Abstract: The invention relates to a method for pillar recovery in chamber-and-pillar working of materials and raw materials in underground stratified beds, and to tubbing units 10 which can be advantageously used in the method. According to the invention the extraction device is aligned obliquely to the pillar galleries and the roof is supported in front of the retreat face of the extraction device with a plurality of tubbing units 10, which are adjustable in height and width and can be moved by means of a vehicle 50 through set tubbing units 10 to another position and can there be reset.

Abstract: A mining device for subsurface extraction of raw materials off rocks includes bracing means for the reversible bracing of the mining device in a hollow space, a frame, and tunneling means stationarily connected with the bracing means, whereby the frame is movable by the tunneling means in a predefined direction. A rotatable roller is arranged on the frame, at the circumference of which cutting tools and clearing devices are arranged such that a rectangular mining cross-section can be created and such that the mining device and also the frame of the mining device is movable into a mining tunnel created by these cutting tools.

Abstract: A hubcap spinning device is disclosed which utilizes the rotation of a vehicle wheel to turn a hubcap. The hubcap can turn at a different speed and a different direction than the rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: A tension-spoke wheel including a rim, spokes, and a central hub, the exterior of the rim having a tire-receiving channel that defines a median plane, and an interior of the rim having spoke fastening zones that define a median plane for fastening the spokes, the hub having a median plane and two flanges for fastening the spokes, one of the flanges being closer to the median plane of the hub than the other, and at least the spokes fastened to the flange that is closer to the median plane of the hub lacking individual tensioning mechanisms. The spokes fastened to the flange that is closer to the hub median plane are fastened to the rim on the side of the median plane of the tire-receiving channel that is opposite the closer flange.

Abstract: An air brake system for use with a vehicle is provided. This system includes an antilock braking system component; a stability system component, wherein the stability system component works in combination with the antilock braking system component to stabilize the motion of the vehicle under predetermined conditions; and a means for automatically determining the operability of stability system component, wherein the means determining the operability of stability system component provides at least one of an audible indicator of stability system operability and an electronic indicator of stability system operability.

Abstract: An improved vehicle brake system for controlling the frictional braking force and the regenerative braking force to be applied to a wheel of a vehicle. The brake system reduces the regenerative braking force to a predetermined force and keeps the regenerative braking force at the predetermined force before the start of anti-lock control. When the anti-lock control starts, the brake system decreases the regenerative braking force from the predetermined force. With this arrangement, it is possible to quickly eliminate a locking tendency of any wheel of the vehicle, thereby stabilizing the vehicle.

Abstract: A rubber track having improved corrosion resistance along the wheel path provided by a polychloroprene layer operatively affixed to the inner surface of the track. The polychlorprene rubber layer may include a polychloroprene rubber selected from WRT type neoprene, W type neoprene, GRT type neoprene, and blends of WRT type neoprene, W type neoprene, and GRT type neoprene.

Abstract: There is provided an output voltage control apparatus for a vehicular AC generator in which a generator output voltage including a ripple component can be made to more approach a reference voltage. The control apparatus includes a comparison circuit to compare a detection voltage including a ripple component with a reference voltage and to output an effective comparison output in each of low output sections in which the detection voltage is lower than the reference voltage by the ripple component, an on period counter to count up, in a count enable period set in each of the control periods, a count value while adding the count value in each of the low output sections based on the effective comparison output, and a memory circuit to store a final count value in the count enable period in each of the control periods.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a method of supplying power to a sensor arrangement including a first sensor and at least one second sensor which in each case have a first and a second supply terminal, and which can be operated in a first and a second operating mode. The first and at least one second sensor can be connected via their supply terminals to a voltage supply arrangement in the first operating mode. The first and at least one second sensor can be connected in series with one another via their supply terminals in the second operating mode and the series circuit with the first and at least one second sensor is connected in series with a current source.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for supplying power to racks having plural servers. One exemplary embodiment is a system with a rack having a plurality of servers and being connected to two separate alternating current (AC) power grids that distribute power to the plurality of servers with load of the rack being distributed across both AC power grids.

Abstract: An information apparatus 1 receiving power from a portable power source 16 is provided with an external power receiving section 17 receiving the power by connection to non-portable power sources 20 and 21; an operation section SW switching supply and cutoff of the power from the non-portable power sources 20, 21 that are connected to the portable power source 16 or to the external power receiving section 17; judging sections 11 and 19 for judging, when the information apparatus 1 is activated by the supply of power, whether or not the activation is a first activation since the information apparatus 1 is shipped from a factory; and an informing section 13 for prompting a user to connect the external power receiving section 17 to the non-portable power sources 20 and 21 when the activation is the first activation since the information apparatus 1 is shipped.

