Abstract: An implantable blood pump comprising a housing. At least one stator is disposed within the housing. A rotor is disposed within the housing, the at least one stator being configured to rotate the rotor when current is applied to the stator. At least one at least partially piezoelectric disk is disposed within the housing.

Abstract: A projection apparatus is provided. A gear structure and a positioning piece in the projection lens module are disposed about opposite sides outside the lens barrel. The gear structure and the positioning piece rotates around an optical axis of the lens barrel acting as a rotating axis. Moreover, when the gear structure rotates, the positioning piece rotates relative to the gear structure. A transmission gear of the motor module meshes with the gear structure to drive the gear structure to rotate. The positioning module is disposed next to the positioning piece and is configured for measuring rotation of the positioning piece to generate a positioning signal. The controller controls the motor module to drive the transmission gear, receives the positioning signal, and calculates a backlash between the transmission gear and the gear structure according to the positioning signal. A backlash detecting system and a method thereof are provided.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a non-contact, medical ultrasound therapy system for generating and controlling low frequency ultrasound. The ultrasound therapy system includes a treatment wand including an ultrasonic transducer, a generator unit, and a cable coupling the treatment wand to the generator unit. The generator unit generates electric power output to drive the ultrasonic transducer and includes a digital frequency generator, wherein the generator unit digitally controls energy output at resonance frequency of the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: Noise produced during phase-difference changes is minimized without decreasing the responsiveness of a vibration-wave motor. A lens-side MCU for a lens barrel controls a drive apparatus that applies a drive voltage to the vibration-wave motor by outputting an A-phase drive signal and a B-phase drive signal thereto. The lens-side MCU uses, for example, a drive-voltage setting unit and a duty-cycle change unit to change the drive voltage. Also, the lens-side MCU is provided with a phase-difference change unit that changes the phase difference between the A-phase drive signal and the B-phase drive signal. When driving the vibration-wave motor, the lens-side MCU changes the drive voltage to Vreg, and when the phase-difference change unit is changing the aforementioned phase difference, the drive voltage is changed to V1, V1 being greater than zero and less than Vreg.

Abstract: An apparatus for an alpha trim adjustment includes a phase delay circuit that creates a phase delay for a gate signal for a switching cycle. The gate signal is for a phase of a three-phase, phase shifted alternating current (“AC”) input of a multi-pulse motor drive powering a direct current (“DC”) motor. The apparatus includes an alpha trim circuit that modifies the phase delay with an alpha trim adjustment to create an adjusted phase delay for the switching cycle, a delay application circuit that applies the adjusted phase delay to the gate signal.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic motor including an annular vibrator and an annular moving member that is brought into pressure-contact with the vibrator. The vibrator includes an annular vibrating plate and an annular piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes an annular lead-free piezoelectric ceramic piece, a common electrode arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the other surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece. The plurality of electrodes include two drive phase electrodes, one or more non-drive phase electrodes, and one or more detection phase electrodes. A second surface of the vibrating plate includes a plurality of groove regions extending radially, and the depths of the groove regions change in a circumferential direction along a curve obtained by superimposing one or more sine waves on one another. The ultrasonic motor exhibits a sufficient drive speed while suppressing generation of an unnecessary vibration wave.

