Direct Mechanical Coupling Patents (Class 310/323.01)
  • Patent number: 8441171
    Abstract: A motor device comprises a transmission substrate formed with a transmission portion that is wound around at least part of the outer periphery of a rotator; and a driving substrate that has a driving portion which moves the transmission portion by a certain distance in a state in which a rotational force is transmitted between the rotator and the transmission portion returns the transmission portion to a predetermined position in a state in which the rotation force transmission state is released, and is connected to the transmission substrate so that the driving force due to the driving portion acts on the transmission portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Okada, Akimitsu Ebihara
  • Patent number: 8390171
    Abstract: A linear drive ultrasonic motor includes at least an ultrasonic vibrator having a piezoelectric element, a driven member which is driven relatively by a frictional force between the ultrasonic vibrator and the driven member, a plurality of coupling members which are coupled with the driven member, a frame body which is coupled with the coupling member, a bias applying member which applies a bias to the driven member by the ultrasonic vibrator, a base member which movably supports the driven member, and a rolling member having a spherical shape which movably supports the driven member with respect to the base member. The plurality of coupling members include a positioning portion which determines a position of the respective frame body, and which have a shape which enables to fix by a point contact, sandwiching the frame body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Kudo
  • Patent number: 8373331
    Abstract: A display system is disclosed. The display system includes a display for presenting a visual output to a user, a piezoelectric element overlaying the display, and a rotor disposed adjacent the piezoelectric element and in mechanical communication therewith, wherein a selective energizing of the piezoelectric element causes a rotational movement of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Paul Farell, Jeffrey A. Turner, Stacee Hamm
  • Patent number: 8369037
    Abstract: An actuator assembly including a slider configured to be slidable along a sliding direction; and a driving force applying unit comprising a plurality of contact portions disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a direction crossing the sliding direction of the slider and for applying force to the slider by vibrating the contact portions. An optical system including a lens assembly comprising a lens unit comprising at least one lens and a moveable lens frame supporting the lens unit; and an actuator assembly as disclosed above. A driving force applying unit including a plurality of contact portions configured to contact the base plate and disposed in the slider to be spaced apart from each other in a direction crossing the sliding direction and configured to apply force to the base plate by vibrating the contact portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 8368287
    Abstract: An ultrasonic motor mechanism includes an ultrasonic vibrator that includes a piezoelectric element; a driven member that is driven relative to the ultrasonic vibrator because of a frictional force generated between the ultrasonic vibrator and the driven member; a coupling member that is coupled to the driven member; a first urging member that urges the ultrasonic vibrator with the driven member; a base member that movably supports the driven member; and a spherical rolling member that movably supports the driven member with respect to the base member. By interposing a second urging member between the driven member and the coupling member, the driven member is urged in a longitudinal direction. The driven member and the coupling member are coupled to each other by causing the driven member to abut the coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Kudo
  • Patent number: 8350446
    Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator (2) includes an actuator body (4) which performs a longitudinal vibration and a bending vibration, and a driver element (8a, 8b) which is provided on one of side surfaces of the actuator body (4) which is a mounting surface (40a), and performs an orbital motion in accordance with the vibrations of the actuator body (4) to output a driving force. The driver element (8a, 8b) includes a first driver element (8a) and a second driver element (8b) which are provided on the mounting surface (40a) at different positions in a longitudinal direction of the actuator body (4). The first driver element (8a) and the second driver element (8b) are located at different positions in a thickness direction of the actuator body (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Adachi, Takayuki Hayashi, Eiichi Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 8344591
    Abstract: Provided is a vibration actuator comprising an elastic body; an electromechanical transducer that causes the elastic body to vibrate; and a rotating body that rotates in response to a drive force received from contact with the elastic body at a vibrational antinode thereof, wherein the rotating body contacts the elastic body at a prescribed position along a direction in which an axis of the rotation extends. In the vibration actuator, the elastic body includes an elastic body contact member that is arranged in a region that includes the vibrational antinode of the elastic body, the rotating body includes a rotating body contact member that receives a drive force by contacting the elastic body contact member, and one of the elastic body contact member and the rotating body contact member has a contact surface that is oriented diagonally to the axis of rotation and contacts the other of the elastic body contact member and the rotating body contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Suzuki, Eiji Matsukawa, Kazuyasu Oone, Masaaki Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8330328
    Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a vibrator, a mobile unit, a holding mechanism, and a pressing mechanism. The vibrator generates elliptical vibration by degenerating different vibration modes and having a phase difference between the different vibration modes. The mobile unit is configured to be movable relative to the vibrator. The holding mechanism holds and fixes the vibrator in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the relative movement of the mobile unit. The pressing mechanism presses the vibrator against the mobile unit. The holding mechanism includes an adjustment unit for adjusting the resonant frequencies of the different vibration modes of the vibrator to substantially match each other when the ultrasonic motor is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Tsubata, Yoshihiro Ue
  • Patent number: 8330327
    Abstract: A piezoelectric oscillator that generates a travelling wave using two B (1, n) mode (n is a natural number) standing waves that are out of phase with each other by 90°. On a lower surface of an oscillating body, (4/3)n piezoelectric elements are provided in order to generate an n-wave travelling wave by combining the two B (1, n) mode standing waves that are out of phase with each other by 90°. When a wavelength of the travelling wave is given by ?, each of the piezoelectric elements has a dimension in a circumferential direction occupying a central angle corresponding to (1/2)??, and a plurality of piezoelectric elements are spaced apart from each other at intervals each occupies a central angle corresponding to (1/4)??.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Asano
  • Patent number: 8320063
    Abstract: An actuator capable of attaining two-dimensional positioning with a simple configuration includes an electromechanical transducer 11 which makes mechanical displacement in accordance with a voltage applied thereto, a driving shaft 12 which is axially displaced and inclined by the mechanical displacement of the electromechanical transducer 11, a movable member 13 which frictionally engages on the driving shaft 12, and a driving circuit for superposing a direct-current driving voltage leading to an inclination of the driving shaft 12 at a desired angle at a low rate of change preventing slide displacement of the movable member 13 relative to the driving shaft 12 and an alternating driving voltage for causing axial vibrations of the driving shaft 12 so as to cause slide displacement of the movable member 13 relative to the driving shaft 12 and applying the superposed voltages to the electromechanical transducer 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Shibatani
  • Patent number: 8303613
    Abstract: A Langevin transducer horn uses split electroding or selective electroding of transducer elements and phase relationships of the voltages applied thereto to determine the relative longitudinal and flexural/transverse motion induced in the tip of the horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Anthony Crandall, Blake Allen, Mark Stringham, Joseph Luis, Olga Jovic, David Blaine
  • Publication number: 20120274180
    Abstract: A vibration wave driving apparatus according to the present invention includes a vibrator having at least a vibration body formed with a projecting portion having spring characteristics and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, the vibration wave driving apparatus using motion of the projecting portion to drive a driven body in contact with the projecting portion, wherein the vibration body includes a base portion and the projecting portion, the projecting portion includes two wall portions formed in parallel to a direction orthogonal to a drive direction of the driven body extending in an out-of-plane direction with respect to the base portion and two wall portions formed in parallel to the drive direction of the driven body extending in an out-of-plane direction with respect to the base portion and a contact portion including a contact surface with the driven body formed by connecting the wall portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Araki
  • Patent number: 8294335
    Abstract: Elliptical vibrations are generated by combining longitudinal primary resonance vibrations resulting from expansion and contraction of a vibrator in a direction of a central axis and torsional secondary resonance vibrations or torsional tertiary resonance vibrations resulting from twisting of the vibrator around the central axis. A dimension ratio of a rectangle of the vibrator is set such that a resonance frequency of the longitudinal primary resonance vibrations and a resonance frequency of the torsional secondary resonance vibrations or the torsional tertiary resonance vibrations almost match. The vibrator includes a plurality of piezoelectric sheets. The longitudinal primary resonance vibrations and the torsional secondary resonance vibrations or the torsional tertiary resonance vibrations are generated because of formation of activation regions by polarization in a thickness direction of the piezoelectric sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Takizawa
