Abstract: An elliptical flextensional transducer is provided that includes a first platen of semi-wave geometry, the first platen has a positive semi-wave angle and a generally flat rim. A first sidewall assembly including a stacked ring and sidewall is stacked with the first platen. A second sidewall assembly including a stacked ring and sidewall is provided. A transductive element is disposed between and captured by the rings of the first and second sidewall and the second sidewall assembly is stacked with the first sidewall assembly. A second platen of semi-wave geometry is provided which has a positive semi-wave angle and a generally flat rim. The second platen is stacked with the second sidewall assembly.

Abstract: A platen for an elliptical transducer is provided. The platen has a positive semi-wave angle and a surface geometry of a radially symmetric wave shape including a center region and a rim. The surface includes a plurality of undulations that first form a local minimum along a radial path from the rim to the center region.

Abstract: A method for assembling an elliptical transducer includes selecting a first paten of semi-wave geometry and diameter d1 having an upward facing rim; attaching a first annular spacer having an outer diameter of d1 to the upward facing rim; attaching a first capture ring having outer diameter d1 and an inner diameter d2 with its inner diameter indented with a lower indentation of height h/2 to the first annular spacer; attaching a transductive element of diameter d2 and about height h to the first capture ring; attaching a second capture ring having outer diameter approximately d1 and an inner diameter d2 with its inner diameter indented with a lower indentation of height h/2 to the first capture ring; attaching a second annular spacer having outer diameter of d1 to the second capture ring; and attaching a second platen of semi-wave geometry and diameter d1 with downward facing rim to the second annular spacer.

Abstract: A semi-wave transducer is provided that comprises a circular or elliptic transduction shell that has sidewalls captured between identical opposing upper and lower circular or elliptic conical segments (platens), each having a surface geometry of a radially symmetric wave shape that includes a center region and a rim wherein the distance between the center region of the upper and lower platens greater than the distance between the rims of the upper and lower platens. In some embodiments, the surface geometry of the platens may be a jinc function or a recurve function.

Abstract: A dual bimorph assembly includes a multilaminar element structure where each elements includes a perforated metal layer, a suffusing conductive ink layer and a transductive assembly. A retainer assembly is provided with conductive tabs and a retainer through connector electrically connects metal layers.

Abstract: A method of making a bimorph assembly by stacking a perforated outer bottom metal layer, a transductive element, a perforated central metal layer, a second transductive element, and a perforated outer top metal layer to form a laminar structure, the metal layers and transductive elements being separated by thin conductive ink layers. Applying uniform and continuous pressure to the bottom and top surfaces of the laminar structure. Thermal cycling the laminar structure according to a thermal profile that causes suffusion of the thin conductive ink layers into the metal perforations and the transductive element surface. Removing the pressure from the bottom and top surfaces of the laminar structure and applying an electric field to the central metal layer, the outer top metal layer, and the outer bottom metal layer.

Abstract: A structurally integral multilaminar planer device is provided where the layers are bonded without use of adhesive. The device includes a perforated metal plate and a transductive ceramic layer. The perforated metal plate and transductive ceramic layer are bonded by a conductive metal ink that is subject to a thermal cycle process.

Abstract: A wire-free multilayer biomorph device is provided where the layers are bonded without use of adhesive. The device includes a plurality of stacked perforated metal plates with interposed transductive assembly layers. The perforated metal plates and transductive assembly layers are bonded by a conductive metal ink that is subject to a thermal cycle process. Electrical connection of the perforated metal plates and transductive assembly are realized through structural connectors thru-connectors thereby obviating the need for wiring.

Abstract: A composition includes at least one Pb/Ni/Nb - Pb/Mg/W - Pb/Zr/Ti mixed oxide. A piezoelectric device may be made by providing at least two layers comprising the composition and coated with an outer electrode material; providing a plurality of layers comprising the composition and coated with an inner electrode material; combining or stacking a plurality of layers coated with inner electrode materials between two outer electrodes; and sintering or co-firing the inner electrode materials and outer electrode materials at a temperature at or below about 1000° C.

Abstract: A semi-wave transducer is provided that comprises a circular or elliptic transduction shell that has sidewalls captured between identical opposing upper and lower circular or elliptic conical segments (platens), each having a surface geometry of a radially symmetric wave shape that includes a center region and a rim wherein the distance between the center region of the upper and lower platens greater than the distance between the rims of the upper and lower platens. In some embodiments, the surface geometry of the platens may be a jinc function or a recurve function.

Abstract: A galvanically isolated voltage sensor is provided which includes a mechanically integral piezoelectric transformer assembly coupled to a modulation circuit. The modulation circuit receives a source voltage signal to be measured and modulates that signal at a frequency equal to a resonance frequency of the transformer assembly and transmits the modulated to signal to the transformer assembly. The transformer assembly generates an output signal that is identical to the modulated signal subject to the transformer gain. The output signal is then demodulated and filtered so as to recreate the source voltage signal for analysis.

