Abstract: A device includes a substrate and a transducer attached to the substrate, wherein the substrate includes a surface to which the transducer is attached and at least one edge member extending along at least a portion of the outside edge of the surface. The surface can be a generally planar surface. The edge member is stiffer than the surface. In several embodiments, the transducer is adapted to vibrate. The transducer can, for example, be selected from the group consisting of a piezoelectric transducer, an electrostrictive transducer and a magnetostrictive transducer. Preferably, the transducer is attached to the surface of the substrate by a metallic bonding agent and, more particularly, by welding.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 3, 2008
Date of Patent:
July 24, 2012
Assignee:
Mine Safety Appliances Company
Inventors:
Vincent M. Colaizzi, James A. Hendrickson, David Pickrell, Jeremy Frank, Jacob Loverich