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 high temperature pressure transducer includes an extended tubular member having an opening from a front to a back surface. The tubular member is preferably fabricated from a metal. At the front end of the tubular member is a ceramic sensor face or tip which basically is a ceramic disk having a curved front surface and having an extending stem and which is inserted into the front opening of the tubular member. The column is of a given length and terminates in a back end. The back end has a predetermined portion which consists of two flat surfaces each on opposite sides. The back end containing the flat surfaces is thinner than the thickness of the column. On these flat surfaces are positioned suitable semiconductor piezoresistors. When a force is applied to the ceramic sensor face, it is transmitted axially through the tube or column where it is received by the sensors positioned on the flats. The sensors produce an output indicative of the force applied.

Abstract: A thin film piezoelectric actuator comprises a driving part at least one end of which is supported by an anchor portion. The driving part includes: a piezoelectric film, a first lower electrode provided under a first region of the piezoelectric film, a second lower electrode provided under a second region different from the first region of the piezoelectric film, a first upper electrode provided opposite to the first lower electrode on the piezoelectric film, a second upper electrode provided opposite to the second lower electrode on the piezoelectric film, a first connection part that electrically connects the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode via a first via hole formed in the piezoelectric film, and a second connection part that electrically connects the second lower electrode and the first upper electrode via a second via hole formed in the piezoelectric film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metering device for dosing pressurized fluids, comprising a housing with a metering opening, controlled an axially moveable valve needle, an axially extendable piezoelectric actuator, a thermal compensator unit, and an electrical connector for supplying electrical power to the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transducers, their use and fabrication. The transducers convert between mechanical and electrical energy. Some transducers of the present invention include a pre-strained polymer. The pre-strain improves the conversion between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention also relates to devices including an electroactive polymer to convert between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention further relates to compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer included in a transducer. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for pre-loading an electrically stimulated smart material actuator product to obtain maximum work from the actuator. When a smart material actuator is optimally pre-loaded certain desirable characteristics become apparent, such as work, operational frequency, hysteresis, repeatability, and overall accuracy. When used in conjunction with a mechanically leveraged actuator structure the smart material actuator can be used to its greatest potential. Since the mechanically leveraged actuator can be based on the maximum work provided by the smart material actuator, certain attributes such as the force, and displacement of total system can be adjusted without loss to system efficiency. Pre-loading methods and a determination of the optimal pre-load force are disclosed. Each smart material actuator type has a unique work curve. In the design of an actuator assembly, the process of optimizing uses the unique work curve to optimize the design for the requirements of the particular application.

Abstract: A piezoelectric crystal tuning fork resonator comprises a tuning fork base and a plurality of tuning fork tines connected to the tuning fork base, each of the tuning fork tines having opposite main surfaces and side surfaces, a groove having a plurality of stepped portions being formed in at least one of the opposite main surfaces of each of the tuning fork tines, a plurality of first electrodes being disposed on the stepped portions of the groove in at least one of the opposite main surfaces of each of the tuning fork tines, a plurality of second electrodes being disposed on the side surfaces of each of the tuning fork tines, the piezoelectric crystal tuning fork resonator comprising three electrode terminals and each of the three electrode terminals having a different electrical polarity.

Abstract: A resonator comprises a base portion and a plurality of vibrational arms connected to the base portion and vibratable in a flexural mode. An electrode is disposed on at least one of opposite side surfaces of each of the vibrational arms so that a capacitance ratio r1 of a fundamental mode of vibration of the resonator is less than a capacitance ratio r2 of a second overtone mode of vibration thereof. A groove is formed in at least one of opposite main surfaces of each of the vibrational arms, and at least one mounting arm protrudes from the base portion.

Abstract: The control circuit (131) causes drive frequency modification to be re-executed after returning the drive frequency to the prescribed drive frequency when the reduction rate of the power source voltage is higher than the standard reduction rate; specifically, when driving is being performed at a drive frequency whereby drive efficiency is poor and power consumption is high, or when the piezoelectric actuator A cannot start up for whatever reason. Therefore, since a startup failure or the like can be immediately determined based on the reduction rate of the power source voltage without a long time elapsing before the startup failure is detected, the time required for this determination can be shortened, the processing that is performed from the detection of an abnormality until optimization of the drive signal can be quickly executed, electrical power consumption can be reduced, and low-power operation can be ensured.

Abstract: An optical assembly that contains an optical device movably attached to a apparatus for driving a threaded shaft assembly. The apparatus contains of a threaded shaft with an axis of rotation and, engaged therewith, a threaded nut. The assembly contains a device for subjecting the threaded nut to ultrasonic vibrations and thereby causing said the shaft to simultaneously rotate and translate in the axial direction.

