first direction; a wiring member 14; and a conductive joining member 20 joining the wiring member 14 to the external electrode 12, wherein the conductive joining member 20 has an air gap 70 formed between the external electrode 12 and the wiring member 14 in a region overlapping with the wiring member 14 as viewed in the first direction, and wherein the conductive joining member 20 extends to an edge 21 of the external electrode 12 or extends to the first surface 11a of the piezoelectric element 11 beyond the edge 21 of the external electrode 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumihisa Ito, Yukihiro Matsui
  • Patent number: 11451211
    Abstract: A gallium nitride structure that includes: a substrate; a gallium nitride layer opposed to the substrate and containing gallium nitride as a main component thereof; and a first electrode between the gallium nitride layer and the substrate. The first electrode includes at least one hafnium layer containing a single metal of hafnium as a main component thereof, and the at least one hafnium layer is in contact with the gallium nitride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignees: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Keiichi Umeda, Takaaki Mizuno, Yasuhiro Aida, Masato Uehara, Toshimi Nagase, Morito Akiyama
  • Patent number: 11448622
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic device includes an ultrasonic transmitter. The ultrasonic transmitter includes a first element, a second element, and a driver. The first element is flexing-vibratable at a first resonant frequency. The second element is flexing-vibratable at a second resonant frequency different from the first resonant frequency. The driver is configured to supply a first electrical signal to the first element and to supply a second electrical signal to the second element. The first electrical signal includes a first signal having the first resonant frequency. The second electrical signal includes a second signal having the second resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Itsumi, Yasuharu Hosono, Tomio Ono, Mitsunaga Saito
  • Patent number: 11441553
    Abstract: A piezoelectric driving device includes a vibration unit, a piezoelectric element, a signal transmission layer, and a plane unit. The piezoelectric element includes a first electrode and a second electrode electrically isolated from each other. The signal transmission layer includes a first conductive zone and a second conductive zone. The first electrode of the piezoelectric element is electrically connected to the first conductive zone of the signal transmission layer, and the second electrode of the piezoelectric element is electrically connected to the second conductive zone of the signal transmission layer. The plane unit has at least one hole. The piezoelectric element, the signal transmission layer, and the plane unit are located at one side of the vibration unit and are sequentially stacked together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: KOGE MICRO TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Han Wu, Jun-Yan Huang, Hsin-Cheng Wang
  • Patent number: 11417827
    Abstract: A MEMS piezoelectric device includes a monolithic semiconductor body having first and second main surfaces extending parallel to a horizontal plane formed by first and second horizontal axes. A housing cavity is arranged within the monolithic semiconductor body. A membrane is suspended above the housing cavity at the first main surface. A piezoelectric material layer is arranged above a first surface of the membrane with a proof mass coupled to a second surface, opposite to the first surface, along the vertical axis. An electrode arrangement is provided in contact with the piezoelectric material layer. The proof mass causes deformation of the piezoelectric material layer in response to environmental mechanical vibrations. The proof mass is coupled to the membrane by a connection element arranged, in a central position, between the membrane and the proof mass in the direction of the vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Maria Fortuna Bevilacqua, Flavio Francesco Villa, Rossana Scaldaferri, Valeria Casuscelli, Andrea Di Matteo, Dino Faralli
  • Patent number: 11301077
    Abstract: Disclosed is a piezoelectric sensing apparatus, comprising: a plurality of piezoelectric regions, each piezoelectric region including an anode surface and a cathode surface, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric regions are successively connected from the first piezoelectric region to the last piezoelectric region such that between adjacent piezoelectric regions, surfaces of a same polarity are connected, i.e., one anode surface is connected to another anode surface, while one cathode surface is connected to another cathode surface. The piezoelectric sensing apparatus as provided may effectively boost a high-frequency signal while weaken a low-frequency signal, such that an output waveform signal facilitates improving the positioning accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Beijing Taifang Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chaoliang Du, Hongfeng Guo, Qingyu Zhao
  • Patent number: 11290082
    Abstract: Main surface electrodes formed on main surfaces on front and back sides of vibrating arms are electrically coupled via through electrodes formed in a stem portion so as to penetrate through front and back surfaces thereof. One of the main surface electrodes of the vibrating arm is electrically coupled to side surface electrodes through a routing wiring formed by way of a crotch part between roots of the vibrating arms, and the one of the main surface electrodes is further electrically coupled to the other one of the main surface electrodes through the side surface electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: DAISHTNKU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11271539
    Abstract: An acoustic resonator device includes a substrate and a piezoelectric plate. A first portion of the piezoelectric plate is attached to the substrate. A second portion of the piezoelectric forms a diaphragm suspended over a cavity in the substrate. An interdigital transducer (IDT) is formed on a surface of the piezoelectric plate, the IDT including first and second busbars disposed on the first portion and interleaved IDT fingers disposed on the diaphragm. A plurality of tethers support the diaphragm over the cavity, each tether providing an electrical connection between a corresponding one of the interleaved IDT fingers and one of the first and second busbars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Resonant Inc.
