Abstract: A horizontal axis wind-turbine includes a stationary support structure, a two-bladed rotor supported by the stationary support structure, and a hollow shaft rotationally attached to the stationary support structure through a bearing. Teeter hinges are spaced apart from each other and connect the hollow shaft to a rotor-hub to allow a teetering action of the rotor-hub with respect to the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft structurally supports the two-bladed rotor with respect to the stationary support structure, with a maximum outer diameter of the hollow shaft being greater than an outer diameter of the bearing.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in low frequency vibration energy harvesting (VEH) and with actuators requiring a low deflection force. The apparatus includes a piezo flexure that is loaded with a compressive pre-load force to place the piezo flexure under compression. The piezo flexure may be supported at an intermediate point or at one end thereof. The compressive pre-load force produces flexes the piezo flexure into one or the other of two stable positions, these positions being offset on opposite sides of a longitudinal centerline representing the position of the piezo flexure that would be produced without the compressive pre-load force applied thereto. The compressive pre-load effectively provides a negative spring constant which “softens” the piezo flexure and enhances a responsiveness of the piezo flexure to low frequency vibration energy. The piezo flexure also operates over a much wider frequency bandwidth than conventional systems incorporating a tip mass.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor (PEM) is driven with loosely coupled inductors 24 and switching amplifier having a pulse width modulator 18, gate driver circuit 21 and two pairs of power mosfets 210, 212 and 220, 222. Energy stored in the PEM at the end of one cycle is transferred to a capacitor 202 for use in a subsequent cycle.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave element, a surface acoustic wave device, a duplexer, and a method of making a surface acoustic wave element which significantly restrain characteristics from deteriorating are provided. The surface acoustic wave element in accordance with the present invention comprises a piezoelectric substrate, and an IDT electrode formed on the piezoelectric substrate, whereas the piezoelectric substrate has a volume resistivity of not less than 3.6×1010 ?·cm and not more than 1.5×1014 ?·cm. This surface acoustic wave element comprises the piezoelectric substrate having a low volume resistivity, whereas the volume resistivity is reduced to 1.5×1014 ?·cm or less. Therefore, discharging is restrained from occurring between IDT electrodes, whereby characteristics are significantly kept from deteriorating. Also, since the volume resistivity of the piezoelectric substrate is not less than 3.6×1010 ?·cm, the IDT electrodes are significantly prevented from short-circuiting with each other.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ultrasonic motor having 2-dimensional positioning movement includes a stator. The stator includes a piezoelectric ceramic bar and an electrode disposed on the bar. Each bar includes two wings that are separated by a predetermined angle to form a predetermined shape. A power source is used to apply a voltage to the stator to excite a bending mode vibration in the each of the wings, and the combined motion of the two wings produces an elliptical motion at a tip of the wing. A load is operatively connected to the stator, such that a portion of the load in contact with the stator is driven to move linearly through a frictional force between the load and the stator, due to the elliptical motion at the tip of the wing.

Abstract: An energy-saving generator set includes a generator having a battery provided therein for starting the generator; a mechanical energy generating mechanism provided inside the generator to generate high-voltage power supply via a split magnetic coil thereof; a distribution board provided on the generator for dividing the generated high-voltage power supply into three parts, which are separately supplied to the mechanical energy generating mechanism, the battery, and an external electrical appliance via an output interface on the generator; and a control switch for controlling the starting of the mechanical energy generating mechanism and the leading of the generated high-voltage power supply to the output interface when the battery has been fully charged.

Abstract: A pointing device including a base section, an operating section shiftably supported on the base section, a magnet carried on one of the base section and the operating section, and a magneto-electro transducer carried on the other of the base section and the operating section at a location close to the magnet. The operating section includes a first part securely holding one of the magnet and the magneto-electro transducer and supported on the base section shiftably in a desired horizontal direction relative to the base section, and a second part connected to the first part and elastically biasing the first part toward a home position in a horizontal shifting range during a period when the first part is horizontally shifted along the base section.

Abstract: An expansion joint system incorporating means for harvesting kinetic energy and generating electrical energy from the kinetic energy is provided. The incorporation of an energy harvesting and generating means within the expansion joint system actively improves the health, safety, and performance of the system. The electrical energy generator captures a portion of the kinetic energy delivered to the expansion joint via vehicular impacts and converts that kinetic energy to electrical energy for use in a variety of structural health, safety, and performance functions. Various embodiments including an electrical junction box, a cathodic protection system, dampers, and/or data acquisitions systems integrated with the electrical energy generator are also provided. The system generates increases in the overall structural health and reliability indices through the application of the integrated expansion joint electrical energy generator.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement for a piezoelectric actuator (10) having a stack (26) of one or more piezoelectric elements, the electrical connector arrangement including positive and negative terminals (30, 32) for connection with distribution electrodes (44a, 44b) of the piezoelectric stack (26). Each of the positive and negative terminals (30, 32) has a lower end face (30d, 32d) which locates adjacent to an upper end face of the stack (26), in use, and a radially outer contact face (30e, 32e) for contact with the distribution electrodes (44a, 44b). The terminals (30, 32) also connect with an external voltage supply, in use. A block (30c, 32c) of each terminal (30, 32) defines the radially outer contact face (30e, 32e) for the stack distribution electrodes (44a, 44b) and thus provides a robust terminal structure.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for mounting a rotor to a motor shaft having a rotor with a centrally positioned central bore, the diameter of which is slightly larger than a diameter of the motor shaft, a first stepped bore intersecting the central bore and being aligned along a first axis of the rotor, and a second stepped bore also intersecting the central bore and being aligned along a second axis of the rotor. A first cam fastener is disposed within the first stepped bore, and a second cam fastener is disposed within the second stepped bore. Upon rotating the first and second cam fasteners, they engage the motor shaft thereby securely clamping the rotor to the motor shaft.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device comprising a continuous piezoelectric element (10) extending alternately back and forth to form a plurality of parallel, straight portions (14) arranged in a stack with intermediate linkage portions (15) at alternate ends of the straight portions (14). Each straight portion (14) is constructed and arranged with electrodes (12, 13) to bend, on activation, in the stacking direction in which the straight portions (14) are stacked with opposite curvature in two halves (16, 17) of the straight portion (14) to create displacement between the ends of the straight portion (14) in the stacking direction adding in series through the stack. The continuous nature of the piezoelectric element (10) eases manufacture. Devices with two types of construction are disclosed. Firstly, the continuous piezoelectric element (10) may have a bender construction such as a bimorph bender construction.

