Abstract: A fuel injector for use in an internal combustion engine, comprising a nozzle body being provided with a nozzle bore and at least one set of one or more outlets for fluid, an outer valve member received within the nozzle bore and being engageable with a first seating region of the nozzle body to control the flow of a first fluid from a first delivery chamber, the outer valve member being provided with an outer valve bore, and an inner valve member received within the outer valve bore and being engageable with a second seating region of the nozzle body to control the flow of a second fluid from a second delivery chamber. In various embodiments, the fuel injector can be arranged to allow the first and second fluids to be injected separately and/or together. In one embodiment, the first and second fluids can be mixed within the injector before injection.

Abstract: An acoustic generator of pressure pulsations includes a cylindrical waveguide which is caused to vibrate at a low amplitude by an electromechanical transducer. The vibration of the cylindrical waveguide creates low amplitude pressure pulsations in an acoustic chamber containing stationary pressure fluid. A mechanical amplifier, which is part of the acoustic chamber, amplifies the low amplitude pressure pulsations generated by the cylindrical waveguide.

Abstract: An injection valve has an injector housing (1) and an actuator and also a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly has a nozzle body (6) with a recess (8) into which a nozzle needle (10) is introduced and at one axial end of which an injection nozzle (12) is embodied. The recess (8) has, axially adjacent to the injection nozzle (12), a first guide region (14) for the nozzle needle (10). The recess (8) also has at least one cross-sectional extension which extends toward the other axial end. The recess (8) is embodied for the purpose of delivering fluid to the injection nozzle (12). A guide bushing (20) is introduced into the recess (8) in a subsection of the cross-sectional extension, the guide bushing (20) forming a second guide region (22) for the nozzle needle (10) and being embodied for conducting fuel radially outside of the second guide region (22).

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic spray coating system comprising an ultrasonic spray head with integrated fluid delivery system (IFDS), which consists of an ultrasonic transducer with a spray forming tip, an ultrasonic generator, an external liquid applicator, a precision liquid delivery system and air directors. The coating liquid is delivered to the spray forming tip on the ultrasonic transducer from an external liquid applicator. The liquid is stored in a pressurized reservoir and fed to the liquid applicator by a precision liquid delivery system. The ultrasonic vibrations of the spray forming tip break up the liquid into small droplets and propel them from the tip in the form of a spray. The spray produced with ultrasonic energy alone is a very narrow “sheet-like” pattern. The width of the spray pattern produced is equal to the width of the spray forming tip (2 mm to 4 mm). Air directors are used to produce air streams to further shape and accelerate the ultrasonically produced spray.

Abstract: A pressurizing piston has a head section, which contacts an axial end face of a piezoelectric actuator to receive displacement of the actuator, and a piston wall section, which is formed in a cylindrical shape and can move in an axial direction in response to the movement of the head section. The head section and the piston wall section are combined such that relative displacement therebetween is possible in a radial direction. An outer sleeve slidably holding an outer periphery of the piston wall section restricts radial movement of the head section. When an expansion-contraction direction of the actuator inclines with respect to the axial direction, inclination of the piston wall section is inhibited by a radial deviation caused between the head section and the piston wall section. Thus, pinching of the piston wall section to the outer sleeve is inhibited.

Abstract: A fluid dispersion device comprises a substrate (3) having an outer section (25) and an inner section (26), said inner section (26) of the substrate (3) having an aperture (11), a dispersion element (10) positioned at said aperture (11) of said substrate (3), and an actuator (4) arranged to coaxially surround said aperture (11) of said substrate (3), wherein the outer edge of said inner section (26) of said substrate (3) is coupled to said outer section (25) of said substrate by a plurality of resilient members (81, 82, 83).

Abstract: An ultrasonic waterjet apparatus (10) has a mobile generator module (20) and a high-pressure water hose (40) for delivering high-pressure water from the mobile generator module (20) to a hand-held gun (50) with a trigger and an ultrasonic nozzle (60). An ultrasonic generator in the mobile generator module (20) transmits high-frequency electrical pulses to a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive transducer (62) which vibrates to modulate a high-pressure waterjet flowing through the nozzle (60). The waterjet exiting the ultrasonic nozzle (60) is pulsed into mini slugs of water, each of which imparts a waterhammer pressure on a target surface. The ultrasonic waterjet apparatus (10) may be used to cut and de-burr materials, to clean and de-coat surfaces, and to break rocks.