Abstract: A drive device for a vibration actuator, which makes it possible to perform low-speed and stable driving and expand a dynamic range of driving speed, includes first and second switching circuits, a position detection sensor, and a microprocessing unit (MPU). The first switching circuit and the second switching circuit apply a first drive signal and a second drive signal, for exciting vibration, to an electromechanical energy conversion element of a vibrating body. The position detection sensor acquires information on a relative position between the vibrating body and a driven body in press contact with each other. The MPU switches the first and second drive signals to third drive and fourth drive signals, respectively, based on the acquired information, to thereby change a position at which a highest one of peaks of amplitude of vibration excited in the vibrating body is formed.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a transmitter circuit, an inductive element, and a boost converter. The transmitter circuit outputs a current, which has a varying level, based on a supply voltage. The inductive element generates an output signal based on the current, such that wireless communication with an external device is performed. The boost converter boosts a system voltage to output the supply voltage. A voltage level of the supply voltage provided from the boost converter to the transmitter circuit based on the boosted system voltage is maintained to be equal to or higher than a reference level which is higher than a voltage level of the system voltage, regardless of a decrease in the voltage level of the system voltage.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element that can decrease the output voltage for detection relative to the input voltage for driving without requiring a step-down circuit between a detection phase electrode and a phase comparator and an oscillatory wave motor including the piezoelectric element are provided. A piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric material having a first surface and a second surface, a common electrode disposed on the first surface, and a drive phase electrode and a detection phase electrode disposed on the second surface. An absolute value d(1) of a piezoelectric constant of the piezoelectric material in a portion (1) sandwiched between the drive phase electrode and the common electrode and an absolute value d(2) of a piezoelectric constant of the piezoelectric material in a portion (2) sandwiched between the detection phase electrode and the common electrode satisfy d(2)<d(1). An oscillatory wave motor includes this piezoelectric element.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor. The sensor includes a Coriolis vibratory gyroscope (CVG) resonator, configured to oscillate in a first normal mode and in a second normal mode; a frequency reference configured to generate a reference signal; and a first phase control circuit. The first phase control circuit is configured to: measure a first phase difference between: a first phase target, and the difference between: a phase of an oscillation of the first normal mode and a phase of the reference signal. The first phase control circuit is further configured to apply a first phase correction signal to the CVG resonator, to reduce the first phase difference. A second phase control circuit is similarly configured to apply a second phase correction signal to the CVG resonator, to reduce a corresponding, second phase difference.

Abstract: A display device includes a position information acquisition part, a rotation information acquisition part, a first waveform generation part, a second waveform generation part, and a waveform display part, which displays plural second waveform data. The position information acquisition part acquires position information of a feed axis. The rotation information acquisition part acquires the rotation speed of a workpiece as rotation information of a spindle. The first waveform generation part generates first waveform data representing a change of the position information over time from time series position information of the feed axis. The second waveform generation part generates plural second waveform data by obtaining a time per rotation from the rotation speed, dividing the first waveform data into partial waveform data for time per rotation, and sequentially shifting each partial waveform data in the time axis direction so as to match a start point of the first waveform data.

Abstract: Disclosed examples include ultrasonic lens cleaning systems and driver circuits to clean a lens using four or more transducer segments mechanically coupled to the lens, in which the driver circuit provides phase shifted oscillating signals to the transducer segments to generate a mechanical traveling wave rotating around the center axis of the lens to vibrate the lens for improved ultrasonic cleaning.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling an ultrasonic motor provided at a rotary shaft of a surveying instrument to meet requirements for a rotation speed and a plurality of operation modes, and a surveying instrument for the same. In the present invention, the ultrasonic motor is controlled by a first signal having a square wave in a range of rotation speed of the rotary shaft from zero to a first speed, controlled by a second signal in which rises or falls of the square wave are sloped in a range from the first speed to a second speed, controlled by a third signal in which rises and falls of the square wave are sloped in a range from the second speed to a third speed, and controlled by a fourth signal in which the drive signal is continuously applied in a range higher than the third speed.

Abstract: The disclosed technology features methods for the manufacture of electrical components such as ultrasound transducers. In particular, the disclosed technology provides methods of patterning electrodes, e.g. in the connection of an ultrasound transducer to an electrical circuit; methods of depositing metal on surfaces; and methods of making integrated matching layers for an ultrasound transducer. The disclosed technology also features ultrasound transducers produced by the methods described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for detecting a resonant frequency giving rise to an impedance peak in a power delivery network used to provide a supply voltage. The apparatus includes resonant frequency detection circuitry that comprises test frequency control circuitry and a loading circuit. The test frequency control circuitry is arranged to generate control signals to indicate a sequence of test frequencies. A loading circuit is controlled by the control signals and operates from the supply voltage. In particular, in response to each test frequency indicated by the control signals, the loading circuit draws a duty-cycled current load through the power delivery network at that test frequency. Operation of the loading circuit produces a measurable property whose value varies in dependence on the supply voltage, thus enabling the resonant frequency to be determined from a variation in the value of that measurable property.