Abstract: A high performance MEMS scanner is disclosed. In some embodiments, scanner mirror has a wide and short aspect ratio that is similar to rotating polygon facets. Long torsion arms allow large rotation angles including 20° zero-to-peak mechanical and greater. Suspensions couple the scan mirror to torsion arms, reducing dynamic mirror deformation by spreading the torque load. “leverage members” at the distal ends of the torsion arms help reduce stress concentrations. Elimination of a mounting frame increases device yield. Heater leads allow for precise trimming of the scanner resonant frequency. A compressive mount holds mounting pads against mounting structures.

Abstract: A piezoelectric thin film resonator has a substrate and a piezoelectric layered structure including a lower electrode, piezoelectric aluminum nitride thin film with c-axis orientation and upper electrode formed on the substrate in this order. The lower electrode are made of a metal thin film including a layer containing ruthenium as a major component having a full-width half maximum (FWHM) of a rocking curve of a (0002) diffraction peak of ruthenium of 3.0° or less. The piezoelectric aluminum nitride thin film formed on the lower electrode has a full-width half maximum (FWHM) of a rocking curve of a (0002) diffraction peak of 2.0° or less.

Abstract: An alternator for a vehicle has a regulator disposed in a casing so as to be exposed from a window of the casing, an input harness and an output harness disposed outside the casing, and an insulating bush disposed between an output terminal and the casing. The regulator controls generation of electric power in response to a control signal sent through the input harness and a connector disposed on the casing. The generated power is output from the alternator through the output terminal and the output harness. The alternator further has a shield cover connected with the insulating bush so as to be unified with the insulating bush. An exhaust pipe heated at a high temperature is disposed over the casing. The shield cover extends between the casing and the exhaust pipe so as to shield the regulator and the harnesses from the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A piezoelectric driving type MEMS apparatus includes: a supporting portion provided on a substrate; and a piezoelectric actuator, which is supported on the supporting portion, including a piezoelectric film and a driving electrode configured to drive the piezoelectric film, the piezoelectric film in the piezoelectric actuator having at least one slit extending along a longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: A cogeneration system is disclosed, wherein a generator which generates electricity, a drive source which operates to drive the generator, and generates waste heat during the operation of the drive source, a waste heat recoverer which recovers the waste heat of the drive source, and a radiator which radiates the waste heat recovered by the waste heat recoverer are arranged in a single chassis. The cogeneration system has a compact and simple arrangement, and achieves simple control operations, and an enhancement in operability.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric substrate, at least one interdigital transducer (IDT) provided on the piezoelectric substrate, and a shield electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate. The IDT has a first pattern on an edge that faces the shield electrode. The shield electrode has a second pattern on an edge so as to be evenly spaced apart from the first pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides a midget gas turbine has: a casing; an irregular-shaped hollow disk rotationally attached to a casing; said irregular-shaped hollow disk having in a hollow portion constituting a bursiform space having a closed peripheral portion in which a guiding vane is provided, and having a radius changing with respect to the circumferential direction; a fuel conduit provided from a central portion towards a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the irregular-shaped hollow disk and communicated with a fuel nozzle provided in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the irregular-shaped hollow disk; and at least two combustion chambers each comprising a mixing portion for mixing a fuel injected from the fuel nozzle with an external air centrifugally compressed by the guiding vane, a combustor and a combustion gas discharge nozzle portion, said combustion chambers being provided at rotationally symmetric positions at the outer peripheral portion of the irregular-shaped hollow d

Abstract: A system and method for operating a wind turbine with a generator, drivable by a rotor, for supplying electrical power to an electric load, in particular an electric grid, are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment generates electrical power from an electrical generator coupled to the wind turbine, outputs the generated electrical power to an electric grid, senses a disruption in the electric grid, maintains connection of the electrical generator during the disruption, and limits the generated electrical power during at least a portion of the disruption.

Abstract: A superconductivity rotor has a field coil portion wound with a superconductivity wire, a support portion for supporting the field coil portion, torque tubes positioned at both ends of the support portion and transmitting a torque to an outside from the field coil portion, an inner casing for housing the field coil portion and the support portion; and an outer casing for housing the inner casing and the torque tube. The torque tube consists of a first torque tube positioned at one end of the support portion and a second torque tube positioned at the other end of the support portion. The first torque tube is formed into a vessel shape and has a plurality of engagement holes formed along a periphery thereof so that it is engaged with an engagement member, and the second torque tube comprises a disc-shaped structure consisting of plural plates and main ring-shaped members stacked, and is engaged with an engagement member.