Piezoelectric Elements And Devices Patents (Class 310/311)
  • Patent number: 10573482
    Abstract: A vacuum transistor includes a substrate and a first terminal formed on the substrate. A piezoelectric element has a second terminal formed on the piezoelectric element, wherein the piezoelectric element is provided over the first terminal to provide a gap between the first terminal and the second terminal. The gap is adjusted in accordance with an electrical field on the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qing Cao, Kangguo Cheng, Zhengwen Li, Fei Liu
  • Patent number: 10573459
    Abstract: A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a first metal terminal including a first terminal joining portion connected to a first end surface, first and second extending portions extending from both ends of the first terminal joining portion toward a mounting surface, and first and second mounting portions connected respectively to the first and second extending portions in a length direction connecting the end surfaces to each other. A second metal terminal includes a second terminal joining portion connected to the second end surface, a third extending portion extending from the second terminal joining portion toward the mounting surface, and a third mounting portion connected to the third extending portion and extending in a length direction connecting the end surfaces to each other. The first and second mounting portions include first, second, and third protrusion bending portions protruding toward the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teppei Akiyoshi
  • Patent number: 10567884
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transduction film including a polymer composite piezoelectric body in which piezoelectric body particles are dispersed in a viscoelastic matrix formed of a polymer material having viscoelasticity at a normal temperature, and thin film electrodes respectively laminated on both surfaces of the polymer composite piezoelectric body is included, and two or more of the electroacoustic transduction films are laminated, and a gap between the adjacent electroacoustic transduction films is less than or equal to 3 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsu Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 10541666
    Abstract: A resonant member of a MEMS resonator oscillates in a mechanical resonance mode that produces non-uniform regional stresses such that a first level of mechanical stress in a first region of the resonant member is higher than a second level of mechanical stress in a second region of the resonant member. A plurality of openings within a surface of the resonant member are disposed more densely within the first region than the second region and at least partly filled with a compensating material that reduces temperature dependence of the resonant frequency corresponding to the mechanical resonance mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SiTime Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Hagelin, Charles I. Grosjean
  • Patent number: 10535469
    Abstract: A ceramic electronic component includes a body including a dielectric layer and first and second internal electrodes disposed to oppose each other with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween, first and second external electrodes each including a connection portion disposed on a side surface of the body and a band portion extending from the connection portion to portions of upper/lower and front/rear surfaces of the body, first and second resin layers each disposed between the band portion and the body and extending from an end of the band portion towards each side surface by a predetermined length, in which the predetermined length is within a range of 3 ?m to 200 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eui Hyun Jo, Hyun Hee Gu, Jang Yeol Lee, Jong Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 10536780
    Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer including a substrate, a piezoelectric layer and a stiffening structure is provided. The substrate has a chamber. The piezoelectric layer has a displacement zone, a plurality of sensing zones, a plurality of gaps, a plurality of top electrodes, and a plurality of bottom electrodes. The displacement zone is located over the chamber. The sensing zones are surroundingly connected to an outer edge of the displacement zone and are located over the chamber. The gaps are each formed between any adjacent two of the plurality of sensing zones, and each of the gaps communicates with the chamber. The top electrodes are each disposed on a top surface of each of the sensing zones. The bottom electrodes are each disposed on a bottom surface of each of the sensing zones. The stiffening structure is disposed on a bottom of the displacement zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Merry Electronics(Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jen-Yi Chen, Chao-Sen Chang, Kai-Yu Jiang, Jui-Chin Peng
  • Patent number: 10531704
