Abstract: A control apparatus for a vibration-type actuator which improves acceleration performance and deceleration performance in driving the vibration-type actuator. The vibration-type actuator moves a vibrating body and a driven body relatively to each other. A vibration state of the vibrating body is detected based on a vibrating voltage or driving current generated in response to vibrations of the vibrating body. A relative speed of the vibrating body and the driven body is detected, and based on the detected vibration state and the detected relative speed, the vibration state of the vibrating body is controlled.

Abstract: An ultrasound sensor includes: a diaphragm; a plurality of first electrodes; a plurality of second electrodes; and a plurality of piezoelectric layers which is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, in which, in a Z-direction, a portion in which the first electrode, the piezoelectric layer and the second electrode are overlapped is referred to as an active portion, and a range to the extent that the diaphragm is oscillatable by driving the active portion is referred to as a movable portion, when a unit including one movable portion and the active portion which is provided within the one movable portion is referred to as one ultrasound element in plan view, two or more types of ultrasound elements in which a dimension of the active portion with respect to a dimension of the movable portion is different from each other in plan view are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electronic devices having piezoelectric haptic actuators to generate haptic output. The haptic actuators can be configured as a beam with a bendable material layer and a piezoelectric material layer the cause the beam to bend. The bending force can be increased by coupling a magnet to the beam and positioning a ferritic plate near the magnet. Alternatively, a ferritic plate can be attached to the beam, with the magnet positioned apart from, but near, the plate. The haptic actuator can have a two-sided piezoelectric configuration, having a piezoelectric layer on each side of the bendable material layer. A two-sided piezoelectric configuration can have a second magnet and ferritic plate pair on a side of the beam opposite the first. The haptic actuator may use electromagnets.

Abstract: A catheter includes an electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuator disposed in a steerable tip at the distal end of the catheter. When activated, the EMP actuator deflects the steerable tip through an angle between 0 and 270 degrees, thus permitting the operator to steer the steerable tip through the vasculature. The steerable tip also has at least a first relatively stiff region and a second relatively flexible region, and the EMP actuator is provided next to the first relatively stiff region so that the steerable tip may toward the flexible region when activated. In one implementation, an external interface allows a user to select by name one of many sets of control signals, with each set of control signals being signals calibrated for configuring the catheter to mimic a known catheter.

Abstract: A method for generating a motor drive signal is disclosed, which includes: obtaining a non-resonance frequency sine signal, and inputting the non-resonance frequency sine signal into a first system; processing, by the first system, the non-resonance frequency sine signal to obtain a correction input signal; inputting the correction input signal into a second system, and processing, by the second system, the correction input signal to obtain an output signal in the same mathematical form as the non-resonance frequency sine signal, wherein the first system is an inverse system of the second system; and using the output signal of the second system as the motor drive signal. The present disclosure further provides an apparatus for generating a motor drive signal. The method and apparatus for generating a motor drive signal enable the motor to have a smooth output effect after being excited by the non-resonance frequency sine signal.

Abstract: Provided are a piezoelectric driving device, an optical member driving device, a camera device, and an electronic apparatus, which are capable of performing driving only by one-direction oscillation modes, and capable of combining the oscillation modes to enable driving in two directions. A piezoelectric driving device (10) includes: a driving portion (12) to be brought into frictional contact with an object to be driven; and two piezoelectric portions (14a, 14b) (14c, 14d), which are provided to the driving portion (12), are arranged on a plane with the driving portion (12) being sandwiched between the two piezoelectric portions, and are configured to be bent with respect to the plane when voltages are applied thereto.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements that generate a driving force to be transmitted to a driven portion; and a power supply portion that supplies power to the plurality of piezoelectric elements. The plurality of piezoelectric elements are electrically connected to the power supply portion in parallel.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, system, and method for managing radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals output by a generator that includes a surgical instrument comprising an RF energy output and an ultrasonic energy output and a circuit configured to receive a combined RF and ultrasonic signal from the generator. The circuit may be configured to isolate a direct current (DC) voltage from the combined RF and ultrasonic signal. The DC voltage may then be used to power various electrical components of the surgical instrument while still providing RF energy and ultrasonic energy for surgical application.

