By Electric Transducer (e.g., Piezoelectric Crystal) Patents (Class 239/102.2)
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Publication number: 20110232312Abstract: Certain embodiments of the presently described technology provide methods and systems for providing water for atomization in a refrigerator from a water source to an atomizer via a flexible wick. Certain embodiments provide a refrigerator for cooling and humidifying at least a portion of the refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a main supply fluid tank, a secondary reservoir supplied with fluid from the main supply fluid tank, an atomizer provided with fluid from the secondary reservoir, and a flexible wick for providing fluid transfer from the secondary reservoir to a location proximate to the atomizer. The secondary reservoir has a maximum, controlled height of fluid. The atomizer discharges the fluid provided form the secondary reservoir in an atomized spray to at least a portion of the refrigerator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2010Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: ANDERSON BORTOLETTO, RAMEET SINGH GREWAL
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Publication number: 20110233302Abstract: A nebulizing assembly includes a base having a centered through hole; an nebulizing plate disposed on the base, the nebulizing plate having a radially outer area formed as a gluing section provided with a plurality of glue holes and a central area formed as a spraying section corresponding to the through hole on the base; and a piezoelectric driving element stacked on a top of the nebulizing plate and attached to the gluing section, and having a centered mist outlet. A glue layer is applied over the gluing section to fill up all the glue holes and can provide an extremely high bonding force when becoming dried to thereby firmly bond the nebulizing plate between the base and the piezoelectric driving element. The mist outlet and the through hole on the base have the same diameter to enable minimized resistance applied the whole structure to the nebulizing plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: MICRO BASE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: CHIEN-HUA LIN, CHIA-CHEN HUANG, LIANG-WEI LIU, TAI-SHUAN LIN, YU-CHUNG HSU, CHIEH-MING HSIUNG, MEI-HUI HUANG
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Publication number: 20110226869Abstract: An ultrasound apparatus capable of mixing and/or atomizing fluids is disclosed. The apparatus includes a horn having an internal chamber, containing a plurality free members, through which fluids to be atomized and/or mixed flow. Connected to the horn's proximal end, a transducer powered by a generator induces ultrasonic vibrations within the horn. Traveling down the horn from the transducer, the ultrasonic vibrations induce the release of ultrasonic energy into the fluids to be atomized and/or mixed as they travel through the internal chamber. As the ultrasonic vibrations travel through the chamber, the fluids within the chamber are agitated and/or begin to cavitate, while the free member moves abollt the chamber, thereby mixing the fluids. Upon reaching the front wall of the chamber, the ultrasonic vibrations echo off the front wall and pass through the fluids within the chamber a second time, further mixing the fluids.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: BACOUSTICS, LLCInventor: Eilaz Babaev
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Publication number: 20110220734Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a plate which is composed of a material containing silicon, a titanium oxide layer which is disposed above the plate, a bismuth-containing layer which is disposed above the titanium oxide layer and contains bismuth, a first electrode which is disposed above the bismuth-containing layer and composed of platinum, a piezoelectric layer which is disposed above the first electrode and composed of a piezoelectric material containing at least bismuth, and a second electrode which is disposed above the piezoelectric layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Takayuki Yonemura, Masahisa Nawano
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Patent number: 8016209Abstract: The present invention concerns a liquid droplet spray system for atomizing a liquid substance, comprising: a support having a central aperture (27), a liquid droplet spray device in which a space is provided, the space being arranged to receive the liquid substance, and including a nozzle body (28) covering the space such that the liquid substance may exit the space of the device by traversing the nozzle body (28) and the system by traversing the central aperture (27) of the support, a reservoir (33) for containing the liquid substance.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2005Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: EP Systems SAInventors: Joseph Hess, Amir Feriani, Philippe Luginbuhl, Raphaƫl Weber
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Patent number: 8016208Abstract: An ultrasound apparatus capable of mixing and/or atomizing fluids is disclosed. The apparatus includes a horn having an internal chamber through which fluids to be atomized and/or mixed flow. Connected to the horn's proximal end, a transducer powered by a generator induces ultrasonic vibrations within the horn. Traveling down the horn from the transducer, the ultrasonic vibrations induce the release of ultrasonic energy into the fluids to be atomized and/or mixed as they travel through the horn's internal chamber. As the ultrasonic vibrations travel through the chamber, the fluids within the chamber are agitated and/or begin to cavitate, thereby mixing the fluids. Upon reaching the front wall of the chamber, the ultrasonic vibrations are reflected back into the chamber, like an echo. The ultrasonic vibrations echoing off the front wall pass through the fluids within the chamber a second time, further mixing the fluids.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Bacoustics, LLCInventor: Eilaz Babaev