    Inventor: Ventsislav Yantchev
  • Patent number: 11271540
    Abstract: An acoustic resonator device includes a substrate and a piezoelectric plate. A first portion of the piezoelectric plate is on the substrate. A second portion of the piezoelectric forms a diaphragm suspended over a cavity in the substrate. An interdigital transducer (IDT) is on a surface of the piezoelectric plate, the IDT including first and second busbars on the first portion and interleaved IDT fingers on the diaphragm. A plurality of tethers support the diaphragm over the cavity, each tether providing an electrical connection between a corresponding one of the interleaved IDT fingers and one of the first and second busbars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Resonant Inc.
    Inventor: Ventsislav Yantchev
  • Patent number: 11205747
    Abstract: The invention concerns a piezoelectric transducer including: a conductive layer between first and second piezo-electric layers; first and third electrodes arranged on the front surface of the second piezoelectric layer; second and fourth electrodes arranged on the rear surface of the first piezoelectric layer; and a control circuit configured to: in a first operating phase, simultaneously apply a non-zero voltage to the first electrode, a non-zero voltage to the fourth electrode, and substantially zero voltages to the second and third electrodes; and in a second operating phase, simultaneously apply a non-zero voltage to the second electrode, a non-zero voltage to the third electrode, and substantially zero voltages to the first and fourth electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT À L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Remy Dejaeger, Bruno Fain
  • Patent number: 11165413
    Abstract: Various arrangements for electrically coupling the electrodes of coupled resonator structures (CRSes) to form unique two- and three-terminal devices as well as the use of such CRSes in filter networks are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Robert Aigner
  • Patent number: 11152913
    Abstract: An acoustic resonator includes a first piezoelectric layer, a second piezoelectric layer, a coupler layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first piezoelectric layer has a first polarity. The second piezoelectric layer has a second polarity opposite the first polarity. The coupler layer is between the first piezoelectric layer and the second piezoelectric layer. The first electrode is on the first piezoelectric layer opposite the coupler layer. The second electrode is on the second piezoelectric layer opposite the coupler layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Jyothi Swaroop Sadhu, Gernot Fattinger, Robert Aigner, Michael Schaefer
  • Patent number: 11117800
    Abstract: A device preferably for use in an inertial navigation system the device having a single IC wafer; a plurality of sensors bonded to bond regions on said single IC wafer, at least one of said bond regions including an opening therein in gaseous communication with a pressure chamber associated with at least one of the plurality of said sensors; and a plurality of caps encapsulating said plurality of sensors, at least one of said plurality of caps forming at least a portion of said pressure chamber. A method of making the device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Deborah J. Kirby, Raviv Perahia, Hung Nguyen, Frederic P. Stratton, David T. Chang
  • Patent number: 11108340
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator (1) includes: a piezoelectric element (3); and a first frictional portion (10) and a second frictional portion (12) that are disposed on one principal surface (2d) of the piezoelectric element (3). The first frictional portion (10) is disposed at a position other than the antinodes of the piezoelectric element (3) at which a distance from one of the end surfaces (2a) is less than ? L, where L represents a length in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element (3). The second frictional portion (12) is disposed at a position other than the antinodes of the piezoelectric element (3) at which a distance from the other of the end surfaces (2b) is less than ? L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Satoh, Katsumi Yamauchi, Katsuya Inaba, Yoko Abe
  • Patent number: 11101075
    Abstract: A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes: a ceramic body including a dielectric layer and first and second internal electrodes stacked to be alternately exposed to first and second outer surfaces with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween; and first and second external electrodes disposed on the first and second outer surfaces of the ceramic body to be electrically connected to the first and second internal electrodes, respectively. The ceramic body further includes a protective layer disposed on at least one of upper and lower portions of the first and second internal electrodes, the protective layer includes a plurality of dummy electrode cells each having the plurality of dummy electrodes stacked thereon, and a thickness from the uppermost dummy electrode to the lowermost dummy electrode of each of the plurality of dummy electrode cells is greater than a length of each of the plurality of dummy electrode cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Hyeok Kim, Yeon Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 11018292
    Abstract: A piezoelectric device that includes a base member having an opening therein and an upper layer supported by the base member. The upper layer includes a vibration portion at a location corresponding to the opening in the base member. The vibration portion includes a lower electrode, an intermediate electrode and an upper electrode that are spaced apart from one another in a thickness direction of the piezoelectric device. The upper layer includes a first piezoelectric layer disposed so as to be at least partially sandwiched between the lower electrode and the intermediate electrode, and a second piezoelectric layer disposed so as to overlap with the first piezoelectric layer and so as to be at least partially sandwiched between the intermediate electrode and the upper electrode. The first piezoelectric layer and the second piezoelectric layer are different in relative permittivity in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Ikeuchi, Kansho Yamamoto, Takuo Hada, Yoichi Mochida, Hideya Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 10916691
