Input Circuit For Mechanical Output From Piezoelectric Element Patents (Class 310/317)
  • Patent number: 12648359
    Abstract: An audio speaker system includes: an amplifier, where a positive input terminal of the amplifier is configured to be coupled to a first reference voltage node; and a piezo diaphragm including: a metal plate; a first piezo film attached to the metal plate, where the first piezo film is configured to function as a speaker during operation of the audio speaker system; and a second piezo film attached to the metal plate and spaced apart from the first piezo film, where the second piezo film is configured to function as a microphone during operation of the audio speaker system, where an output terminal of the amplifier is coupled to the first piezo film, and where a negative input terminal of the amplifier is coupled to the second piezo film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Diodes Incorporated
    Inventor: Hideto Takagishi
  • Patent number: 12640669
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the operation of a wind turbine, the wind turbine including a generator, a converter, a converter control unit, a wind turbine controller and a connection device to an external electrical power grid, wherein electrical power generated by the generator is input into the power grid via the converter, wherein the wind turbine controller is configured to determine a fault condition according to a fault condition signal and to active a safe operating mode in response to the fault condition signal indicating a fault condition, wherein the fault condition signal is determined by evaluating changes in an available output power signal generated by the converter control unit, the available output power signal describing the active output power available from the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Innovation & Technology, S.L.
    Inventors: Jesus Arellano Aguado, Asier Diaz de Corcuera Martinez, Stephane Munch, Gulfer Ozcetin, Pablo Vital Amuchastegui
  • Patent number: 12635417
    Abstract: A repoling driving device and a method thereof is disclosed. The repoling driving device, coupled to a piezoelectric element, includes a piezoelectric driver, a processor, and a current detector. The piezoelectric driver is coupled to the piezoelectric element. The processor is coupled to the piezoelectric driver. The processor drives the piezoelectric driver to generate a driving voltage. The piezoelectric element receives the driving voltage to generate an output current. The current detector is coupled to the piezoelectric element and the processor. The current detector receives the output current. When the output current is less than a given current, the current detector generates and transmits a repoling signal to the processor. The processor controls the piezoelectric driver to repolarize the piezoelectric element in response to the repoling signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignees: Interface Technology (Chengdu) Co., Ltd., Interface Optoelectronics (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., General Interface Solution Limited
    Inventor: Chu Jen Sung
  • Patent number: 12605690
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for controlling an ultrasound generator of a machine tool for generating ultrasound for machining a workpiece. According to the invention, a determined phase shift of the ultrasound is analyzed as a function of frequency and, based on the analysis, a regulation algorithm for controlling the frequency of the ultrasound generated by the ultrasound generator is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: DMG MORI Ultrasonic Lasertec GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Marx, Viktor Dolinger, Fabian Franzmann
  • Patent number: 12597902
    Abstract: Bulk acoustic wave resonator structures include a bulk layer with inclined c-axis hexagonal crystal structure piezoelectric material supported by a substrate. The bulk layer may be prepared without first depositing a seed layer on the substrate. The bulk material layer has a c-axis tilt of about 32 degrees or greater. The bulk material layer may exhibit a ratio of shear coupling to longitudinal coupling of 1.25 or greater during excitation. A method for preparing a crystalline bulk layer having a c-axis tilt includes depositing a bulk material layer directly onto a substrate at an off-normal incidence. The deposition conditions may include a pressure of less than 5 mTorr and a deposition angle of about 35 degrees to about 85 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Derya Deniz, Robert Kraft, John Belsick
  • Patent number: 12596249