Abstract: A scanner comprises a mirror, a first and second springs, an insulation layer and a first and second piezoelectric elements. The insulation layer is directly attached to the mirror and the first and second springs. The first and second piezoelectric elements are directly attached to the insulation layer. The first piezoelectric element has a first portion above the first spring, a mid-range portion above the mirror and a second portion above the second spring. The second piezoelectric element has a first portion above the first spring, a mid-range portion above the mirror and a second portion above the second spring. The first piezoelectric element has a first upper electrode layer, a first piezoelectric layer and a first lower electrode layer. The second piezoelectric element has a second upper electrode layer, a second piezoelectric layer and a second lower electrode layer.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus is disclosed. One apparatus includes a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode. The lower electrode has a partial overlapping portion and a non-overlapping portion. The partial overlapping portion at least partially overlaps the pressure chamber. The partial overlapping portion of the lower electrode has two ends in the transverse direction. The upper electrode has two ends in the transverse direction. A distance from the center of the pressure chamber in the transverse direction to one of the two ends of the upper electrode in the transverse direction is smaller than a distance from the center of the pressure chamber in the transverse direction to a corresponding one of the two ends of the partial overlapping portion in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A piezoelectric sensor comprises a microcontroller, a plurality of piezoelectric sensor elements of which at least two are useable for producing a haptic signal by a voltage (HV) generated by a boost converter connected to each piezoelectric sensor element, and connected to a piezo channel of the microcontroller. A multiplexer individually controls each of the switches if an enable a signal is present. The microcontroller is configured to use each of the piezo channels as a sensor channel for reading sensor input from the respective piezoelectric sensor element and in response to detecting a sensor input in at least one of the piezo channels to set the enable signal at the increase voltage pin and/or the enable signal pin, and to set a signal to at least one piezo channel in which the sensor input was detected.

Abstract: A driving stage of a servo valve, including a hydraulic ejector and a hydraulic receiver able to be moved relative to each other, one of the two hydraulic units being integral with a mobile unit, movable relative to a body of the servo valve through actuation means, characterized in that the actuation means comprise two piezoelectric actuators connected in series. Control device comprising a servo valve comprising such a driving stage.

Abstract: A signal extraction circuit includes: a first storage sub-circuit configured to receive a first signal including superimposed first touch signal and piezoelectric signal; a second storage sub-circuit configured to receive a second signal including superimposed second touch signal and piezoelectric signal, a phase of the second touch signal being opposite to a phase of the first touch signal; and an output sub-circuit configured to output the piezoelectric signals according to the first signal and the second signal during a third time period.

Abstract: The arrangements of the present disclosure provide a locating apparatus, a locating method, and a shelf. The locating apparatus includes a rotating mechanism, a distance measuring mechanism, and a locating circuit. The rotating mechanism is configured to control the distance measuring mechanism to rotate in a plane where the distance measuring mechanism is positioned, and to measure a rotation angle of the distance measuring mechanism in the plane. The distance measuring mechanism is configured to measure a distance between the distance measuring mechanism and an obstacle. The locating circuit is configured to determine a position of the obstacle in the plane based on the rotation angle of the distance measuring mechanism in the plane and the distance between the distance measuring mechanism and the obstacle.