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Patent number: 8011599Abstract: A method of controlling evaporation of droplet cloud resulting from nebulization of a liquid expelled from a liquid droplet spray device is disclosed, wherein the liquid droplet spray device comprises a reservoir containing liquid, a perforate membrane plate, a fluid interface for feeding liquid from the reservoir to the membrane plate, an ultrasound generating mechanism for acting on the supplied liquid to cause it to be expelled as a spray of droplets through orifices of the membrane plate, and an electronic control device for controlling activation of the ultrasound generating mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: EP Systems SA Microflow DivisionInventors: Amir Feriani, Joseph Hess
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Patent number: 8006917Abstract: A synthetic jet includes a first backer structure and a first actuator coupled to the first backer structure to form a first composite unit. The synthetic jet also includes a second backer structure, and a second actuator coupled to the second backer structure to form a second composite unit. A wall member is coupled to and positioned between the first and second backer structures to form a cavity. The first composite unit has an orifice formed therethrough and the orifice is fluidically coupled to the cavity and fluidically coupled to an environment external to the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mehmet Arik, Stanton Earl Weaver, Charles Erklin Seeley, Yogen Vishwas Utturkar
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Patent number: 8006669Abstract: A sealing arrangement of a piezoactuator (12) for a fuel injection valve of an internal combustion engine, has connecting pins (14) projecting out of the piezoactuator (12) and a head arrangement (16, 18) placed on to the piezoactuator (12), which is provided with openings (20) for the penetration of the connecting pins (14), wherein a liquid-tight sealing element (30) abuts against the outer surfaces of the connecting pins (14) on one side and also against the head arrangement (16, 18) on the other. In order to ensure a reliable seal with this arrangement, in particular also over extended periods of time, the sealing element (30) abuts against the outer surfaces of the connecting pins (14) located inside the openings (20), and sealing element sections (32) located inside the openings (20) are radially compressed in the openings.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Marcus Unruh, Claus Zumstrull
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Patent number: 8006915Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Inventors: Mohan M. Vijay, Wenzhuo Yan, Andrew Tieu, Baolin Ren
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Patent number: 8006918Abstract: An air treatment device having a piezoelectric actuator powered by a transformer. The transformer has dual inputs comprising oppositely wound coils and input power signals 180 degrees out of phase. This arrangement provides a stronger drive signal to the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble CompanyInventors: William Paul Mahoney, III, Fernando Ray Tollens
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Publication number: 20110204160Abstract: An ultrasonic atomization circuit comprises a driving signal generating unit to generate an ultrasonic driving signal, a power unit to amplify and transmit the ultrasonic driving signal to a piezoelectric ceramic lamination, and a buffering unit connecting to the driving signal generating unit and the power unit to reduce the effect by the load of the power unit to the driving signal generating unit. The present invention is directed to provide an atomization device using the above ultrasonic atomization circuit. For the ultrasonic atomization circuit being disposed between the power unit and the driving signal generating unit, the ultrasonic atomization circuit can reduce the effect by the disperse circuits and reactance to the driving signal generating unit, meanwhile need less units and be easy to test.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: Xiaoyong Dong, Linlin Pi, Yihong Sun, Jianwei Liu
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Patent number: 8003047Abstract: A vehicle efficacious constituents supply apparatus 10 includes a main unit 13 including an air gun and a subunit 15 including an air gun. A curling ring V1 of air containing aromatic constituents is projected from the main unit 13 towards an efficacious area A, while a curling ring V2 of air is projected from the subunit 15 towards the efficacious area A. A control unit for controlling projection timings of curling rings V1, V2 includes an alarming mode in which a projection interval at which curling rings v1 are projected is set shorter than a projection interval at which curling rings V2 are projected, and by executing this alarming mode, curling rings V2 can be applied to an occupant without causing the curling rings V2 so projected to disappear in the efficacious area A.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Noriyoshi Matsuo, Takashi Kondo