    Abstract: An optical path control apparatus includes an oscillating part including an optical member on which light is made incident; an actuator configured to oscillate the oscillating part; and a drive unit configured to apply to the actuator a drive signal with a waveform including a first period in which a current value is changed from a first current value to a second current value and including a second period that is continuous with the first period and in which the current value is held at the second current value, to cause the actuator to oscillate the oscillating part and to control an optical path. The drive unit applies the drive signal so that the length of the first period is a value corresponding to the natural frequency of the oscillating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: JVCKENWOOD Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Takada
  • Patent number: 12568762
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a laminate and a first internal electrode. The laminate includes a pair of main faces, a pair of end faces, and a pair of side faces. The first internal electrode includes four electrode portions and a connector. The four electrode portions include a first pair of electrode portions and a second pair of electrode portions. The connector connects the first pair of electrode portions. The connector is spaced apart from each of the second pair of electrode portions by a first distance. Each of the four electrode portions includes a main electrode part. The main electrode part is spaced apart from the pair of end faces by a second distance. The main electrode part is spaced apart from the pair of side faces by a third distance. The first distance is longer than each of the second distance and the third distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2026
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiji Oguchi, Yasuyuki Satoh, Satoshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 12558888
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes an ejection unit including a nozzle, a pressure chamber, and a piezoelectric element that applies pressure fluctuations to a liquid in the pressure chamber according to a supplied drive signal, a drive signal generation unit that generates the drive signal, and a detection unit that detects a residual vibration generated in the pressure chamber. The drive signal generation unit generates the drive signal having a detection waveform including an expansion element that changes in potential from a first potential to a second potential to expand the pressure chamber, and an expansion potential maintaining element that maintains the second potential following the expansion element. A length of a period from a start to an end of a change in potential from the first potential to the second potential is equal to or greater than a length of a natural vibration cycle of the ejection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Katakura, Toshiro Murayama
  • Patent number: 12549414
    Abstract: A signal transmission device has an initial signal stabilization mechanism and includes a driver and a bypass circuit. The driver includes: a first current source circuit coupled between a high voltage terminal and a first node; a second current source circuit coupled between a low voltage terminal and a second node; and a driving circuit coupled between the first node and the second node. The driving circuit outputs an output signal according to a first bias voltage of the first node, a second bias voltage of the second node, and an input signal during a signal output operation. The bypass circuit is coupled between the first node and the second node. In the beginning of the signal output operation, the bypass circuit conducts a current from the first node to the second node to assist in establishing the first and second bias voltages and thereby stabilize the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chih-Yuan Yeh, Huan-Chun Li
  • Patent number: 12535901
    Abstract: A transmission driver receives an input signal, a first voltage, and a second voltage higher than the first voltage, and transmits a transmission signal according to the input signal, the transmission driver includes an output terminal that outputs the transmission signal and circuitry that is coupled to the output terminal and that operates in a first mode of transmitting the transmission signal with a first voltage range that ranges from the first voltage to the second voltage, and a second mode of transmitting the transmission signal with a second voltage range that ranges from the first voltage to a third voltage higher than the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2026
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Koike
  • Patent number: 12521758
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to driver circuitry for driving a piezoelectric transducer. The circuitry comprises: a power supply; a reservoir capacitance; switch network circuitry; and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to control operation of the switch network circuitry so as to charge the reservoir capacitance from the power supply and to transfer charge between the reservoir capacitance and the piezoelectric transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.