Abstract: A drive control circuit restores a holding force when a vibrator and a driven body have been left at a standstill for a long time period and when they are used in a high-humidity environment. A drive circuit outputs an alternating-current signal, which is to be applied to an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, based on an output from a control unit. The control circuit controls the drive circuit with first timing such that elliptical motion produced in the vibrator takes a path of which a component parallel to a driving direction of the driven body is large as compared to such a path that a speed at which the driven body is driven is the maximum. The first timing is different from second timing with which relative positions of the vibrator and the driven body are changed.

Abstract: A noise reduction device capable of reducing noise over a wide frequency range and a detection apparatus including the same are provided. The noise reduction device includes a splitting unit configured to split pulsed light generated in a first period into three or more pulsed light beams, a delaying unit configured to provide the three or more pulsed light beams with different delay times, and a combining unit configured to combine the three or more pulsed light beams. Among the three or more pulsed light beams, two pulsed light beams whose delay times provided by the delaying unit are closest to each other are configured such that a difference between their delay times is equal to the first period.

Abstract: A vibration motor controller controls driving velocity of a vibration motor relatively moving a vibrator and a contactor contacting the vibrator, the vibrator oscillated by an electromechanical energy transducer to which first and second frequency signals having a phase difference are applied, and includes a phase difference determiner storing a relationship between the frequency and phase difference between the first and second frequency signals, and determines the phase difference with respect to the frequency based on the relationship, and a controller controlling velocity of the vibration motor based on the frequency of the first and second frequency signals and the phase difference determined by the phase difference determiner based on the frequency.

Abstract: A motor driver combination for controlling a travelling wave motor includes a pre-driver including a microcontroller unit (MCU) chip including a plurality of high-resolution pulse width modulation (HRPWM) generators providing a frequency resolution better than ten Hz. A digital bus is for transferring digital words received from a controller in a servo and velocity control block to the HRPWM generators, where the digital words provide travelling wave motor operating performance information from the motor during its operation. A clock oscillator providing an accuracy of at least eighty (80) parts per million (ppm) is coupled to or provided by the MCU chip for each of the high-resolution PWM generators. A motor driver includes a plurality of power drivers for providing phased outputs for driving the travelling wave motor including a plurality of inputs coupled to outputs of the plurality of HRPWM generators. The travelling wave motor can be an ultrasonic motor.

Abstract: A method of controlling an ultrasonic motor coupled to a motor driver circuit, comprises receiving a temperature signal representing the temperature of the ultrasonic motor, receiving a position signal output by a first encoder representing the position of the ultrasonic motor, calculating an error between the position of the ultrasonic motor represented by the position signal and a target position, calculating a control signal based on the temperature of the ultrasonic motor represented by the temperature signal and the calculated error, and sending the control signal to the motor driver circuit to control the ultrasonic motor.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element that can decrease the output voltage for detection relative to the input voltage for driving without requiring a step-down circuit between a detection phase electrode and a phase comparator and an oscillatory wave motor including the piezoelectric element are provided. A piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric material having a first surface and a second surface, a common electrode disposed on the first surface, and a drive phase electrode and a detection phase electrode disposed on the second surface. An absolute value d(1) of a piezoelectric constant of the piezoelectric material in a portion (1) sandwiched between the drive phase electrode and the common electrode and an absolute value d(2) of a piezoelectric constant of the piezoelectric material in a portion (2) sandwiched between the detection phase electrode and the common electrode satisfy d(2)<d(1). An oscillatory wave motor includes this piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A method for electrically exciting a piezoelectric actuator of an ultrasonic motor is described. The ultrasonic motor has at least one acoustic standing wave generator, including an exciter electrode and a general electrode, wherein a capacitance C0 is developed between the exciter electrode and the general electrode. The method includes: applying a rectangular exciter voltage Ug to the exciter electrode and the general electrode of the acoustic standing wave generator; providing a voltage Ug with the aid of a feedback element; separating a voltage up from a voltage uc with the aid of a pulse filter; and changing the frequency of the rectangular exciter voltage in such a way that the phase shift between the piezoelectric current Ip and the rectangular exciter voltage Ug is substantially zero. A device for electrically exciting a piezoelectric actuator of an ultrasonic motor is also described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a machining control apparatus capable of decreasing a machining error, comprising: a rotation velocity decision process part for deciding a rotation velocity of the rotation tool in such a way that an amplitude of vibration of the rotation tool is decreased, based on a vibration state of the rotation tool and a vibration phase of the rotation tool when the rotation tool receives the cutting resistance force, in the case that the rotation tool vibrates due to the interrupted cutting resistance force generated in the rotation tool during the interrupted cutting; and a rotation velocity control part for controlling the rotation velocity(S) of the rotation tool based on the rotation velocity decided.