Abstract: An information handling system (“IHS”) includes a system board and a power supply unit, coupled to the system board. The power supply unit includes a power converter for supplying power to a first output and a second output, a switch, coupled to the power converter, for regulating power supplied to the first and the second outputs in response to a duty cycle, and a control circuit, coupled to the switch, for receiving an indication of current level at the second output and in response to the indication of current level at the second output, adjusting the duty cycle.

Abstract: A control circuit for a power supply circuit that selects an appropriate power source to continuously supply power. The control circuit includes a power synthesizing circuit for generating synthesized power by synthesizing a first power supplied from a regulator and a second power supplied from a regulator, or battery power and bus power, so that each circuit of the control circuit is operated by the synthesized power. Operation of the control circuit is enabled even if the supply of one power is stopped. The first switch device and the second switch device are controlled to select the appropriate power source in accordance with the currently supplied power so that power is continuously supplied.

Abstract: A portable electric appliance includes a housing, an electrically operable element positioned within the housing, a transmitter adapted to transmit a beam of radiation, and a receiver responsive to the beam of radiation. The transmitter is positioned external to the housing, and the receiver is positioned to receive the beam of radiation. The electrically operable element is de-energized in response to the beam of radiation being blocked or interrupted. A method adapted to disable a portable electric appliance includes transmitting a beam of radiation from a transmitter on the portable electric appliance, receiving the beam of radiation by a receiver on the portable electric appliance, and de-energizing an electrically operable element associated with the portable electric appliance in response to the beam of radiation being blocked or interrupted.

Abstract: A multichannel, surface parallel, zonal transducer system includes a membrane and a compound transducer mounted on the membrane, the compound transducer including a plurality of transducer elements extending generally parallel to the membrane, interconnected in a closed network and individually addressable.

Abstract: A miniature linear motor driving device for lens focusing is disclosed. Said driving device comprises a holder, at least a driving coil, and at least a magnetic guide rail. The holder is disposed with at least a guide hole and can be used to accommodate the lens unit. The driving coil is wound around the periphery of guide hole. The magnetic guide rail is secured through the guide hole and formed with a first polarity and a second polarity opposing each other at each end. The holder engages in linear displacement along the magnetic guide rail. A predetermined magnetic force is generated by supplying current to said driving coil, which interacts with the polarities at both ends of magnetic guide rail to push the holder to move linearly along the magnetic guide rail.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a battery-operated power supplying unit, a driving unit, and a battery status indicator. The power supplying unit is mounted in the housing, is adapted to be connected to a battery unit, and includes a processor unit capable of monitoring status of the battery unit. The driving unit is mounted in the housing, is adapted to be coupled to a tool bit, and is coupled electrically to the power supplying unit. The processor unit controls drive operation of the driving unit. The battery status indicator is mounted to the housing, is coupled electrically to the power supplying unit, and is controlled by the processor unit to generate a light output visible externally of the housing for visually indicating the status of the battery unit as monitored by the processor unit.

Abstract: This device comprises: a housing (3), an electric motor (7) which is arranged in the housing (3) and which has a stator (27) and a rotor (21), and which is equipped with a drive shaft (23) and is provided in order to drive a product processing element, a ventilation device which is provided in order to cool the motor (7) during its operation, the device comprising at least one air inlet (33) and one air outlet (35) in the housing (3), the air outlet (35) being arranged radially relative to the shaft (23), a radial fan (39) which is fixedly joined to the shaft (23) and which is provided in order to circulate the air from the air inlet (33) towards the air outlet (35) via the motor (7). The ventilation device further comprises an axial fan (37) which is fixedly joined to the shaft (23) and which is arranged coaxially upstream of the radial fan (37).

Abstract: A large number of ventilating apertures that have a circular cross section are disposed through the heatsink so as to extend from an air intake apertured surface to an air discharge apertured surface so as to have aperture directions that are parallel to each other and parallel to an element mount surface, and the heatsink is disposed such that the air intake apertured surface faces an air intake aperture and the aperture directions of the ventilating apertures are aligned in a direction of flow of a cooling airflow.

