Abstract: In a method for calibration, a piezo-actuator (1) is actuated in a motor vehicle by a control circuit and an output stage. The piezo actuator is, in particular, part of the injection valve. The piezo-actuator (1) is subjected to an electric calibration pulse that is in the high-level signal range thereof when the control circuit and the output stage are in operation, the frequency thereof being modified over time. The associated electric impendence curve over the frequency is determined and evaluated during the calibration pulse. The output stage is controlled by the control circuit in such a manner that the calibration pulse is generated.

Abstract: In a discharge process of the solid body actuator (2), a current that discharges the solid body actuator (2) loaded with electrical energy is detected. A switching element (6) is switched from an open position to a closed position to short circuit the solid body actuator (2) for removal of electrical energy from the solid body actuator (2) through the switching element (6) depending on the current falling below a threshold of the current, wherein the magnitude of the threshold is specified.

Abstract: A piezoelectric component, e.g., for use as an actuator of a fuel injection valve in a motor vehicle, may include a stack-shaped actuator body including a plurality of piezoelectric elements and inner electrode layers arranged in an alternating manner in a stacking direction, each inner electrode layer being connected alternately to one of two metalizations on an outer face of the stack in an electrically conductive manner. Each metalization is connected to an electrically conductive electrode structure via an electrically conductive contacting element (e.g., adhesive or solder). The stack-shaped actuator body has at least one predetermined breaking point, and the metalizations and/or the contacting elements have a recess in the region of the at least one predetermined breaking point.

Abstract: A piezoelectric component with a monolithic stack, has electrode layers and piezoceramic layers arranged alternately one on top of the other, the piezoceramic layers have a piezoceramic, and having at least one porous security layer arranged in the stack for the formation of a crack if mechanical overload of the stack should occur. The piezoelectric component has an infiltration barrier arranged between the security layer and a lateral surface section of the stack for suppressing the penetration of a foreign substance into the security layer. The piezoelectric component can be as a piezoactuator for controlling a valve, particularly a valve of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: In a piezoelectric multilayer actuator (1) having micromechanical relief zones (30) and an insulation layer (40) as well as in a method for producing said actuator, as a result of the micromechanical relief zones (30), poling cracks are concentrated in these relief regions (30). This makes it possible to provide the sections I, II, III of the multilayer actuator (1) with an insulation layer (40) which only has an extension behavior similar to the multilayer actuator (1) without poling cracks.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a physiological condition of an individual. The system (1) comprises sensing means (3) arranged to pick up a first signal (M) in a first mode of the system, said first signal being representative of the physiological condition and to forward the first signal to a signal processing unit (33). The system comprises an actuatable control unit (2) positioned remote from the signal processing unit, the control unit (2) being suitable to generate a second signal (T) arranged to be superimposed on the first signal (M). The signal processing unit (33, 37) is arranged to decode the second signal and to make the system enter into a second mode upon receipt of the second signal (T).

Abstract: In a discharge process of the solid body actuator (2), a current that discharges the solid body actuator (2) loaded with electrical energy is detected. A switching element (6) is switched from an open position to a closed position to short circuit the solid body actuator (2) for removal of electrical energy from the solid body actuator (2) through the switching element (6) depending on the current falling below a threshold of the current, wherein the magnitude of the threshold is specified.

Abstract: In a method for polarizing a piezoceramic material, first, a base is provided that is made of non-polarized piezoceramic material and has at least two opposite planar electrodes and at least one predetermined breaking point because of which a stress relief fracture forms when a voltage having a first voltage value is applied. A number of voltage pulses, the amplitudes of which follow a time-related envelope curve, is applied to the electrodes of the base. The amplitudes of the voltage pulses in a first section of the envelope curve are higher than the first voltage value, and the amplitudes of the voltage pulses in a second section of the envelope curve that follows the first section have a second voltage value which is sufficient to permanently polarize the piezoceramic material.

Abstract: In a method for calibration, a piezo-actuator (1) is actuated in a motor vehicle by a control circuit and an output stage. The piezo actuator is, in particular, part of the injection valve. The piezo-actuator (1) is subjected to an electric calibration pulse that is in the high-level signal range thereof when the control circuit and the output stage are in operation, the frequency thereof being modified over time. The associated electric impendence curve over the frequency is determined and evaluated during the calibration pulse. The output stage is controlled by the control circuit in such a manner that the calibration pulse is generated.

Abstract: A piezoelectric component with a monolithic stack, has electrode layers and piezoceramic layers arranged alternately one on top of the other, the piezoceramic layers have a piezoceramic, and having at least one porous security layer arranged in the stack for the formation of a crack if mechanical overload of the stack should occur. The piezoelectric component has an infiltration barrier arranged between the security layer and a lateral surface section of the stack for suppressing the penetration of a foreign substance into the security layer. The piezoelectric component can be as a piezoactuator for controlling a valve, particularly a valve of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: In a piezoelectric multilayer actuator (1) having micromechanical relief zones (30) and an insulation layer (40) as well as in a method for producing said actuator, as a result of the micromechanical relief zones (30), poling cracks are concentrated in these relief regions (30). This makes it possible to provide the sections I, II, III of the multilayer actuator (1) with an insulation layer (40) which only has an extension behaviour similar to the multilayer actuator (1) without poling cracks.

