Abstract: A pizoelectric actuator assembly for actuating industrial control valves or clamps provides a compact actuator including a single piece main structure with integrated hinge, mechanical lever, and spring in a shape such that in response to electrical activation, the piezoelectric device transfers mechanical energy from a predetermined axis into the force transfer member operably positioned for driving at least one pivotable arm portion in rotational movement with a loss of motion of less than 40%.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator assembly for actuating industrial control valves or clamps provides a compact actuator including a single piece main structure with integrated hinge, mechanical lever, and spring in a shape such that in response to electrical activation, the piezoelectric device transfers mechanical energy from a predetermined axis into the force transfer member operably positioned for driving at least one pivotable arm portion in rotational movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus having at least one pair of opposing surfaces formed on a support structure for movement relative to one another and an actuator operably engaging the support structure for driving the at least one pair of opposing surfaces relative to one another in response to an electrical activation of the actuator. Preferably, the actuator is a piezoelectric device. The apparatus can be adapted for clamping and/or valving applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in an application including at least one of clamping and valving. The apparatus includes a support structure and actuator means for operating the support structure between a rest position and an actuated position. In one embodiment, the actuator means is a piezoelectric device and the support structure is a single piece which is a mechanically active element of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention includes a support structure having a primary portion with first and second arm portions formed thereon for movement relative to one another, and a secondary portion with either a clamp portion or valve portion integrally formed on an outer end of each arm portion for movement therewith. A primary actuator is operably associated with the primary support structure for driving the arm portions relative to one another in response to an electrical activation of the primary actuator. Secondary actuators are operably associated with the secondary portions for independently driving the secondary portions between an opened position and a closed position in response to an electrical activation of each secondary actuator. Each of the actuators is operable independently of one another.

Abstract: An apparatus having a smart material actuator, a support structure and at least one temperature compensating material insert, either externally mounted to the support structure, integrally formed with the support structure, or any combination thereof. The apparatus includes a mechanically leveraged electrically stimulated smart material. The support structure and actuator are susceptible to the effects of differences in thermal coefficients of expansion of the materials used in the construction. The smart material typically displaces less than 0.001 inches and is leveraged up to fifty times to obtain useful movement. The temperature effect on the smart material is therefore leveraged and amplified producing undesirable motion in the apparatus with ambient and/or operating temperature changes. A method for dimensioning and placement of a compensating insert with respect to the support structure provides an accurate and cost effective compensating insert.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a pair of opposing surfaces in response to an electrical activation having a support including a rigid non-flexing portion, at least one pivotable arm portion extending from the rigid non-flexing portion, a pair of opposing surfaces with one opposing surface on the at least one pivotable arm portion for movement relative to one another, and a force transfer member operably positioned for driving the at least one pivotable arm portion in rotational movement. An actuator is operably engaged between the rigid portion and the force transfer member to drive the force transfer member in movement relative to the rigid portion to pivot the at least one pivotable arm portion in response to an electrical activation of the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus having at least one pair of opposing surfaces formed on a support structure for movement relative to one another and an actuator operably engaging the support structure for driving the at least one pair of opposing surfaces relative to one another in response to an electrical activation of the actuator. Preferably, the actuator is a piezoelectric device. The apparatus can be adapted for clamping and/or valving applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus having at least one pair of opposing surfaces formed on a support structure for movement relative to one another and an actuator operably engaging the support structure for driving the at least one pair of opposing surfaces relative to one another in response to an electrical activation of the actuator. Preferably, the actuator is a piezoelectric device. The apparatus can be adapted for clamping and/or valving applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for automatically tuning a stringed instrument including the steps of inducing a signal on a string under tension to generate a resonance signal having an amplitude from the string and adjusting tension of the string in response to the amplitude of the resonance signal. The present invention also provides a system for automatically tuning a stringed instrument including a string, tensioning means operably attached to one end of the string for tensioning the string, and a processor for driving the tensioning means to induce a signal on the string and generate a resonance signal having an amplitude from the string and for adjusting tension of the string in response to the amplitude of the resonance signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in an application including at least one of clamping and valving. The apparatus includes a support structure and actuator means for operating the support structure between a rest position and an actuated position. In one embodiment, the actuator means is a piezoelectric device and the support structure is a single piece which is a mechanically active element of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for moving a member including a first clamp assembled to a fixed surface for selectively clamping the member and a second clamp moveable with respect to the first clamp for selectively clamping the member. A piezo actuator is disposed between the first and second clamps for moving the member in response to expansion of the actuator. Resilient means bias the second clamp toward the first clamp.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus having at least one pair of opposing surfaces formed on a support structure for movement relative to one another and an actuator operably engaging the support structure for driving the at least one pair of opposing surfaces relative to one another in response to an electrical activation of the actuator. Preferably, the actuator is a piezoelectric device. The apparatus can be adapted for clamping and/or valving applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for automatically tuning a stringed instrument including the steps of inducing a signal on a string under tension to generate a resonance signal having an amplitude from the string and adjusting tension of the string in response to the amplitude of the resonance signal. The present invention also provides a system for automatically tuning a stringed instrument including a string, tensioning means operably attached to one end of the string for tensioning the string, and a processor for driving the tensioning means to induce a signal on the string and generate a resonance signal having an amplitude from the string and for adjusting tension of the string in response to the amplitude of the resonance signal.