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Patent number: 8001962Abstract: The invention relates generally to a nebulizer, for example, of ultrasonic nebulizer (30) having a bowl shaped container (12) and a tubular energy transmitter in the form of acoustic transmitter pipe (34). One end of the acoustic transmitter pipe (34) is immersed in the liquid (14) of the container (12). The bowl shaped ultrasonic transducer (16) is operatively coupled to the bowl shaped container (12) for transmission of ultrasonic energy to the liquid (14) and acoustic transmitter pipe (34). Absorption of transmitted energy by the liquid (14) forces the liquid (14) toward an upper end of the acoustic transmitter pipe (34) where it is nebulized in the form of an aerosol. The invention also relates generally to a device and method for delivering a substance in an aerosol form into a cellular organism, and a hand held device for delivering a substance to a cellular organism.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Sheiman Ultrasonic Research Foundation Pty Ltd.Inventor: Vladimir Sheiman
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Patent number: 8000876Abstract: A method of operating a fuel injector having a piezoelectric actuator that is operable by applying an electrical drive pulse thereto to activate and deactivate the injector. The method includes monitoring an electrical characteristic of the actuator during a predetermined time period, determining a time-domain data sample corresponding to the monitored electrical characteristic during the predetermined time period, determining a frequency spectrum signature corresponding to the time-domain data sample, and comparing the frequency spectrum signature of the monitored electrical characteristic to a predetermined frequency spectrum signature indicative of an injector event.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2007Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holding S.arlInventors: Alain Wesquet, Peter J. Spadafora
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Publication number: 20110192914Abstract: There is provided a surface acoustic wave atomizer which can guide a liquid to an atomizing area on a substrate surface stably at a constant quantity per unit time and can limit a distribution of the liquid on the substrate surface, so that a stable and efficient atomization and a deterioration control of an interdigital transducer and so on can be achieved with a simple configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2009Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO., LTD.Inventor: Youhei Ishigami
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Patent number: 7992810Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injector having a coupler. The reciprocating movement of an actuator is transmitted by the coupler to a pin-shaped injection valve member which is guided into the nozzle body. The coupler has a valve piston and a coupler sleeve, and the valve piston is displaced in the inner diameter area of the coupler sleeve. The inner diameter of the coupler sleeve is greater than the outer diameter of the injection valve member. The difference between the inner diameter of the coupler housing and the outer diameter of the injection valve member is 0.2 mm or less.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Andreas Kellner, Holger Rapp, Martin Katz
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Patent number: 7992801Abstract: An aromatic nebulizing diffuser includes a base panel, an electric fan, a power control unit, a lower housing, a fluid container that has bottom mounting rods detachably plugged into respective tubular upright posts of the base panel to facilitate cleaning work, a water baffle, an upper housing, an ultrasonic oscillator that controls a light source to emit light when oscillating an aromatic fluid in the fluid container to produce a fine mist of aromatic fluid droplets and a speaker mounted in a vertical speaker holder at the bottom side of the fluid container within the lower housing and controllable by the power control unit for audio output.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Inventor: Carsten Jƶrgensen
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Patent number: 7992800Abstract: A nebulization apparatus with a packaging and fixing structure includes a piezoelectric driving device, an adhesive agent, a nebulization plate, a packaging layer and a fixing base. A ditch at the piezoelectric driving device is provided for filling an adhesive agent and installing the nebulization plate that is fixed to the driving device by the adhesive agent. The packaging layer covers the piezoelectric driving device. The fixing base fixes the piezoelectric driving device. Preferably, the packaging layer is made of a polymer material for insulating moisture and preventing short circuits of the piezoelectric driving device. The ditch and the adhesive agent enhance the attaching strength of the piezoelectric driving device and the nebulization plate to extend the life of the nebulization apparatus, and the adhesive agent can electrically insulate the nebulization plate and the piezoelectric driving device, such that the nebulization plate will have no electrochemical action with the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Micro Base Technology CorporationInventors: Shu-Pin Hsieh, Chien-Hua Lin, Chang-Wei Lin, Andy Meng, Yu-Chung Hsu, Mei-Hui Huang, Chia-Chen Huang, Chieh-Ming Hsiung, Liang-Wei Liu