    Abstract: A rain boot and uniform footwear with an intelligent temperature-controlling air extractor and water-proofing and air-venting functions, includes: a boot upper layer (10), a middle cushion layer (11) and a boot lower layer (12), wherein a miniature air extractor (13) is provided at a position below an instep of the boot bottom layer (12), a magnetic levitation power switch (14), a temperature sensor (15) and a control main board (16) are also provided in the boot bottom layer (12), the temperature sensor (15) being electrically connected to an input end of the control main board (16) and transmitting a temperature sensing signal of the foot to the control main board (16), and an output end of the control main board (16) being electrically connected to the miniature air extractor (13) via the magnetic levitation power switch (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: SAMBO GROUP LIMITED
    Inventor: WaiYip Ko
  • Patent number: 10533971
    Abstract: A biosensor, including: a first cover member comprising an element-accommodating recess in an upper face thereof; a detection element using a surface acoustic wave, the detection element including an element substrate accommodated in the element-accommodating recess, and at least one detection unit located on an upper face of the element substrate configured to perform detection of an analyte; and a second cover member joined to the first cover member and covering the detection element, and including an inflow port from which the analyte flows in and a groove which extends from the inflow port to at least above the at least one detection unit and constitutes a capillary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsuomi Fukuura, Toru Fukano, Yuji Kishida, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Hideharu Kurioka
  • Patent number: 10529910
    Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric vibrating piece, an excitation electrode, an extraction electrode, a container, a pad, a conductive member, and a heat conductive metal film. The excitation electrode is disposed on a front surface and a back surface of the piezoelectric vibrating piece. The extraction electrode is extracted from the excitation electrode. The container houses the piezoelectric vibrating piece. The pad is disposed in the container, and the pad is connected to the piezoelectric vibrating piece. The conductive member connects the pad to the extraction electrode. The heat conductive metal film is disposed at least on a surface of a pad side of the piezoelectric vibrating piece, the heat conductive metal film is extracted from the extraction electrode without contacting the excitation electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Sato, Hirokazu Iwata
  • Patent number: 10530299
    Abstract: A resonator element includes an SC-cut quartz crystal substrate having a thickness t, and an excitation electrode disposed on a principal surface of the quartz crystal substrate, the principal surface being square or rectangular in shape, a side of which has a length L, 28?L/t?60 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10522290
    Abstract: A multilayer ceramic capacitor a multilayer body including ceramic layers and principal surfaces opposing each other, side surfaces opposing each other, and end surfaces opposing each other, the principal surface defining and functioning as a mounting surface; an inner electrode located within the multilayer body and partially extended to the principal surface; an outer electrode located on the principal surface and connected to the inner electrode. The outer electrode includes outer electrode side surface portions located also on portions of the side surfaces. When a length of the outer electrode side surface portions in a direction connecting the principal surfaces is indicated by A, and a length of the multilayer body in the direction connecting the principal surfaces is indicated by B, 0.063?A/B?1.000 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yutaka Ota
  • Patent number: 10522736
    Abstract: Thermally stable piezoelectric polymer foams (ferroelectrets) with high piezoelectric activity for sensing and actuation. The invention further includes a method of fabricating such foams in an environmentally friendly manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Changchun Zeng, Yan Li
  • Patent number: 10505100
    Abstract: A composite material (10) with electrostrictive properties for a mechanical energy recovery device (100) where said composite material comprises a deformable portion (12) in insulating elastomeric polymer material and a filler material (14) homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix of said deformable (12) portion, said material or filler (14) being an insulating ceramic material in the form of particles. The invention also concerns said device (100) for the recovery of mechanical energy (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: ATOM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Piercarlo Mustarelli, Fabio Invernizzi, Maddalena Patrini, Sergio Dulio
  • Patent number: 10481692