Abstract: A fluid ejection apparatus ejecting fluid from an ejection port, includes: a suction port provided at a position apart from the ejection port and applied with a negative pressure; and a fluid channel provided between the vicinity of the ejection port and the suction port, and configured to suck the fluid in the vicinity of the ejection port by the surface tension of the fluid and move the same toward the suction port.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid nebulization system comprising a power supply unit, a signal generating unit, a liquid storage unit and a nebulizing unit. The signal generating unit receives power from the power supply unit to generate a main signal and at least an auxiliary signal, wherein the main signal and the auxiliary signal are added together to constructively and destructively interfere with one another to form a driving signal, further causing the nebulizing unit to nebulize the liquid contained in the liquid storage unit using the driving signal.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is proposed having a directly actuatable injection valve element. The fuel injector has a nozzle needle, axially guided in a nozzle body, and an actuator accommodated in an injector housing. The nozzle needle is connected to a coupling piston on the nozzle-needle side and the actuator is connected to a coupling piston on the actuator side. The coupling piston on the actuator side acts on a coupling chamber and the coupling piston on the nozzle-needle side acts on a control chamber. The nozzle needle is lifted from a nozzle-needle sealing seat as a function of the pressure in the control space. An intermediate plate is provided between injector housing and nozzle body. The plate has a conduit hydraulically connecting the coupling chamber to the control chamber. The conduit contains a hydraulic throttle which has at least two sections having different cross sections of flow.

Abstract: A fuel injector for delivering fuel to an engine in which a housing of the injector has an internal fuel chamber and at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with the fuel chamber. A valve member is moveable relative to the housing between a closed position in which fuel within the fuel chamber is inhibited against exhaustion from the housing, and an open position in which fuel is exhaustable from the housing. An ultrasonic waveguide is separate from the housing and valve member. The ultrasonic waveguide is elongate and has longitudinally opposite ends. The waveguide further has a first waveguide segment and a second waveguide segment. The first and second segments are disposed entirely within the fuel chamber of the housing. An excitation device is operable in the open position of the valve member to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head may include a flow channel unit having a plurality of pressure chambers. The head may be manufactured by manufacturing an actuator unit having a piezoelectric layer which covers the pressure chambers. The actuator unit may be manufactured by forming a first electrode and a second electrode thicker than the first electrode on the actuator unit, and forming a conductive layer laminated on the first electrode. The conductive layer may deform, and the sum of the thicknesses of the conductive layer and the first electrode may be larger than the thickness of the second electrode prior to the fixing step. The head may be manufactured by positioning the actuator unit on a cavity plate, and fixing the actuator unit to the cavity plate by heating and pressurizing. The conductive layer may be deformed by the pressurizing force more than the first and the second electrode.

Abstract: A module, direct fuel injector (10) includes a fuel side sub-assembly (78) having valve body structure (12, 14) defining a main flow passage (16) there-through, an outlet opening (26) and a seating surface (24). A needle (18) is in the main flow passage and has first and second ends. The second end (22) has a sealing surface (20). The needle is movable between a closed position with the sealing surface engaging the seating surface to prevent fuel from passing through the outlet opening, and an open position. A spring (30) biases the needle to the closed position. Manifold structure (36, 48) is coupled to the valve body structure. The injector also includes a dry side sub-assembly including a piezo stack (42) coupled to the manifold structure and changes length when voltage is applied thereto. The piezo stack is associated with the first end of the needle so that when the length of the piezo stack changes, the needle moves from the closed position to the open position thereof.

Abstract: A male die for forming a member incorporated in a liquid ejection head is disclosed. Each of a plurality of first forging punches is operable to form a first recess on a metal plate. The first forging punches are arranged at a fixed pitch to form a punch row in a first direction. Each of a plurality of second forging punches is operable to form a second recess on the metal plate. The second forging punches are arranged adjacently to first forging punches located at both ends of the punch row. The first recess is to be a first part of the member which is used to eject liquid from the liquid ejection head, and the second recess is to be a second part of the member which is not used to eject liquid.

Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus with a piston device that includes a channel and a piston in the channel. A position sensor is used to detect the piston movement inside the channel when the fuel injection apparatus is energized and de-energized, and the sensing value is used for controlling fuel injection rate in real-time and diagnosing failures in the apparatus. With an actuator installed, the piston can also be used for independently modulating fuel pressure during fuel injection. Thereby the shape of fuel injection pulses is controlled. The fuel injection apparatus has three injection states, and flexible fuel injection timing and multi-pulse injection are allowed. Furthermore, in all injection states, fuel supply has no direct contact to combustion chamber. As a result, when a malfunction sticks the apparatus open, no fuel is supplied. This feature provides a safety nature to the fuel injection apparatus.

Abstract: A high volume piezoelectric atomizer for use with common consumer spray products is disclosed. The piezoelectric atomizer may include an actuator, a substrate and a supply of a liquid product to be dispensed. The substrate may include a plurality of tapered perforations in direct contact with the supply of a liquid product. A control circuit vibrates the actuator, substrate and its tapered perforations against the supply at velocities of at least 500 mm/s. Droplets are dispensed at a delivery rate of approximately 0.2 g/s resulting in plumes of at least 2 feet in length resulting in a Valpey factor of at least 51.0.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve is provided that includes an electromagnetic actuator (A1) that moves a valve body (10) in an inwardly-opening direction, and a magnetostrictive actuator (A2) that, by passing current therethrough, elongates a movable part assembly (43) extending from the valve body (10) to a movable core (24) of the electromagnetic actuator (A1), wherein the magnetostrictive actuator (A2) is formed from a solid magnetostrictive element (15) provided between the valve body (10) and the movable core (24) of the electromagnetic actuator (A1) so as to couple the valve body (10) and the movable core (24), a preload spring (13) provided between the valve body (10) and the movable core (24) so as to apply a compressive preload in the axial direction of the valve body (10) to the magnetostrictive element (15), and a second coil (42) mounted on a valve housing (H) housing the valve body (10), the movable core (24), the magnetostrictive element (15), and the preload spring (13), the second coil (42) elongating t

Abstract: An injection valve for injecting fuel comprises a valve housing (1) inside of which a drive unit (15) controls the movement of a valve needle (5) that is pretensioned by a spring (11). The injection valve also comprises a main chamber (27), which is provided inside the valve housing, is filled with fuel and accommodates the valve needle (5), and comprises a hydraulic bearing for the drive unit (15). The hydraulic bearing has a hydraulic chamber (29) that is connected to the main chamber (27), whereby fuel serves as the operating substance of the hydraulic bearing.

Abstract: A valve is closed while a cleaning liquid is fed into a tubular body of a cleaning nozzle, and a piezoelectric element applies vibrations to the cleaning liquid. This causes droplets of the cleaning liquid to be produced and discharged from a plurality of discharge holes. The droplet diameter of the discharged droplets is in the range from 15 to 200 ?m, and the distribution of the droplet diameter is such that the value of where a value of 3? does not exceed 10% of the average droplet diameter. The droplet speed is in the range from 20 to 100 meters per second, and the distribution of the droplet speed is such that the value of where a value of 3? does not exceed 10% of the average droplet speed. The droplet flow rate is not less than 10 milliliters per minute. Discharging the droplets of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle toward a substrate while satisfying these discharge conditions improves cleaning efficiency without damages to the substrate.

Abstract: A fluid atomizer is disclosed. The fluid atomizer comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end. A removable reservoir containing a fluid disposed therein is connected to the body. A discharge plate is disposed at the distal end, wherein the discharge plate includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough. An ultrasonic oscillator is disposed in the body for transmitting the fluid from the reservoir to the discharge plate and through the plurality of openings, wherein transmission of the fluid through the plurality of openings atomizes the fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines, comprising a valve body (1), with a drilling (3) embodied therein and defined at the combustion chamber end thereof by a conical valve seat (18) from which at least one injection opening (20) leads. A hollow valve needle (8) is arranged in the drilling (3) such as to be displaced longitudinally, comprising a valve sealing surface (35) at the end thereof facing the valve seat (18). A first sealing region (31; 34) and a second sealing region (32; 46; 48) are embodied on the valve sealing surface (35), whereby, on contact of the hollow valve needle (8) on the valve seat (18), the first sealing region (31; 34) provides a seal upstream of the at least one injection opening (20) and the second sealing region (32; 46; 48) downstream thereof.