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Patent number: 7990705Abstract: A method and system for increasing cooling of an enclosure is provided. The component enclosure includes one or more sidewalls defining a volume, the sidewalls are configured to substantially surround a heat generating component positioned within the volume. The component enclosure further includes a synthetic jet assembly positioned adjacent at least one of the sidewalls. The synthetic jet assembly includes at least one synthetic jet ejector having a jet port. The jet port is aligned at least one of perpendicularly, parallelly, and obliquely with a surface of the at least one sidewall. The synthetic jet assembly is configured to direct a jet of fluid through the port at least one of substantially parallel to the surface, perpendicularly onto the surface, and obliquely toward the surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jeffrey Russell Bult, Mehmet Arik, William Dwight Gerstler, Yogen Utturkar
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Patent number: 7987813Abstract: Apparatuses and processes for maskless deposition of electronic and biological materials. The process is capable of direct deposition of features with linewidths varying from the micron range up to a fraction of a millimeter, and may be used to deposit features on substrates with damage thresholds near 100Ā° C. Deposition and subsequent processing may be carried out under ambient conditions, eliminating the need for a vacuum atmosphere. The process may also be performed in an inert gas environment. Deposition of and subsequent laser post processing produces linewidths as low as 1 micron, with sub-micron edge definition. The apparatus nozzle has a large working distanceāthe orifice to substrate distance may be several millimetersāand direct write onto non-planar surfaces is possible.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Optomec, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Renn, Bruce H. King, Marcelino Essien, Gregory J. Marquez, Manampathy G. Giridharan, Jyh-Cherng Sheu
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Patent number: 7988068Abstract: The liquid ejection head comprises: a pressure chamber which is connected to a nozzle; a diaphragm which constitutes one face of the pressure chamber; and a piezoelectric element which deforms the diaphragm for ejecting liquid inside the pressure chamber through the nozzle, wherein the liquid is ejected by driving the piezoelectric element in a temperature region in which a tendency of increase or decrease in viscosity of the liquid with respect to temperature of the liquid and a tendency of increase or decrease in a piezoelectric d constant of the piezoelectric element with respect to temperature of the piezoelectric element have a prescribed relationship.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventor: Tsuyoshi Mita
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Publication number: 20110180623Abstract: Provided is a multi-layer piezoelectric element capable of achieving a high response speed and an increase in the displacement amount, ensuring sufficient mechanical strength, and suppressing deterioration of characteristics. A multi-layer piezoelectric element (1) includes a stacked body in which piezoelectric layers (3) and internal electrode layers (5) are alternately laminated, and the piezoelectric layers (3) include a polarization domain (12) extending over a plurality of crystal particles (11). Since the piezoelectric layers (3) include the polarization domain (12) extending over the plurality of crystal particles (11), the multi-layer piezoelectric element (1) can achieve a high response speed and an increase in the displacement amount, ensure sufficient mechanical strength, and suppress deterioration of characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATIONInventor: Tomohiro Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20110180622Abstract: A spray generator (10) comprising: a membrane (40) having a perforate portion through which, in use, a fluid is caused to flow when the membrane (40) is vibrated; an electronically-driven or a piezoelectrically driven actuator for vibrating the membrane (40); a chamber (18) for storing fluid for supply to a surface of the membrane (40); and a sealing element (13) located in and movable within the chamber (18) between a first position in which fluid flow from the chamber (18) through the membrane (40) is prevented and a second position in which fluid flow from the chamber (18) through the membrane (40) is allowed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Inventors: Robert Gordon Maurice Selby, Martin Scott Goodchild
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Publication number: 20110168798Abstract: A reduced water mist generator, including: a water supply member that supplies water; a high voltage application member that applies a high voltage; and a discharge electrode that is constituted by a metal element that produces molecular hydrogen by a chemical reaction with nitric acid molecules, the discharge electrode being provided with an electrostatic atomizing function that, when a high voltage is applied by the high voltage application member while water is supplied by the water supply member, generates an electric field and thereby electrostatically atomizes the water supplied from the water supply member to produce microparticulated water, and also being provided with a hydrogen molecule generating function that produces the molecular hydrogen by a chemical reaction with nitric acid molecules generated when the water is electrostatically atomized, the discharge electrode generating a hydrogen water mist in the form of a reduced water that contains the molecular hydrogen in the microparticulated waterType: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO., LTD.Inventors: Yukiko Mishima, Junpei Ohe, Hiroshi Suda, Yukiyasu Asano, Tomohiro Yamaguchi, Yasuhiro Komura