Abstract: A curved sensor device, such as an ultrasonic transducer array, is fabricated from a flat micromachined sensor (such as cMUT or pMUT) array constructed using micromachined electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) techniques. The device comprises: a support structure comprising a spine having a profile that is generally curved and a multiplicity of teeth extending from one side of the curved spine; and a multiplicity of sensors built on the support structure. The spine can be bent forward or backward and attached to a curved front face of a support member, thereby causing the sensors to adopt a curved array.

Abstract: An electrical energy generator device comprising an array of micro-fans each associated to a respective dynamo-electric generator by means of a respective connecting shaft, further comprises, for at least some of the micro-fans (3), a lug element (6) associated to the respective connecting shaft (4) which mechanically co-operates at each revolution with a piezoelectric element (7), for the production of additional electrical energy. In addition or instead of the aforesaid arrangement, it is possible to provide plates (10) made of piezoelectric material which vibrate in the flow of air that invests them, thereby producing electrical energy.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device includes, a first substrate, a surface acoustic wave chip attached to the first substrate, and a second substrate that hermetically seals the surface acoustic wave chip. At least one of the first and second substrates includes. The first and second substrates have respective joining surfaces. An electric circuit is formed on a surface area of the first substrate other than the joining surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for providing reduced coupling of radio frequency (RF) interrogated surface acoustic wave (SAW) based sensors to external bodies. Coupling, and therefore electrical loading of the sensor element, is reduced by providing an electrically conductive housing surrounding the SAW sensor element and by electrically coupling one terminal of the SAW sensor element to the electrically conductive housing. Electrical connection to an additional terminal of the SAW sensor element is provided by way of an electrically isolated connection through the electrically conductive housing.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus comprises a display portion and a plurality of oscillators, one of which is a quartz crystal oscillator comprising: a quartz crystal oscillating circuit comprising; an amplification circuit and a feedback circuit. For example, the feedback circuit is constructed by a quartz crystal resonator comprising vibrational arms and a base portion, and having novel shape and electrode construction. Also, the quartz crystal resonator is housed in a package. In addition, from a relationship of an amplification rate of the amplification circuit and a feedback rate of the feedback circuit, an output signal of the quartz crystal oscillating circuit having an oscillation frequency of a fundamental mode of vibration for the quartz crystal resonator can be provided with a frequency of high stability.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The driver assembly is either attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber with the same threaded means, a different threaded means, or a more permanent coupling means such as brazing, diffusion bonding or epoxy. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is adjacent to the external surface of the chamber is non-flat and has a spherical curvature less than the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing a ring of contact between the acoustic driver and the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: A motor which has an improved energy efficiency, is excellent in practical use and has a generator function at the same time. The motor is provided with a basic factor 15 having working surfaces 55a and 55c on both sides thereof, respectively, and movable members 57 made of a magnetic material and arranged opposite to the working surfaces, respectively. Further, the basic factor 15 is provided with an electromagnet element 17 and permanent magnets 19 arranged on both sides thereof through contact surfaces, respectively, and the working surfaces and the contact surfaces are held opposite to each other through the permanent magnets 19, respectively.

Abstract: A present invention provides a drive unit and an operating apparatus each having a simple structure and therefore having an advantage to be miniaturized, which can obtain a large drive torque. A drive unit 1 of the present invention includes a rotor 4 and a plurality of actuators 5A, 5B for driving the rotor 4. Each of the plurality of actuators 5A, 5B includes an electro-mechanical converting element which applies driving force to the rotor 4 when electric power is applied thereto. In this case, the rotor 4 is driven in a cooperation manner in which the plurality of actuators 5A, 5B are cooperatively driven. Further, the electro-mechanical converting element is a vibrating element 50 containing a piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A laminated piezoelectric element (1) having a ceramic laminate (10) formed by alternatively laminating a plurality of piezoelectric layers (11) and a plurality of internal electrode layer (21). A side surface (101) provided with the first side-surface electrode (31) is further provided with first recessed groove portions (41) which are the recessed grooves exposing the ends of the second internal electrodes (22) in the bottom portions (410) thereof, and a side surface (102) provided with the second side-surface electrode (32) is further provided with second recessed groove portions (42) which are the recessed grooves exposing the ends of the first internal electrodes (21) in the bottom portions. The first groove portions (41) and the second groove portions (42) are filled with an insulating filler material (5) having electrically insulating property so as to cover the ends of the second internal electrodes (22) and the ends of the first internal electrodes (21).

Abstract: In an ultrasonic transducer, the transducer elements are electrically connected to the pulsers via throughholes in an acoustic backing layer. Electrically conductive material is deposited on the front face of the acoustic backing layer and later diced to form conductive pads, and on the walls of the throughholes or vias to form conductive traces having exposed ends that will be connected later to a printed circuit. The holes in the acoustic backing layer are then filled with acoustic attenuative material. The signal electrodes on the rear faces of the transducer elements are electrically connected to the printed circuit via the conductive pads and the conductive traces of the acoustic backing layer. A common ground connection is disposed between the front faces of the transducer elements and the acoustic impedance matching layer, which ground connection exits the transducer pallet from the side.