  • Patent number: 8288919
    Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator includes an actuator body; and driver elements for outputting drive force, which are provided to the actuator body. The ultrasonic actuator further includes a holder which is provided to the actuator body, and which protrudes outwardly beyond principal surfaces in a direction crossing the principal surfaces of the actuator body; two supports for supporting the holder; contact rubber blocks limiting displacement of the actuator body by contacting the principal surfaces of the actuator body. The actuator body is biased toward a movable body side. A long hole extending in a biasing direction of the actuator body and into which the holder is fitted is formed in the support. At least two contact rubber blocks contact the principal surfaces of the actuator body at different positions in a longitudinal direction of the actuator body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Mukae
  • Patent number: 8288020
    Abstract: Provided are a piezoelectric thin film including a lead-free ferroelectric material and exhibiting high piezoelectric performance comparable to that of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), and a method of manufacturing the piezoelectric thin film. The piezoelectric thin film of the present invention comprises: a LaNiO3 film having a (001) orientation; a NaNbO3 film having a (001) orientation; and a (Bi, Na, Ba) TiO3 film having a (001) orientation. The LaNiO3 film, the NaNbO3 film, and the (Bi, Na, Ba)TiO3 film are laminated in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takakiyo Harigai, Hideaki Adachi, Eiji Fujii
  • Publication number: 20120250128
    Abstract: A component having a mounting support, a displaceable part, which is joined to the mounting support by at least one flexible joining component, and an actuator device. The actuator device is configured to set at least one subunit of the displaceable part and/or of the at least one flexible joining component into a first oscillatory motion along a first axis in such a manner, that the displaceable part may be set into an angular oscillatory motion about a first rotational axis. The actuator device is additionally configured to set the same and/or another subunit into a second oscillatory motion having a motion component along a second axis at an inclination to the first axis, in such a manner, that, in addition to the angular oscillatory motion, the displaceable part is displaceable about a second rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Stefan PINTER
  • Publication number: 20120242593
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a piezoelectric vibration module and a touch screen using the same. In the piezoelectric vibration module, a mass body is attached to a central portion of a vibration bar, thereby making it possible to maximize the amplitude of the piezoelectric vibration module, and a groove is formed in the vibration bar to provide elasticity and flexibility to the piezoelectric vibration module, thereby making it possible to maximize vibratory force of the piezoelectric vibration module. In the touch screen, the piezoelectric vibration module is attached to a lower surface of an image display part of the touch screen, thereby making it possible to directly transfer vibratory force generated in the piezoelectric vibration module to an input unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Kyung Kim, Dong Sun Park, Yeon Ho Son
  • Patent number: 8274198
    Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a fixed member including a surface, a movable member positioned to face the surface of the fixed member, and an actuator to cause at least a portion of the movable member to contact the surface of the fixed member and cause the movable member to move relative to the fixed member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sunghyuk Park, Jin-woo Cho, Ji-hyuk Lim
  • Publication number: 20120228996
    Abstract: A driving apparatus (100) is provided with: a base part (110); a driven part (130) capable of rotating around an axis which is along one direction (Y-axis); an elastic part (120) which connects the base part and the driven part and which extends along the one direction; and an applying part (140) for applying a force for expanding and contracting the elastic part along the one direction as an excitation force for rotating the driven part such that the driven part resonates at a resonance frequency determined by the elastic part and the driven part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8253303
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for driving an end effector in a surgical instrument are disclosed. The method comprises generating a first ultrasonic drive signal by a generator, actuating the ultrasonic transducer with the first ultrasonic drive signal for a first period, generating a second ultrasonic drive signal by the generator, and actuating the ultrasonic transducer with the second ultrasonic drive signal for a second period, subsequent to the first period. The first drive signal second drive signal are different over the first and second periods. The first and second drive signals define a step function waveform over the first and second periods. The apparatus comprises a generator to couple to an ultrasonic instrument. The system comprises a generator coupled to an ultrasonic instrument comprising an ultrasonic drive system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to a waveguide and an end effector. The ultrasonic drive system resonates at a resonate frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Brian DiNardo, Daniel J. Abbott
