Abstract: There is disclosed a one-dimensional piezoelectric actuator array 1 houses a piezoelectric device 35 including a plate or pillar-shaped piezoelectric member 4 and electrodes 18, 19, and having a planar form; the device 35 being driven by a piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric member 4. The piezoelectric device 35 is formed as a whole in a planar comb shape wherein comb teeth 26 are connected to one another in one end, and portions of the comb teeth 26 work as a plurality of driving portions 31. The guide substrate 2 and piezoelectric device substrate 3 are integrally unified in such a manner that the resultant is readily usable for the formation of a multiply stuck structural body. In case of need, the array may be further provided with a guide substrate 2 having a concave portion 9 for housing at least a part of the piezoelectric device substrate 3.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive device is provided, including a pair of mutually opposing thin plate sections and a fixation section for supporting the thin plate sections. A piezoelectric/electrostrictive element is arranged on each of the thin plate sections. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive device also includes movable sections defined by at least first end portions of the thin plate sections and a material which is different from that of the thin plate section.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive device is provided, including a pair of mutually opposing thin plate sections and a fixation section for supporting the thin plate sections. A piezoelectric/electrostrictive element is arranged on each of the thin plate sections. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive device also includes movable sections defined by at least first end portions of the thin plate sections and a material which is different from that of the thin plate section.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which makes it possible to accurately manage a plurality of storage media realized by cooperation with each other while maintaining a combination or combinations thereof, and manage data for each OS. A storage media supporting device removably supporting at least one storage medium is removably attached to the information processing apparatus. When the storage media supporting device is attached to the information processing apparatus, the storage media housed in the storage media supporting device is electrically connected to the information processing apparatus. The contents of data stored in the storage media are detected, and a visible identifier provided on the storage media supporting device is changed into a state corresponding to the detection result.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device capable of adjusting an output impedance of a first output impedance adjustable output buffer of an external semiconductor device connectable to the semiconductor device, a second output impedance adjustable output buffer is provided. A comparator compares a first output voltage of a real load circuit including the first output impedance adjustable output buffer with a second output voltage of a replica load circuit including the second output impedance adjustable output buffer. An output impedance control circuit transmits an output signal of the comparator to the external semiconductor device to adjust the output impedance of the first output impedance adjustable output buffer, so that the first output voltage is made equal to the second output voltage.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator capable of being driven with a high electric field intensity, obtaining a larger displacement and being high in electric conducting reliability of electrodes, and comprising: at least one cell defined by two side walls, a substrate and a ceiling wall; the two side walls being disposed on the substrate and being covered with the ceiling wall to define one cell, at least the two side walls comprising piezoelectric/electrostrictive devices, and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive devices being capable of changing a volume of the cell by displacement of the walls. Each of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive devices comprises a plurality of layered piezoelectric/electrostrictive bodies and electrodes which are alternately stacked, and end portions of the electrodes are embedded in the piezoelectric/electrostrictive bodies in at least the internal side of the cell.

Abstract: A cradle having a panhead function that allows a reduction in space and facilitates electric wiring without reducing an operation speed. The cradle having a panhead function to which an image pickup device is mounted is adapted to rotate the image pickup device in a pan direction or a tilt direction. A first base is supported on a support base rotatably around a first rotation axis line secured relatively to the support base. A second base is supported by the first base rotatably around a second rotation axis line perpendicular to the first rotation axis line and secured relatively to the first base, and adapted to support the image pickup device. A first drive portion is disposed on the support base and adapted to rotatably drive the first base via a first transmission portion. A second drive portion is disposed on the support base and adapted to rotatably drive the second base via a second transmission portion.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which makes it possible to accurately manage a plurality of storage media realized by cooperation with each other while maintaining a combination or combinations thereof, and manage data for each OS. A storage media supporting device removably supporting at least one storage medium is removably attached to the information processing apparatus. When the storage media supporting device is attached to the information processing apparatus, the storage media housed in the storage media supporting device is electrically connected to the information processing apparatus. The contents of data stored in the storage media are detected, and a visible identifier provided on the storage media supporting device is changed into a state corresponding to the detection result.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive structure is provided, including a plurality of stacked sheet-shaped piezoelectric/electrostrictive bodies and at least one sheet of a thin film. The interfaces between the piezoelectric/electrostrictive bodies are exposed at side faces of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive structure, the side faces have notches, and the thin film is placed on the notched portions of side faces. A method for manufacturing the piezoelectric/electrostrictive structure includes the steps of stacking a plurality of ceramic green sheets made of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive material, firing the stacked ceramic green sheets to prepare fired piezoelectric/electrostrictive bodies and forming at least one sheet of a thin film on side faces of the fired piezoelectric/electrostrictive bodies by a chemical vapor deposition process.

