Patents Examined by Bryan Gordon
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Thermomechanical cycle for thermal and/or mechanical energy conversion using piezoelectric materials
Patent number: 10170678Abstract: A system for generating electrical energy includes a thermal source, an electric field source, a stress source, a piezoelectric component, and a cycle controller coupled to the thermal source, the electric field source, and the stress source. The cycle controller provides control signals to the thermal source, the electric field source, and the stress source to repeatedly cycle the piezoelectric component through the sequence: (a) application of: a first temperature, a first electric field, and a first stress; (b) application of: the first temperature, a second electric field greater than the first electric field, and the first stress; (c) application of: a second temperature, the second electric field, and a second stress greater than the first stress; and (d) application of: the second temperature, the first electric field, and the second stress.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2014Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Ian McKinley, Laurent G. Pilon -
Patent number: 10170685Abstract: A microphone including a casing having a front wall, a back wall, and a side wall joining the front wall to the back wall, a transducer mounted to the front wall, the transducer including a substrate and a transducing element, the transducing element having a transducer acoustic compliance dependent on the transducing element dimensions, a back cavity cooperatively defined between the back wall, the side wall, and the transducer, the back cavity having a back cavity acoustic compliance. The transducing element is dimensioned such that the transducing element length matches a predetermined resonant frequency and the transducing element width, thickness, and elasticity produces a transducer acoustic compliance within a given range of the back cavity acoustic compliance.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignees: The Regents of The University of Michigan, Vesper Technologies Inc.Inventors: Karl Grosh, Robert J. Littrell
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Patent number: 10144035Abstract: A variable inductor includes a three-limbed core first section having an inductor winding wound about a medial limb. An air gap is disposed in the medial limb. The inductor includes a second section having a control limb in which a first end of the control limb is connected to a first outer limb of the three-limbed core, and a second end of the control limb is connected to a second outer limb of the three-limbed core. A control winding is wound about the control limb. The inductor may be used in a control circuit to control a power signal driving a transducer. The inductor may be controlled by a signal derived from a comparison of a voltage phase of a power signal to the transducer and a phase of the current traversing the transducer. A system may include the control circuit, including the variable inductor, and the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: TELEDYNE INSTRUMENTS, INC.Inventors: Andrey K. Morozov, Douglas C. Webb
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Patent number: 10134975Abstract: An electromechanical actuator includes an oscillation resonator having the shape of a rod. The oscillation resonator is divided by a dividing plane that is not parallel to the longitudinal direction of the oscillation resonator into a first resonator portion and a second resonator portion. At least the first resonator portion includes electromechanical means which, when activated, are configured to generate a 3-dimensional acoustic bulk wave are with a mode shape asymmetric with respect to the dividing plane.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: attocube Systems AGInventors: Khaled Karrai, Pierre-Francois Braun, Georgy Maikov
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Patent number: 10135365Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer includes: an anchorage; a beam of semiconductor material, extending in cantilever fashion from the anchorage in a main direction parallel to a first axis and having a face parallel to a first plane defined by the first axis and by a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and a piezoelectric layer on the face of the beam. A cross-section of the beam perpendicular to the first axis is asymmetrical and is shaped so that the beam presents deformations out of the first plane in response to forces applied to the anchorage and oriented according to the first axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Francesco Procopio, Attilio Frangi
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Patent number: 10122302Abstract: A flexible and soft smart driving device comprises a flexible frame, a driving mechanism and a creeping structure. The driving mechanism uses an intrinsic strain of an intelligent soft material to generate a driving force. A creeping structure is used to implement autonomous activities of the flexible and soft smart driving device. The driving mechanism and the creeping structure are attached to the flexible frame. The driving mechanism generates the driving force by contraction and relaxation of a driving membrane. The flexible and soft smart driving device is made from flexible materials and has advantages of good creeping speed, flexible control, small noise and high human body compatibility.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Zhejiang UniversityInventors: Tiefeng Li, Zhanan Zou, Chi Li, Guoyong Mao, Xuxu Yang, Zhipeng Zhai, Shaoxing Qu