    Abstract: The structure of a mother piezoelectric element allows a polarization process to be performed on the mother body before the individual piezoelectric elements are cut from the mother piezoelectric element. The mother piezoelectric element includes a plurality of first internal electrodes which are provided on at least one first surface and a plurality of second internal electrodes which are provided on at least one second surface. Each of the first and second internal electrodes is led out to any of first to fourth side surfaces of a mother piezoelectric body. The plurality of first internal electrodes are electrically connected to each other on a first surface and the plurality of second internal electrodes are electrical connected to each other on a second surface. All the first internal electrodes in the mother piezoelectric body are electrically connected to each other, and all the second internal electrodes in the mother piezoelectric body are electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kimitoshi Nakamura, Hisanobu Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10897004
    Abstract: A piezoelectric drive device including: laminated piezoelectric element including a first end face and a second end face opposed to the first end face; a weight member attached to the first end face; and a shaft attached to the second end face, in which a moving member, engaged to the shaft movable in an axial direction, is moved by activating the laminated piezoelectric element. Inside the laminated piezoelectric element, a first internal electrode and a second internal electrode, respectively having a plane surface approximately perpendicular to the first end face and the second end face, are laminated in Y axial direction, approximately perpendicular to the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode with a piezoelectric layer in-between. The piezoelectric drive device, in which the laminated piezoelectric element is difficult to bend, even when the load is applied to the shaft from a lateral direction, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsunao Homma, Masahiro Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 10866097
    Abstract: A sensor element includes: a base portion; a drive arm coupled to the base portion via a coupling arm extending on a first axis from the base portion; a first detection arm extending from the base portion in a positive direction of a second axis orthogonal to the first axis and a second detection arm extending from the base portion in a negative direction of the second axis in the plan view; a drive signal wiring disposed on the base portion along the first axis in the plan view; and a first detection signal wiring and a second detection signal wiring disposed on the base portion in the plan view, in which shapes of the first detection signal wiring and the second detection signal wiring are different from each other in line symmetrical shapes based on the first axis in the plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventors: Keiichi Yamaguchi, Ryuta Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 10864553
    Abstract: Piezoelectric transducers are provided. The piezoelectric transducer includes a first piezoelectric layer, a second piezoelectric layer disposed on at least a portion of the first piezoelectric layer, and a middle electrode layer disposed between the first and second piezoelectric layers, where the middle electrode layer includes an inner region and an outer region spaced apart from the inner region. Methods of making the piezoelectric transducers are also provided. The piezoelectric transducers and methods find use in a variety of applications, including devices, such as electronics devices having one or more (e.g., an array) of the piezoelectric transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Firas Sammoura, Sina Akhbari, Liwei Lin
  • Patent number: 10749101
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric body, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, and a first through hole conductor. The piezoelectric body includes first and second main surfaces opposing each other, and first and second end surfaces opposing each other. The first electrode is disposed on the first main surface. The second electrode is disposed apart from the first electrode on the first main surface. The third electrode is disposed in the piezoelectric body to oppose the first electrode. The first through hole conductor is connected to the second and third electrodes. The piezoelectric body includes an active region and an inactive region. The active region includes a region from the first electrode to the third electrode. The inactive region includes a region from the third electrode to the second main surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiki Ikeda, Kazuo Nagata, Shuto Ono, Syogo Saito
  • Patent number: 10686121
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing piezoelectric multi-layered components (2), which comprises the following steps: applying an electrode material (5) to green sheets (3) containing a piezoelectric material, applying a layer of a first auxiliary material (9) to at least one green sheet (3) containing the piezoelectric material, forming a stack (1), in which the green sheets (3), to which electrode material (5) is applied, are arranged one on top of another, wherein at least one ply of the green sheet (3), to which the layer of the first auxiliary material (9) is applied, is arranged in the stack (1), sintering the stack (1), wherein the layer of the first auxiliary material (9) is thinned, and firing the stack (1), wherein the stack (1) is singulated along the at least one ply into at least two multi-layered components (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Marion Ottlinger, Peter Windisch
  • Patent number: 10653321
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving limited-view photoacoustic tomography using an acoustic reflector are described. In particular, an acoustic reflector and ultrasonic transducer array are integrated to provide a virtual array that enhances the field of view of the ultrasonic transducer array, thereby improving the quality of photoacoustic tomography images obtained using the systems and methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Lihong Wang, Bin Huang, Jun Xia, Konstantin Maslov, Mark Anastasio