    Inventors: John Paul Lesso, Toru Ido
  • Patent number: 12514123
    Abstract: An actuator device includes a wiring substrate; a metal substrate; a first electrode unit provided to the metal substrate; a piezoelectric drive body disposed on the first electrode unit; a second electrode unit disposed on a first main surface of the piezoelectric drive body; a piezoelectric detection body disposed on the second electrode unit; a third electrode unit disposed on a third main surface of the piezoelectric detection body; a connection unit; an input unit; and an output unit. The connection unit is configured to be electrically connected to a reference potential on an outside such that a potential of the second electrode unit becomes the reference potential. The input unit is configured to input a drive signal to the first electrode unit from the outside. The output unit is configured to output an output signal generated in the piezoelectric detection body, to the outside from the third electrode unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2025
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Daiki Suzuki, Takuma Osaki, Makoto Nozaki, Kota Sugizaki
  • Patent number: 12498540
    Abstract: A drive device includes a piezoelectric element, a drive shaft that receives vibration of the piezoelectric element and vibrates along an optical axis direction of a first imaging optical system, an engagement member that is frictionally engaged with the drive shaft and is connected to the first imaging optical system, and a lens controller that controls vibration of the piezoelectric element, in which the first imaging optical system is provided to be movable in a range including at least a first position and a second position, and the lens controller performs control of moving the first imaging optical system from the first position to the second position in a case in which a signal for instructing a power of the drive device to be turned off is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Azuchi Endo, Masahiko Miyata, Masahiro Hideshima
  • Patent number: 12501594
    Abstract: A device, system and method for protecting electronic systems from failure or damage when such systems are subjected to undesired conducted or radiated energy such as electromagnetic pulse or electromagnetic interference. The invention also reduces the amount of conducted or radiated emissions from an electronic system. A novel, non-conductive signal feedthrough allows a desired signal to be communicated with electrical connectivity. An incoming desired electrical signal is converted to vibrational energy by a piezoelectric transducer, which is communicated into the interior volume of a conductive electrical enclosure housing a system to be protected, where it is converted back to electrical for processing by the system to be protected by a second piezoelectric transducer. The signal feedthrough allows a continuous conductive enclosure to be employed, providing protection from undesired radiated energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Inventor: Clark D Boyd
  • Patent number: 12474780
    Abstract: A tactile presentation device includes a panel including a region touchable by a user, vibrators disposed outside the touchable region, and a driving controller to supply driving signals to the vibrators. At least a part of the entire outer end of the panel is an absorber end region. Each point closest to one of the vibrators on the entire outer end of the panel is included in the absorber end region. The driving controller supplies driving signals to the vibrators to generate a standing wave on the touchable region. Each of the driving signals is a synthetic wave of a carrier and a modulating wave at a frequency lower than a frequency of the carrier. The driving controller is configured to control location of a node of the standing wave in the touchable region with phase differences among carriers of the driving signals for the vibrators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: Shanghai Tianma Micro-Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Takeuchi, Hiroshi Haga
  • Patent number: 12467511
    Abstract: There is provided a vibration damping material capable of exhibiting excellent vibration damping performance and of reducing its own weight while having high rigidity. The vibration damping material of the present invention used so as to be installed on a panel 300 of a vehicle includes a viscoelastic layer 200 and a constraining layer 100 provided on one surface of the viscoelastic layer 200, wherein a relationship between a strain ?a and a strain ?b is 0<?a/?b<1, the strain ?a being a strain on a surface 100a of the constraining layer 100 on the opposite side to the viscoelastic layer, and the strain ?b being a strain on a surface 100b of the constraining layer 100 on a side in contact with the viscoelastic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: KOTOBUKIYA FRONTE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuki Fukui
  • Patent number: 12470856
    Abstract: A portable electronic device comprising: an enclosure having an enclosure wall that forms an interior chamber containing a transducer and a valve operable to open or close a vent to the interior chamber; and a particle removal mechanism coupled to the valve that is operable to drive particles away from the valve upon application of a current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Grinker, Gokhan Hatipoglu, Peter C. Hrudey
  • Patent number: 12459001