  • Publication number: 20120212895
    Abstract: A low Z linear vibrator is described well suited for use in small form factor portable devices such as a smartphone. The low Z vibrator can be configured to include a beam structure that can be attached to a vibratory mass and a low profile actuator. The low profile actuator can cause the vibratory mass to oscillate in a well-defined and predictable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sawyer COHEN, Ashutosh Yugesh SHUKLA, Andriy PLETENETSKYY, Nicholas MERZ, Timothy Michael JOHNSON, Yehonatan PEREZ
  • Patent number: 8237330
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-woo Cho, Ji-hyuk Lim, Sung-hyuk Park
  • Patent number: 8237331
    Abstract: The drive efficiency of a vibratory actuator is improved without increasing a weight of a driver element. An ultrasonic actuator (2) includes an actuator body (4) for generating longitudinal vibration and bending vibration, and driver elements (8), provided on a mounting surface (40a) which is one of side surfaces of the actuator body (4), for making an orbit motion according to the vibrations of the actuator body (4) to output driving force. In the driver element (8), a through hole (80) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichi Nagaoka, Yusuke Adachi
  • Patent number: 8217554
    Abstract: An ultrasonic method for removing and/or avoiding unwanted build-up on structures is provided, wherein the term build-up refers to, but is not limited to, ice, dirt, mud, or other wanted debris or contamination. Deicing or anti-icing structures of interest can include, but are not limited to, helicopter rotor blades, other helicopter blade components, fixed wing aircraft components, windshields in aircraft, automobiles, and other vehicles, ship hulls or other ship components, heat exchangers and other tubing where frost or ice could form, air-conditioning components, head lamp and other light coverings, bridge structures and components, and any structure where anti-icing or deicing would be beneficial. One or more ultrasonic actuators permanently embedded or coupled to the structure may be used accomplish the removal. The technique presented herein could also be utilized for non-destructive evaluation and structural health monitoring applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: FBS, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Royer, Jr., Joseph L. Rose, Edward C. Smith, Jose L. Palacios
  • Patent number: 8203224
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power generator for generating electricity comprising a core having an interior chamber, the interior chamber having a top portion and a bottom portion. The core is filled with a volume of a gas. A frequency generator is provided for resonating the gas at a high frequency, and means for securing the frequency generator to the core are provided as well. In addition, a pair of electrical conductors is connected to the core to conduct the flow of electricity away from the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: David J. Schulte
  • Publication number: 20120146459
    Abstract: A vibrator according to an aspect of the present invention is provided with an adjustment region which is realized with use of an electro-mechanical energy conversion element that is designed for an adjustment on a resonance frequency, and an impedance element is arranged to be connected to the adjustment region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Kojima
  • Patent number: 8183742
    Abstract: Piezoelectric motor that provides high speed and bi-directional operation. A first rotor is disposed about a first shaft, and a second rotor separate from the first rotor is disposed about the first shaft and a second shaft. Each of the rotors and shafts are centered on a common axis. An annular shaped first piezoelement is centered on the axis and fixed to the housing. First and second annular piezoelements are disposed within the first rotor, configured to motivate rotation of the second shaft in a first rotation direction when stimulated with a first exciter voltage. The third and fourth piezoelement are disposed within the second rotor, configured to motivate rotation of the second shaft in a second direction (opposed from the first direction) when stimulated with an exciter voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Discovery Technology International, Inc.
    Inventors: Valentin R. Zhelyaskov, Serhiy Petrenko
  • Patent number: 8183744
    Abstract: A piezoelectric motor includes a piezoresonator body (3) having opposing front and back surfaces and opposing first and second end surfaces. The front (17) and the back (18) surfaces are substantially parallel to first (15) and second (16) longitudinal axes of the piezoresonator body. The end surfaces (2) are substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis and substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis and are separated by a length (L) of the piezoresonator body. The motor also includes at least one common electrode (6) disposed on the back surface and at least 6n excitation electrodes (7-12) disposed across the front surface in two symmetric rows extending along L, where n is an integer ?1. In the motor, the piezoelectric body has an nth order longitudinal vibration frequency (?1) along L and a 3nth order bending vibration frequency (?2) along L, and where ?1 and ?2 are substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Discovery Technology International, Inc.