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Publication number: 20110168804Abstract: A fluid spray dispenser (2) having a fluid reservoir (20) for holding a fluid to be dispensed, a spray head (23) for dispensing the fluid and a porous medium (24) through which the fluid passes from the reservoir (20) to the spray head (23). The porous medium (24) has a pathway (25) or pathways located substantially adjacent the spray head (23) for the removal of air ingested into the porous medium (24) during spraying.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2009Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventor: Daniel Crichton
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Publication number: 20110168807Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through a piezoelectric material and is absorbed in at least an adhesive that bonds the piezoelectric material to another material. Absorbing the electromagnetic radiation in the adhesive ablates the adhesive and the ablation of the adhesive acts to remove the piezoelectric material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2008Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventor: Jeffrey R. Pollard
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Publication number: 20110168806Abstract: Provided is a multi-layer piezoelectric element having excellent durability wherein a conductive member is not peeled off from an external electrode even when the element is continuously driven for a prolonged period of time under high electric field and high pressure. A multi-layer piezoelectric element includes a stacked body wherein piezoelectric layers and internal electrode layers are alternately laminated, and an external electrode which is joined to a side face of the stacked body and electrically connected to the internal electrode layers, and the external electrode includes a plurality of open voids in a surface thereof. Due to the open voids, a joining strength of a conductive member to the external electrode is improved, thereby preventing peel-off of the conductive member. In addition, since heat dissipation characteristics are improved, it is possible to prevent the external electrode from being thermally fractured due to generation of heat.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2009Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATIONInventor: Shigenobu Nakamura
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Publication number: 20110168805Abstract: The present invention discloses an atomization structure comprising a carrier, a cover plate, a piezoelectric driving device and an atomization piece. The carrier includes at least one first support portion, the cover plate comprises at least one second support portion, and the carrier is covered by the plate covers. The piezoelectric driving device is disposed between the carrier and the cover plate, the atomization piece is clamped by one end of the piezoelectric driving device. The actuating effect of the piezoelectric driving device would not be absorbed but kept by point contacting the first support portions and the second support portions to clamp and support the piezoelectric driving device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: MICRO BASE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: SHU-PIN HSIEH, CHIEN-HUA LIN, TAI-SHUAN LIN, CHIEH-MING HSIUNG, CHIA-CHEN HUANG, MEI-HUI HUANG, LIANG-WEI LIU
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Patent number: 7975938Abstract: Disclosed is a coating system for the selective application of coatings to substrates to apply a uniform coating to selected areas of the substrate without the need for masking. The system comprises a first coating applicator for coating large areas of the substrate, a second coating applicator for coating small areas of the substrate, a motion and positioning system for both coating applicators and a system controller. Also disclosed is an ultrasonic spray coating system comprising an ultrasonic transducer with spray forming head, integrated fluid delivery device with air and liquid supply passage ways, support brackets and an ultrasonic power generator.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Ultrasonic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Stuart J. Erickson, Drew D. Erickson, Wesley O. Davis, Christopher J. Cote, Norman R. Faucher
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Publication number: 20110163181Abstract: When a film containing constituent elements of a target is formed on a substrate through a vapor deposition technique using plasma with placing the substrate and the target to face each other, film formation is carried out with controlling variation of plasma potential Vs (V) in a plasma space in an in-plane direction of the substrate to be within Ā±10V at a distance of 2-3 cm from a surface of the target toward the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2009Publication date: July 7, 2011Inventors: Takamichi Fujii, Takayuki Naono, Takaml Arakawa