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of actuator mechanisms for a multi-touch tactile touch panel are disclosed. The tactile touch panel includes an electrical insulated layer and a tactile layer. The top surface of the electrical insulated layer is capable of receiving an input from a user. The tactile layer includes a grid or an array of haptic cells. The top surface of the haptic layer is situated adjacent to the bottom surface of the electrical insulated layer, while the bottom surface of the haptic layer is situated adjacent to a display. Each haptic cell further includes at least one piezoelectric material, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (“MEMS”) element, thermal fluid pocket, MEMS pump, resonant device, variable porosity membrane, laminar flow modulation, or the like. Each haptic cell is configured to provide a haptic effect independent of other haptic cells in the tactile layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, Ryan Steger, Daniel H. Gomez
  • Patent number: 10471190
    Abstract: A treatment system for debriding a treatment area of a tissue site and applying negative pressure is disclosed. In some embodiments, the treatment system may include an ultrasonic bubble generator fluidly coupled to a negative-pressure source, fluid source, and a dressing. Fluid may be drawn from the fluid source to the ultrasonic bubble generator, whereby micro-bubbles and ultrasonic waves may be generated in the fluid before the fluid is instilled to the dressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, Timothy Mark Robinson
  • Patent number: 10472250
    Abstract: A piezoelectric layer made of potassium sodium niobate which is a perovskite type compound represented by the formula ABO3, wherein, in the Raman spectroscopy measurement of the piezoelectric layer which is performed while the piezoelectric layer is rotated in the in-plane direction, the measured intensity of the lattice vibration region of the perovskite type compound in the Raman spectrum obtained in polarized Raman spectroscopy measurement (yx) has a periodicity of approximately 90°, wherein, the polarized Raman spectroscopy measurement (yx) is performed while the piezoelectric layer is rotated in the in-plane direction and Raman scattering light is polarized in a direction perpendicular to that of the incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Oishi, Atsuo Matsutani, Ryu Ohta
  • Patent number: 10431730
    Abstract: A dielectric elastomer driving mechanism includes a driver, a follower, and a power transmitter. The driver includes a dielectric elastomer driving element made up of a dielectric elastomer layer and two electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer. The driver also includes a tension maintaining element maintaining, in a no-voltage state, the dielectric elastomer driving element in a state in which tension occurs, and includes an output portion capable of moving along with the expanding or contracting of the dielectric elastomer driving element. The follower includes a following element actuating in accordance with a driving force inputted. The power transmitter is connected to the output portion of the driver for transmitting a driving force of the driver to the follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventors: Seiki Chiba, Mikio Waki
  • Patent number: 10361357
    Abstract: Disclosed is a piezoelectric oxide single crystal substrate used in a surface acoustic wave device and the like which undergoes scarce warpage and is not easy to break or get scratched and has good a temperature characteristic. A piezoelectric oxide single crystal substrate has a concentration profile such that the Li concentration differs between the substrate surface and a middle part of the substrate; in particular, the concentration profile is such that, in the direction of the thickness of the substrate, the closer the measuring point is to the substrate surface, the higher becomes the Li concentration, and the closer the measuring point is to the thickness-wisely middle part of the substrate, the lower becomes the Li concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tanno Masayuki, Abe Jun, Kuwabara Yoshinori
  • Patent number: 10354798
    Abstract: A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes: a ceramic body having first and second surfaces opposing each other and third and fourth surfaces connecting the first and second surfaces to each other; a plurality of internal electrodes disposed in the ceramic body, exposed to the first and second surfaces, and each having one end exposed to the third or fourth surface; and first and second side margin portions disposed on the first and second surfaces and covering exposed surfaces of the internal electrodes. A dielectric composition contained in the first and second side margin portions is different from a dielectric composition contained in the ceramic body, the first and second side margin portions contain a barium titanate-based base material powder and magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and aluminum (Al) as accessory ingredients, and a content ratio of manganese (Mn) to magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and aluminum (Al) satisfies 0.316?Mn/(Mn+Mg+Al)?0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Sung Park, Jong Han Kim, Jin Seong Kim, Jeong Yun Park, Jae Yeol Choi, Sea Han Na Doo