Abstract: A method of ionizing a liquid is disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of dispensing an electrically conductive liquid onto an electrically conductive membrane so as to form a liquid film on the surface of the membrane, applying an electrical charge to the liquid film on the membrane, generating ultrasonic waves to vibrate the membrane so as to induce capillary waves in the liquid film, and electrostatically attracting the electrically charged crests in the capillary waves so that electrically charged droplets are extracted from the capillary waves and accelerated therefrom for emission. The method is generally utile in various applications including, for example, spacecraft propulsion, paint spray techniques, semiconductor fabrication, biomedical processes, and the like. In addition to the above-described method, an electrostatic colloid thruster for implementing the method is disclosed herein as well.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and methods for optimizing the performance and protecting one or more aerosol generating transducers from deterioration while operating in a chemically reactive aqueous solution by utilizing one or more protective barrier techniques to eliminate chemical interaction between the aqueous solution and the transducers, among other features of the generator including these transducers. The method of the present invention produces an aerosol producing transducer with the transducer housing and assembly to be constructed in such a way as to assure its efficient and effective long-term and problem free operation in an aqueous solution that is chemically reactive.

Abstract: A multi-layer piezoelectric element that has high durability with capability to operable continuously under higher voltage and higher pressure over a long period of time, a method for manufacturing the same, an injection apparatus and a fuel injection system are provided.

Abstract: Adaptive piezoelectric actuator control system, including: a power supply, a piezoelectric actuator, a driver driving the actuator, a signal generator providing a frequency signal to the driver, a user interface allowing user input of operating conditions, memory storing parameters of the actuator, and system control means controlling the power supply, driver generator and memory so operating frequency of the actuator is monitored and regulated, wherein the driver comprises test means providing a test signal to the actuator, voltage measurement means measuring voltage applied to the actuator caused by the test signal and voltage applied to the actuator caused by the frequency signal, the system control means receiving a response signal in response to the test, and receiving voltages measured by the voltage measurement means, and comprising signal analysis means creating a response signal envelope and controlling the generator to generate a frequency signal corresponding to the envelope maximum.

Abstract: A jet device is provided in the present invention. The jet device includes a chamber having a nozzle and a lateral channel, wherein the lateral channel is disposed along the outer side of a first side of the chamber, the nozzle is disposed at one end of the lateral channel and the chamber is connected with the lateral channel via the nozzle which is connected with the external space, wherein the fluid is filled in the chamber, the nozzle and the later channel and an arc and a block are disposed at the connection of the nozzle and the lateral channel; and a piston disposed at a second side of the chamber.

Abstract: Ultrasonic nozzle devices without a central channel but employing a design of cascaded multiple Fourier horns in resonance produce micrometer-sized monodisperse or narrowly-sized droplets with greatly reduced electrical drive power requirements. The liquid to be atomized is brought externally to or adjacent to the endface of the nozzle tip. The above liquid transport method is equally applicable to the ultrasonic nozzle-array devices that are comprised of a plurality of ultrasonic single-nozzle devices configured in parallel. The longitudinal length, transverse width, shape, and area of the nozzle endface of single-nozzle and nozzle-array devices may be tailored or designed (e.g. enlarged) to obtain optimum or large quantities of product droplets to achieve high throughput. By increasing the drive frequency to 8 MHz or higher, sub-micrometer-sized monodisperse or narrowly-sized droplets can be produced using the ultrasonic single-nozzle and nozzle-array devices or any solid endface.

Abstract: In an aerosolization device, an oscillating aerosol generator is installed at a position proximate to an opening at the bottom of a liquid container for aerosolizing a supplied liquid in the container and a sensor is provided to detect an oscillating signal variation according to a condition whether or not the liquid in the container is in contact with the oscillating aerosol generator and the oscillating signal variation is sent to a controller for computation, so as to control whether to continue operating or stop operating the aerosol generator. If the aerosol generator is controlled to stop its operation, the controller will drive an alarm device to send out an alarm signal at the same time.

