Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for monitoring and detecting a fetal heartbeat that can be employed by ordinary people with minimal, if any, training, such as expectant mothers. The device can monitor and detect a fetal heartbeat with minimal positioning along the female body at the pregnant portion (the womb) as the device is configured to transmit and receive energy waves at wide angles. The device is economical and is preferably designed for domestic use, outside of the hospital or clinical setting. Specifically, the invention is based on a unique configuration of piezoelectric elements in cooperative configuration with a series of oscillators that is able to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves simultaneously The configuration allows for an optimal scanning range at an unlimited number of angles.

Abstract: A micromotor for moving a body including at least one rectangular piezoelectric plate having long and short edges and first and second faces, electrodes attached to the first and second faces and a ceramic spacer attached to the center of a first one of the edges and operative to be pressed against the body. A resilient force is applied to the center of a second edge opposite the first edge, whereby the ceramic spacer is pressed against the body. At least some of the electrodes are electrified by either an AC or an asymmetric unipolar pulsed voltage.

Abstract: A micromotor for moving a body including at least one rectangular piezoelectric plate having long and short edges and first and second faces, electrodes attached to the first and second faces and a ceramic spacer attached to the center of a first one of the edges and operative to be pressed against the body. A resilient force is applied to the center of a second edge opposite the first edge, whereby the ceramic spacer is pressed against the body. At least some of the electrodes are electrified by either an AC or an asymmetric unipolar pulsed voltage.

Abstract: A paired piezoelectric micromotor for providing motion relative to a body, including two rectangular piezoelectric plates, each piezoelectric plate having first and second long edges, first and second short edges, front and back faces, electrodes attached to the front and back faces thereof and a ceramic spacer attached to the first long edge at the end thereof near the first short edge, the ceramic spacer engaging a surface of the body. The first short edge of the first plate is adjacent and substantially parallel to the first short edge of the second plate. Resilient force is applied to a portion of each plate, pressing the ceramic spacer against the surface of the body. A voltage source electrifies at least some of the electrodes with an excitation voltage.

Abstract: A disc drive including a piezoelectric plate having two long and two short edges and a spacer attached to one of the long edges and at least one arm pivotable about an axis, the arm having first and second ends spaced from the axis and on opposite sides thereof, a read/write head attached to the first end of the arm and a rigid element on the second end of the arm, wherein the spacer of the piezoelectric plate is resiliently urged against the rigid element. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the piezoelectric plate is stationary. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the piezoelectric plate is movable with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A multiaxis rotation device for rotating a curved element about two, orthogonal axes is provided. The device includes two pairs of motors and two pairs of axis defining units, where each pair of axis defining units are placed on opposite ends of a line along one of the two orthogonal axes. The axis defining units each include a support for the curved element and apparatus for pressing the support against and pulling the support away from the curved element. The pulling away occurs when the motors corresponding to the axis defining unit are not providing rotation about the axis defined by the axis defining unit.

Abstract: A paired piezoelectric micromotor for providing motion relative to a body, including two rectangular piezoelectric plates, each piezoelectric plate having first and second long edges, first and second short edges, front and back faces, electrodes attached to the front and back faces thereof and a ceramic spacer attached to the first long edge at the end thereof near the first short edge, the ceramic spacer engaging a surface of the body. The first short edge of the first plate is adjacent and substantially parallel to the first short edge of the second plate. Resilient force is applied to a portion of each plate, pressing the ceramic spacer against the surface of the body. A voltage source electrifies at least some of the electrodes with an excitation voltage.

Abstract: An even plurality of piezoelectric motor units operating directly on an element to be vertically translated, such as a car window, is disclosed. Each pair of piezoelectric motor units are located along an horizontal line on opposing sides of the element. The piezoelectric motors are preferably, asynchronously operated. An activation system for providing alternating current (AC) voltage to each of the piezoelectric motor units and converting direct current voltage to a sinusoidal square wave, is also included.

Abstract: A micromotor for moving a body including at least one rectangular piezoelectric plate having long and short edges and first and second faces, electrodes attached to the first and second faces and a ceramic spacer attached to the center of a first one of the edges and operative to be pressed against the body. A resilient force is applied to the center of a second edge opposite the first edge, whereby the ceramic spacer is pressed against the body. At least some of the electrodes are electrified by either an AC or an asymmetric unipolar pulsed voltage.

Abstract: A micromotor for moving a body including at least one rectangular piezoelectric plate having long and short edges and first and second faces, electrodes attached to the first and second faces and a ceramic spacer attached to the center of a first one of the edges and operative to be pressed against the body. A resilient force is applied to the center of a second edge opposite the first edge, whereby the ceramic spacer is pressed against the body. At least some of the electrodes are electrified by either an AC or an asymmetric unipolar pulsed voltage.