  • Patent number: 10347426
    Abstract: An external electrode includes an underlying electrode layer on an end surface of a ceramic body and connected to an internal electrode, an external electrode layer located outside the underlying electrode layer, and an intermediate electrode layer including at least a portion between the underlying electrode layer and the external electrode layer. The intermediate electrode layer includes a conductive resin, and the underlying electrode layer and the external electrode layer include a material lower in electrical resistivity than the conductive resin. The intermediate electrode layer entirely or substantially entirely covers the end surfaces and extends from the end surfaces to portions, respectively, of one main surface, and the underlying electrode layer is partially exposed from the intermediate electrode layer to include an exposed surface and is in surface-contact with the external electrode layer at the exposed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunori Egashira, Kazunori Kunimoto, Seiji Katsuta, Yosuke Terashita, Takayoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10327660
    Abstract: An electrode assembly for making electrocardiogram measurements includes a substrate and at least two electrodes. The substrate includes at least one electronic item sealed therewithin and is laminated or otherwise constructed so as to facilitate removal of the electronic item from the substrate prior to disposal. The electronic item may therefore be re-used in the manufacture of new electrode assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Isansys Lifecare Limited
    Inventors: Angela Gallego, Rebecca Weir, Keith Errey
  • Patent number: 10333490
    Abstract: A frequency adjustment method is provided in which a residual substance is unlikely to be generated, the frequency can be adjusted with high precision, and a decrease in strength is made small. A frequency adjustment method for a piezoelectric vibrator includes preparing the piezoelectric vibrator having a base portion, a vibration arm that includes a connection portion connected to the base portion as well as vibration arm main bodies extending from the connection portion and that is made of a single crystal, a lower electrode formed on the vibration arm, a piezoelectric thin film formed on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode formed on the piezoelectric thin film; and forming an alteration portion by irradiating the connection portion with a laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Unami, Eitaro Kameda
  • Patent number: 10314549
    Abstract: Systems and methods for home monitoring and detection of febrile neutropenia in a patient are provided. The system includes a photoplethysmographic sensor for sensing photoplethysmographic signals of the patient, and one or more blood borne parameter sensors for sensing parameters in the patient's blood. A febrile neutropenia monitoring application receives information sensed by the photoplethysmography sensor and the one or more blood borne parameter sensors and determines, based on the received information, the presence or deterioration of febrile neutropenia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ALACRITY PATIENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: David Berz
  • Patent number: 10304639
    Abstract: A wireless switch includes a button member, a power generation module, an RF module, and a notification unit. The button member is mounted in a housing, and is configured to move. The power generation module is configured to generate power using energy produced by the movement of the button member. The RF module is connected to the power generation module, and is configured to transmit a switch signal using power generated by the power generation module. The notification unit is configured to operate using power generated by the power generation module. The RF module controls the notification unit in one or more notification states according to a strength or details of a reception state signal corresponding to the transmitted switch signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Marumo, Ken Tamura, Kazuyuki Tsukimori, Hiroshi Shiino, Yasushi Kawashima, Hajime Umeki, Junji Obata, Keisuke Yano
  • Patent number: 10304627
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a multilayer ceramic capacitor 10 is such that: the two first base conductor films 11c, and the supplementary dielectric layer 11d, on each of both height-direction faces of the capacitive element 11?, are connected to each other based on mutual bonding of the dielectric particles contained in each of them; the two first base conductor films 11c on each of both height-direction faces of the capacitive element 11?, and the capacitive element 11?, are connected to each other based on mutual bonding of the dielectric particles contained in each of them; and the supplementary dielectric layer 11d on each of both height-direction faces of the capacitive element 11?, are the capacitive element 11?, are connected to each other based on mutual bonding of the dielectric particles contained in each of them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: So Sato, Yoshiaki Iijima, Takashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10297742