Abstract: To provide a multi-layer piezoelectric element that is improved to mitigate the decrease in the amount of displacement under such harsh operating conditions, the multi-layer piezoelectric element, the multi-layer piezoelectric element comprising: a stacked body comprising a plurality of piezoelectric material layers and a plurality of internal electrodes, the stacked body being formed by stacking the plurality of internal electrodes and the piezoelectric layers alternately on each other; and an external electrode formed on a side face of the stacked body, wherein the external electrode comprises a base portion and a first protrusion protruding from the base portion toward an outside.

Abstract: This aims to provide a multi-layer piezoelectric element, which is made excellent in durability and suppressed in the reduction of a displacement degree, even if the element is largely displaced or driven at a high speed, and an injection device and a fuel injection system using the element. The multi-layer piezoelectric element comprises a stacked body comprising a plurality of ceramic layers and a plurality of internal electrode layers, each of the plurality of internal electrode layers being sandwiched between ceramic layers of the plurality of ceramic layers that are located opposite to each other. The plurality of ceramic layers comprises a plurality of piezoelectric layers, and a low-rigidity ceramic layer which has a rigidity lower than that of the plurality of piezoelectric layers and that of the plurality of internal electrode layers.

Abstract: A multi-layer piezoelectric element that has high durability with capability to operable continuously under higher voltage and higher pressure over a long period of time, a method for manufacturing the same, an injection apparatus and a fuel injection system are provided. The multi-layer piezoelectric element, comprising: a multi-layer structure comprising a plurality of internal electrode layers and a plurality of piezoelectric material layers, the plurality of piezoelectric material layers being stacked with each one of the plurality of internal electrode layers intervened between each two of the plurality of piezoelectric material layers, wherein a cross-sectional area of a cross section of the multi-layer structure parallel to the plurality of internal electrode layers is smaller in both end portions in a stacked direction than in a middle portion in the stacked direction.

Abstract: A timed aerosol fragrance dispenser includes a housing containing a programmable microprocessor, a low-voltage DC power source, a piezoelectric assembly for spraying timed bursts of fragrance, and circuitry for activating the piezoelectric assembly, and a magnetic reed switch air flow detector. A fragrance-containing reservoir attaches to the housing, which incorporates a clip which allows the dispenser to be secured to a heating and air conditioning vent register. When the air flow detector senses air flow from the vent register, the microcontroller in combination with other circuitry generates current pulses having a voltage sufficiently high to activate the piezoelectric assembly. Intervals between pulses are switch selectable. In addition, the normal programming can be overridden to spray fragrance for a set period even in the absence of air flow from the vent register.

Abstract: A nebulising element for liquid substances for coupling to procurement elements, includes at least one membrane with a microperforated area; at least one piezoelectric element connected to an electronic circuit and coupled to the membrane to cause it to vibrate; at least one first and one second support that can be placed on top of one another and create, on their interior a compartment to contain the membrane, the piezoelectric element, and a space of limited dimension for the liquid to be nebulised, created beneath the membrane. The second support has an opening for the nebulised liquid outlet, located in correspondence with the perforated area of the membrane. The nebulising element also includes at least one collector for the liquid that flows from the porous element to the collector itself by capillary action; at least one capillary opening to allow in the liquid to be nebulised and at least one outlet opening to aid air circulation.

Abstract: Dispensers and refills for volatile liquids, such as fragrances, are disclosed. Dispensers and refills in combination with dispensers according to the present invention may comprise a volatile liquid and a housing. In certain embodiments, the volatile liquid of the present invention has a predetermined evaporation rate, measured and calculated by the method described herein. In other embodiments, the volatile liquid exhibits a predefined relative evaporation rate. In addition to the housing, the present invention includes optional components, such as a motorized fan and/or a wick, to facilitate release of the volatile liquid into the atmosphere.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-layer piezoelectric element in which the amount of the positional displacement can be suppressed even when continuous driving is performed for a long time under high electrical field and high pressure, and which may have a good durability. The laminated piezoelectric element comprises a stacked body in which piezoelectric layers and metal layers are stacked alternately one on another. The metal layers comprise internal electrodes and a low-rigidity metal layer which has rigidity lower than those of the piezoelectric layer and the internal electrode. The low-rigidity metal layer comprises a plurality of metal parts isolated from each other via voids, and a covering layer which covers at least a part of the metal parts.