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer multilayer structure, including: a semiconductor layer stack defining a diode, a micro-machined ultrasonic transducer, MUT, layer stack being electrically in series with said diode and comprising a first electrically conductive layer disposed at least partly on the diode, a cavity extending over a region comprising at least a portion of the semiconductor layer stack and the first electrically conductive layer, wherein the MUT layer stack comprises a membrane extending at least partly over said region. The ultrasonic transducer multilayer structure may be used in a sensor apparatus for measuring at least one characteristic of an object. The sensor apparatus is used for medical imaging, such as cardiac imaging, obstetrics, gynecology, abdominal imaging, intravascular imaging, and mammography, or non-destructive testing (NDA), fingerprint sensors, range finders, gesture recognition, ultrasonic haptic feedback, ultrasonic communication or MEMs speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
    Inventors: Michael Kraft, Robert Puers, Sina Sadeghpour Shamsabadi
  • Patent number: 12424367
    Abstract: Provided is a control device controlling an electromagnetic actuator that drives an operation device, supported in an elastically vibratable manner by an elastic support part, in one direction of a vibration direction of the operation device to vibrate the operation device. The control device includes a circuit that applies a main driving signal to a coil of the electromagnetic actuator to start vibration of the operation device in response to a touch operation on the operation device, then applies a sub-driving signal to the coil to adjust an attenuation period of the vibration. The sub-driving signal has a variable voltage varying with an offset voltage, as a center value, offset from a zero voltage, and a waveform that indicates a variation in the variable voltage is a sine function curve or a cosine function curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2025
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Dan, Thi Hong Thu Nguyen
  • Patent number: 12416780
    Abstract: A lens holder driving device includes a first piezoelectric driver configured to move a first lens holder along an optical-axis direction based on the movement of a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric driver configured to move a second lens holder along the optical-axis direction based on the movement of a second piezoelectric element. The first lens holder includes a portion (first left-bearing portion) near a first shaft member and a portion near a second shaft member. The first piezoelectric driver is provided in the first left-bearing portion and contacts the first shaft member. The second lens holder incudes a portion near the first shaft member and a portion (second right-bearing portion) near the second shaft member. The second piezoelectric driver is provided in the second right-bearing portion and contacts the second shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2025
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 12419195
    Abstract: There is presented a method for driving a piezoelectric device and an atomizer for atomizing a fluid, and an atomization method for a fluid using a piezoelectric device; the atomizer employs a piezoelectric device and circuitry that uses a switching voltage across the piezoelectric device at an operating frequency; sensing a sensed voltage corresponding to a phase of the piezoelectric device; and responsive to whether the sensed voltage is in phase or out of phase relative to the switching voltage, changing the operating frequency provided to the piezoelectric device, and the changing is one of: increasing the operating frequency by a first value, or decreasing the operating frequency by a second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2025
    Inventors: Liat Keng Kang, William Tan
  • Patent number: 12397274
    Abstract: In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, methods for mitigating particle retention are provided including the use of frequency sweep excitation to eject particle in the sweep. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the acoustically driven fluid ejector can be capable of being switched between multiple modes of operation. In other embodiments according to the present disclosure, the acoustically driven fluid ejector can be altered such that it includes the capability to be filled with a biocompatible material to aid in the mitigation of particle aggregation in the acoustically driven fluid ejector. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the solid structure and number of nozzles of the acoustically driven fluid ejector can be adjusted such that the ejector of the acoustically driven fluid ejector can be self-pumping, i.e. no external pumping mechanism other than acoustics driven flow drag is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignee: OpenCell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Mark Meacham, Andrei G. Fedorov, Fahrettin Levent Degertekin
  • Patent number: 12396367
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to circuitry for driving a piezoelectric transducer. The circuitry may be implemented as an integrated circuit and comprises driver circuitry configured to supply a drive signal to cause the transducer to generate an output signal and active inductor circuitry configured to be coupled with the piezoelectric transducer. The active inductor circuitry may be tuneable to adjust a frequency characteristic of the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2025
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Lesso
  • Patent number: 12390833