Abstract: Implementations of the subject matter described herein relate to sensors including piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) sensor elements and arrays thereof. The PMUT sensor elements may be switchable between a non- ultrasonic force detection mode and an ultrasonic imaging mode. A PMUT sensor element may include a diaphragm that is capable of a static displacement on application of a force and is capable of a dynamic displacement when the PMUT sensor element transmits or receives ultrasonic signals. In some implementations, a PMUT sensor element includes a two dimensional-electron gas structure on the diaphragm. The sensors may further include a sensor controller configured to switch between a non-ultrasonic force detection mode and an ultrasonic imaging mode for one or more of the PMUT sensor elements, wherein an applied force is measured in the non-ultrasonic force detection mode and wherein an object is imaged ultrasonically during the ultrasonic imaging mode.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting a focused ultrasound wave into a medium to form (i) an ultrasound intensity well within the medium that exhibits a first range of acoustic pressure and (ii) a surrounding region of the medium that surrounds the ultrasound intensity well and exhibits a second range of acoustic pressure that exceeds the first range of acoustic pressure. The method further includes confining an object within the ultrasound intensity well. Additionally, an acoustic lens is configured to be acoustically coupled to an acoustic transducer. The acoustic lens has a varying longitudinal thickness that increases proportionally with respect to increasing azimuth angle of the acoustic lens. Another acoustic lens is configured to be acoustically coupled to an acoustic that increases proportionally with respect to increasing azimuth angle of the segment.

Abstract: A lens driving apparatus with a closed-loop anti-shake structure, including: a lens holder including a coil; a frame including a plurality of magnets and receiving the lens holder; a driving circuit board disposed under the frame; a plurality of first set of elastic bodies configured such that the lens holder remains movable in a direction of a first axis with respect to the frame; a plurality of second set of elastic bodies configured such that the frame remains movable in a direction perpendicular to the first axis with respect to the driving circuit board; and a first optical module and a first optical reference respectively disposed at the driving circuit board and the lens holder, the first optical module sensing a relative movement of the first optical reference so as to sense a movement of the lens holder in the direction of the first axis.

Abstract: A motor drive controller includes: a control circuit that controls an AC current flowing in a motor; a frequency modulation unit that frequency-modulates a speed of the motor when the motor is driven at a predetermined speed; and a current effective value controller that decreases an effective value of the AC current flowing in the motor as the speed of the motor modulated by the frequency modulation unit becomes closer to a resonant frequency of the motor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of display technologies, and provides a display device and a method for providing haptic feedbacks using the same. The display device comprises: a display assembly, wherein the display assembly comprises a display face and a non-display face opposite to the display face; a transducer; and a haptic engine. Specifically, the transducer is arranged on the non-display face of the display assembly, and configured to output a current with corresponding amplitude according to its own deformation. Furthermore, the haptic engine is electrically coupled to the transducer, and configured to generate different degrees of haptic feedbacks based on the amplitude of the current output by the transducer.

Abstract: A method for driving a piezo actuator includes detecting consumption current by stepwise sweeping the frequency of an actuator driving signal to drive the piezo actuator vibrated in response to first and second vibration modes from a first reference frequency and determining a frequency at which the consumption current is inflected to be a first resonant frequency, detecting consumption current by stepwise sweeping the frequency of the actuator driving signal from a second reference frequency and determining a frequency at which the consumption current is inflected to be a second resonant frequency, and outputting an actuator driving signal in response to the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for driving an inkjet print element in an array of print elements with an electric waveform is provided. The print element includes a piezo transducer for converting the electric waveform in a mechanical displacement. The electric waveform is tunable for an individual print element. The circuit includes a common waveform generator that is connected to the piezo transducer through a first print data dependent switch for providing an electric waveform independent of the print element. The circuit further includes a waveform tuning part, dependent on the print element and the print data, for controlling a second switch that adds electric energy from a voltage source to the electric waveform. The switches are operable in either a saturation state or a blocking state to limit an amount of dissipation in the switches.