    Inventors: Serhiy Petrenko, Valentin Rangelov Zhelyaskov
  • Publication number: 20120119619
    Abstract: A construction is presented, which is comprised of two piezoelectric bending cantilevers, of different lengths, called a first bender and a second bender respectively, in which both benders bend in opposite directions. The second bender is mechanically in series connected to the first bender, thereby increasing the rotation angle of the tip of the second bender. The length of the second bender is chosen thus that in sinusoidal excitation, the tip of the second bender remains at the same point throughout the entire cycle, while it does undergo rotation. In this fashion a virtual axis at the tip of the second bender is created. The width of both benders is chosen such that the moment that the second bender can exert on an object that is connected to it, enables the construction to drive an optical element to scanning vibratory rotary motion with a large angle at high frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: J. G. Smits
  • Patent number: 8179019
    Abstract: Positioning apparatus comprises: a first surface; a tubular body and a first end surface at a first end of the tubular body and arranged in contact with the first surface; and surface wave generation means arranged to generate a first travelling surface wave on the first end surface, the first travelling surface wave travelling along a first portion of the first end surface in a first direction, and, while the first travelling surface wave is travelling along the first end surface, to generate a second travelling surface wave on the first end surface, the second travelling surface wave travelling along a second portion of the first end surface in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. Interaction between the first surface and the first and second travelling surface waves effects relative movement between the first surface and the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Nanomobile Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrii Volkov
  • Patent number: 8164233
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Mukae
  • Publication number: 20120074812
    Abstract: A piezoelectric power generator that includes a piezoelectric multilayer body including a piezoelectric element that converts vibration into electricity and a substrate on which the piezoelectric multilayer body is mounted. The resonant frequency of the piezoelectric element coincides with the reference of the substrate so that the piezoelectric element efficiently vibrates. The addition of vibration portions in the substrate allows various resonant frequencies to be set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Katsumi Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20120062970
    Abstract: An actuator which tilts and drives an object to be driven around an axis of rotation includes: a pair of supporting beams arranged to support the object to be driven from both sides thereof in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation; a pair of movable beams arranged to sandwich the object to be driven and the pair of supporting beams from both sides in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation; a drive source arranged to apply bending vibration to the movable frames; and a pair of connection parts arranged to connect the movable frames and end portions of the supporting beams by a multiple-beam structure, convert the bending vibration into torsional vibration, and transmit the torsional vibration to the supporting beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Yamada, Masato Ehara
  • Patent number: 8110967
    Abstract: A spherical rotary piezoelectric motor comprises a spherical rotor, a hemispherical stator, and a plurality of piezoelectric actuators. The hemispherical stator comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface forms a hemispherical hollow portion which substantially corresponds to the spherical rotor so as to contain a portion of the spherical rotor. The plurality of piezoelectric actuators is arranged on the inner surface (or the outer surface) of the hemispherical stator respectively so as to drive the hemispherical stator. The hemispherical stator generates traveling waves with a resultant elliptical motion, so the spherical rotor can be rotated accordingly with at least one degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Chung-Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Yung Ting, Yi-Ta Lee
  • Publication number: 20120001518
    Abstract: A smart material actuator comprising a mechanical amplifier with a fixed supporting member, at least one mountable actuating arm, and mechanical web having at least one compliant member attached to the mountable arm and a movable supporting member. A piezoelectric stack is affixed between a first mounting surface on the fixed supporting member and a second mounting surface on the movable supporting member. With the fixed supporting member being substantially rigid, and the piezoelectric stack being affixed between the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface, which are substantially parallel, applying an appropriate electric potential to the piezoelectric stack will cause it to expand substantially without angular movement. The expansion urges the second mounting surface away from the first, thereby causing the compliant members of the mechanical web to flex, thereby moving the mountable actuating arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Viking AT, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffery B. Moler
  • Patent number: 8084921
    Abstract: An ultrasonic motor drive apparatus comprises a piezoelectric element 107 having a plurality of piezoelectrically active regions, in which longitudinal vibration and flexural vibration are induced with application of alternate signals to the plurality of piezoelectrically active regions, a piezoelectric element holder 108 that is fixedly attached to the piezoelectric element, covering the neighborhood of a common node of the longitudinal vibration and the flexural vibration induced in the piezoelectric element all along the circumference of the central portion of the piezoelectric element with respect to the longitudinal direction, a vibrator holder 103 having a plurality of openings, a driven member 104 having a substantially spherical shape, an output shaft 106 attached to the driven member, through which power output of the driven member is transmitted, a pressing member 102 that brings the driven member 104 and the piezoelectric member into pressure contact with each other along the third direction, a cap