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a first and a second electrode, a piezoelectric layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an orientation control layer between the first electrode and the piezoelectric layer. The orientation control layer contains perovskite complex oxide containing potassium, sodium, calcium, and niobium and preferentially oriented in the (100) plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Sumi, Tomohiro Sakai, Tetsuya Isshiki, Toshiaki Takahashi, Kazuya Kitada
  • Patent number: 10267755
    Abstract: A method for inspecting a crystal unit, the method includes: generating a sub-vibration in a crystal blank of the crystal unit by applying an input signal to a plurality of electrodes formed on the crystal blank; obtaining frequency characteristics of impedance between the plurality of electrodes from an output signal of the plurality of electrodes; and comparing the frequency characteristics obtained with reference frequency characteristics indicating quality of the crystal unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Masakazu Kishi, Hajime Kubota, Masayuki Itoh
  • Patent number: 10252525
    Abstract: An apparatus for a lead-free piezoelectric ink-jet printhead is disclosed. Piezoelectric printheads, while more expensive are favored because they use a wider variety of inks. The piezoelectric printhead includes a diaphragm, a plurality of piezoelectric actuators comprising a lead-free piezoelectric material, at least one nozzle, at least one ink chamber, a top electrode, and a drive circuit. The deflection of the diaphragm on the body chamber contributes to a pressure pulse that is used to eject a drop of liquid from the nozzle. According to an exemplary embodiment, a lead-free piezoelectric printhead operated at smaller thicknesses and significantly higher electric fields is disclosed, along with methods of making such printheads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignees: Xerox Corporation, Brown University
    Inventors: Peter J. Nystrom, Gary D. Redding, Angus Ian Kingon, Seunghyun Kim, Nicholas Mostovych
  • Patent number: 10242821
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques and systems for providing simulated, haptic feedback that is local to physical, non-actuating keys of a keyboard. A keyboard includes a plurality of non-actuating keys defined in a cover portion of the keyboard, a plurality of force-producing mechanisms coupled to a substrate underneath and adjacent the cover portion. The force-producing mechanisms may be positioned on suspended portions of the substrate that are mechanically isolated and arranged on the substrate to substantially correspond to a layout of the plurality of non-actuating keys. The force-producing mechanisms may be individually actuated to deflect the suspended portions of the substrate underneath the cover portion to create a tactile sensation for a user's finger that is local to a particular key. In some embodiments, the force-producing mechanisms are piezoelectric actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Hong Z. Tan, Zhaoyuan Ma, Chen Zhao
  • Patent number: 10222283
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for providing automated feedback to a user using a shoe insole assembly are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a shoe insole assembly shaped to be positioned within a footwear and shaped to conform to the contour of the bottom of a human foot when placed within the footwear is provided. The shoe insole assembly comprises a pressure-sensing circuit for determining a pressure profile exerted on the shoe insole assembly by the human foot and for generating data signals corresponding to the pressure profile, a control circuit for processing the data signals received from the pressure-sensing circuit, and housing for encapsulating the pressure-sensing circuit and the control circuit. The processed signals are used to generate output signals that provide feedback to the user based on the pressure exerted on the shoe insole assembly. The shoe insole assembly of the various embodiments illustrated herein is an integral structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Smart Skin Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kumaran Thillainadarajah, Adam Joseph MacDonald, Roua M. Razak
  • Patent number: 10215164