Abstract: A cell driving type piezoelectric actuator comprising: a plurality of cell driving bodies each comprising a wall portion, a cell formed by the wall portion, a piezoelectric body formed on at least one of wall portions and at least one pair of electrodes formed on the piezoelectric body; said piezoelectric operation portion being capable of changing a volume of the cell on which said piezoelectric operation portion is formed by its displacement, wherein the piezoelectric actuator comprises at least one pair of support bodies, the plurality of cell driving bodies are formed completely independent of one another and are connected to one another through at least one pair of support bodies, and the cell driving bodies and the support bodies are integrally formed by firing a green body of said piezoelectric actuator. A method for manufacturing the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator 1 capable of being driven with a high electric field intensity, obtaining a larger displacement and being high in electric conducting reliability of electrodes, and comprising: at least one cell 3 defined by two side walls 6, a substrate 2 and a ceiling wall 7; the two side walls being disposed on the substrate and being covered with the ceiling wall to define one cell, at least the two side walls 6 comprising piezoelectric/electrostrictive devices 4, and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive devices 4 being capable of changing a volume of the cell 3 by displacement of the walls. Each of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive devices 4 comprises a plurality of layered piezoelectric/electrostrictive bodies 14 and electrodes 18, 19 which are alternately stacked, and end portions of the electrodes 18, 19 are embedded in the piezoelectric/electrostrictive bodies 14 in at least the internal side of the cell 3.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator includes a piezoelectric body, a plurality of internal electrode layers, side-surface electrodes, and a plurality of electrode lead portions. The internal electrode layers formed only at a central portion of the piezoelectric body. Thus, an active portion is formed at the central portion of the piezoelectric body, and an inactive portion in which no voltage is applied to the piezoelectric body and the piezoelectric body neither expands nor contracts is formed to surround the central portion. The internal electrode layers are formed such that the width of the inactive portion is at least a single layer thickness of the piezoelectric body, which is the distance between a pair of internal electrode layers facing each other, and in a cross section in which each internal electrode layer is formed, the inactive portion has an area not greater than 50% the area of the entire cross section.

Abstract: There is realized a piezoelectric/electrostrictive device of a laminated type from which a large displacement is obtained and which is highly reliable over a long period. A laminated piezoelectric/electrostrictive device 1 has: a laminated columnar article 10 constituted by alternately laminating a plurality of piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers 14 and inner electrode layers 18, 19; and a pair of outer electrodes 28, 29 disposed on a peripheral surface of the laminated columnar article 10 to connect layers having the same polarity to each other among the inner electrode layers 18, 19. This laminated piezoelectric/electrostrictive device 1 is characterized in that interfaces 2a, 2b having a relatively low interface strength as compared with the other interfaces are disposed at a specific interval among the interfaces between layers of the laminated columnar article 10.

Abstract: A multilayer piezoelectric device has a laminated body 1 having piezoelectric layers 2 laminated in the direction of a given axis “A” and internal electrode layers 4, 5 each disposed between two respective neighboring piezoelectric layers 2. The device further has a underlying layer 3 disposed on a side of the laminated body 1 and electrically connected to the internal electrode layers 4, 5, a first conductive reinforcing layer 10 joined to the underlying layer 3, a second conductive reinforcing layer 11 joined to the first conductive reinforcing layer 10, and a conductive joining material 9 joining the underlying layer 3 to the first conductive reinforcing layer 10. The second conductive reinforcing layer 11 is not directly joined by means of the conductive joining material 9.