Abstract: A metering device for dispensing a medium to an environment is provided. The metering device includes a housing, a shallow metering chamber within the housing which is of planar design and is essentially closed off from the environment by wall sections, a first media inlet which is connected to the metering chamber and can be connected to a media reservoir, and a vibration mechanism which is arranged in such a manner that vibrations generated by the vibration mechanism cause pulsing changes in volume of an internal volume of the metering chamber. A wall section which is designed as an outlet wall section has metering openings so that the metering chamber is connected to the environment. The vibration mechanism forms a vibration wall section so that the metering chamber is delimited.

Abstract: A piezoelectric-actuated fuel injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a piezoelectric actuator movable to expand in a first direction and movable to contract in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a hydraulic link assembly disposed within said injector cavity. The hydraulic link assembly includes a hydraulic link barrel having an inner bore, a hydraulic link outer plunger positioned to slidably move in the inner bore, and a hydraulic link operatively connected to a needle valve to move the needle valve in the second direction toward the open position in response to movement of the piezoelectric actuator in the first direction. A hydraulic link inner plunger is attached to the needle valve and extends into a center bore of the hydraulic link outer plunger. Leakage control features and hydraulic link refill valves are also provided.

Abstract: A multi-layer piezoelectric element having high durability of which amount of displacement is suppressed from varying even when operated continuously over a long period of time with a higher electric field under a high pressure is provided. The multi-layer piezoelectric element which has a multi-layer structure, the multi-layer structure comprising a plurality of piezoelectric material layers and a plurality of metal layers that are stacked alternately, wherein the piezoelectric material layer is constituted from a plurality of piezoelectric crystal grains, the plurality of metal layers comprise internal electrodes and low-rigidity metal layer that has rigidity lower than those of the internal electrodes and the piezoelectric material layer, and wherein the low-rigidity metal layer has a plurality of metal parts that are separated from each other, and an end of the metal part infiltrates between the piezoelectric crystal grains.

Abstract: A fluid injector has a housing, a valve body and an actuator unit inserted into the housing. The valve body has a cartridge with a recess that takes in a needle. The valve body further has a hollow body arranged in a fixed position to the needle and forming a first spring rest. The valve body further has a valve cap, which takes in the cartridge and forms a second spring rest. A return spring rests on the first spring rest and on the second spring rest. The valve cap, the housing and the cartridge are formed such, that before the valve cap and the housing and the valve cap and cartridge are permanently fixed to each other the valve cap is moveable relative to the housing and the cartridge while the housing and the cartridge stay in a fixed position relative to each other.

Abstract: The liquid repellent structure includes a support, and a honeycomb-patterned film and a coating film on the honeycomb-patterned film or a liquid repellent film. The method of producing the structure applies a solution of an organic compound in an organic solvent onto the support, places the support in an atmosphere containing water vapor to form water droplets on a surface of the solution film, evaporates the organic solvent and the droplets to form the honeycomb-patterned film, and forms the coating film made of a fluorine-containing material on a surface of the honeycomb-patterned film or etches the honeycomb-patterned film to form a second honeycomb-patterned film. The liquid ejection head includes an ejection substrate having the liquid repellent structure. The protective film includes a support base and the liquid repellent structure.

Abstract: A delivery system and methods for generating droplets of liquid active materials, such as a perfume, air freshener, insecticide formulation, and volatile materials, to the atmosphere by means of a electromechanical transducer. The electromechanical transducer employs a first period of activation and a second period of deactivation to increase the distribution of volatile materials contained within the liquid active materials to the atmosphere and reduce the hedonic habituation of the user. The electromechanical transducer is configured to improve flow rate and decrease deposition of the droplets on to nearby surfaces.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering catalytic molecular structure to a combustion chamber is disclosed. Catalyst base materials are reduced to a micronic fog by a device using the ultrasonic vibration of a piezoelectric disc. The liquid base materials evaporate instantly upon entering the engines air stream therefore releasing pure catalyst molecules into the combustion zone, thus reducing the time taken for catalytic combustion to the lowest denominator possible and allowing for the greatest effect achievable. This further reduces the amount of catalyst needed in the base solution compared to any other type of device or additive. The system also allows a user to control the delivery rate of the catalyst to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An inflection point sensing arrangement of an electronic drive unit, which drives a fuel injection valve, senses an inflection point in a pressure-changing process of the pressure in the control chamber. A charging and discharging condition changing arrangement of the electronic drive unit changes a charging condition for charging of the electric current to a piezoelectric actuator of the fuel injection valve or a discharging condition for discharging of the electric current from the piezoelectric actuator upon sensing of the inflection point, which is sensed with the inflection point sensing arrangement.