Abstract: A positioning system including: a first body; a second body; and an actuator arranged between the first body and the second body to position the first body relative to the second body, wherein the actuator includes a first piezoelectric actuator and a second piezoelectric actuator arranged in series, wherein the first piezoelectric actuator has a first hysteresis, wherein the second piezoelectric actuator has a second hysteresis smaller than the first hysteresis, and wherein the second piezoelectric actuator has a positioning range at least equal to the first hysteresis.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator that may include a monolithic frame having an integral bias band that provides a resilient restoring force between a first contact surface and a second contact surface of the actuator that may be used to rotate an adjustment shaft. In some cases, a preload mechanism may also be included with the frame. Such piezoelectric actuators may be used for adjustable optical mounting devices such as optical mounting devices.

Abstract: A control apparatus is capable of improving responsiveness in a minute movement of a vibration-type actuator that has a vibration body (a piezoelectric device and an elastic body) and a driven body that pressure contacts with the vibration body. A driving unit moves the driven body by causing a thrust-up vibration in a pressurizing direction and a conveyance vibration in a perpendicular direction in the vibration body by applying alternating voltages to the piezoelectric device. A control unit feedback-controls a position of the driven body by using a first operational parameter that defines an amplitude ratio of the conveyance vibration to the thrust-up vibration and a second operational parameter that defines amplitudes of the conveyance vibration and the thrust-up vibration. A correction unit corrects a control amount of the first or second operational parameter so as to increase as the amplitude ratio decreases.

Abstract: Provided is an operating apparatus having a feedback mechanism. An apparatus main body is supported on a base using a plurality of plurality of supporting metal plates. Each of the supporting metal plates includes a first mounting piece, a second mounting piece, and an intermediate plate. When a pressing force of a finger on an operating surface of the apparatus main body acts, the intermediate plate is deformed to depress the apparatus main body, thereby operating a detecting member. When a feedback force from the feedback mechanism acts on the apparatus main body, the second mounting piece is bent to move the apparatus main body along the feedback force.

Abstract: A haptic device comprises a wearable material configured to a portion of a user. A vibrotactile actuator is coupled to the wearable material and provides haptic feedback in accordance with a drive signal. A driver circuit is electrically coupled to the vibrotactile actuator and provides the drive signal to the vibrotactile actuator. The driver circuit includes an alternating current (AC) voltage source assembly that has a first AC voltage source and a second AC voltage source, each having a terminal. The terminal of the first AC voltage source is electrically coupled to the vibrotactile actuator. A capacitive element electrically is coupled to the terminal of the negative AC voltage source and a regulating element. The regulating element includes a first coupling point and a second coupling point. The first coupling point is electrically coupled to the capacitive element and the vibrotactile actuator, and the second coupling point is grounded.

Abstract: A vibration actuator unit includes: an electromechanical converting element that converts an electric vibration of an applied actuating voltage into a mechanical vibration; and a contact portion that contacts an actuated surface of an actuating subject and a transmits a mechanical vibration of the electromechanical converting element to the actuated surface as an actuating force, wherein the electromechanical converting element periodically bends within a first vibration plane crossing the actuated surface to vibrate the contact portion within the first vibration plane, and periodically bends within a second vibration plane crossing the first vibration plane to vibrate the contact portion within the second vibration plane.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a device may include a piezoelectric speaker for generating sound, a microphone, and a controller communicatively coupled to the speaker and the microphone. The controller may be configured to receive a first signal from the piezoelectric speaker, the first signal induced at least in part by sound incident on the speaker other than sound generated by the piezoelectric speaker, receive a second signal from the microphone, the second signal induced by sound incident on the microphone, process at least one of the first signal and the second signal to determine at least one characteristic of sound incident upon at least one of the piezoelectric speaker and the microphone, and select at least one of the microphone and the piezoelectric speaker as a signal source for incident sound based on the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A sensor system for use in a wellbore is provided that can include a piezoelectric transducer for transmitting an acoustic wave into a fluid medium positioned in the wellbore by repeatedly bending between two positions in response to an actuation signal. The piezoelectric transducer can include at least four piezoelectric layers stacked on top of one another. Each of the four piezoelectric layers can be coupled to an adjacent layer via a bonding material. Each of the four piezoelectric layers can include a piezoelectric material, a top electrode coupled to a top surface of the piezoelectric material, and a bottom electrode coupled to a bottom surface of the piezoelectric material. The sensor system can also include a hydrophone for detecting a reflection or a refraction of the acoustic wave off an object in the wellbore and transmitting an associated signal to a processing device.

