Piezoelectric Element Or Electrode Patents (Class 310/323.06)
  • Patent number: 11456407
    Abstract: A vibration wave motor includes a vibrator including a piezoelectric device and a vibration plate, and a friction member, wherein the vibrator and the friction member are pressurized to contact each other, and the vibrator is vibrated by the piezoelectric device to be moved relative to the friction member. The motor further includes a guide member that guides relative movement between the vibrator and the friction member, a fixing member that fixes the guide member at a first position and a second position in a direction of the relative movement between the vibrator and the friction member, and an attenuation member held between the friction member and the guide member in a pressure direction in which the vibrator and the friction member are pressurized to contact each other at a location between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasufumi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10804770
    Abstract: A motor has a housing which comprises a cavity and a socket accessible from outside the housing. The socket has an interior surface. The motor includes a LRU sensor system which comprises an LRU sensor having electrical conductors and internal sensor wiring that is electrically connected to the electrical conductors and electrical conductors on the interior surface of the socket, wherein when the LRU sensor is positioned in the socket, the electrical conductors on the LRU sensor contact the electrical conductors on the interior surface of the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Prime Datum Development Company, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick M. Rollins, George Lucas
  • Patent number: 10591997
    Abstract: A haptic device with ultrasonic actuation, including: a support, a user-interaction element movable at least in rotation and/or translation relative to the support, a first contact surface that moves as one with the interaction element, a second contact surface that moves as one with the support, resonators, and a control unit that excites the resonators at at least one resonance frequency, generating a vibration mode in a plane and an ultrasonic lubrication phenomenon between the first contact surface and the second contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Edouard Leroy, Laurent Eck, Moustapha Hafez
  • Patent number: 10396270
    Abstract: The vibration actuator enables easy inspection of conductivity of a conduction path for connecting an electrode of an electromechanical energy conversion element to a GND potential. In the vibration actuator, a vibration element includes an elastic body formed of a material which is insulating, dielectric, or semi-conductive, and a piezoelectric element joined to the elastic body. The piezoelectric element includes a first electrode formed on a surface of a piezoelectric body by which surface the piezoelectric body is joined to the elastic body, a second electrode provided in a manner opposed to the first electrode via the piezoelectric body, and at least two conduction paths each having a conductor in a through-hole formed in the piezoelectric body. One of the at least two conduction paths electrically connects the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasumichi Arimitsu
  • Patent number: 10381955
    Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator made of polarized piezoelectric material in the form of a single-layer or multilayer flat rectangular plate with two main faces, at least four lateral faces joining the main faces, and a thickness T, which is defined by the distance between the main faces in the direction of their surface normals, and wherein on both the one main face and the other opposite main face at least one layer including two triangular electrodes imposingly arranged and separated by a diagonal separating region, the electrodes on the one main face being offset relative to the electrodes on the other main face by 90°. The ultrasonic actuator is characterized in that on at least one of the lateral faces there are two mutually spaced friction elements designed to contact at least one element that is to be driven by the ultrasonic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: PHYSIK INSTRUMENTE (PI) GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Wladimir Wischnewskiy, Alexej Wischnewski
  • Patent number: 10363105
    Abstract: In a vibration actuator suitable for use in a magnetic field environment, vibration is excited in a vibration element in pressure contact with a driven element, so as to cause relative movement of the driven element and the vibration element. The vibration element includes an elastic body, of which a main ingredient is electrically insulating, dielectric, or semi-conductive, and an electromechanical energy conversion element. A first electrode having an open loop structure is provided on a surface of a piezoelectric body of the electromechanical energy conversion element, through which surface the piezoelectric body is joined to the elastic body. Second electrodes are provided on the piezoelectric body in a manner opposed to the first electrode via the piezoelectric body. A conduction path electrically connects the first electrode and at least one of the second electrodes. A gap is formed between each of adjacent second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasumichi Arimitsu
  • Patent number: 9857875