Abstract: A sensor element has drive vibrating arms drive-vibrating by energization, adjustment vibrating arms vibrating with the drive vibrations of the drive vibrating arms, detection electrodes outputting charge in response to physical quantities applied to the drive vibrating arms, first electrodes provided on the adjustment vibrating arms, electrically connected to the detection electrodes, and outputting charge with the vibrations of the adjustment vibrating arms, and a pair of second electrodes provided on the adjustment vibrating arms, electrically connected to a pair of detection electrodes, and outputting charge having an opposite polarity to that of the first electrodes with the vibrations of the adjustment vibrating arms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a driving circuit for a vibration motor and a driving method for the vibration motor. The driving circuit comprises: a detecting unit, coupled to the vibration motor, for detecting rotating position and rotating speed of the vibration motor and accordingly generating a detecting result; and a control unit, coupled to the detecting unit and the vibration motor, for controlling acceleration and deceleration of the vibration motor according to the detecting result. The driving method comprises: providing a detecting unit for detecting rotating position and rotating speed of the vibration motor and accordingly generating a detecting result; and providing a control unit for controlling acceleration and deceleration of the vibration motor according to the detecting result.

Abstract: A vibration-type motor controller controls a driving speed of a vibration-type motor relatively moving a vibrating body in which a vibration is excited by an electromechanical energy conversion element 20 to which a first frequency signal and a second frequency signal having a phase difference are applied, and a contacting body which contacts the vibrating body. The vibration-type motor controller includes a speed controller 1 configured to alternately switch a frequency control which changes frequencies of the first and second frequency signals while fixing the phase difference and a phase difference control which changes the phase difference while fixing the frequency so that at least one of a plurality of frequency controls or a plurality of phase difference controls are included to increase and decrease the driving speed of the vibration-type motor.

Abstract: Provided are a drive control apparatus and a drive control method for a vibration wave driving apparatus enabling a wider dynamic range and increased quietness. The drive control apparatus for a vibration wave driving apparatus of the present invention is a drive control apparatus for a vibration wave driving apparatus in which, by providing a drive signal to a vibrator provided with an electro-mechanical energy conversion device, a driven part in contact with the vibrator is relatively moved, wherein, when the driven part is activated by changing a frequency of the drive signal, a time throughout which the drive signal is made to be in an off state is provided every time the frequency is changed.

Abstract: The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of the present invention is provided with a 3-dimensional image construction unit configured to construct a 3-dimensional image using plural ultrasonic tomographic images obtained when the ultrasonic probe is moved in a direction intersecting the direction of the ultrasonic tomographic images; and an ultrasonic probe moving direction setting unit configured to set the moving direction of the ultrasonic probe, using an ultrasonic tomographic image displayed on the screen of the display unit as a reference, in either a first direction which intersects with the direction of the tomographic image or a second direction of opposite orientation to the first direction; wherein the control unit controls the arrangement order of the plural ultrasonic tomographic images in the 3-dimensional image constructed in the 3-dimensional image construction unit according to the moving direction of the ultrasonic probe set by the moving direction setting unit of the ultrasonic probe.