  • Patent number: 10642363
    Abstract: A tactile feedback module not subject to a failure in function because of high-voltage arcing includes a circuit board and a piezoelectric unit. The circuit board includes spaced first connecting pad and second connecting pad. The piezoelectric unit includes a piezoelectric layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The piezoelectric layer is adjacent to the circuit board, and the first electrode and the second electrode are insulated from each other. A first voltage is applied to the first electrode and a second voltage different from the first voltage is applied to the second electrode, the piezoelectric layer generates a tactile feedback based on a voltage difference between the voltages. The disclosure also provides a method for making the tactile feedback module and a touch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignees: Interface Technology (ChenDu) Co., Ltd., INTERFACE OPTOELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD., GENERAL INTERFACE SOLUTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Yu-Chieh Tu, Yi-Ting Wu
  • Patent number: 10603009
    Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric film having a first surface in contact with a vibrating film and a second surface on the opposite side to the first surface, first and second electrodes that are provided on the second surface of the piezoelectric film and that are disposed at positions away from each other and are short-circuited to each other at a position away from the piezoelectric film, and a third electrode that is provided between the first and second electrodes on the second surface of the piezoelectric film and is disposed at a position away from the first and second electrodes. At least parts of the contours of end portions of the first and second electrodes are defined in parallel to side portions of the third electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromu Miyazawa, Masayoshi Yamada, Hiroshi Ito, Tomoaki Nakamura, Hiroshi Matsuda, Jiro Tsuruno
  • Patent number: 10603521
    Abstract: Embodiments of a dermatological cosmetic treatment and/or imaging system and method can include use of transducer to create a linear thermal treatment zone at a focal depth to form a band shaped treatment area. The system can include one or more ultrasound transducers, a cylindrical transduction element, an imaging element, a hand wand, a removable transducer module, a control module, and/or graphical user interface. In some embodiments, a coated transducer may be used to provide more consistent treatment in cosmetic procedures, including brow lifts, fat reduction, sweat reduction, and treatment of the décolletage. Skin tightening, lifting and amelioration of wrinkles and stretch marks are provided. Treatment may include heating of tissue for a duration to deactivate a percentage of cells in the treatment region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Ulthera, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Emery, Michael T. Peterson, Joshua D. Hope
  • Patent number: 10559425
    Abstract: A multilayer capacitor and a board having the same provide high capacitance and low equivalent series inductance (ESL). The multilayer capacitor includes a capacitor body including an active region, including first and second internal electrodes, and first and second cover regions. Third and fourth internal electrodes are alternately disposed in the cover region adjacent to a mounting surface. First and second external electrodes respectively contact the first and second internal electrodes to provide capacitance. First and second via electrodes are disposed in the cover region, where the first via electrode connects the third internal electrode and a first band portion of the first external electrode to each other, and where the second via electrode connects the fourth internal electrode and a second band portion of the second external electrode to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Pil Lee, Hyo Youn Lee, Sung Kwon An, Seung Woo Song, Taek Jung Lee, Jin Kyung Joo
  • Patent number: 10548564
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing ultrasound data are provided. The disclosure includes using at least one computer hardware processor to perform obtaining ultrasound data generated based, at least in part, on one or more ultrasound signals from an imaged region of a subject, the ultrasound data comprising fundamental frequency ultrasound data and harmonic frequency ultrasound data, calculating shadow intensity data based at least in part on the harmonic frequency ultrasound data, generating, based at least in part on the fundamental frequency ultrasound data, an indication of bone presence in the imaged region, generating, based at least in part on the shadow intensity data, an indication of tissue presence in the imaged region, and generating an ultrasound image of the subject at least in part by combining the indication of bone presence and the indication of tissue presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Rivanna Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Frank William Mauldin, Jr., Kevin Owen
  • Patent number: 10328702
    Abstract: A nozzle plate includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a plurality of through holes which penetrate through the plate from the first surface to the second surface and become nozzles. Each of the through holes includes, on at least the first surface side forming the side where the liquid is ejected, an inversely tapered part having a cross-sectional area becoming larger toward the first surface. The first surface includes a first region and a second region which is not superimposed on the first region. A first through hole of one the through holes is arranged in the first region, a second through hole of one the through holes is arranged in the second region. When viewed from the first surface the width of the inversely tapered part in the first through hole is larger than the inversely tapered part in the second through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Hidetaka Sonobata