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Publication number: 20110155822Abstract: Provided is a multi-layer piezoelectric element wherein durability is improved by effectively suppressing short-circuiting between adjacent internal electrode layers in an edge portion of a stacked body. A multi-layer piezoelectric element includes a prismatic stacked body wherein piezoelectric layers and internal electrode layers are alternately laminated, wherein the stacked body includes a chamfered portion formed by grinding a ridge portion of a side peripheral surface thereof, and a linear grinding trace on the chamfered portion extends in a direction along the internal electrode layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATIONInventor: Tetsurou Sata
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Publication number: 20110155104Abstract: Provided is a highly durable multi-layer piezoelectric element wherein an external electrode has less possibilities of being peeled off from a side face of a stacked body even when the element is continuously driven for a long period of time in a high electrical field under high pressure. In a multi-layer piezoelectric element (1), a void (2) is formed in a joining interface between a side face of a stacked body (7) wherein piezoelectric layers (3) and internal electrode layers (5) are alternately laminated and an external electrode (9) joined to the side face. Since stress generated in the joining interface between the side face of the stacked body (7) and the external electrode (9) during driving can be reduced by the void (2), there are less possibilities of having the external electrode (9) peeled off from the side face of the stacked body (7) even when the element is continuously driven for a long period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATIONInventor: Shigenobu Nakamura
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Patent number: 7967258Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for actively manipulating fluid flow over a surface using synthetic pulsators. Synthetic pulsators produce pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow proximate to the synthetic pulsator. The synthetic pulsator includes a synthetic jet actuator(s) located within an ambient pressure chamber, wherein the synthetic jet actuator is operable to produce an oscillatory flow. The oscillatory flow of the synthetic jet(s) produces the pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow. These synthetic pulsators may then be actively manipulated to control the flow behavior of the ducted fluid flow, influence the inception point and trajectory of flow field vortices within the fluid flow, and reduce flow separation within the primary fluid flow.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Brian R. Smith, Seyed Saddoughi
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Publication number: 20110147483Abstract: A fluid ejection apparatus includes a substrate having a plurality of fluid passages for fluid flow and a plurality of nozzles fluidically connected to the fluid passages, a plurality of actuators positioned on top of the substrate to cause fluid in the plurality of fluid passages to be ejected from the plurality of nozzles, a housing component with a descending portion that projects down to the substrate, an integrated circuit chip supported on the substrate, a potting barrier secured to the housing component and positioned between the integrated circuit chip and the actuators, and a potting material between the integrated circuit chip and the barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Christoph Menzel, Andreas Bibl, Paul A. Hoisington
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Patent number: 7963458Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid delivery device including a housing having an internal chamber and at least one exhaust port communicating with the internal chamber. An ultrasonic waveguide in the internal chamber ultrasonically energizes liquid within the chamber prior to the liquid being exhausted through the exhaust port. The waveguide includes a valve member movable relative to the housing between a closed position closing the exhaust port, and an open position. An excitation device is operable in the open position of the valve member to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide to atomize liquid exiting the exhaust port.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Sean McNichols, Thomas David Ehlert
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Patent number: 7963460Abstract: A detachable aromatic nebulizing diffuser includes a base panel, an electric fan, a fluid container, an ultrasonic oscillator, a power jack, a water baffle, a lower housing and a top cover. The ultrasonic oscillator oscillates ultrasonic waves to cause an aromatic fluid in the fluid container into a fine mist that is carried by currents of air caused by the electric fan and guided through an air duct in the fluid container. The fluid container has bottom mounting rods detachably plugged into respective tubular upright posts of the base panel, facilitating mounting and dismounting. The water baffle and the top cover are light transmissive for creating a visual effects upon working of a light source that is carried on the ultrasonic oscillator.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2009Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Inventor: Carsten Jƶrgensen