Abstract: The method for processing a sensor chip in accordance with the present invention has: 1) providing an acoustic wave operation system and a biochemical sensor chip, wherein the acoustic wave operation system has a piezoelectric transducer generating at least one cycle of longitudinal acoustic waves by a driving voltage and wherein a probe is immobilized on a surface of the biochemical sensor chip; 2) arranging the piezoelectric transducer at a distance from the biochemical sensor chip and filling therebetween with a medium for transmitting longitudinal acoustic waves; and 3) applying longitudinal acoustic waves to the biochemical sensor chip to remove an adsorbate bound to the probe.

Abstract: A method for driving an ultrasonic motor includes setting an upper limit rotation speed that is lower than a rotation speed at a resonance frequency at a lowest temperature of a predetermined operating temperature range and a lower limit frequency that is more than or equal to a resonance frequency at a highest temperature of the operating temperature range, and, when the ultrasonic motor starts, a rotation speed of the ultrasonic motor becomes lower than the upper limit rotation speed and the ultrasonic motor is driven with a driving frequency which is higher than the lower limit frequency.

Abstract: A stepper motor driver system includes: a digital signal controller configured to digitally synthesize synthesized analog voltage signals that will induce a desired velocity of a stepper motor when applied to a pair of stepper motor windings; and voltage amplifiers, communicatively coupled to the digital signal controller, configured to amplify the synthesized analog voltage signals to produce amplified analog voltage signals and to output the amplified analog voltage signals; where the digital signal controller is configured to synthesize the analog voltage signals by affecting at least one of a phase or an amplitude of each of the analog voltage signals as a function of the desired velocity of the stepper motor.

Abstract: A vibration actuator having excellent driving performance, a method for manufacturing the vibration actuator, a lens barrel and a camera. The vibration actuator is provided with: an electromechanical conversion element which converts an electric energy into a mechanical energy; an elastic body which generates vibration waves by oscillation of the electromechanical conversion element; a resin layer, which is formed of a conductive thermoplastic resin and bonds the electromechanical conversion element and the elastic body with each other; and a relatively moving member which is brought into contact with the elastic body with a pressure and is relatively moved to the elastic body by vibration waves.

Abstract: A control apparatus detects the relative position between a vibration member and a driving-member-side vibration detection portion on the basis of a signal that shows a vibrational state of the vibration member and a signal output from the driving-member-side vibration detection portion, the driving-member-side vibration detection portion being provided on a driving member and detecting a vibration of the driving member.

Abstract: A vibrating element of an ultrasonic motor includes a vibrating member, and a piezoelectric body to produce a traveling wave thus to vibrate the vibrating member when electric power is applied to the piezoelectric body. The piezoelectric body includes a first piezoelectric layer attached to the vibrating member and in which positive poles and negative poles are alternately polarized, a second piezoelectric layer attached to the first piezoelectric layer and in which positive poles and negative poles are alternately polarized, a plurality of electrodes formed on opposite surfaces of the first and second piezoelectric layers, and an electrode connecting part formed on outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second piezoelectric layers to selectively connect the plurality of electrodes to one other.

Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a first, a second, and a third frame, and a first and a second drive mechanism. The second frame is supported movably in a first direction with respect to the first frame. The third frame is supported movably in a second direction that intersects the first direction with respect to the second frame. The first drive mechanism is provided between the first and the second frames, and configured to move the first and the second frames relative to each other. The second drive mechanism is provided between the second and the third frames, and configured to move the second and the third frames relative to each other. Each of the first and second drive mechanism has a drive generator configured to generate drive with a piezoelectric element, and a drive receiver pressed relative to the drive generator and receive the drive generated by the drive generator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motorized stage includes a base part, first and second tables, first and second linear ultrasonic motors which respectively drive the first and the second tables, and first and second optical linear sensors which respectively detect the amount of move of the first and the second tables. The first and the second linear ultrasonic motors and the first and the second optical linear sensors are arranged in positions, which are at sides other than the front side of the ultrasonic motorized stage and prevent wear debris generated when the first and/or the second linear ultrasonic motor is driven from affecting the first and the second optical linear sensors, so that the first and the second linear ultrasonic motors and the first and the second optical linear sensors do not protrude upward from the upper surface of the second table.

Abstract: The disclosed is a piezoelectric phase shifter, which comprises: an input part for inputting input voltages; an output part for outputting output voltages; and a control part for tuning phase difference between the output and input voltages, which are made of a piezoelectric ceramic plate. Further, the input, output and control parts are separated by insulating gaps respectively. The wide phase shift range and good ability to manage high power and relatively high energy transmission efficiency may be obtained by the disclosure.

Abstract: A system for transporting particles includes a substrate and a plurality of spaced electrically conductive electrodes carried by the substrate. Further included is a carrier medium adapted for the retention and migration of particles disposed therein, wherein the carrier medium is in operational contact with the electrodes, and a vibration generator is positioned in relation to the substrate to impart vibrations into the carrier medium. In an alternative embodiment, the vibration generator is configured to generate an acoustic traveling wave, which includes a vibration component and a motivation component.

Abstract: To generate a drive wave for driving a piezo-actuator. Drive data concerning the number of drive waves supplied through a serial bus is stored in a drive data storage unit. A comparing circuit detects whether or not the number of drive waves have been generated, the number being specified by the drive data, and the drive wave keeps being generated until such detection is made.

Abstract: A device for processing workpieces uses ultrasound, with an resonant system comprising an ultrasound generator, an ultrasound sonotrode, and an anvil, wherein a workpiece is processed between the anvil and the ultrasound sonotrode. The ultrasound generator comprises a regulation means which has a regulation member connected upstream of the ultrasound generator to receive a feedback signal from the resonant system and to generate a regulation variable which is supplied to the ultrasound generator. A connecting point is provided between the regulation member and the ultrasound generator, at which the regulation variable of the regulation member is linked to a process variable from the processing procedure.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for an ultrasonic motor is provided wherein a diphase alternating drive signal having a predetermined phase difference and a predetermined drive frequency is applied to an ultrasonic vibrator equipped with a driver to be in contact with a driven member, such that longitudinal vibration and bending vibration are simultaneously generated in the ultrasonic vibrator to generate elliptical vibration, and drive force is obtained from the elliptical vibration to drive the driven member by the ultrasonic vibrator. The drive apparatus for the ultrasonic motor includes drive unit for generating the alternating drive signal and applying the alternating drive signal to the vibrator to drive the driven member, and burst drive unit for performing burst drive by applying, to the vibrator, a burst signal to inhibit residual vibration in the driven member after the driving of the driven member by the drive unit has been stopped.

Abstract: A method for driving an ultrasonic motor having an actuator section includes: a step of starting the ultrasonic motor by applying an AC voltage with a first frequency to the actuator section; a voltage detection step of detecting a voltage generated at the actuator section while lowering a driving frequency from the first frequency to a second frequency at which the ultrasonic motor stops; a starting step of starting the ultrasonic motor with a third frequency; and a driving step of changing the driving frequency from the third frequency to a lower frequency such that the driving frequency has a value within an operation frequency range, wherein the operation frequency range is within a range on a higher frequency side than the driving frequency at which a maximum voltage is detected in the voltage detection step.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop for controlling an electromechanical component comprises a digitally controlled oscillator (10), a phase comparator (20), and a digital loop filter (30). The digitally controlled oscillator (10) has an output (11), at which an oscillator signal (SOSC) can be picked up and which can be coupled to a first terminal (51) of the electromechanical component (50). The phase comparator (20) comprises a first input (21), which is coupled to the output (11) of the digitally controlled oscillator (10), and a second input (22), which can be coupled to the first terminal (51) or to a second terminal (52) of the electromechanical component (50) for feeding a current signal (S3). The digital loop filter (30) is connected between the phase comparator (20) and the digitally controlled oscillator (10).

Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator includes: an actuator body (5) including an actuator body (50); a control circuit (150) for setting a driving frequency; power supply sources (191, 192) for applying a driving voltage having the driving frequency to the actuator body; and a memory (170) for storing data related to a difference between antiresonance and resonance frequencies of the actuator body (50). The control circuit (150) determines, based on a reference frequency where a current value of a current fed to the piezoelectric element (50) is local minimum and the data stored in the memory (170), a lower limit of a control range of the driving frequency so that the lower limit is equal to or higher than a frequency where the current value of the current fed to the piezoelectric element (50) is local maximum and determines the driving frequency to be a frequency in the control range.

Abstract: An integrated optical auto focus and zooming system is provided, which includes a first optical lens, a first hollow casing, a second hollow casing, a plurality of piezoelectric elements. The first optical lens is placed in the first hollow casing, the first hollow casing and the second hollow casing are screwed with each other, and the plurality of piezoelectric elements are attached either on the first hollow casing or the second hollow casing. Upon the excitation of mechanical vibrations by the plurality of piezoelectric elements, a traveling wave is generated on the attached casing, so as to drive the other casing to rotate and then to move axially. Additional lens groups and casings can be added in the same way so to achieve multiple relative motions between lens groups and image sensor, and thus achieving the objectives of focusing and zooming.

Abstract: A drive unit includes a guide, a stage which is movable relative to the guide, an ultrasonic actuator for moving the movable body and a control unit for controlling the ultrasonic actuator. The ultrasonic actuator includes a driver element in contact with the stage and is fixed to the guide. A surface of the stage in contact with the driver element is an undulating surface. The control unit detects the position of the stage based on a change in contact pressure on the driver element due to the undulating surface.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a vibrator formed by stacking a plurality of rectangular piezoelectric plates in a thickness direction, a driving circuit for applying a driving signal to a piezoelectric plate, and a detection circuit for detecting an electromotive force generated when the piezoelectric plate deforms, and this ultrasonic motor is configured in such a manner that there are a first piezoelectric plate and a second piezoelectric plate among the plurality of rectangular piezoelectric plates, the first and the second piezoelectric plate each is a piezoelectric plate in which a longitudinal vibration polarization portion that can excite longitudinal vibrations and a bending vibration polarization portion that can excite bending vibrations are polarized in a thickness direction, and the first piezoelectric plate is connected to the driving circuit and the detection circuit, and the second piezoelectric plate is connected to the driving circuit and is not connected to the detection circuit.

Abstract: In an energy recovery type surface acoustic wave motor, an increase in energy efficiency at the time of energy recovery and supply is achieved by adjusting phase change.

Abstract: A vibration control apparatus capable of efficiently generating vibrations of different orders using the same electrodes. A plurality of electrodes polarized to have desired polarities are formed in a piezoelectric element, and are divided into a plurality of electrode groups each comprised of electrodes including two or more electrodes with different polarities. Phases and frequency of alternating voltages applied to the electrode groups are changed, thereby generating vibrations of different orders.

Abstract: Drive technology is provided which makes suitable low velocity driving and smooth changing of driving velocity possible and achieves reduced power consumption. In the driving device, the drive unit is driven which engages with drive shaft which moves back and forth in tandem with extension and contraction of the piezoelectric element. In this driving device, when the output cycle for cycle Te is repeated such that the voltages applied to the piezoelectric element 11 are the maximum value (+Vp), the minimum value (?Vp), and the middle value (0V), the movement velocity of the drive unit 13 can be changed by thinning the output cycle at cycle Tf. As a result, suitable low velocity driving can be carried out and power consumption can be reduced in the drive unit.