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Patent number: 10107409Abstract: A valve is disclosed and comprises a main valve body having first and second ports and a movable poppet positioned within the main valve body. The movable poppet is moveable from a first closed position in which the poppet establishes a fluid-tight seal with a sealing member, which is effective to prevent fluid flow from the first port to the second port, to a second open position in which the poppet is spaced apart from the sealing member and fluid is permitted to flow from the first port to the second port. The valve also has a piezoelectric actuator engaged with the poppet and effective to move the poppet from the first closed position to the second open position. Methods of use of the valve are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Marotta Controls, Inc.Inventors: Krzysztof Kluz, Joseph Youssef
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Patent number: 10103650Abstract: In a piezoelectric driving device, a load due to flection deformation of a flexible substrate can be prevented from being applied to a piezoelectric element and decrease in driving efficiency of the driving device can be prevented. The flexible substrate of the driving device includes a first fixing portion fixed to the piezoelectric element, a second fixing portion fixed to a holding member, and a bending portion in which the flection deformation is formed with movement of a vibrating plate. The second fixing portion is provided between the first fixing portion and the bending portion along the flexible substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shunsuke Ninomiya
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Patent number: 10101220Abstract: A displacement detection sensor has a plate member and piezoelectric sensors with a piezoelectric film of PLLA. The piezoelectric sensors are mounted on the face of the plate member on the opposite side of the operation surface thereof. Tensile stresses are generated in the entire face of the plate member at pressing the operation surface. The piezoelectric sensor is mounted so that the direction of macro tensile stress in the plate member in the region in which the piezoelectric sensor is mounted and molecular orientation direction of the piezoelectric film intersect each other at an angle of 45°. The piezoelectric sensor is mounted so that the direction of macro tensile stress in the plate member in the region in which the piezoelectric sensor is mounted and molecular orientation direction of the piezoelectric film intersect each other at an angle of approximately 45°.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Masamichi Ando, Hideki Kawamura
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Patent number: 10103315Abstract: An electro-mechanical transduction element includes a lower electrode formed above a substrate; an electro-mechanical transduction film which is formed on the lower electrode and includes a perovskite-type crystal containing lead zirconate titanate (PZT); and an upper electrode formed on the electro-mechanical transduction film, wherein, in a state where the electro-mechanical transduction film is not bound by the substrate, a peak position of X-ray diffraction caused by a plane (200) of the electro-mechanical transduction film is 2?=44.45° or greater and 44.75° or smaller, and a peak of diffraction caused by the plane (200) or a plane (400) of the electro-mechanical transduction film has an asymmetry property.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Satoshi Mizukami
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Patent number: 10099253Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer having a container, a base an actuator and a membrane system. The membrane system can include a membrane, a mesa and a standoff. The mesa can be shaped to achieve one or more target frequencies and other target vibrational properties, such as amplitudes. The actuator may be a flexure having one or more electroactive materials, such as piezoelectric and/or electrostrictive materials. The flexure may be fixed at one end to a wall of the container be in communication with the membrane system at or around its other end. The actuator may be in contact with the membrane system through the mesa and/or the standoff. The standoff may include an adhesive filled with beads to achieve a specific thickness.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2014Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: uBeam Inc.Inventors: Paul Reynolds, Marc Berte
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Patent number: 10090820Abstract: Stealth-dicing-compatible devices and methods to prevent acoustic backside reflections on acoustic wave devices are disclosed. An acoustic wave device comprises a substrate having opposing top and bottom surfaces, where a first portion of the bottom surface has a higher roughness than a second portion of the bottom surface, and an acoustic resonator over the top surface of the substrate. The acoustic resonator comprises a piezoelectric layer having opposing top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of electrodes, at least some of which are disposed on the top surface of the piezoelectric layer. The first portion of the bottom surface of the substrate is below and opposite from the acoustic resonator, and the second portion of the bottom surface of the substrate is not located below and opposite from the acoustic resonator. Multiple first portions, each separated from the other by second portions, may exist.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.Inventors: Robert Aigner, Ebrahim Andideh
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Patent number: 10086217Abstract: An ultrasonic motion generator includes a non-resonant inverter, an ultrasonic transducer, and a comparator. The non-resonant inverter inverts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) having a first frequency. The ultrasonic transducer is electrically coupled with the non-resonant inverter and generates an ultrasonic motion based on the inverted AC. The comparator automatically detects a deviation of the first frequency from a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer based on motion current passing through the ultrasonic transducer and generates an output signal based on the deviation to drive the non-resonant inverter.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Xiaosen Liu, Adrian I. Colli-Menchi, James A. Gilbert, Daniel A. Friedrichs, Keith W. Malang, Edgar Sanchez-Sinencio