    Abstract: A device for generating a haptic signal. The device includes a haptic module for generating a vibration, a base plate and a cover plate arranged parallel to each other. The cover plate has an abutment surface facing towards the base plate and a top side facing away from the base plate. The haptic module is arranged between the base cover plates, a first partial area of the haptic module abuts the abutment surface of the cover plate and a second partial area of the haptic module abuts the base plate. A spring-loaded suspension mechanically connects the base plate and the cover plate. The spring-loaded suspension is designed so that the abutment surface of the cover plate is moved towards the base plate when the cover plate is in a neutral position and a force is exerted in the direction of the base plate on any point on the top side of the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2025
    Assignee: TDK Electronics AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Stanje, Andreas Pentscher-Stani, Johannes Burger
  • Patent number: 12372592
    Abstract: A sensor device includes a bridge circuit, a bias circuit, and a detection signal receiving circuit. The bridge circuit includes four sensor elements connected in a bridge. The bias circuit includes an oscillation circuit and an averaging circuit. The oscillation circuit outputs an oscillation signal, in which an output voltage in a first output state and an output voltage in a second output state with temperature dependency repeat alternately at a predetermined ratio. The averaging circuit averages the output voltage of the oscillation circuit and applies the averaged output voltage as a bias voltage to a bias end of the bridge circuit. By applying this voltage, the bias circuit excites the bridge circuit and compensates for a temperature characteristic of the sensitivity by offsetting a temperature fluctuation due to a temperature change in its sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhide Takase
  • Patent number: 12366489
    Abstract: A force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, a thin-film piezoelectric stack overlying the semiconductor substrate, piezoelectric micromechanical force-measuring elements (PMFEs), and piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs). The thin-film piezoelectric stack includes a piezoelectric layer. The PMFEs and PMUTs are located at respective lateral positions along the thin-film piezoelectric stack, such that each of the PMFEs and PMUTs includes a respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack. Each PMUT has a cavity, the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMUT electrodes. Each PMFE has the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMFE electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: UltraSense Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao-Yen Tang, Sina Akhbari, Man-Chia Chen, Zhongxuan Tu, Michael Chen
  • Patent number: 12342116
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a vibration member, a vibration apparatus disposed on a rear surface of the vibration member to vibrate the vibration member, a supporting member on a rear surface of the vibration apparatus, the supporting member including a first surface facing the vibration member and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a vibration signal cable disposed on the first surface or the second surface of the supporting member, and a conductive connection member electrically connecting the vibration apparatus to the vibration signal cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yongjoon Kim, Jaewon Hwang, Joongsup Han
  • Patent number: 12329712
    Abstract: A handheld focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (f-ESWT) device includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements, a power supply circuit, and a plurality of driver circuits. The piezoelectric elements are each configured to generate an individual shock wave. The power supply circuit is configured to output a first DC voltage and a second DC voltage. The first DC voltage greater than the second DC voltage. The driver circuits are each operably connected to the first DC voltage, the second DC voltage, and to a corresponding piezoelectric element of the plurality of piezoelectric elements. Each driver circuit includes a switching element electronically configurable in an open state and in a closed state. When the switching element is in the open state, the first DC voltage and the second DC voltage are applied to the corresponding piezoelectric element to pre-charge the corresponding piezoelectric element with a DC pre-charge voltage having a first polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: Curative Sound, LLC
    Inventors: James V. Olson, Jr., Jeffrey Phillip McAteer, Samuel C. Welsh, Randal Douglas Wood
  • Patent number: 12331734
    Abstract: A fluid control device includes a fluid conveying element formed by a pump and a valve, and an outer housing containing the fluid conveying element. The outer housing includes a first outer wall forming an internal space closer to the pump, and a second outer wall forming an internal space closer to the valve. The second outer wall includes an outer-wall main plate having a part overlapping, in plan view, a through hole that is a discharge hole of the valve. A thermal conductivity of the part of the outer-wall main plate overlapping the discharge hole is higher than a thermal conductivity of the first outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhira Tanaka, Yutoku Kawabata, Hiroki Achiwa
  • Patent number: 12313293
    Abstract: An indoor unit for an air conditioner in which the water level of a steam generator is linked with the water level of a supply chamber for supplying water to the steam generator, and a supply floater, which is lowered or raised according to the water level of the supply chamber, opens and closes a supply flow channel for supplying water to the supply chamber. The indoor unit for an air conditioner can control the water supply through the level of water stored in the steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Junseok Bae, Younggu Lee, Hwanhak Jang, Kangyoung Kim, Moonshin Kim, Seongkuk Mun
