Abstract: An electronic component includes a package member; a via hole electrode extending through the package member and protruding from a first surface of the package member; an electronic component located on the first surface of the package member with a space located between the package member and the electronic component. The space between the electronic component and the first surface of the package member is provided by a protruding portion of the via hole electrode which extends from the surface of the package member and a joining member joining the electronic component with the via hole electrode.

Abstract: Vibratory tuning fork having a body of piezoelectric material with a base and a pair of tapered tines which extend from the base and decrease in lateral dimension from the base toward the tips of the tines. A crotch section at the base of the tines has an inner pair of faces which lie in crystallographic planes of the piezoelectric material and an outer pair of faces which lie in additional crystallographic planes of the material and extend between the inner pair of faces and the tines. An isolation slot is formed in the base adjacent to the crotch, with enlarged cut-outs at the ends of the slot to prevent the formation of facets and membranes across the slot.

Abstract: A method of forming an ultrasound transducer having thermoformed protuberances comprises providing a substrate having a plurality of perforations of a given dimension. The perforations or apertures are formed in the substrate and operate to determine the resonance frequency associated with the transducer. A film of polymeric material capable of showing piezoelectric properties when strained in its plane and electrically biassed by a field applied in a direction normal to its faces, is then laminated onto the substrate. The film is heated to a given temperature and a pressure differential is applied between the top and bottom surfaces of the film for a sufficient time to form protuberances in the film through the apertures in the substrate.

Abstract: A miniature piezoelectric transducer element is provided, comprising: (a) a cell element having a cavity; (b) a flexible piezoelectric layer attached to the cell member, the piezoelectric layer having an external surface and an internal surface, the piezoelectric layer featuring such dimensions so as to enable fluctuations thereof at its resonance frequency upon impinging of an external acoustic wave; and (c) a first electrode attached to the external surface and a second electrode attached to the internal surface of the piezoelectric layer. At least one of the electrodes may be specifically shaped so as to provide a maximal electrical output, wherein the electrical output may be current, voltage or power. A preferred shape of the electrodes includes two cores interconnected by a connecting member. The transducer element may function as a transmitter.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for use with a remotely located PC device for determining holding forces of a fastener, the fastener including a head and a shaft extending through first and second layers of material. A tightening nut rotatably secures to an extending end of the shaft. The transducer assembly includes a substantially disk-shaped printed circuit board incorporating at least one circuit configuration for communicating first and second faces of the circuit board. An input line, typically a wire harness, extends from the remote PC and is engageable, at a first location, to the first face of the circuit board. A bolt identification component, incorporating either a resistor or ID chip in a suitable circuit, is engageable at a second location to the first face of the circuit board and is communicable, via the input line, with the PC device to communicate a signal representative of the identity of the bolt to be analyzed.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer driving circuit comprises a piezoelectric transformer which boosts an input voltage to obtain a voltage required in igniting a cold cathode tube, a restart circuit which detects the voltage output from said piezoelectric transformer and allows said piezoelectric transformer to repeatedly output a high voltage required in initially igniting said cold cathode tube, a PWM controller which allows said piezoelectric transformer to intermittently output a voltage in order to adjust the brightness of said cold cathode tube, and a stopping unit which stops the control operation of said PWM controller when restart circuit is operative.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition in which the mechanical quality factor Qm and the electromechanical coupling factor Kp are superior, and a high power output piezoelectric transformer made of it are disclosed. The piezoelectric ceramic composition according to the present invention is composed of Pb1−aSra [(Ni1/2W1/2)b(Mn1/3Nb2/3)c(Zr1−xTix)1−b−c]O3+kPbO, where a is 0-0.06 mol %, b is 0.01−0.05 mol %, c is 0.01-0.09 mol %, x is 0.47-0.53 mol %, and k is 0.1-0.7 wt %. The piezoelectric transformer according to the present invention includes: a piezoelectric block composed of the same composition; a first electrode consists of an inner electrode and an outer electrode, the inner electrode being formed at a center of a top of the piezoelectric block, and the outer electrode being formed around the inner electrode by being separated by an isolating region; a second electrode is formed on the bottom of the piezoelectric block.

Abstract: A truss type actuator including two piezoelectric devices drives a chip member provided at a crossing point of the piezoelectric devices for moving along an elliptic or a circular trail. Only one piezoelectric device is driven for transmitting vibrations thereof to the other non-driven piezoelectric device. By selecting a frequency of driving signals, both of the piezoelectric devices are resonantly vibrated with a phase difference of 90 degrees.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition in which the dielectric constant, the mechanical quality factor Qm and the electromechanical coupling factor Kp are superior, and a high power output piezoelectric transformer made of it are disclosed. The piezoelectric ceramic composition according to the present invention is composed of Pb[(Sb1/2Nb1/2)x(Zr0.495Ti0.505)1−x]O3+yPbO+zMnO, where x is 0.01-0.05 mol %, y is 0.03-0.6 wt %, and z is 0.7 wt % or less. The piezoelectric transformer according to the present invention includes: a piezoelectric block composed of the same composition; a first electrode consists of an inner electrode and an outer electrode, the inner electrode being formed at the center of the top of the piezoelectric block, and the outer electrode being formed around the inner electrode by being separated by an isolating region; and a second electrode is formed on the bottom of the piezoelectric block.