Abstract: A liquid droplet discharging piezoelectric device 1 provided with a cavity member 11 with a built-in cavity 3; an introduction member 13 having introduction channel 5 connecting with the cavity 3; and a nozzle member 12 having nozzle channel 4 connecting with the cavity 3 on a side opposite to the channel 5. This liquid droplet discharging piezoelectric device 1 is provided with an introduction port 6, attached to the introduction member 13, capable of introducing a liquid into the cavity 3 via the introduction channel 5, and a discharge port 7, attached to the nozzle member 12, capable of discharging as droplets a liquid filled in the cavity 3 via the nozzle channel 40. Even in a case where an amount of liquid droplets is of a nanoliter (nl) order, excellent stability and reproducibility are attained, and the unit can stably be operated when attached to an apparatus.

Abstract: A cell driving type piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator comprises: one or a plurality of cells defined by a wall portion including side walls, a ceiling wall and a bottom wall: side walls, the ceiling wall and the bottom wall being connected to form a space as cell, at least two side walls facing each other comprising piezoelectric/electrostrictive operation portions, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive operation portions being displaced to change a volume of the cell, wherein at least one pore is disposed in the wall portion other than at least two side walls facing each other and comprising piezoelectric/electrostrictive operation portions, and wherein all inner surfaces of the wall portion defining each cell are coated with one or more layers of seamless thin films. The method for preparing the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a matrix type piezoelectric/electrostrictive device having a plurality of pillar shaped piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements, each having a piezoelectric/electrostrictive substance and at least a pair of electrodes being formed on the sides of the substance, are vertically provided on a thick ceramic substrate, such that the device is driven by displacement of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive substance. In this device, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements are integrally bonded to the ceramic substrate and independently arranged in two dimensions. The percentage of transgranularly fractured crystal grains on at least the sides of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive substance on which the electrodes are formed is 10% or less. The unit forms a curved surface near a joined section between the substance and the substrate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a piezoelectric/electrostrictive device being less-particle-generative and capable of continuously realizing a stable displacement operation over a long period of time or being large in displacement amount and high in generative force and the like. This less-dust-generative piezoelectric/electrostrictive device 1 comprises a plurality of piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements 31 including a plurality of piezoelectric/electrostrictive members 4 and at least one pair of electrodes formed on the side surface of each piezoelectric/electrostrictive member 4, and the members are set up on a thick ceramic substrate 2. In this less-dust-generative matrix-type piezoelectric/electrostrictive device 1, a plurality of piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements 31 substantially having pillar shapes are set up in a matrix form. The ceramic substrate 2 is formed integrally with the piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements 31.

Abstract: A laminated piezoelectric element is applicable as a driving source of opening and closing mechanism of an injection nozzle in a fuel injecting device. A laminated piezoelectric/electrostrictive element 1 has: a columnar laminate 10 constituted by alternately laminating a plurality of piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers 18 and inner electrode layers 18, 19; and outer electrodes connected to the inner electrode layers 18, 19 every other layer. This laminated piezoelectric/electrostrictive element 1 has stepped portions A formed periodically at every laminating cycle T in a side surface of the columnar laminate 10 of the element, the side surface being parallel to an axial direction (S-direction) of the columnar laminate 10. Due to the constitution mentioned above, the electrode is not easily worn even during an expanding and contracting operation during practical use, and the element can sufficiently circulate and cool a lubricant through the casing even during practical use.

Abstract: An actuator device has a drive section including a plurality of actuators arranged in a plane on a substrate, and a single first plate member to which drive forces from the actuators of the drive section are transmitted. A plurality of spacers are disposed between the first plate member and the substrate, forming m cells. Each of the actuators has a cavity, a vibrating section and a fixed section formed on the substrate. The rigidity of the first plate member is greater than the rigidity of the vibrating section of the actuator.