Abstract: A driving circuit for a piezoelectrically actuated pump includes a boost converter, a control circuit and a voltage switch circuit. The boost converter outputs a constant voltage. The control circuit includes a voltage-division circuit, a comparator and a frequency adjustment circuit. The constant voltage is divided by the voltage-division circuit into a first voltage and a second voltage. The comparator compares first voltage with second voltage so as to output a positive voltage or a negative voltage. The voltage switch circuit receives and feedbacks positive voltage or negative voltage to the piezoelectric actuator load. The control circuit and the voltage switch circuit form a resonant circuit to control the piezoelectric actuator load according to the variety of minor voltage outputted form the piezoelectric actuator load. The frequency adjustment circuit detects and adjusts the variety of the minor voltage automatically so as to adjust operating frequency of the piezoelectric actuator load.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ultrasonic motor includes: a drive piezoelectric material wherein a plurality of piezoelectric elements, which are polarized by opposite polarities along a circumferential direction around a rotation shaft, are alternately arranged, and a vibration-control piezoelectric material wherein a plurality of piezoelectric elements, which are arranged along a circumferential direction around the rotation shaft and polarized by opposite polarities, are arranged to correspond to the plurality of piezoelectric elements of the drive piezoelectric material, wherein AC power and another AC power having a phase difference with respect to the AC power are respectively applied to the piezoelectric material and the vibration-control piezoelectric material, in a vibration damping area of the drive piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are disclosed. The system includes a command module that generates haptic commands; a haptic actuator; a drive circuit that applies a first driving voltage in response to a first haptic command and applies a second driving voltage in response to a second haptic command. The apparatus includes a haptic actuator; a DC power supply; a first power supply circuit that outputs a first DC voltage; a second power supply circuit that outputs a second DC voltage higher than the first DC voltage; a drive circuit that applies a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage; and a controller that designates an operating mode. The method includes generating a first haptic command and a second haptic command; applying a first driving voltage to a haptic actuator; and applying a second driving voltage to the haptic actuator.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element drive circuit includes a piezoelectric element array in which the N number (N is an integer of two or more) of piezoelectric elements respectively having a piezoelectric substance whose thickness is 0.05 ?m to 20 ?m and two electrodes interposing the piezoelectric substance therebetween are connected in series, a first generation circuit that supplies a voltage including an AC component and a DC component to the piezoelectric element array, and a second generation circuit that supplies a voltage including the DC component to the M number (M is an integer of one or more) of connection points within the (N?1) number of connection points between two adjacent piezoelectric elements in the piezoelectric element array.

Abstract: An ink jet head drive device includes a pressure chamber in which a liquid can be contained, an actuator configured to change a pressure on the liquid in the pressure chamber by changing a volume of the pressure chamber in response to a drive signal, a nozzle through which the liquid contained in the pressure chamber can be ejected when an ejection pulse is supplied to the actuator, and a drive circuit configured to output the drive signal to the actuator as a drive waveform having a first pulse group and a second pulse group following the first pulse group when at least three consecutive ejection pulses are included in the drive waveform. All ejection pulses in the first pulse group have a first voltage amplitude, and all ejection pulses in the second pulse group have a second voltage amplitude that is smaller than the first voltage amplitude.