    Abstract: A device for harvesting energy from fabric or clothing includes a piece of fabric or clothing. One or more piezoelectric harvesters are coupled with the piece of fabric or clothing. The piezoelectric harvesters are capable of producing electric energy in response to the movement of the piece of fabric or clothing. Additionally, the device includes one or more energy storage mediums coupled to the one or more piezoelectric harvesters. The energy storage mediums are capable of storing the energy produced by the one or more piezoelectric harvesters. Further, the method for harvesting energy from fabric or clothing involves moving a piece of fabric such that one or more piezoelectric harvesters generate electricity. The method for harvesting energy from fabric or clothing also involves storing the generated electricity in one or more energy storage mediums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Nadine L. Dabby, Feras Eid, Adel A. Elsherbini, Braxton Lathrop, Aleksandar Aleksov, Sasha Oster
  • Patent number: 10193051
    Abstract: An acoustic wave device includes: an IDT provided on a piezoelectric substrate; and gratings provided on both sides of the IDT, wherein: a slowness surface of an acoustic wave has a concave shape; a duty ratio of electrode fingers of the gratings is larger than that of the electrode fingers of the IDT, or a thickness of the electrode fingers of the gratings is larger than that of the electrode fingers of the IDT, or a thickness of an added film provided on the electrode fingers of the gratings is larger than that of an added film provided on the electrode fingers of the IDT; a pitch of the electrode fingers of the gratings is smaller than that of the electrode fingers of the IDT; and a resonant frequency of the gratings is substantially the same as that of the IDT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 10173100
    Abstract: A system for recording and analyzing an activity, such as a golf activity, is provided. The system comprises an impact detection device and one or more video capture unit for recording and displaying recorded activities. Preferred activities are saved, and may be viewed at a separate viewing unit located remote from the video capture unit. The remote viewing unit allows for replay and analysis of the saved activities. In addition, saved activities and data may be uploaded to the Internet for later viewing and analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Inventors: Navyaa Sinha, Aditi Sinha
  • Patent number: 10166549
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the selection or processing of particles sensitive to the application of an external stimulus to rupture/lysis at least one selected particle or the fusion of first and second selected particles are disclosed herein. Particles are organized using a first field of force by selectively energizing electrodes of an array of selectable electrodes having dimensions comparable to or smaller than those of the particles. A first configuration of stresses is applied to the electrodes; and then a second configuration of stresses is applied to the electrodes, so as to create a second field of force, located substantially close to at least one selected particle to be lysated or to a pair of first and second particles to be fused and such as to produce the application of a stimulus suited to produce their lysis or fusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Menarini Silicon Biosystems S.p.A.
    Inventors: Nicolò Manaresi, Gianni Medoro, Mélanie Abonnenc
  • Patent number: 10161934
    Abstract: Biosensor components (chips) are described based on direct biocoating processes that result in the tenacious and stable, noncovalent (believed to be chemisorptive) binding of anchor substances such as avidin(s) other proteins having specific binding partners or oligo- or poly-nucleotides onto any piezo-electrically active crystal surface. The resulting platform technology can be developed for a variety of biosensors with specific applications in biological assays. The table mono layers of the anchor substances forms reactive layers, ready to bind a capture reagent such as a biot-inylated antibody for capture and detection of analytes in biologic fluid samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Aviana Molecular Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lisa Laury-Kleintop, Herman Rutner
  • Patent number: 10162176
    Abstract: Provided is a head-up display device with which it is possible to display an image easily recognized by a user. A display for a display mechanism in the head-up display device includes: a light source unit capable of generating light that is the origin of a scanning line; a scan unit for scanning light in a first direction and in a second direction using a first scan element and a second scan element, respectively; a processing unit for generating a first drive signal having a frequency that matches the resonance frequency of the first scan element; and a drive unit for executing a resonance mode that is based on the first drive signal. The processing unit generates a second drive signal having a variable display waveform that is dependent on the resonance frequency, fixed first non-display waveforms that are not dependent on the resonance frequency, and a variable second non-display waveform that is dependent on the resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yamakawa, Makoto Hada
  • Patent number: 10139090