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuaki Kasai, Nagahide Sakai
  • Patent number: 8072843
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer is disclosed, which provides a wideband response by activating successive multiple resonant frequencies in a way which provides additive output between the resonant frequencies with reduced cancellation below the first resonance and means for controlling the response by reducing the voltage drive. A multiply resonant wideband high output transducer is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Butler, Alexander L. Butler
  • Publication number: 20110266919
    Abstract: A detection sensor (10) includes: plural beam-like resonators (30A, 30B), a vibration characteristic of which changes according to adsorption or sticking of a substance having a mass and one end of each of which is fixed; a driving unit (40) that vibrates the resonators; and a detecting unit (40) that detects a change in the vibration in the resonators to detect the substance. The plural resonators have lengths different from one another. When the length of an arbitrary resonator is represented as L, a difference ?L between the length L and the length of the other resonators is set to satisfy the following condition: 2(?L/L)>1/Q (Q represents a Q factor of the resonators). The driving unit vibrates the respective plural resonators at frequencies corresponding to resonant frequencies of the resonators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicants: Olympus Corporation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ikehara, Mitsuo Konno, Takashi Mihara
  • Patent number: 8049396
    Abstract: A piezoelectric ultrasonic motor and a method of manufacturing the piezoelectric ultrasonic motor. The piezoelectric ultrasonic motor includes: a piezoelectric body that generates a traveling wave according to an applied voltage signal; a vibrator that is attached to the piezoelectric body and vibrates; and a rotator that contacts the vibrator and is rotated by friction with the vibrating vibrator, wherein the rotator includes a plate spring member having a contact portion that contacts the vibrator, a support member that is coupled to the plate spring member and supports the plate spring member, and a buffer space defined by the plate spring member and the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-hyuk Park, Jin-woo Cho, Ji-hyuk Lim
  • Patent number: 8035275
    Abstract: A vibration actuator by which stable drive can be obtained, a lens barrel, a camera system and a vibrating element are provided. In first vibration mode and second vibration mode, vibrating elements of the vibration actuator can vibrate. Resonance frequency of the second vibration mode, which is different from the first vibration mode used for driving a relatively moving member, is prevented from being same as the frequency of the higher harmonic of a driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Takatoshi Ashizawa
  • Publication number: 20110234048
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity comprises a vibration plate, a supporting board, at least one side-wall unit and at least one piezoelectric substrate having a first- and a second end surfaces covered with a first- and a second electrodes, respectively. They all together form at least one cavity resonator. If a sound pressure from the outside arrives at the vibration plate, an acoustic vibration is excited in the vibration plate, and thereby a resonance vibration is induced in the cavity resonator. In this time, the piezoelectric substrate responds actively to the resonance vibration. Thus, a resonance energy occurred in the cavity resonator is converted into an electric energy, which is delivered through the first- and second electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Kohji Toda
  • Publication number: 20110227452
    Abstract: A resonator element includes at least one resonating arm that vibrates in a torsional mode, wherein the resonating arm includes a structural portion having a first portion disposed in a first direction in a sectional view in the width direction and a second portion connected to the first portion so that the center of gravity departs from the center of gravity of the first portion in the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first portion vibrates in a stretch mode in the length direction of the resonating arm with an application of a voltage, and wherein the second portion does not substantially vibrate in the stretch mode in the length direction of the resonating arm with the application of the voltage or vibrates in a stretch mode with a phase different from that of the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akinori YAMADA
  • Patent number: 8018123
    Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator (2) includes an actuator body (3) generating a driving force, a case (4) containing the actuator body (3), and support rubbers (51) placed between the actuator body (3) and the case (4) to elastically support the actuator body (3) at both sides of the actuator body in a supporting direction. The case (4) includes a first case (8) having an opening at a position where one of the support members (51) is placed and a second case (9) coupled to the first case (8) to cover the opening in the first case (8). The support rubbers (51) are compressed as the second case (9) is coupled to the first case (8) and elastically support the actuator body (3) in the compressed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Mukae
  • Patent number: 8013495
    Abstract: A stator and a piezo ultrasonic motor including the same. The piezo ultrasonic motor includes a stator including an elastic body having a flat portion at its outer surface and a central hole penetrating the center of the stator with a predetermined size, and a piezoelectric body including a first internal piezoelectric body and a second internal piezoelectric body integrally disposed parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction of the flat portion and providing an external force deforming the elastic body when an AC voltage is applied, a rotor inserted in the central hole and including a contact frictionally contacting an inner surface of the central hole, an elastic part providing an elastic force maintaining close attachment of the contact to the stator. Accordingly, the manufacturing cost decreases by reducing the number of elements and simplifying a structure, and a stable driving characteristic can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Burhanettin Koc
