Patents Examined by Thomas Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9793463
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric vibration module capable of improving adhesion between a piezoelectric element and an external electrode disposed on the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric vibration module, including: a piezoelectric element printing patterns of a first internal electrode and a second internal electrode therein and having a first external electrode electrically connected to the first internal electrode and a second external electrode electrically connected to the second internal electrode on an external surface thereof, wherein the first external electrode and the second external electrode are made of silver (Ag) and are formed on the external surface of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: MPLUS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yeon Ho Son, Jae Kyung Kim, Jun Kun Choi
  • Patent number: 9793466
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a substrate. A first electrode and a first piezoelectric layer are stacked on one side of the substrate. A second electrode and a second piezoelectric layer are stacked on the other side of the substrate. A notch is defined in the first piezoelectric layer. And a conductive film is coated within the notch to couple the first electrode and the first piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: MiiCs & Partners Inc.
    Inventor: Juan Wang
  • Patent number: 9793465
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a first electrode, a first piezoelectric layer, a substrate, a second electrode, a second piezoelectric layer, and a third electrode. The first electrode and the first piezoelectric layer are stacked on a first surface of the substrate. The second electrode, the second piezoelectric layer, and the third electrode are stacked on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the substrate. The substrate is made of chemically strengthened glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: MiiCs & Partners Inc.
    Inventor: Juan Wang
  • Patent number: 9787220
    Abstract: An energy harvester comprising a mass that is subjectable to environmental forces for bringing it into the status of a moving mass, and means linked to the mass for converting and storing of energy embodied in the moving mass, which means are arranged for subsequent release of said energy, wherein the mass is part of a compliant system comprising a frame and first and second elastic beams connecting the mass to the frame, wherein the first and second elastic beams are provided with opposite stiffnesses so as to arrange that in a predefined range of excursions of the moving mass, said mass experiences a preselected stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: Technische Universiteit Delft, Stichting voor de Technische Wetenschappen
    Inventors: Justus Laurens Herder, Nima Tolou
  • Patent number: 9787221
    Abstract: An energy generating device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The energy generating device includes a first electrode, a metal layer, including a regular arrangement of a plurality of patterns, disposed on the first electrode, an organic material layer positioned on the metal layer, and a piezoelectric layer interposed between the first electrode and the organic material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., RESEARCH & BUSINESS FOUNDATION SUNGYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Seongmin Kim, Sungjin Kim, Sang-woo Kim
  • Patent number: 9780698
    Abstract: The inventive concept discloses a piezoelectric energy harvesting array and a method of manufacturing the same. The manufacturing method may include forming a plurality of piezoelectric energy harvesting devices; connecting masses to one side of the piezoelectric energy harvesting devices and connecting the other side of the piezoelectric energy harvesting devices facing the masses to a base; and individually tuning a resonant frequency of each of the piezoelectric energy harvesting devices to prevent mismatch of resonant frequency when the masses vibrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Sang Kyun Lee, Moonkeun Kim
  • Patent number: 9780296
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ceramic material, comprising lead zirconate titanate, which additionally contains K and optionally Cu. The ceramic material can be used in an electroceramic component, for example a piezoelectric actuator. The invention also relates to methods for producing the ceramic material and the electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Alexander Glazunov, Adalbert Feltz
  • Patent number: 9780287
    Abstract: A conductive terminal structure for a piezoelectric device used as part of a tire mountable apparatus is provided. Unlike known electrical connection structures which include a plurality of conductive terminals that are all exposed through a single insulating layer of the piezoelectric device, such as a top layer of the piezoelectric device, the electrical connection structure can be arranged in a one up, one down configuration. In this configuration, at least one conductive terminal is exposed through a top insulating layer of the piezoelectric device. In addition, at least one conductive terminal of a piezoelectric component is exposed through a bottom insulating layer of the piezoelectric device. The electrical connection structure can be used in combination with a connector assembly design to preserve the integrity of the electrical connection between the electrical and mechanical connection structure and a printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: David Alan Weston, Raymond Leslie Hodgkinson
  • Patent number: 9780697
    Abstract: A piezoelectric power generation system includes a housing, the housing defining an opening therethrough. The piezoelectric power generation system further includes a support structure disposed within the housing, and one or more piezoelectric elements disposed on a surface of the support structure within the housing. Movement or vibration in the support structure is translated to the one or more piezoelectric elements, which actuates the one or more piezoelectric elements. The one or more piezoelectric elements generate power when actuated. The piezoelectric power generation system further includes one or more exciters coupled to the support structure. The exciters move or vibrate when acted on by a flow of fluid, wherein the motion of vibration of the one or more exciters is translated to the support structure and ultimately to the one or more piezoelectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A INC.