    Abstract: The system of the present application includes a battery structure, a control board, a charging port, a switch, and a light. The battery structure is configured to provide a source of power to illuminate the light. The switch controls the passage of power to the lights and is configured to optionally regulate a pattern of illumination. The charging port is configured to allow for the recharging of the battery structure. The control board is configured to regulate the communication of the switch to the light. The system is configured to provide a method of illuminating an area about the user. The system permits for the selective recharging of the power supply. The system is configured to permit optional remote control capabilities to allow a user to adjust, manipulate, and control one or more features of the lighting system from a device remote from the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventor: Joseph Goodrich
  • Patent number: 10134527
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a capacitor that is configured with a first electrode layer, an insulating layer, and a second electrode layer being formed in the order listed herein. At least one end of the capacitor is defined by an end of the second electrode layer. The insulating layer is provided so as to extend to a non-element region that is on the outside of one end of the capacitor. The insulating layer under the non-element region is formed thinner than the insulating layer under the capacitor. A difference between the thickness of the insulating layer under the non-element region and the thickness of the insulating layer under the capacitor is equal to or less than 50 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Asaoka, Koichi Morozumi, Masato Shimada, Akira Kuriki
  • Patent number: 10103314
    Abstract: The piezoelectric material of the present invention includes a main component composed of a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by Formula (1), at least one of Mn and Ni, and Mg. The content of Ni is 0 mol or more and 0.05 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide, and the content of Mn is 0 mol or more and 0.005 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide, provided that the content of Mn and the content of Ni are not simultaneously 0 mol. The content of Mg is 0.001 mol or more and 0.020 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide. Formula (1): (NaxBa1-y)(NbyTi1-y)O3 (where x is 0.83 or more and 0.95 or less, y is 0.85 or more and 0.95 or less, and x/y is 0.95 or more and 1.05 or less).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Miura, Miki Ueda, Takayuki Watanabe, Shunsuke Murakami, Jumpei Hayashi, Makoto Kubota
  • Patent number: 10090821
    Abstract: A mechanical resonator includes a spring-mass system, wherein the spring-mass system comprises a phase-change material. The mechanical resonator typically comprises an electrical circuit portion, coupled to the phase-change material to alter a phase configuration within the phase-change material. Methods of operation are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Johan B. C. Engelen, Mark A. Lantz, Wabe W. Koelmans
  • Patent number: 10084394
    Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus and control method for a capacitive electromechanical transducer with small decrease in transmission/reception efficiency, and with sets of transmission/reception characteristics with different frequency ranges. The apparatus has cells each including first and second electrodes facing each other via a gap; includes a driving/detecting unit and an external stress applying unit. The driving/detecting unit performs at least one of causing the second electrode to vibrate and transmit elastic waves by generating an AC electrostatic attractive force between the electrodes, and detecting a change of capacitance between the electrodes, the change being caused by the second electrode vibrating upon receipt of elastic waves. The external stress applying unit changes the external stress applied to the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Kandori, Makoto Takagi, Masao Majima, Kenichi Nagae
  • Patent number: 10062832
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a microelectronic device comprising providing a substrate comprising a first bottom surface, providing a mold comprising a first top surface with first projections, and punching the first projections through the first bottom surface to define anchors, pre-cantilevers, and cavities in the substrate. A piezoelectric cantilever actuator system array prepared by a process comprising the steps of providing a substrate comprising a first bottom surface, providing a mold comprising a first top surface with first projections, and punching the first projections through the first bottom surface to define anchors, pre-cantilevers, and cavities in the substrate. A microelectronic device comprising a base, a first anchor coupled to the base, and a first cantilever coupled to the first anchor, wherein the base, the first anchor, and the first cantilever are an integral structure formed from the same substrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Sabic Global Technologies, B.V.