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Publication number: 20110139893Abstract: A system and method for lowering the structural natural frequency of a synthetic jet actuator is disclosed. A synthetic jet actuator is provided that includes a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate and arranged parallelly thereto, and a spacer element configured to space the first plate apart from the second plate and define a chamber along with the first and second plates. The spacer element includes at least one orifice formed therein such that the chamber is in fluid communication with an environment external to the chamber, and the spacer element is constructed to deform in a bending motion in response to a deflection of at least one of the first and second plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: TODD GARRETT WETZEL, THOMAS ELLIOT STECHER, CHARLES ERKLIN SEELEY, CHARLES FRANKLIN WOLFE, JR., YOGEN VISHWAS UTTURKAR, BRYAN PATRICK WHALEN
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Patent number: 7954730Abstract: Piezo aerosol and ultrasonic atomizer apparatuses are disclosed. In some embodiments, a piezo aerosol apparatus may comprise a piezo component defining an opening bonded to a metal plate defining a mist reservoir. The mist reservoir may define a plurality of apertures (or holes) orientated substantially perpendicular, and the opening of the piezo component may be located above the mist reservoir. The piezo aerosol apparatus generally defines a non-symmetric compound, while the ultrasonic atomizer comprises a piezo component and metal plate of substantially the same diameter in length. Other embodiments are also claimed and disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2005Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Hong Kong Piezo Co. Ltd.Inventor: Lap Leung Ng
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Patent number: 7950596Abstract: A fuel injector includes a fuel injector body defining a fuel inlet and at least one fuel outlet, a valve having a first valve state and a second valve state and an actuator for the valve. The fuel injector includes a biasing spring including a cylindrical rolled sheet having a first spring end, a second spring end and defining a longitudinal center axis. The cylindrical rolled sheet is configured to change in length to bias the actuator toward the first actuator position and includes a helical seam located between the first spring end and a second spring end which has a shape adapted to reduce non-uniformity in a spring constant via distributing stiffness about the longitudinal center axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jay Venkataraghavan, Michael Long, Zhenlong Xu, Stephen Lewis
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Patent number: 7950594Abstract: An ultrasound apparatus capable of mixing and/or atomizing fluids is disclosed. The apparatus includes a horn having an internal chamber, containing at least one free member, through which fluids to be atomized and/or mixed flow. Connected to the horn's proximal end, a transducer powered by a generator induces ultrasonic vibrations within the horn. Traveling down the horn from the transducer, the ultrasonic vibrations induce the release of ultrasonic energy into the fluids to be atomized and/or mixed as they travel through the internal chamber. As the ultrasonic vibrations travel through the chamber, the fluids within the chamber are agitated and/or begin to cavitate, while the free member moves about the chamber, thereby mixing the fluids. Upon reaching the front wall of the chamber, the ultrasonic vibrations echo off the front wall and pass through the fluids within the chamber a second time, further mixing the fluids.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Bacoustics, LLCInventor: Eilaz Babaev
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Patent number: 7950595Abstract: This wicking apparatus includes a liquid reservoir, a wick holder, and a wick. The wick holder has a top part for fitting on the reservoir neck and a bottom part for insertion into the reservoir opening, the top part being plate-formed with a central opening, and with two peripheral projections that are spaced apart and that extend downward from the plate towards the reservoir body, projections for contacting inner and outer walls of the reservoir neck, and a second projection for contacting an outer wall of the reservoir neck, the bottom part having wick supporting arms that extend downwards and have flexible end portions projecting inwardly towards the centre of the reservoir opening. The wick is step-shaped with a larger diameter part, and a smaller diameter part: the interface between them defines a shoulder which is supported and held in place by the flexible end portions of the supporting arms.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: EP Systems SAInventors: Amir Feriani, Joseph Hess
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Publication number: 20110121096Abstract: A piezoelectric device, including the following on a substrate in the order listed below: a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film which contains a Pb containing perovskite oxide represented by a general expression (P) below, and an upper electrode, in which the piezoelectric film has a layer of pyrochlore oxide on the surface facing the lower electrode, and the average layer thickness of the pyrochlore oxide layer is not greater than 20 nm. AaBbO3??(P) where, A: at least one type of A-site element containing Pb as a major component, B: at least one type of B-site element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Sc, Co, Cu, In, Sn, Ga, Zn, Cd, Fe, and Ni, and O: an oxygen element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Yasukazu Nihei, Takamichi Fujii, Yuuichi Okamoto, Takami Arakawa, Takayuki Naono