Abstract: A non-contact, current sensor includes a gapped magnetic core configured to circumscribe a current carrying conductor. A magnetostrictive element is mechanically coupled to the gapped magnetic core. Current flowing in the current carrying conductor induces a magnetic field in the magnetic core that flows through the magnetostrictive element. The gapped magnetic core is provided with mounting sections to which the magnetostrictive element is mechanically coupled. The mounting sections have a geometry that increases magnetic flux in the magnetostrictive element. A strain gauge is mechanically coupled to the magnetostrictive element to measure displacement in the element induced by the magnetic flux.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a piezoelectric transformer based power converter that exhibits efficient operating point tracking ability while providing output regulation by means of simultaneous two-parameter control of the converter power stage. A regulation control stage provides the power stage a regulation control signal indicative of the difference between the measured output parameter and a set-point reference, therefore continuously controlling the gain of the converter to result in a stabilized, regulated output. Additionally, a frequency control stage simultaneously provides the power stage with a frequency control signal correlative to the difference between the current and desired operating points of the piezoelectric transformer. The power stage then translates the frequency control signal into an adjustment to the operational frequency of the input signal to the piezoelectric transformer, as to continuously drive the operating point to the desired position.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for securing proprietary semiconductor IC components including a target semiconductor IC; at least one laser diode array disposed adjacent to the target semiconductor IC and coupled thereto; a power supply coupled to the at least one laser diode array; a sensor for sensing a predetermined parameter operatively coupled to the laser diode array through the power supply; wherein the sensor detects the existence of a predetermined event and as a result of the detection of the predetermined event activates the power supply and energizes the laser diode array, causing the laser diode array to project focused laser energy into the target semiconductor IC, damaging the target semiconductor IC.

Abstract: A non-contact, current sensor includes a gapped magnetic core configured to circumscribe a current carrying conductor. A magnetostrictive element is mechanically coupled to the gapped magnetic core. Current flowing in the current carrying conductor induces a magnetic field in the magnetic core that flows through the magnetostrictive element. The gapped magnetic core is provided with mounting sections to which the magnetostrictive element is mechanically coupled. The mounting sections have a geometry that increases magnetic flux in the magnetostrictive element. A strain gauge is mechanically coupled to the magnetostrictive element to measure displacement in the element induced by the magnetic flux.

Abstract: Multilayered piezoelectric transformers, transformer elements and methods of constructing piezoelectric transformers are disclosed.

Abstract: An intrinsic piezoelectric transformer circuit a piezoelectric transformer circuit is provided that has a primary side component including first and second electrodes, a secondary side component including first and second electrodes, and at least one tertiary component including first and second electrodes. A power bridge is provided which includes one or more switches, each switch has a gate terminal that is directly connected to the second electrode of the tertiary component of the piezoelectric transformer. The first electrode of the tertiary component of the piezoelectric transformer is connected to a reference for the one or more switches of the power bridge. The first electrode of the primary component of the piezoelectric transformer is electrically connected to a power bridge output and the second electrode of the primary component of the piezoelectric transformer is connected to a ground terminal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a piezoelectric transformer based power converter that exhibits efficient operating point tracking ability while providing output regulation by means of simultaneous two-parameter control of the converter power stage. A regulation control stage provides the power stage a regulation control signal indicative of the difference between the measured output parameter and a set-point reference, therefore continuously controlling the gain of the converter to result in a stabilized, regulated output. Additionally, a frequency control stage simultaneously provides the power stage with a frequency control signal correlative to the difference between the current and desired operating points of the piezoelectric transformer. The power stage then translates the frequency control signal into an adjustment to the operational frequency of the input signal to the piezoelectric transformer, as to continuously drive the operating point to the desired position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a piezovoltaic energy harvesting laminate that includes a photovoltaic laminar wafer comprised of a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a dielectric wafer that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A boundary laminate interface is disposed between the photovoltaic laminar wafer and the dielectric wafer. The boundary laminate contains a metallization layer electrical terminal for the photovoltaic cells and a conduction layer of the dielectric wafer.

Abstract: An intrinsic piezoelectric transformer circuit a piezoelectric transformer circuit is provided that has a primary side component including first and second electrodes, a secondary side component including first and second electrodes, and at least one tertiary component including first and second electrodes. A power bridge is provided which includes one or more switches, each switch has a gate terminal that is directly connected to the second electrode of the tertiary component of the piezoelectric transformer. The first electrode of the tertiary component of the piezoelectric transformer is connected to a reference for the one or more switches of the power bridge. The first electrode of the primary component of the piezoelectric transformer is electrically connected to a power bridge output and the second electrode of the primary component of the piezoelectric transformer is connected to a ground terminal.