    Inventors: Jesus Alfonso Caraveo, Ibrahim Al-Howaish, Mahmoud N. Almadhoun, Abdulaziz Hamad M. Aldubayan
  • Patent number: 10050602
    Abstract: A tunable Q resonator using a capacitive-piezoelectric transducer provides a flexible top electrode above an AlN resonator. The top electrode can be pulled electrostatically towards the resonator and substrate, forming a frictional contact with either the resonator or the combined resonator-electrode structure to the substrate, allowing for electrical tuning the Q of the resonator. With a sufficient electrostatic bias voltage Vb, the resonator may be completely turned OFF, allowing for an integrated switchable AlN resonator. Such switchable resonator may be integrated into a radio frequency (RF) front end as a digitally selectable band pass filter element, obviating the need for ancillary micromechanical switches in the signal path. The device has been demonstrated with a Q approaching 9,000, together with ON/OFF switchability and electromechanical coupling up to 0.63%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Clark T.-C. Nguyen, Robert A. Schneider
  • Patent number: 10012644
    Abstract: In an aspect, a sensor includes a combining portion that combines with a second substance having a molecular weight larger than a molecular weight of a first substance. Further, in an aspect, the sensor includes a substrate including a surface on which the combining portion is disposed. The combining portion detects whether or not the first substance is included in an analyte that has come into contact with both an aptamer and the second substance. The aptamer includes a first combining part for the first substance and a second combining part for the second substance and is combined with either of the first substance and the second substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignees: KYOCERA Corporation, Kyushu University, National University Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Sando, Hideharu Kurioka
  • Patent number: 10009010
    Abstract: A resonant circuit includes a resonator having a resonant frequency and an anti-resonant frequency, an inductor connected in series to the resonator, an inductor connected in parallel to the resonator, and a series circuit in which a variable capacitor is connected in series to an inductor (15). The series circuit is connected in parallel to the resonator. The anti-resonant frequency closest to the resonant frequency of the resonator is moved toward higher frequencies or lower frequencies of the resonant frequency on a frequency axis with a variation in the capacitance value of the variable capacitor. With this configuration, a resonator device and a high-frequency filter are provided, in which the relationship between a transmission frequency band and a reception frequency band on the frequency axis is applicable to a variety of multiple communication bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime Kando, Masakazu Tani
  • Patent number: 10005279
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a MEMS device in which a plurality of substrates are joined in a stacked state and one face of faces defining a space formed in one substrate of the plurality of substrates is a movable region is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Wataru Takahashi, Yasuhide Matsuo, Kenji Otsuka
  • Patent number: 9966879
    Abstract: A system includes a hot source, a cold source, and a device thermally coupled between the hot source and the cold source. The device includes a thermal-mechanical transducer and a mechanical-electrical transducer. The thermal-mechanical transducer includes a band of bimetallic strips linked mechanically together by their longitudinal ends. The band partially suspended over a portion of a substrate. Each bimetallic strip has a first stable state having a first curvature and a second stable state having a second curvature opposite the first curvature, and adjacent bimetallic strips have opposite curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Stephane Monfray, Guillaume Savelli, Thomas Skotnicki, Philippe Coronel, Frederic Gaillard
  • Patent number: 9948273
    Abstract: A resonant member of a MEMS resonator oscillates in a mechanical resonance mode that produces non-uniform regional stresses such that a first level of mechanical stress in a first region of the resonant member is higher than a second level of mechanical stress in a second region of the resonant member. A plurality of openings within a surface of the resonant member are disposed more densely within the first region than the second region and at least partly filled with a compensating material that reduces temperature dependence of the resonant frequency corresponding to the mechanical resonance mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SiTime Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Hagelin, Charles I. Grosjean
  • Patent number: 9931245
    Abstract: A device for treatment of an ocular pathology characterized in that it comprises at least one eye ring (1) wherein the proximal end of said eye ring (1) is suitable to be applied onto the glove and means (2,17) to generate ultrasound beam fixed on the distal end of the eye ring (1), said means to generate ultrasound beam presenting a concave segment shape conformed along a single curvature corresponding to a single direction wherein the concavity is designed to be tuned towards the eyeglobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: Eye Tech Care, Insitut Naitonal de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale
    Inventors: Fabrizio Romano, Cyril Lafon, Jean-Yves Chapelon, Francoise Chavrier, Alain Birer, Laurent Farcy, Philippe Chapuis
  • Patent number: 9924923
    Abstract: Ultrasound apparatus or techniques can include obtaining reflected ultrasound echo information, which can be used to construct a two-dimensional or three-dimensional representation of an at least approximately specular reflected target, such as bone. In an example, echo information can be obtained from spatially-overlapping tissue regions, such as using one or more of an array of ultrasonic transducers, or mechanically-scanning one or more ultrasonic transducers. In an example, one or more of a deformable housing or a deformable coupling pad can be used, such as to couple ultrasonic energy between one or more transducers and a tissue region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: F. William Mauldin, Jr., John A. Hossack, Kevin Owen