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Publication number: 20110121095Abstract: A fluid spray dispenser (2) having a fluid reservoir (20) for holding a fluid to be dispensed, a spray head (23) for dispensing the fluid and a porous medium (24) through which the fluid passes from the reservoir (20) to the spray head (23). The porous medium (24) has an effective pore size and/or permeability that decreases towards the spray head (23). Means and methods of creating the pore size and/or permeability gradients are discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Daniel Crichton, Richard Wilhelm Janse Van Rensberg
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Patent number: 7946064Abstract: A display apparatus with a scent disperse device includes a display, a stalk-shaped member, at least one leaf-shaped member, a vibrator and a sensor switch, in which the display is composed of a screen and at least one screen cover, the stalk-shaped member is disposed on the display to disperse scent outward, the leaf-shaped members are positioned around the stalk-shaped member and the vibrator is disposed in the stalk-shaped member and used for driving the leaf-shaped members to sway, and the sensor switch controls the opening and closing of the at least one screen cover and transmitting a starting signal. Whereby, a user is allowed to smell a flavor matching the appearance of the display or prefer scent.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Hannspree Inc.Inventors: Guan-De Liou, Chia-Pine Huang, Li-Li Lai, Stephen Tsai, Ming-Chun Lee
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Patent number: 7946509Abstract: The invention relates to an injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The injector is actuated by an actuator and is connected to a fuel supply line via which fuel is supplied under system pressure. At least one injection opening can be opened or closed off by an injection valve member, which is activated by a control piston via a control chamber to which the control piston and a piston section of the injection valve member are exposed with respective pressure faces. The control piston is a valve piston of a control valve. The pressure face of the control piston and the pressure face of the piston section of the injection valve member are exposed to the control chamber at the same side. The control piston and the piston section of the injection valve member also enclose a further control chamber which is connected to a fuel return line when the control valve is open and to the fuel supply line when the control valve is closed.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2007Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Friedrich Boecking
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Publication number: 20110114750Abstract: A piezoelectric spraying system may include a case defining at least one housing to receive at least one removable refill. The removable refill may include at least one reservoir configured to contain a product to be sprayed, at least a portion of at least one piezoelectric sprayer device, and at least one product supply system for the piezoelectric sprayer device. The piezoelectric spraying system may further include an electric motor so as to activate the product supply system of the removable refill, and a controller configured to control one or more operations associated with the motor and the piezoelectric sprayer device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2011Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventor: Nicolas DURU
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Publication number: 20110114744Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2010Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: Jonathan J. Ricciardi, Carl L. Ricciardi
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Publication number: 20110114745Abstract: A pulverisation head of an apparatus includes a motor whose vertical hollow shaft is integrally linked, at its lower end, to a centrifugal ejection disc. The substance to be pulverised, coming from a tank via a proportioning pump, crosses the hollow shaft to be spread in a thin layer on the lower surface of the disc forming the centrifugal ejection face. Elements are designed to vibrate the peripheral edge of the disc and control the pulverisation of the substance. A fan and a distributor produce a treatment gas flow which meets and draws droplets towards a collection zone, solidifying them by drying or freezing. Typically, the substance is a mixture of at least one active ingredient and a microencapsulation constituent. For use to obtain very fine and/or very homogeneous particle size, to manufacture powders for food processing, nutritional, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and fine chemical applications. The head is useful to produce aerosols.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: SPRAINNOVInventors: Pierre Buisson, Alain Grizeau, Fabrice Richard, Jean-Marc Chicheportiche, Jean Pierre Renaudeaux, Jean-Baptiste Zainoun
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Patent number: 7934668Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holdings S.arlInventors: Michael Peter Cooke, Godfrey Greeves, Nebojsa Milovanovic