    Inventors: Namhyo Kim, Alvaro Jose Arrazola, James Benjamin Bloys
  • Patent number: 9780290
    Abstract: A nanometer-scale precision actuator comprises a base, an intermediate structure, an output interface, and two linear elements producing a controllable extension in the same longitudinal direction, each between a first and a second end. A first of the two elements has a first end fixed onto the intermediate structure and a second end fixed onto the base, a second of the two elements has a first end fixed onto the intermediate structure and a second end fixed to the output interface. The base and the intermediate structure are positioned in such a manner that the controllable extension of the second element produces a displacement of the actuator in a first direction and the controllable extension of the first element produces a displacement of the actuator in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignees: THALES, CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Christophe Devilliers, Félix Aguilar, Julien Ducarne, Francois Barillot, Frank Claeyssen
  • Patent number: 9780281
    Abstract: A power generator includes layered-polymer piezoelectric element that is arranged on an object to be a heat source and a vibration source, and that generates electric power according to vibration transmitted from the object; a first heat conductor containing a flexible material that is arranged on the object, and that conducts heat from the object. The power generator includes a second heat conductor that is arranged on the first heat conductor and the layered-polymer piezoelectric element, and that conducts heat from the first heat conductor. Furthermore, the power generator includes a thermoelectric element that is arranged on the second heat conductor so as to be layered on the second heat conductor on the layered-polymer piezoelectric element, and that generates electric power according to inner temperature difference between temperature on a heat absorbing side obtained by the second heat conductor and temperature on a heat releasing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Kazuaki Kurihara
  • Patent number: 9774227
    Abstract: A linear electro-mechanical actuator includes a containment structure (2), a nut (5) positioned in the containment structure (2), a screw shaft (6) inserted in the nut (5) and interconnected with the nut (5) via a helical recirculating ball coupling, and an anti-rotation mechanism (9) positioned inside the screw shaft (6) to prevent the screw shaft (6) from rotating about the axis (X). The anti-rotation mechanism (9) includes a guide unit (10) fixed cantilever-style to the containment structure (2) and connected to the screw shaft by a non-rotational coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: UMBRA CUSCINETTI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luciano Pizzoni, Romano Beffa, Riccardo Maccaglia, Nicola Borgarelli, Raffaele Picone
  • Patent number: 9773964
    Abstract: An electronic component has a support member, an SAW element which is mounted on the support member with a space S therebetween and which has a facing surface which faces the support member, and a resin portion which covers the SAW element and which is provided so as to seal the space S. The SAW element has a piezoelectric substrate, an IDT provided on the facing surface of the piezoelectric board, an wiring (an outer wiring) which is provided on the facing surface of the piezoelectric board and extends from the IDT toward the periphery side of the piezoelectric board, and a dam member which is adjacent to a lateral edge portion of the wiring and which is provided locally relative to the circumferential direction which surrounds the IDT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Oikawa, Eiji Sakata
  • Patent number: 9773965
    Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric vibrating device including a case provided with a certain space therein, a piezoelectric vibrating member provided in the case and vibrating according to an applied voltage, a weight member provided in the case and connected to a part of the piezoelectric vibrating member in a vibration direction of the piezoelectric vibrating member, and a limitation member for limiting movement of the weight member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: INNOCHIPS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In Kil Park, Tae Hyung Noh, Seong Cheol Park, Young Sul Kim, Byung Yul Choi, Hyun Chul Jung, Soon Dong Choi
  • Patent number: 9773966
    Abstract: A piezoelectric material contains ferroelectric particles and an adhesive resin. The ratio of the ferroelectric particles relative to the total mass of the ferroelectric particles and the adhesive resin is 40 mass % or greater and 98 mass % or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiko Fukuda, Yoshiyuki Watanabe, Takaya Masuda
  • Patent number: 9774276
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromechanical transducer capable of arbitrarily varying the amount of deflection of a vibrating membrane for every element. The electromechanical transducer includes a plurality of elements including at least one cell that includes a first electrode and a second electrode opposed to the first electrode with a gap sandwiched therebetween and a direct-current voltage applying unit configured to be provided for each element and to separately apply a direct-current voltage to the first electrodes in each element. The first electrodes and the second electrodes are electrically separated for every element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Kandori, Makoto Takagi, Masao Majima
  • Patent number: 9774278
    Abstract: A piezoelectric power generation system includes a housing and one or more piezoelectric modules disposed within the housing. Each of the one or more piezoelectric modules include a support structure, one or more piezoelectric components, and one or more exciters. The one or more piezoelectric components are disposed on or within the support structure, wherein at least a portion of vibrational motion in the support structure is transferred to the one or more piezoelectric components. The one or more exciters are coupled to the support structure and extend outside of the housing. When the exciters are actuated, they transfer vibrational motion to the one or more piezoelectric components through the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Namhyo Kim, Alvaro Jose Arrazola, James Benjamin Bloys
  • Patent number: 9768375
    Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric material that is free of lead and potassium, has satisfactory insulation property and piezoelectricity, and has a high Curie temperature. The piezoelectric material includes a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by the following general formula (1): General formula (1) (NaxM1-y)(Zrz(Nb1-wTaw)y(Ti1-vSnv)(1-y-z))O3 where M represents at least any one of Ba, Sr, and Ca, and relationships of 0.80?x?0.95, 0.85?y?0.95, 0<z?0.03, 0?v<0.2, 0?w<0.2, and 0.05?1?y?z?0.15 are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takayuki Watanabe, Shunsuke Murakami, Miki Ueda
  • Patent number: 9768888
    Abstract: A passive and wireless sensor is provided for sensing at least one of magnetic field, temperature or humidity. The sensor can provide only one of the sensing functions, individually or any combination of them simultaneously. It can be used for various applications where magnetic field changes, temperature and/or humidity need to be measured. In one or more embodiments, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor is provided that can measure one or more of a magnetic field (or current that generates the magnetic field), temperature and humidity. In one or more embodiments, a magnetoimpedence (MI) sensor (for example a thin film giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) sensor), a thermally sensitive (for example a Lithium Niobite (LiNbO3)) substrate, and a humidity sensitive film (for example a hydrogel film) can be used as sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Bodong Li, Jürgen Kosel
  • Patent number: 9765837
    Abstract: A variable stiffness spring is provided that includes a dielectric diaphragm having a biaxially pre-strained film, where the dielectric diaphragm includes an out-of-plane stiffness at zero voltage, a first electrode disposed on a first side of the dielectric diaphragm and a second electrode disposed on a second side of the dielectric diaphragm, where the out-of-plain stiffness is relaxed by an applied voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Sanjay K Dastoor, Mark R Cutkosky