Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes, a nonconducting isolator, and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloy materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. In an alternate embodiment, two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.

Abstract: The present invention is a power conditioning circuit. The invention is comprised of multiple comparators and a bilateral switch. The invention converts the high-frequency, high-voltage output signal from a piezoelectric transformer to a desired low-frequency voltage signal, examples including but not limited to sinusoidal, sawtooth, ramp, and square waves, at the output amplitude voltage. The circuit switches the high-frequency AC output, also referred to as the driving waveform, into the load at precisely the instant when the driving waveform crosses the present voltage load value, and switches it out when the load waveform reaches the desired voltage. Thereafter, the switch is opened and the reactance of the load or an additional output capacitor element holds the voltage until the next switching cycle.

Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes, a nonconducting isolator, and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloy materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. In an alternate embodiment, two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.

Abstract: The invention described and claimed is method of fabricating a planar pre-stressed bimorph actuator. The bimorph actuator is a symmetric load system composed of electrically and mechanically similar transductive elements. The method facilitates the bonding of planar metallic members about likewise planar transductive members thereby forming a planar multi-layer element. Fabricaton is performed at an elevated temperature under a vacuum with a mechanical load applied to the multi-layer element.

Abstract: The invention described herein is a novel power circuit capable of electrically driving devices whose mechanical action is accomplished by induced strain transducers. The power circuit neither recycles nor dissipates the energy returned from the near lossless transducer, instead redirects power either to another transducer of the same type or to the transducer itself. The invention is based on a balanced capacitive loading method wherein the load itself acts as the energy storage element in the energy balance system. In the preferred mode, the circuit directs power to a symmetric couple where both loads in the couple consist of one or more transductive elements. The invention eliminates the need for a large power-supply bypass capacitor in driving reactive loads thereby reducing the peak power handled by the d.c. power section.

Abstract: The present invention is a power conditioning circuit. The invention is comprised of multiple comparators and a bilateral switch. The invention converts the high-frequency, high-voltage output signal from a piezoelectric transformer to a desired low-frequency voltage signal, examples including but not limited to sinusoidal, sawtooth, ramp, and square waves, at the output amplitude voltage. The circuit switches the high-frequency AC output, also referred to as the driving waveform, into the load at precisely the instant when the driving waveform crosses the present voltage load value, and switches it out when the load waveform reaches the desired voltage. Thereafter, the switch is opened and the reactance of the load or an additional output capacitor element holds the voltage until the next switching cycle.

Abstract: A head positioner is described wherein a read/write head is slidably propelled along an arm by an electrically, an acoustically, or an magnetically active material. One embodiment is comprised of a driver arm with a single slidable positioner. The driver arm is composed of a rail with two driver layers. An isolator layer between rail and each driver layer prevents distortion of rail when driver layers are activated. A wear-resistant, low-friction layer prevents damage to driver layer and facilitates sliding motion between positioner and driver arm. Positioner is propelled along driver arm by energizing driver layer composed of either a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostatic, electromagnetic, or electrostatic material. At least one read/write head is attached to the positioner for data communication purposes with a storage element. In an alternate embodiment, two positioners are separately and independently slidable along a single driver arm.

Abstract: The invention described and claimed is a switchmode power control circuit composed of a bimorph actuator and a driver circuit. The bimorph actuator is a symmetric load system composed of electrically and mechanically similar transductive elements. The driver circuit redirects power from one transductive element into another. The circuit is based on a balanced capacitive loading method wherein the load itself acts as the energy storage element in the energy balance system.

Abstract: The invention described herein is a novel power circuit capable of electrically driving devices whose mechanical action is accomplished by induced strain transducers. The power circuit neither recycles nor dissipates the energy returned from the near lossless transducer, instead redirects power either to another transducer of the same type or to the transducer itself. The invention is based on a balanced capacitive loading method wherein the load itself acts as the energy storage element in the energy balance system. In the preferred mode, the circuit directs power to a symmetric couple where both loads in the couple consist of one or more transductive elements. The invention eliminates the need for a large power-supply bypass capacitor in driving reactive loads thereby reducing the peak power handled by the d.c. power section.