Abstract: A voltage control device for vehicle alternator has an IC chip as an electric component for controlling electric circuits, terminals connected electrically to the IC chip for controlling electric circuits, a resin case in which the terminals are formed by insert molding, and a terminal exposure portion of a hole shape, formed in a part of the resin case, corresponding to a positioning pin for positioning the terminals. A projection part as a positioning member of a wall shape is formed in the surroundings of the terminal exposure portion and on the surface of the resin case.

Abstract: A rectifier of an automotive alternator includes a heat sink that has fitting holes, in each of which one rectifying element is fitted, and a major surface on which the fitting holes open. The heat sink also has substantially annular ribs, each of which is formed on the major surface around a corresponding one of the fitting holes. Each of the ribs has a first portion, which lies in an area on the major surface where a minimum distance between an inner edge of the heat sink defining the corresponding fitting hole and an outer edge of the heat sink defining an outline of the heat sink is smaller, and a second portion that lies in an area on the major surface where a minimum distance between the inner and outer edges is larger. The first portion has a greater protruding height from the major surface than the second portion.

Abstract: A power line for an electrical submersible pump has three metallic impermeable tubes. A single electrical conductor is located within each of the tubes. Each conductor has at least one elastomeric insulation layer surrounding it. An annular portion of the insulation layer of each of the electrical conductors is in tight contact with the tube to form a seal. The annular portions may be annular crimps formed in the tube at intervals. The annular portion could also be a continuous seal caused by swelling of the insulation layer due to contact with a hydrocarbon.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an ancient mechanical device which has been improved by modern machine tools, lubricants, ball bearings, and now by electromagnetics. A gear reducer/increaser with the use of magnetic bearing technology changes a friction dominated device into an element that can operate efficiently indefinitely in any environment with a range of operation heretofore impossible. Backlash, an inherent weakness of prior precision geared systems is small and controllable. This device can convert linear or rotational motions at specific force or torque levels to larger or smaller displacements with reciprocal changes in force or torque to preserve conservation of energy. It can be constructed in a variety of forms, with circular and concentric form gaining advantages of symmetry mechanically, less stray magnetic flux, and better “copper” utilization electrically.

Abstract: A torque converter device comprises a flywheel rotatable about a first axis, the flywheel including a first body portion having a first radius from a circumferential surface and a first radius of curvature, a first plurality of magnets mounted in the first body portion, each having first ends disposed from the circumferential surface of the first body portion, and each of the first ends of first plurality of magnets having a second radius of curvature similar to the first radius of curvature of the first body portion, a second plurality of magnets mounted in the first body portion, each of the second plurality of magnets being disposed from the circumferential surface of the first body portion, and a generator disk rotatable about a second axis angularly offset with respect to the first axis, the generator disk including a second body portion, and a third plurality of magnets within the second body portion for magnetically coupling to the first and second pluralities of magnets.

Abstract: A shaft sleeve of a DC brushless fan has a cylindrical body, an upper space, a lubricant cavity, a recess, a partition and a longitudinal outer edge. The upper space is formed in the top of the cylindrical body. The lubricant cavity is defined in the cylindrical body and communicates with the upper space. The recess is defined in the bottom. The partition is formed inside of the cylindrical body and between the lubricant cavity and the recess. The longitudinal outer edge is formed around the recess. When the longitudinal outer edge of the shaft sleeve is pressed into a through hole in a frame, a force is generated in the longitudinal outer edge to securely hold the longitudinal outer edge in the frame. Therefore, a strength of a joint between the shaft sleeve and the frame is increased.

Abstract: A bearing apparatus is disclosed. Such a bearing apparatus may comprise a rotor including at least one bearing element mounted to the rotor and a stator including at least one bearing element mounted to the stator. At least one compliant member may be positioned between at least one selected bearing element of the at least one bearing element mounted to the rotor and the at least one bearing element mounted to the stator. Mechanical systems including such a bearing apparatus are disclosed, such as, for example, a motor for use in subterranean drilling. A method of assembling a bearing apparatus is disclosed. More specifically, a rotor and a stator each including at least one bearing element may be provided and a compressive force may be applied to the rotor and the stator to compress the bearing surfaces of the rotor and the stator against one another. Rotors and stators are disclosed.