    Abstract: A vibration generation apparatus includes a holder including a receiver disposed with a distance from a vibration target component on the outside thereof, an actuator supported by the receiver and configured to push out one side surface of the vibration target component, and a biasing unit supported by the receiver and configured to bias the other side surface of the vibration target component in a pushing-back direction. The biasing unit includes one or more insulating elastic members opening at both ends thereof and formed in a tubular shape, and the elastic members are interposed between the receiver and the vibration target component side surface in the state in which the elastic members are compressed in a tube diameter direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhito Fujii, Takeshi Matsuda, Yoshinori Watanabe, Yuki Akita
  • Patent number: 8998390
    Abstract: Provided is an NBT-BT lead-free piezoelectric film having a high crystalline orientation and a high piezoelectric constant. The present invention is a piezoelectric film comprising a NaxM1-x layer and a (Bi, Na)TiO3—BaTiO3 layer. The (Bi, Na) TiO3—BaTiO3 layer is formed on the NaxM1-x layer, where M represents Pt, Ir, or PtIr and x represents a value of not less than 0.002 and not more than 0.02. Both of the NaxM1-x layer and the (Bi, Na) TiO3—BaTiO3 layer have a (001) orientation only, a (110) orientation only, or a (111) orientation only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takakiyo Harigai, Yoshiaki Tanaka, Hideaki Adachi, Eiji Fujii
  • Patent number: 8890390
    Abstract: A vibration-wave driving device includes a vibrator having an electromechanical-energy converting element, and a moving mechanism configured to allow the vibrator to move relative to a movable body, in a plane parallel to a plane where the vibrator and the movable body are in contact, in a second direction intersecting with a first direction being a direction of a driving force produced by the vibrator. The moving mechanism includes a guide member that regulates a moving direction of the vibrator, and the guide member includes a member having a rollable curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kaishi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8860553
    Abstract: An autonomous, self-powered device includes a radioisotope-powered current impulse generator including a spring assembly comprising a cantilever, and a piezoelectric-surface acoustic wave (P-SAW) structure connected in parallel to the current impulse generator. Positive charges are accumulated on an electrically isolated 63Ni thin film due to the continuous emission of ?-particles (electrons), which are collected on the cantilever. The accumulated charge eventually pulls the cantilever into the radioisotope thin-film until electrical discharge occurs. The electrical discharge generates a transient magnetic and electrical field that can excite the RF modes of a cavity in which the electrical discharge occurs. A piezoelectric-SAW resonator is connected to the discharge assembly to control the RF frequency output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Amit Lal, Steven Tin
  • Patent number: 8770026
    Abstract: Devices usable as sensors, as transducers, or as both sensors and transducers include one or more nanotubes or nanowires. In some embodiments, the devices may each include a plurality of sensor/transducer devices carried by a common substrate. The sensor/transducer devices may be individually operable, and may exhibit a plurality of resonant frequencies to enhance the operable frequency bandwidth of the devices. Sensor/transducer devices include one or more elements configured to alter a resonant frequency of a nanotube. Such elements may be selectively and individually actuable. Methods for sensing mechanical displacements and vibrations include monitoring an electrical characteristic of a nanotube. Methods for generating mechanical displacements and vibrations include using an electrical signal to induce mechanical displacements or vibrations in one or more nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal R. Rueger
  • Publication number: 20140175946
    Abstract: Ultrasonic actuator (1) for a linear ultrasonic motor for driving a positioning element (7), which is pressed along at least one friction track (8) with a predefined force (F) in the ultrasonic motor to effect a linear movement thereof, wherein the ultrasonic actuator (1) comprises: at least one primary waveguide resonator (2), with each of which one primary generator (3) is in flat contact in order to form an acoustic standing wave, at least one auxiliary waveguide resonator (4), with each of which one auxiliary generator is in contact in order to form an acoustic standing wave at least one crosspiece (6), wherein each of the at least one crosspieces (6) connects one of the at least one primary waveguide resonators (2) and one of the at least one auxiliary waveguide resonators (4) to each other at least in sections, and wherein at least one friction track (8) or friction rail (41) is arranged on the crosspiece (6) wherein the at least one primary waveguide resonator (2) and the at least one auxiliary wav
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Physik Instrumente (PI) GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wladimir Wischnewskiy
  • Patent number: 8760231
    Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes an integrated circuit (IC) chip and a piezoelectric resonator element, a part of the piezoelectric resonator element being disposed so as to overlap with a part of the IC chip when viewed in plan. The IC chip includes: an inner pad disposed on an active face and in an area where is overlapped with the piezoelectric resonator when viewed in plan; an insulating layer formed on the active face; a relocation pad disposed on the insulating layer and in an area other than a part where is overlapped with the piezoelectric resonator element, the relocation pad being coupled to an end part of a first wire; and a second wire electrically coupling the inner pad and the relocation pad, the second wire having a relocation wire and a connector that penetrates the insulating layer, the relocation wire being disposed between the insulating layer and the active face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Shimodaira