  • Patent number: 12311546
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for performing interactions within a physical environment, the system including: (a) a robot base; (b) a robot base actuator that moves the robot base relative to the environment; (c) a robot arm mounted to the robot base, the robot arm including an end effector mounted thereon; (d) a tracking system that measures at least one of (i) a robot base position indicative of a position of the robot base relative to the environment; and, (ii) a robot base movement indicative of a movement of the robot base relative to the environment; (e) an active damping system that actively damps movement of the robot base relative to the environment; and, (f) a control system that: (i) determines a movement correction in accordance with signals from the tracking system; and, (ii) controls the active damping system at least partially in accordance with the movement correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: FASTBRICK IP PTY LTD
    Inventor: Mark Joseph Pivac
  • Patent number: 12264979
    Abstract: A force sensing device is mounted on a tool to sense force, particularly quasi-static and static forces. The force sensing device includes at least one a sensor. A piezoelectric element in the sensor includes a driving portion and a sensing portion. A first voltage is input to the driving portion to generate a vibration in the piezoelectric element and a second voltage in response to the vibration is output from the sensing portion. The second voltage output from the sensing portion is changed as the vibration in the piezoelectric element is suppressed by an external force acting on the force sensing device so variation of the second voltage can be used to measure the external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: NATIONAL SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yu-Jen Wang, Yu-Jan Lo, Ren-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 12260050
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device including a substrate, an edge support structure connected to the substrate, and a membrane connected to the edge support structure such that a cavity is defined between the membrane and the substrate, the membrane configured to allow movement at ultrasonic frequencies. The membrane includes a structural layer, a piezoelectric layer having a first surface and a second surface, a first electrode placed on the first surface of the piezoelectric layer, wherein the first electrode is located at the center of the membrane, a second electrode placed on the first surface of the piezoelectric layer, wherein the second electrode is a patterned electrode comprising more than one electrode components that are electrically coupled, and a third electrode coupled to the second surface of the piezoelectric layer and electrically coupled to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leonardo Baldasarre, Alessandro Colombo, Federica Confalonieri, Marco Travagliati
  • Patent number: 12255595
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a piezoelectric transducer configured to transduce mechanical vibrations into transduced electrical signals at a pair of sensor electrodes includes stimulating a resonant oscillation of the piezoelectric transducer by applying at least one pulse electrical stimulation signal to the pair of sensor electrodes; detecting, at the pair of sensor electrodes, at least one electrical signal resulting from the stimulated resonant oscillation, wherein the at least one electrical signal resulting from the stimulated resonant oscillation oscillates at a resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transducer; measuring a frequency of oscillation of the at least one electrical signal resulting from the stimulated resonant oscillation to obtain a measured resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transducer; and tuning a stopband frequency of a notch filter coupled to the piezoelectric transducer to match the measured resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marco Sautto, Giona Fucili, Valerio Lo Muzzo, Kaufik Linggajaya
  • Patent number: 12247887
    Abstract: A structural health monitoring system based on a shape memory polymer includes a plurality of shape memory polymer buckling beam rod components, and a signal processing and structural health state abnormity warning platform. Each shape memory polymer buckling beam rod component includes an outer frame constraint, a shape memory polymer rod, and an electric signal generating element. The electric signal generating element includes piezoelectric material layers, and the signal processing and structural health state abnormity warning platform is electrically connected to the piezoelectric material layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Pengcheng Jiao, Xiaoxiao Cui, Tao Chen
  • Patent number: 12246346
    Abstract: A drive control device is provided that drives an ultrasonic motor element including a piezoelectric element. The drive control device includes a voltage divider circuit unit resistor forming a voltage divider circuit unit together with an identification resistor that identifies the ultrasonic motor element; a control circuit unit connected to the voltage divider circuit unit and that sets a drive condition of the ultrasonic motor element according to a voltage of an identification signal for identifying the ultrasonic motor element; and a drive circuit unit that applies a drive voltage to the piezoelectric element based on the drive condition set by the control circuit unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsushiro Terasawa