Abstract: Bearing apparatuses including contacting bearing surfaces comprising superhard materials are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to bearings including polycrystalline diamond inserts or compacts defining a plurality of surfaces that move relative to one another and contact one another. For example, apparatuses may include radial bearings, or other bearings including arcuate bearing surfaces that more in relation to one another, without limitation. In one embodiment, a superhard bearing element may comprise a superhard table (e.g., polycrystalline diamond) forming an arcuate bearing surface. Further, such a superhard bearing element may comprise a chamfer formed about at least a portion of a periphery of the arcuate bearing surface. Bearing apparatuses including such bearing elements and various mechanical systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a method for making a double-walled yoke that allows an inner yoke (4) and outer yoke (3) to be integrally joined to each other both easily and securely. Such a yoke provides an adequate cross sectional area for a magnetic path of the yoke while minimizing the weight of the yoke. A tubular member (14) destined to be form the inner yoke and a cup-shaped member (13) destined to form the outer yoke are both fitted on a punch (7) and a drawing process is executed by using an appropriate drawing die (8). The outer yoke may have a small wall thickness as long as it is capable of retaining its shape during use or supporting a bearing for the motor. The inner yoke is required to be relatively small in size as long it is capable of forming a satisfactory magnetic path for the motor. A satisfactory magnetic path can be obtained if the yoke is provided with an adequate wall thickness so as to provide an adequate cross sectional area for the magnetic path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary electric machine, in which it is possible to reduce the dimension of a casing in a direction along a rotation center line. The rotary electric machine comprises a magnet rotor 2 rotating about a rotation center line 1 and one or more magnetic sensors 11 for detecting leakage flux leaking out of the magnet rotor 2. The magnet rotor 2 and a stator 3 are received in a casing 4. A sensor receiving portion 12 for receiving the one or more magnetic sensors 11 is disposed in an outer wall portion of a side wall of the casing 4 located in an extending direction of the rotation center line 1 of the magnet rotor 2. The one or more magnetic sensors 11 are received in the sensor receiving portion 12. The sensor receiving portion 12 is disposed in a position that allows the one or more sensors to detect leakage flux leaking out of the magnet rotor 2.

Abstract: A permanent-magnet rotor for external-rotor electric motor (1) particularly for washing machines of unusual silence comprising a cup-shaped support structure (6) having a bottom (7) and a side wall (10) and a plurality of magnetic poles (12) arranged in the support structure (6) and arranged along said side wall (10), with elastomeric material interposed between said magnetic poles (12) which forms with them a massive structure (14) of uniform thickness.

Abstract: An electrical machine is provided. The machine includes at least one rotor mounted for rotation about a central axis and at least two stator sections mounted axially adjacent to and on opposite sides of the rotor. The rotor includes two circumferentially arrayed rows of alternating segments of permanent magnet and ferromagnetic pole pieces. One of the rows is spaced radially inwardly from the other row. The permanent magnet and ferromagnetic pole pieces are separated by a non-ferromagnetic material. The pole pieces are arranged so that the permanent magnet segments in the first row are radially adjacent to ferromagnetic segments in the second row so that the N-S magnetic fields of the permanent magnet segments are aligned axially. Each stator section includes a ferromagnetic stator frame, at least a first AC winding wound in circumferential slots in the stator frame, and a DC field winding wound on the stator frame.

Abstract: A laminated core having a first number of magnetic poles, the first number being a natural number divided by two, of a rotary electric machine, includes a plurality of arc-shaped unit cores each having a second number of magnetic poles, the second number being a natural number except for an aliquot part of the first number. The unit cores are wound and laminated a predetermined number of times in a circumferential direction into a spiral shape in such a manner that an axial lamination amount of the unit cores is obtained by an equation of X=?*t/360, X being the axial lamination amount, ? being a winding angle of the unit cores, and t being a thickness of the unit core. The unit cores are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction connected to each other at a part of an outer circumference thereof.

Abstract: A variable reluctance position sensor and a method for determining a position of a rotating body are provided. The variable reluctance position sensor includes a rotatable member configured to be operably coupled to the rotating body. The rotatable member has a first non-magnetic body portion and a plurality of magnets disposed equidistant from one another around an exterior region of the first non-magnetic body portion. The variable reluctance position sensor further includes a stator assembly having a second non-magnetic body portion with an aperture extending therethrough for receiving the rotatable member therein. The stator assembly further includes a plurality of coils and a plurality of coil brackets. Each coil of the plurality of coils is attached to a respective coil bracket of the plurality of coil brackets. The plurality of coil brackets are fixedly attached equidistant from one another to the second non-magnetic body portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motor assembly for mounting to a base. The motor assembly includes a stator assembly having a plurality of stator teeth. Each stator tooth is configured to support a stator coil. The motor assembly also includes a flexible printed circuit having top and bottom surfaces and an end portion. The end portion is affixed to the stator assembly at the top surface. The bottom surface is affixed to the base.