Abstract: A starting-process controller for starting a piezomotor, having a voltage-controlled oscillator, a power output stage, and a resonant converter. The oscillator generates the control signals required for the power output stage and the resonance converter converts the stepped output voltage from the power output stage into a sinusoidal voltage at the output. The resonance converter drives the piezomotor with the voltage. The motor current that flows when the piezomotor is driven is measured and compared with the phase of the drive voltage in a phase comparator. The comparison output signal is a measure of the phase difference at the time between current and voltage. A phase-locked loop filter smoothes the phase-difference signal for controling the oscillator. The controller includes a start-assisting circuit element that fixes the output voltage from the phase-locked loop filter at start-up and thus applies a constant voltage to the input of the voltage-controlled oscillator.

Abstract: The system (1) according to the invention is arranged to support an automatic informing of callers (S1, S2, . . . , SN) upon an event of an interrupt in a telecommunication line engaged with a receiving station (4) according to a telecommunication protocol. In order to carry out said automatic informing the receiving station (4) is adapted with a computer program (6,8,10,12,14) arranged to transmit a prerecorded message to all engaged parties upon an event of the interrupt. The computer program is further arranged to carry out background interaction with a caller who is put on hold, so that the caller is not left behind unattended.

Abstract: A starting-process controller for starting a piezomotor, having a voltage-controlled oscillator, a power output stage, and a resonant converter. The oscillator generates the control signals required for the power output stage and the resonance converter converts the stepped output voltage from the power output stage into a sinusoidal voltage at the output. The resonance converter drives the piezomotor with the voltage. The motor current that flows when the piezomotor is driven is measured and compared with the phase of the drive voltage in a phase comparator. The comparison output signal is a measure of the phase difference at the time between current and voltage. A phase-locked loop filter smoothes the phase-difference signal for controling the oscillator. The controller includes a start-assisting circuit element that fixes the output voltage from the phase-locked loop filter at start-up and thus applies a constant voltage to the input of the voltage-controlled oscillator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wearable device arranged for enabling a bioelectrical interaction with an individual when being brought into contact with the individual's skin I, said device comprising electrodes 2 arranged to carry out said interaction by means of a first electrical signal, said electrodes comprise motion artifact detection means 4. The electrode assembly 1 comprises electrode 2 arranged to carry out a bioelectrical interaction with the individual by means of measuring an electrical signal on the body of the individual I and/or applying an electrical signal to the body of the individual. In order to enable said bioelectrical interaction the electrode 2 is provided with an electrical cable 2a. According to the invention, the electrode 2 is arranged with a pr 4. The pressure sensor 4 is arranged to measure a normal force component of an external force applied to the electrode due to movement of the individual.

Abstract: A piezoelectric driving device and a regulation method for a piezoelectric driving device are proposed. Piezoelectric driving devices known so far show a characteristic with which the electric power applied to the motor drops when the load increases. This behavior, which leads to a strong reduction of the range of use of such motors, is counteracted by predefining the amplitude of the excitation voltage so that the effective power does not drop with increasing load. For this purpose the electrical effective power is determined from the excitation voltage and the current flowing through the piezoelectric resonator. Alternatively, with a predefined fixed phase angle between excitation voltage and current a regulation may also be effected in the way that the current is kept to the constant value. A further aspect of the invention relates to a unit for limiting the current flowing through the piezoelectric resonator, so as to avoid this component being damaged.

Abstract: The system (1) according to the invention is arranged to support an automatic informing of callers (S1, S2, . . . ,SN) upon an event of an interrupt in a telecommunication line engaged with a receiving station (4) according to a telecommunication protocol. In order to carry out said automatic informing the receiving station (4) is adapted with a computer program (6,8,10,12,14) arranged to transmit a prerecorded message to all engaged parties upon an event of the interrupt. The computer program is further arranged to carry out background interaction with a caller who is put on hold, so that the caller is not left behind unattended.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inserting and extracting device for rotatable data carrier plates which mechanically moves the data carrier plate (1) from an inserting position into a playing position before playing and back into the inserting position again after playing, with parallel guide rails (2) which extend over the full range of movement for insertion and extraction and which guide the data carrier plate (1) in grooves (5) at diagonally mutually opposed edge regions, wherein at least one of the guide rails (2) transmits to the data carrier plate (1) motion pulses in one of its directions of movement, by means of which pulses the data carrier plate (1) is moved in the insertion or extraction direction.

Abstract: A piezoelectric driving device and a regulation method for a piezoelectric driving device are proposed. Piezoelectric driving devices known so far show a characteristic with which the electric power applied to the motor drops when the load increases. This behavior, which leads to a strong reduction of the range of use of such motors, is counteracted by predefining the amplitude of the excitation voltage so that the effective power does not drop with increasing load. For this purpose the electrical effective power is determined from the excitation voltage and the current flowing through the piezoelectric resonator. Alternatively, with a predefined fixed phase angle between excitation voltage and current a regulation may also be effected in the way that the current is kept to the constant value. A further aspect of the invention relates to a unit for limiting the current flowing through the piezoelectric resonator, so as to avoid this component being damaged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wearable device arranged for enabling a bioelectrical interaction with an individual when being brought into contact with the individual's skin I, said device comprising electrodes 2 arranged to carry out said interaction by means of a first electrical signal, said electrodes comprise motion artifact detection means 4. The electrode assembly 1 comprises the electrode 2 arranged to carry out a bioelectrical interaction with the individual by means of measuring an electrical signal on the body of the individual I and/or applying an electrical signal to the body of the individual. In order to enable said bioelectrical interaction the electrode 2 is provided with an electrical cable 2a. According to the invention, the electrode 2 is arranged with a pressure sensor 4. The pressure sensor 4 is arranged to measure a normal force component of an external force applied to the electrode due to movement of the individual.