  • Patent number: 8008840
    Abstract: A drive unit which generates less heat may be provided. The drive unit includes a piezoelectric element (P1) having a piezoelectric layer (1), a drive power supply (14) configured to apply a driving voltage at a predetermined frequency to the piezoelectric element (P1) such that vibration including stretching vibration and bending vibration is generated in the piezoelectric element (P1), and a movable element (9) which is movable relative to the piezoelectric element (P1) according to the vibration of the piezoelectric element (P1). The difference between the resonance frequency of the bending vibration of the piezoelectric element (P1) and the anti-resonance frequency of the stretching vibration of the piezoelectric element (P1) is smaller than the difference between the resonance frequency of the bending vibration of the piezoelectric element (P1) and the resonance frequency of the stretching vibration of the piezoelectric element (P1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yusuke Adachi
  • Patent number: 8008841
    Abstract: A stator and a piezo ultrasonic motor including the same. The piezo ultrasonic motor includes a stator including an elastic body having a flat portion at its outer surface and a central hole penetrating the center of the stator with a predetermined size, and a piezoelectric body including a first internal piezoelectric body and a second internal piezoelectric body integrally disposed parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction of the flat portion and providing an external force deforming the elastic body when an AC voltage is applied, a rotor inserted in the central hole and including a contact frictionally contacting an inner surface of the central hole, an elastic part providing an elastic force maintaining close attachment of the contact to the stator. Accordingly, the manufacturing cost decreases by reducing the number of elements and simplifying a structure, and a stable driving characteristic can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electro—Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Burhanettin Koc
  • Patent number: 8004158
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for cooling ultrasonic transducers. The inventive device is characterised in that it consists of at least one piezo stack (4) and at least two cylindrical transducer bodies (5), which together with the piezo stack (4) form an ?/2 oscillator. In multiple transducer assemblies, two respective transducer bodies (5) can be combined to form a common transducer body (6) and the transducer bodies (5, 6) comprise flow channels (7), through which pressurised coolant can flow. The inventive method for cooling ultrasonic transducers is characterised in that the body of the ultrasonic transducer is traversed and/or surrounded by a pressurised coolant. This enables the heat that is generated in the transducers to be directly dissipated by convection. In addition the inventive elements enable the creation of a large common contact surface between the transducers and the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Dr. Hielscher GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Hielscher
  • Patent number: 8002162
    Abstract: A friction-welding device for the integral joining of components, having an oscillator, which generates a periodic movement of a component and a welding surface provided thereon relative to another, static component and a welding surface provided thereon, with directions of movement parallel to the welding surfaces, having a compression device which presses the welding surfaces together, and a cartridge which accommodates the moved component. The oscillator includes two or a greater, even number of piezoactuators, which are arranged in pairs on a line of application and are able to be prestressed with respect to the cartridge from opposite sides under pressure generation and are able to be moved in a synchronous, oscillating manner together therewith and the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Bayer, Boris Grohmann, Frank Hermle, Peter Jaenker
  • Patent number: 7999439
    Abstract: There is provided a linear drive ultrasonic motor which is capable of achieving a stable thrust, and which has fewer restrictions regarding a relationship with an external apparatus. The linear drive ultrasonic motor includes at least an ultrasonic vibrator having a piezoelectric element, a driven member which is driven by a frictional force between the driven member and the ultrasonic vibrator, a pressing member which presses the ultrasonic vibrator such that a frictional force is generated between the ultrasonic vibrator and the driven member, a case member which accommodates the ultrasonic vibrator and the pressing member, and a base member which movably supports the driven member, and the case member is assembled with the base member, in a state of a central portion of the pressing member making a contact with the ultrasonic vibrator, and two end portions sandwiching at least the central portion, from among the end portions of the pressing member making a contact with the case member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuyuki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7990021
    Abstract: A driving apparatus comprises: an electromechanical conversion element that expands and contracts in an extending direction of a given fiducial line; a driving shaft mounted on one end of the electromechanical conversion element in the extending direction; a driven member frictionally engaged with the driving shaft; a holder that supports the electromechanical conversion element and comprises a bearing portion for the driving shaft; and an inclination adjusting mechanism, disposed in the bearing portion, that adjusts inclination of the driving shaft with respect to the fiducial line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Ryota Sasaki