Abstract: A control circuit of a piezoelectric driving device includes: a signal generation unit that inputs a state inspection signal to a plurality of piezoelectric elements connected to each other in parallel; and a state detection unit that detects a state of the plurality of piezoelectric elements based on a state detection signal generated from the plurality of piezoelectric elements in accordance with the state inspection signal.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a transformer, a first power source, a second power source, and a switching unit. The transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding, and drives an ultrasound transducer based on a voltage generated in the secondary winding. The first and second power sources cause a potential difference. The switching unit switches a connection path between the primary winding and at least one of the first and second power sources to a first connection path that connects the first power source to one end of the primary winding and the second power source to the other end, a second connection path that connects the first power source to the other end and the second power source to the one end, or a ground connection path that connects the first power source or the second power source to the ground through the primary winding.

Abstract: A dynamic vibration absorber includes an arm section that includes an elastic unit; and a weight section that is connected to the arm section and includes a mass unit. The arm section and the weight section each include a plurality of stacked single-layer materials having different degrees of elasticity and specific gravities, and at least one of the single-layer materials of the arm section and at least one of the single-layer materials of the weight section are shared in common.

Abstract: In an example, a piezoelectric printhead assembly includes a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) die including a plurality of nozzles. An application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) die is coupled to the MEMS die by a plurality of wire bonds, wherein each of the wire bonds corresponds to a respective nozzle of the plurality of nozzles. An arbitrary data generator (ADG) on the ASIC is to provide a digital data sequence, and a multiplier is to scale multiple nozzles of the plurality of nozzles.

Abstract: To respond to an n-bit digital signal, a speaker (1) is provided that includes an sound pressure generator (10) including 2i?1 piezoelectric elements (51, 52, and 53) for an i-th bit, and a total of 2n?1 stacked piezoelectric elements (51, 52, and 53). Due to divided vibration of the piezoelectric elements (51, 52, and 53), the speaker (1) has low directionality. Planar electrodes (80, 81, 82, and 83), to which voltage is applied, are provided between the piezoelectric elements (51, 52, and 53). By this means, all the piezoelectric elements can be driven using similar voltages, and high sound quality can be obtained without a problem of unit-to-unit differences between voltage sources.

Abstract: A new acoustic tag and process are disclosed for identifying and tracking underwater hosts in up to three dimensions. The acoustic tag has an operation lifetime up to a year or longer at a pulse rate interval of about 15 seconds. The acoustic tag has a signal detection range up to at least about 500 meters that enhances detection probability.

Abstract: Circuitry for ultrasound devices is described. A multilevel pulser is described, which can provide bipolar pulses of multiple levels. The multilevel pulser includes a pulsing circuit and pulser and feedback circuit. Symmetric switches are also described. The symmetric switches can be positioned as inputs to ultrasound receiving circuitry to block signals from the receiving circuitry.

Abstract: An electronic device for controlling applications using at least one piezoelectric, electrostrictive, or magnetostrictive transducer. The device includes an electric power generator, electronic control means capable of automatically controlling the electric power generator by using a control macro-function, and an electronic memory. Stored in the memory are the following: a first family of control functions including one or more different elementary control functions, each elementary control function of the first family making it possible to adjust the amplitude of the control signal; a second family of control functions including one or more different elementary control functions, each elementary control function of the second family making it possible to adjust the duration of the control signal; and a third family of control functions including several different elementary control functions, each elementary control function of the third family making it possible to adjust the cycle of the control signal.

Abstract: An electronic assembly and a method for manufacturing the electronic assembly are provided. The method includes: configuring a chip and a connector at a first wiring layer of a PCB, and determining a first trace between a first pin of the chip and a first pin of the connector, and a second trace between a second pin of the chip and a second pin of the connector according to a first internal resistance of the chip, a second internal resistance of the chip, a first internal resistance of the connector, and a second internal resistance of the connector.