Abstract: A commutator main body 11 includes a plurality of commutator pieces 13 arranged along a circumference, the center of which is a rotation axis L of a motor, and a main body insulator 14 holding the commutator pieces. A short-circuit member 12 is arranged on an end portion of the commutator main body 11 and includes a short-circuit conductor 21, which short-circuits predetermined ones of the commutator pieces, and a short-circuit insulator 22, in which the short-circuit member is embedded. A boss is formed integrally with the short-circuit insulator so as to project from the end portion of the commutator main body.

Abstract: A stator of a motor comprises a core which has thereon a plurality of teeth and a core back, a coil which will be formed on each tooth, and a bridging wire connecting the coils. In the core which is formed of two core plates laminated to one another, a bridging wire latching section is provided between two adjacent teeth. A notched portion is provided at a portion, of the core plate, corresponding to the bridging wire latching section on the core plate which forms a top layer of the core. The bridging wire will be latched at a gap provided between the bridging wire latching section and the notched portion.

Abstract: A three-phase permanent magnet brushless motor comprises a stator having three-phase windings, and a rotor having a permanent magnet with a plurality of poles for serving as a field magnet. The stator comprises a stator core which includes a powder core that is compacted at a high density in at least teeth thereof. A combination of the number of magnetic poles of the rotor with the number of slots of the stator satisfies a condition that a least common multiple of the number of slots and the number of magnetic poles is 60 or more in a region in which the number of magnetic poles is 16 or less, and the number of slots is 12 or less. The powder core is made by compacting magnetic powders to have a green density of 7.5 g/cm3 or higher.

Abstract: A boat drive has a permanent magnet-excited, electronically commutated synchronous motor with a stator and a rotor. The number of poles of the stator and the number of poles of the rotor are different. The magnetic field created between the poles of the stator and the poles of the rotor is an essentially radial field with respect to the shaft of the rotor. The poles of the rotor have a greater distance from the shaft of said rotor than the poles of the stator.

Abstract: An extension part of an insulator covering a part of a coupling portion of a laminated core of an armature is inclined to the inside in the radial direction along the coupling part. A inclined face which is extended inward in the radial direction is formed in the cylindrical part of the armature. By forming the armature in an annular shape, a gap which is almost parallel or narrowed to the inside in the radial direction is formed between neighboring inclined faces. The gap is formed to be smaller than the diameter of a conductor.

Abstract: According to the invention, a rotor for an automotive alternator includes a slip ring assembly, a rotary shaft, and a barrier. The slip ring assembly includes an insulating member that has a slip-ring holding portion with a hollow cylindrical shape, a terminal holing portion with an annular shape, and a connecting portion connecting the slip-ring holding portion to the terminal holding portion. The rotary shaft includes a first portion fitted in the slip-ring holding portion of the insulating member, a second portion having the connecting portion of the insulating member fitted thereon with part of the outer surface thereof being exposed to outside of the insulating member, and a third portion fitted in the terminal holding portion of the insulating member. The barrier is provided to prevent foreign matters from entering a clearance between the terminal holing portion of the insulating member and the third portion of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A commutator includes a commutator body having segments and a short circuit member for short-circuiting the segments. The short circuit member includes first short circuit pieces and second short circuit pieces that are stacked. A radially outer end portion of each first short circuit piece is overlapped with and connected to a radially outer end portion of one of the second short circuit pieces. The short circuit member is arranged at an axial end of the commutator body such that each pair of the overlapped radially outer end portions corresponds to one of the segments. The radially outer end portions and the segments each have a connecting projection. The connecting projections of each pair of the overlapped radially outer end portions and the connecting projection of the corresponding segment are arranged to form an adjacently arranged set of the connecting projections, which are bonded by welding.

Abstract: An automotive alternator includes a rear frame having a rear end wall and a cover member covering a brush device. The cover member is connected to the rear end wall of the rear frame, and a vibration-absorbing member made of a rubber material is disposed between the rear end wall and the cover member. The vibration-absorbing member has a cylindrical portion disposed between a center opening of the rear end wall and an extending portion of the cover member and a rear disc portion disposed between the rear end wall and a front surface of the cover member. The cylindrical portion is compressed in the radial direction while the rear disc portion is compressed in the axial direction, thereby alleviating vibration of the brush device in both the radial and the axial directions.