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Patent number: 10084125Abstract: An electronic component includes a substrate a functional section provided on the substrate, and a sealing body which is provided on the substrate and seals the functional section. In a temperature region having a lowest temperature that is at least as high as the glass transition temperature of the sealing body, the coefficient of linear expansion of the sealing body is greater than the coefficient of linear expansion of the substrate. In a temperature region having a highest temperature that is lower than the glass transition temperature of the sealing body, the coefficient of linear expansion of the sealing body is less than the coefficient of linear expansion of the substrate. The electronic component exhibits superior reliability even upon prolonged use.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2013Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: SKYWORKS FILTER SOLUTIONS JAPAN CO., LTD.Inventors: Hidenori Uematsu, Tomohiro Fujita, Ichiro Kameyama, Tetsuya Furihata, Fuyuki Abe, Kazunori Nishimura
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Patent number: 10084425Abstract: An acoustic resonator comprises a first electrode and second electrode comprising a plurality of sides. At least one of the sides of the second electrode comprises a cantilevered portion. A piezoelectric layer is disposed between the first and second electrodes. A bridge is disposed adjacent to one of the sides of the second electrode.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Paul Bradley, Robert Thalhammer, Thomas Faust
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Patent number: 10079335Abstract: Disclosed is a smart soft composite actuator which enables user-desiring deformation by changing the position of smart material functioning as an active component, wherein the smart soft composite actuator comprises a smart material whose shape is changeable based on an external signal; and a matrix for supporting the smart material and determining an external shape, wherein the smart material is positioned inside the matrix or in a surface of the matrix, and at least one of in-plane shear deformation and out-of-plane deformation is realized by controlling the position of smart material.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2012Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: SNU R&DB FoundationInventors: Sung Hoon Ahn, Hyung Jung Kim, Gil Yong Lee, Kyung Tae Lee, Renzhe Wu, Ji Soo Kim, Sung Hyuk Song
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Patent number: 10076772Abstract: A transducer is provided, which includes a substrate, wherein a cavity is defined at least partially through the substrate, at least one stopper structure arranged within the cavity, a support layer arranged over the at least one stopper structure and the cavity to seal the cavity, and a piezoelectric functional arrangement arranged on the support layer. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a method for forming a transducer is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and ResearchInventors: Jinghui Xu, Hongbin Yu, Liang Lou, Alex Yuandong Gu
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Patent number: 10079589Abstract: A thin film bulk acoustic resonator and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed. The thin film bulk acoustic resonator includes an acoustic resonator including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; an air gap disposed below the acoustic resonator and above a substrate to reflect the acoustic wave; and an anchor disposed on each of both surfaces of the air gap and having the same thickness as the air gap.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Moon Chul Lee, In Sang Song, Duck Hwan Kim, Chul Soo Kim, Sang Uk Son, Jea Shik Shin, Ho Soo Park, Jing Cui
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Patent number: 10075101Abstract: A vibration type actuator including a vibrator having an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic member fixed to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element; a base unit configured to fix the vibrator; a moving body configured to come into press contact with the vibrator and capable of being moved by the vibration; a press member configured to bring the vibrator and the moving body into press contact with each other and transmit a drive force of the moving body to an output unit; and a bearing unit configured to rotatably support the output unit with respect to the base unit, wherein the bearing unit is arranged on an outer peripheral side of the vibrator and the moving body in a direction orthogonal to a direction of rotation axis of the output unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kei Suefuji, Takao Mori
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Patent number: 10074797Abstract: A method for electrically contacting a piezoelectric ceramic includes: providing the piezoelectric ceramic having electrodes for electrically contacting the piezoelectric ceramic and having a flexible, electrically conductive film; producing a composite by applying the flexible, electrically conductive film at least partially to an electrode of the piezoelectric ceramic; forming a durable, electrically conductive connection between the flexible, electrically conductive film and the electrode of the piezoelectric ceramic. Also a sound transducer, as well as a sound transducer array produced using the method for electrically contacting a piezoelectric ceramic.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2014Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Andre Gerlach, Guenter Gerlach