Abstract: A multi-layer piezoelectric element having high durability of which amount of displacement is suppressed from varying even when operated continuously over a long period of time with a higher electric field under a high pressure is provided. The multi-layer piezoelectric element comprising a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of piezoelectric material layers and a plurality of metal layers are stacked alternately one on another, wherein the plurality of metal layers comprises internal electrodes and low-rigidity metal layer that has rigidity lower than those of the piezoelectric material layer and the internal electrode, wherein the low-rigidity metal layer comprises a plurality of metal parts that are separated from each other, and wherein at least one of the metal parts is bonded with only one piezoelectric material layer among the two piezoelectric material layers that adjoin in the stacking direction.

Abstract: To provide a multi-layer piezoelectric element which is easy to be fabricated and which exhibits excellent durability, even when it is driven continuously for a long time under high electric field and high pressure. The multi-layer piezoelectric element comprising a stacked body wherein a plurality of piezoelectric layers and a plurality of metal layers are stacked alternately one on another and it is driven by applying a voltage to adjacent and opposing metal layers, wherein an average grain size of the piezoelectric crystal grains in a region of the piezoelectric layer, in which region the piezoelectric layer is sandwiched between the adjacent and opposing internal electrode in the stacking direction.

Abstract: An active material and light emitting device comprises an ultrasonic atomizer assembly and a light emission device. The active material and light emitting device further includes a housing containing the atomizer assembly and the light emission device such that the atomizer assembly is disposed above the light emission device. The light emission device emits light that is transmitted through a medial portion of the housing.

Abstract: The piezo injector includes a piezo element expanding when electrical charges supplied from an external DC source are accumulated therein, and contracting when the electrical charges are discharged therefrom, an open/close valve opening and closing in accordance with expansion and contraction of the piezo element, a housing containing therein the piezo element and the open/close valve, and an inductor element through which the electrical charges are accumulated in and discharged from the piezo element.

Abstract: In a control system and method for operating an ultrasonic liquid delivery device, an ultrasonic waveguide, separate from the housing, is disposed at least in part within an internal chamber of the housing to ultrasonically energize liquid prior to the liquid being exhausted from the housing through an exhaust port. An excitation device is operable to ultrasonically excite the waveguide and a control system controls operation of the liquid delivery device between an excitation mode in which the excitation device is operated at an excitation frequency to excite the ultrasonic waveguide and a ring down mode in which the excitation device is inoperable to excite the waveguide such that the waveguide rings down. The control system monitors the ring down and is responsive to the ring down to adjust the excitation frequency of the excitation device in the excitation mode thereof.

Abstract: A liquid atomiser (1) with battery-powered (1) piezoelectric vibration device (4), of the type timed to occur between alternate activation cycles and rest cycles and including a first electronic supply circuit (2) with an impulse current generator (9) at a relatively high voltage and a second supply circuit (5a) of the piezoelectric vibration device (4) at a relatively low voltage, as well as a switch device (10, 11) apt to connect in alternate phases the supply of the piezoelectric vibration device (4)—in a same actuation cycle—to the first circuit and to the second circuit. An actuation method of the atomiser is also described.

Abstract: A method for injecting a fluid, in particular a fuel, performs the following steps: A nozzle (1) which can be actuated by a piezo element (5) is provided. A current pulse (12a) is supplied to the piezo element (5). The capacity (16) of the piezo element (5) is recorded at the time when the current pulse (12a) is supplied. An actual characteristic curve of the injection is recorded based on the capacity (16). The current pulse (12a) is regulated in order to optimize the injection based on the actual characteristic curve of the injection.