  • Patent number: 12249931
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vibration type motor includes a processor or circuit that serves as a driving signal generating unit configured to generate a driving signal of the vibration type motor; and a booster circuit configured to boost the driving signal. The driving signal generating unit changes a duty ratio of the driving signal based on a driving frequency of the vibration type motor or a current flowing through the vibration type motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirotaka Shindo
  • Patent number: 12210267
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a set-point voltage for a piezoelectric actuator system to achieve a desired optical response of the piezoelectric actuator system, such as an optical power. The method is based on a mathematical model, OP(V,T,n) describing a relationship between the applied voltage and the optical response. Calibration and use of the model involves determining a transition time count value. During use, e.g. at given intervals, the model is updated based on actual values of the temperature and the transition time count value. The set-point voltage required to achieve a desired optical response is determined based on the updated model and the set-point voltage is applied to the piezoelectric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: poLight ASA
    Inventors: Lars Henriksen, Nicolas Tallaron, Antoine Robert Marie Dalod
  • Patent number: 12197681
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer array including a substrate, a membrane overlying the substrate, the membrane configured to allow movement at ultrasonic frequencies, and a plurality of anchors connected to the substrate and connected to the membrane. The membrane includes a piezoelectric layer, a plurality of first electrodes, and a plurality of second electrodes, wherein each ultrasonic transducer of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers includes at least a first electrode and at least a second electrode. The plurality of anchors includes a first anchor including a first electrical connection for electrically coupling at least one first electrode to control circuitry and a second anchor including a second electrical connection for electrically coupling at least one second electrode. The ultrasonic transducer array could be either a two-dimensional array or a one-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leonardo Baldasarre, Alessandro Colombo, Federica Confalonieri, Marco Travagliati
  • Patent number: 12167696
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to circuitry for driving a piezoelectric transducer to generate an audio output. The circuitry comprises pre-processor circuitry configured to process an input audio signal to generate a processed signal; driver circuitry coupled to the pre-processor circuitry and configured to generate a drive signal, based on the processed signal, for driving the piezoelectric transducer; and processor circuitry configured to determine a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric transducer. The pre-processor circuitry is configured to process the input audio signal based on the determined resonant frequency so as to generate the processed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Lesso, Anthony S. Doy
  • Patent number: 12157571
    Abstract: A blade seal for sealing a gap between a first aircraft component and a second aircraft component, including a flexible seal member having a first end for attaching to the first aircraft component and a second end for extending towards the second aircraft component, a sensor and an actuator directly coupled to the flexible seal member. The sensor is configured to detect deformation of the flexible seal member and send a signal to the actuator in response to the deformation, and the actuator is configured to impart a load on the flexible seal member and to activate only in response to the signal received directly from the sensor by the actuator to counter the detected deformation of the flexible seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Alessandromaria Lurgo
  • Patent number: 12143779
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices having speakers and airflow sensors for the speakers. In one or more implementations, the airflow sensor may be formed, in part, by a mesh structure that spans a port in a housing of the electronic device. In one or more implementations, the airflow sensor may be formed, in part, by an exposed portion of a conductive trace of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Maier, Justin D. Crosby, Thomas Møller Jensen
  • Patent number: 12135251
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element device includes: a substrate including a plurality of vibrating portions having a first vibrating portion and a second vibrating portion; a piezoelectric element group in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements having a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element provided in the plurality of vibrating portions are coupled in parallel to each other; a plurality of load detectors having a first load detector including the first vibrating portion and the first piezoelectric element provided in the first vibrating portion and a second load detector including the second vibrating portion and the second piezoelectric element provided in the second vibrating portion; and a resin layer covering the piezoelectric element group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chikara Kojima
  • Patent number: 12122159