Abstract: A stator includes: an annular stator core in which a plurality of slots opening radially inward are formed circumferentially; and a stator winding installed in the stator core. A sheet-shaped varnish supporting member is disposed so as to be placed in close contact with a radially-outermost surface of a coil end group of the stator winding around an entire circumference, and a varnish is applied to the coil end group from radially inside.

Abstract: A Lundell type rotor core with a pair of side cores and a magnetic-pole cylindrical portion has a structure in which the magnetic-pole cylindrical portion is mated between both the side cores (also referred to as “pole cores”) in a radial direction at an outside of a field coil wound on a boss portion in the side cores. The magnetic-pole cylindrical portion is made of plural magnetic steel sheets laminated in the axis direction, and is easily deformed rather than both the side cores. The easy deformation characteristic of the magnetic-pole cylindrical portion prevents generation of a gap during the assembling process of the magnetic-pole cylindrical portion and the side cores. Without paying strict dimension control of the components for the rotor core, it is easily possible to prevent any generation of a gap between the side cores and the magnetic-pole cylindrical portion while assembling. It is thereby possible to prevent a deterioration of a magnetic flux flowing in the rotor core.

Abstract: A magnet covering member made of a soft steel plate covers an outer surface of a magnetized permanent magnet placed in a rotor core of a rotor. The magnet covering member is detached from the permanent magnet when the rotor is incorporated into a stator of an alternator during an alternator assembling process. Because of a soft magnetic characteristic of the magnet covering member, an outer magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet placed between adjacent claw poles of the rotor core makes a magnetic short-circuit, and a magnetic attracting phenomenon caused by such a magnetic field is thereby reduced. The soft magnetic characteristic of the magnet covering member also serves to support the rotor.

Abstract: A Lundell type rotor core structure and an electric rotary machine employing the same are disclosed. The rotor core structure has first and second claw pole portions alternately placed in a circumferential direction to define clearances each having a magnet mount position deviated from an axial center of each clearance and permanent magnets alternately disposed in the magnet mount positions of the clearances with respect to the axial direction of the rotor core structure for magnetizing the first and second claw pole portions in first and second magnetic polarities, respectively, wherein each of the permanent magnets allows a greater amount of magnetic fluxes to pass through one of the first and second claw pole portions than those passing through the other one of the first and second claw pole portions for minimizing harmonic component to suppress the magnetic sound.

Abstract: An axial-gap motor/generator that has a stator equipped with a plurality of polyphase coils from which are led output lead wires, wherein wire connectors 16 for each of coil 12 are divided and arranged on the front side and rear side of the side surface of stator 10.

Abstract: A signal-carrying flexure structure for a MEM device comprises at least two conductive flexure segments having respective cross-sectional areas, and at least one crosspiece affixed to the flexure segments to operatively couple the segments together such that the flexure segments and crosspiece form a single flexure structure. The resulting flexure structure's spring constant is less than that of a solid flexure having a comparable total cross-sectional area, while its resistance is approximately equal to that of the solid flexure.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device includes an excitation electrode formed on a piezoelectric substrate and a binding electrode to be connected with a mounting substrate. The binding electrode is provided with a lower electrode formed on the piezoelectric substrate and an intermediate layer that is made of an adhesion electrode layer and a barrier metal electrode layer. The barrier metal electrode layer includes at least one impurity-containing layer. The binding electrode represents an annular electrode formed to surround the excitation electrode and a wiring electrode connected to the excitation electrode. A surface of at least one of the piezoelectric substrate, the lower electrode and the barrier metal electrode layer is bombarded to make it a rough surface. As a result, a warp due to a film stress caused in each of the layers can be suppressed.

Abstract: A drive circuit for and method of driving a piezoelectric actuator utilizes an impedance coupled to the piezoelectric actuator, wherein the impedance and the piezoelectric actuator together form a tank circuit that has a resonant frequency. A first circuit is provided that drives the actuator at the resonant frequency and a second circuit is further provided that selectively operates the first circuit in one of at least two modes of operation including a first mode that causes the actuator to be energized at a first duty cycle and a second mode that causes the actuator to be energized at a second duty cycle.