  • Patent number: 8747079
    Abstract: An apparatus system for controlling liquid in a fluid channel in a micro-fluid device has an ultrasonic oscillator for conveying liquid. The ultrasonic oscillator oscillates with amplitude modulation. The apparatus system has a holding section for holding the micro-fluid device on the ultrasonic oscillator to allow a micro-fluid device to be removably fitted to it. A liquid conveying method and a liquid conveying unit showing an improved liquid conveying efficiency are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshinobu Tokita, Kosuke Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20140125199
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element that can decrease the output voltage for detection relative to the input voltage for driving without requiring a step-down circuit between a detection phase electrode and a phase comparator and an oscillatory wave motor including the piezoelectric element are provided. A piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric material having a first surface and a second surface, a common electrode disposed on the first surface, and a drive phase electrode and a detection phase electrode disposed on the second surface. An absolute value d(1) of a piezoelectric constant of the piezoelectric material in a portion (1) sandwiched between the drive phase electrode and the common electrode and an absolute value d(2) of a piezoelectric constant of the piezoelectric material in a portion (2) sandwiched between the detection phase electrode and the common electrode satisfy d(2)<d(1). An oscillatory wave motor includes this piezoelectric element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuo Furuta, Hiroshi Saito, Makoto Kubota, Kenichi Akashi
  • Patent number: 8669723
    Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus of a vibration-type actuator for generating an elliptical motion of contact portions by a common alternating current signal including a frequency determining unit for setting a frequency of the alternating current signal. The frequency determining unit sets the frequency of the alternating current signal for changing an ellipticity of the elliptical motion, within a frequency range such that ellipticity changing frequency ranges set for the vibrators are overlapped, and the ellipticity changing frequency ranges are set for the vibrators as frequency ranges between an upper limit and a lower limit, such that the lower limit is a maximum resonant frequency at a time of changing the ellipticity, and the upper limit is larger than the lower limit and is a maximum frequency for the relative movement of the driving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Kudo
  • Publication number: 20140055004
    Abstract: A rotary motor and a method of making the same include a vibrating motor body which has two orthogonal first bending modes and is substantially enclosed within a housing. A shaft is frictionally coupled to the vibrating motor body and is arranged to rotate in at least one direction about a rotation axis in response to the vibrating motor body. The shaft is frictionally coupled the vibrating motor body by a force substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis. One or more bearings support the shaft, are connected to the housing, and define the axis of rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: New Scale Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Qin Xu, Matthew Wrona, David A. Henderson, Daniele Piazza
  • Patent number: 8643251
    Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric motor including: a stator which includes first and second faces, wherein a plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged on the first face, and a plurality of protrusions are formed on the second face; a rotor which is rotated by motions of waves of the stator generated by the piezoelectric elements; and a driver device which applies driving voltages to the piezoelectric elements, wherein polarization directions of the plurality of piezoelectric elements are vertical to a rotary face of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan-young Moon, Woo-jong Cho, Mun-cheol Choi, Cheol-eun Jang
  • Patent number: 8585188
    Abstract: A thin-film actuator that deforms a diaphragm to generate force includes a lower electrode disposed on the diaphragm, a first piezoelectric layer disposed on the lower electrode, an intermediate electrode disposed on the first piezoelectric layer, a second piezoelectric layer disposed on the intermediate electrode, and an upper electrode disposed on the second piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Eiichi Ohta
  • Publication number: 20130221803
    Abstract: A piezoelectric motor including a rotor and a piezoelectric actuator positioned relative to the rotor in such manner that a working end of the actuator is in linear, frictional, resilient and forced contact with a working surface of the rotor. The actuator includes a piezoelectric a longitudinal prism shaped resonator with a trapezoidal cross-section and the working end of the actuator is a flat pusher insert set at an angle to the plane of the resonator base. An electronic generator is connected to electrodes of the piezoelectric actuator to excite periodic mechanical oscillations in the actuator wherein the electrodes are applied onto the longitudinal lateral trapezoidal surfaces of the resonator and the piezoelectric resonator is polarized across its width and the electronic generator outputs an alternating electrical voltage signal at a frequency matching the frequency of the first-order natural longitudinal mode of mechanical oscillation along the length of the resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: DISCOVERY TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Discovery Technology International, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8493006