Abstract: The lens barrel includes a lens housing barrel including a first barrel portion and a second barrel portion having a diameter smaller than that of the first barrel portion, an external barrel disposed at an outer circumference of the lens housing barrel and extending from an object side further than the first barrel portion to the second barrel portion, and a first elastic member disposed between the external barrel and the second barrel portion and elastically deformable with a movement of the external barrel with respect to the lens housing barrel due to an external force from the object side. The lens barrel further includes a second elastic member disposed between the external barrel and the first barrel portion and elastically deformable with a movement of the external barrel with respect to the lens housing barrel due to an external force from a radially outer side.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus is disclosed. One apparatus includes a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode. The lower electrode has a partial overlapping portion and a non-overlapping portion. The partial overlapping portion at least partially overlaps the pressure chamber. The partial overlapping portion of the lower electrode has two ends in the transverse direction. The upper electrode has two ends in the transverse direction. A distance from the center of the pressure chamber in the transverse direction to one of the two ends of the upper electrode in the transverse direction is smaller than a distance from the center of the pressure chamber in the transverse direction to a corresponding one of the two ends of the partial overlapping portion in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A driver for a piezo actuator includes a transconductance amplifier to produce an output current, a slew rate-controlled amplifier, and a logic gate. The logic gate receives a first control signal to cause the transconductance amplifier to transition to a high impedance mode, receive a compare signal indicative of the amplitude of the output current produced by the transconductance amplifier being less than a threshold, and generate a second control signal to the transconductance amplifier responsive to the first control signal indicating the high impedance mode for the transconductance amplifier and the compare signal indicative of the output current being less than the threshold. A voltage is provided to the slew rate-controlled amplifier upon assertion of the first control signal, wherein the voltage causes the slew rate controlled amplifier to generate a voltage to the transconductance amplifier that causes the transconductance amplifier's output to fall below the threshold.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer and generator assembly disposed in the housing, a shaft extending from a distal end of the housing, and an end effector assembly coupled to the shaft and operatively connected to the ultrasonic transducer and generator assembly. The ultrasonic surgical instrument further includes a handle assembly having a first set of power contacts formed thereon and being removably attachable to the housing, a power receiving mechanism having a second set of power contacts formed thereon, and a power cable electrically connected between the first and second power contacts.

Abstract: Apparatus for real-time execution of ultrasound system actions includes processor and memory to store instructions. Execution of the instructions causes processor to receive a task list including task actions that include next task action in task list. Next task action includes task instructions. Processor determines whether next task instruction in next task action is a timed instruction that includes a timestamp field having a time value indicating a time at which next task action is to be executed, and a hardware-enable field indicating hardware elements required to be available before execution of timed instruction. If next task instruction is not a timed instruction, processor may execute next task instruction. If next task instruction is timed instruction, processor determines whether time value has expired. If time value has expired, processor signals an error has occurred, and if time value has not expired, processor waits for time value. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: An electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducer may include (a) one or more EMP layers each having a first operating characteristic; and (b) one or more EMP layers each having a second operating characteristic different from the first operating characteristic. The EMP transducer may include at least two EMP layers that are activated independently, and one or more EMP layers being configured to be a sensing layer. The sensing layer may sensitive to one or both of the operating characteristics (e.g., temperature, strain, pressure and their respective rates of change). Other operating characteristic may include resin type, modulus, film thicknesses, degrees of deformations, operating temperature ranges, a stretching ratio of the EMP layers, metallization patterns of electrodes, arrangements of active and inactive EMP layers, arrangements of irradiated EMP layers, arrangements of EMP layers acting as sensors, and arrangements of inactive layers of various degrees of stiffness.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor includes a rotating body, a piezoelectric actuator including a protruding section having contact with the rotating body, and adapted to rotate the rotating body due to a motion of the protruding section when driving a piezoelectric element, and a drive circuit adapted to drive the piezoelectric element, and the drive circuit includes a drive signal generation section adapted to output a drive signal with a predetermined frequency, and an LC filter adapted to block a frequency higher than the predetermined frequency, and applies the drive signal to the piezoelectric element via the LC filter.