    Abstract: A head chip, a liquid jet head, and a liquid jet recording device each capable of increasing pressure generated while achieving power saving are provided. The head chip according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a flow channel member having a pressure chamber containing liquid, an actuator plate which is stacked on the flow channel member in a state of being opposed to the pressure chamber in a first direction, a drive electrode which is formed on a surface facing to the first direction in the actuator plate, and which is configured to deform the actuator plate in the first direction to change a volume of the pressure chamber, and a non-drive member which is stacked at an opposite side to the flow channel member across the actuator plate in the first direction, and which is configured to limit a displacement of the actuator plate toward an opposite side to the flow channel member in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: SII PRINTEK INC.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 12123409
    Abstract: A first power supply member and a second power supply member are arranged on the same side of a first member in a thickness direction of an actuator. The first power supply member includes a first external connection terminal. The second power supply member includes a second external connection terminal. The first external connection terminal and the second external connection terminal are arranged on the same positions in the thickness direction. A second insulating layer is arranged between the second power supply member and a frame body. A far end side portion on an opposite side to a side, on which the first external connection terminal protrudes, in the first power supply member is bent toward the frame body to be electrically connected with the frame body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuhira Tanaka
  • Patent number: 12112003
    Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting transmission data from a sensor controller that detects a pen to the pen through a sensor electrode group. The pen includes a pen tip electrode arranged near a pen tip, and an analog circuit that detects edges of a signal led to the pen tip electrode. The pen also includes a digital circuit that performs a correlation operation of an output signal of the analog circuit and known patterns to detect the transmission data. The sensor controller is configured to generate a pulse signal representing the transmission data. The sensor controller is configured to transmit the pulse signal, by using a main signal and a sub signal of the pulse signal so as to enhance the edges, thereby transmitting the transmission data through the sensor electrode group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Koike, Haruhiko Hisano
  • Patent number: 12079390
    Abstract: A handheld controller includes a housing and a first vibration source disposed in the housing and characterized by a first phase. The handheld controller also includes a second vibration source disposed in the housing and characterized by a second phase different than the first phase and a controller disposed in the housing, coupled to the first vibration source and the second vibration source, and configured to vary at least one of the first phase or the second phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Janusz Woods
  • Patent number: 12064790
    Abstract: A control console for a powered surgical tool. The console includes a transformer that supplies the drive signal to the surgical tool. A linear amplifier with active resistors selectively ties the ends of the transformer primary winding between ground and the open circuit state. Feedback voltages from the transformer windings regulate the resistances of the active resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Adam D. Downey, Neal R. Butler, Scott A. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 12064791
    Abstract: Examples of portable electronic devices including a piezo actuated vibrator for providing tactile feedback to the user are described. Portable electronic devices according to the present disclosure may include tactile feedback devices, which may be driven by a piezoelectric actuator/vibrator that is operatively coupled to or embedded into the housing of a portable electronic device. In some examples, the housing of the electronic device itself can be made of piezoelectric ceramic material. The piezoelectric element may be coupled to the housing of the product to cause the housing to deflect and/or vibrate. In some examples, the housing of the portable electronic device, which may be a portable media player device, may be configured for placement directly or indirectly in contact with the user's skin such that vibrations of the housing may be felt directly (without audible feedback) by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Zadesky, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Stephen B. Lynch, Martin Auclair
  • Patent number: 12050751
    Abstract: A device includes an electrical circuit and a mutual-capacitance sensing circuit coupled to the electrical circuit. The mutual-capacitance sensing circuit includes mutual-capacitance sensing electrodes including a transmitter electrode and receiver electrode. The device also includes a conductive overlay over the mutual-capacitance sensing electrodes. The mutual-capacitance sensing circuit is configured to detect deflection of a portion of the conductive overlay relative to the mutual-capacitance sensing electrodes. The receiver electrode has a shape with an inner edge, and the transmitter electrode has a shape with an outer edge that is at least partially surrounded by the inner edge of the receiver electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Peter Spevak