Abstract: A thin-disc piezoelectric actuating ultrasonic motor includes a stator made up of a commercially available piezoelectric element that includes a piezoelectric ceramic membrane bonded on a metal plate to form a concentric disk. An ultrasonic motor driving mechanism induces mechanical vibration in the piezoelectric element by extension and shrinkage of the metal back plate, upon application of single phase AC power. There are two propagating directions in the induced mechanical vibrating wave. One is a radial component, and the other is a transverse component. The outer edge of the piezoelectric element thus forms traveling waves in different directions. These traveling waves may be used to provide a torque so as to drive the rotor to rotate.

Abstract: The present invention embodies a solid state thermionic energy converter and is directed to a method and apparatus for conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy, and electrical energy to refrigeration. The present invention maintains a thermal separation between an emitter and a collector through a fractional surface contact of decreasing cross-sectional area towards the point of contact. The fractional surface contacts may be associated with the emitter, a barrier, or the collector. Maintaining a thermal separation between the emitter and the collector provides for ballistic electron transport through the barrier and reduces the transport of electrons through thermal conductivity. Hence, the efficiency is increased through the collection of ballistic electrons and the reduction of thermal conductivity electrons which cannot be collected. The inventive principle works for hole conductivity, as well as for electrons.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device comprising a substrate having a piezoelectric function on a surface thereof, and an electrode film having a four-layer structure comprising, from underneath, a first layer comprising Ti, a second layer comprising Al or an Al alloy, a third layer comprising an intermetallic compound, a silicide or a CuAl2, and a fourth layer comprising Al or an Al alloy on the substrate.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric substrate and at least one interdigital electrode disposed on the piezoelectric substrate. The interdigital electrode is made of &agr;-tantalum.

Abstract: The present invention significantly reduces charging effects in electrostatic devices due to charge accumulation in or on the insulating materials on the active surfaces of the devices. This has been achieved by replacing the dielectric material that is normally present between the force generating conductor surfaces with a semi-insulating material. This semi-insulating film overcomes the effects of charging, while avoiding short-circuits when the surfaces are pulled into contact. It is not subject to insulation breakdown within the range of voltages used to operate the device. Examples of semi-insulating materials that may be used are semi-insulating polysilicon (SIPOS) and silicon rich silicon nitride.

Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric/electrostrictive device comprising a driving portion to be driven by a displacement of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element, a movable portion to be operated based on a drive of the driving portion, and a fixing portion for holding the driving portion and the movable portion, the fixing portion and the movable portions being coupled via the driving portion, and a hole being formed by an inner wall of the driving portion, inner wall of the movable portion, and inner walls of the fixing portion. The driving portion comprises a pair of mutually opposing thin plate portions and at least two piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements each comprising at least one or more pairs of electrodes and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer provided on the thin plate portions.

Abstract: A ceramic element comprises a main actuator element 26 having an anti-ferroelectric film 22 and a pair of electrodes 24a, 24b formed on a first principal surface (front surface) of the anti-ferroelectric film 22, a vibrating section 18 for supporting the main actuator element 26, and a fixed section 20 for supporting the vibrating section 18 in a vibrating manner. The anti-ferroelectric film 22 after polarization has a region Zt in which its average dielectric constant is increased in an analog manner in accordance with a voltage V applied to the pair of electrodes 24a, 24b. Specifically, an expression of p/t≦2.5 is satisfied provided that an average film thickness of the anti-ferroelectric film 22 is t, and a pitch between the pair of electrodes 24a, 24b is p.

Abstract: The present invention provides at least two input driving sections for a piezoelectric transformer. The two input driving sections are configured in a stacked configuration, with either one section on top of the other or the sections interlaced. Each input driving section includes a pair of electrodes. All of the electrodes preferably have a distinct electrode shape. The two input driving sections provide for the application of phase-modulated input signals to control the gain or amplitude of the transformer output.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe optically coupled to an electronic console comprises a multiplicity of transducer elements. Each transducer element is capable of transmitting and detecting ultrasound waves. Each transducer element constitutes a piezocomposite structure comprising mutually parallel rods of two types embedded in a passive polymer matrix: piezoelectric rods and micro-cavity laser rods. The piezoelectric rods are optically activated to generate an acoustic compression wave transmitted from the front face of the piezocomposite structure. The micro-cavity lasers produce a frequency-modulated optical signal having a frequency shift which is a function of a strain produced in the lasing medium by a returning acoustic wave impinging on the piezocomposite structure.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator includes a stator having a circular surface carrying a plurality of drive electrodes, a rotor arranged opposite to the surface of the stator and a drive circuit for applying a drive voltage to the drive electrodes. Each of the drive electrodes has an arcuate profile extending from the center toward the outer periphery of the circular surface. The rotor can be driven to rotate in either direction of rotation by changing the mode of applying voltages to the drive electrodes. The rotor is floated above the stator by dynamic pressure generated by an oscillator, typically a piezoelectric element, provided under the stator. The distance between the rotor and the stator can be adjusted by controlling drive voltages applied to the oscillator.

Abstract: A piezoelectric acoustic component having excellent efficiencies of productivity and of acoustic conversion, a greatly miniaturized size, and excellent impact resistance properties, includes a unimorph type diaphragm. The unimorph type diaphragm is defined by adhering a substantially square piezoelectric element onto a substantially square metal plate, the shorter sides of the diaphragm are supported on the supporting portion provided within the two opposing side wall portions of the case, the clearance between the remaining two sides of the diaphragm, and the case is sealed with a resilient sealing agent. The case is adhered on the substrate having external electrodes, the metal plate is connected to the external electrode with a resilient conductive paste, and the surface electrode of the piezoelectric element is connected to the external electrode with a resilient conductive paste.