    Abstract: A drive unit includes an ultrasonic actuator having an actuator body formed using a piezoelectric element, and a driving element provided on the actuator body and configured to output a driving force by moving according to the vibration of the actuator body, and a control section configured to induce the vibration in the actuator body by applying a first and a second AC voltages having a same frequency and different phases to the piezoelectric element. The control section adjusts the first AC voltage and the second AC voltage so that the first AC voltage and the second AC voltage have different voltage values from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Adachi, Hideaki Mukae, Masaru Higashionji, Eiichi Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 8435250
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a micro manipulator having a simple structure and having high possibility of recording a biological signal of a neuron at a desired position by improving positioning resolution of an electrode disposed adjacent to a subject's brain neuron or an electrode holder attached with the electrode. The micro manipulator according to the disclosure includes: a motor which includes a shaft and a vibration portion; a mobile which is connected to the shaft so as to be movable along the shaft; and a frame which supports the motor, wherein an electrode is connected to the mobile in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the shaft, and wherein when the mobile moves linearly in accordance with a vibration of the shaft due to the vibration portion, the electrode moves linearly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Eui Sung Yoon, Sung Wook Yang, Jin Seok Kim, Duk Moon Rho, Ki Tae Park, Se Min Lee, Jei Won Cho, Hee Sup Shin
  • Patent number: 8432627
    Abstract: A vibration actuator having excellent driving performance, a method for manufacturing the vibration actuator, a lens barrel and a camera. The vibration actuator is provided with: an electromechanical conversion element which converts an electric energy into a mechanical energy; an elastic body which generates vibration waves by oscillation of the electromechanical conversion element; a resin layer, which is formed of a conductive thermoplastic resin and bonds the electromechanical conversion element and the elastic body with each other; and a relatively moving member which is brought into contact with the elastic body with a pressure and is relatively moved to the elastic body by vibration waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Kariya
  • Patent number: 8415903
    Abstract: An ultrasonic motor in which driving signals of two phases are applied to a vibrator having a driving member in contact with a driven member to simultaneously generate a longitudinal vibration and a flexural vibration, thereby generating an elliptic vibration in the vibrator, and the driving member frictionally drives the driven member upon obtaining a driving force from the elliptic vibration, is configured as follows. Namely, the ultrasonic motor includes a driving phase difference switching unit which switches a driving phase difference serving as a phase difference between the driving signals of the two phases, and changes a switching cycle of the driving phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8410670
    Abstract: A laminate includes a ceramic substrate, a piezoelectric element, and an intermediate layer. The piezoelectric element includes a lower electrode. The intermediate layer is formed between the substrate and the lower electrode of the piezoelectric element. The intermediate layer contains a metal or an oxide thereof as a main component. The metal is different from a metal contained in the lower electrode. The intermediate layer further contains holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Koizumi, Naoki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8351160
    Abstract: First and second piezoelectric element overlapped portions of an insulating layer of a flexure part is formed with first and second connecting openings, respectively. There are provided on an upper surface of the insulating layer, first and second lower conductive adhesive agents that electrically connect lower electrode layers of first and second piezoelectric elements to a voltage supply wiring through the first and second connecting openings, and a surrounding insulative adhesive agent that is arranged so as to surround the first and second lower conductive adhesive agents in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Suncall Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8330326
    Abstract: A piezoelectric motor that includes a rotor and a stator having a surface on which a driving member that is in contact with the rotor for rotating the rotor is disposed. The stator includes a stator body, a plurality of piezoelectric elements disposed on a surface of the stator body, and an electrode wiring plate integrally formed with the stator body. The piezoelectric elements are electrically connected to a plurality of electrodes formed on the electrode wiring plate through a plurality of wiring lines. The wiring lines are constituted by an electroconductive film extending from a surface of the stator body to the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Fujimoto, Hiroshi Asano
  • 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: 8258676
    Abstract: A crystal device that has stable vibration characteristics and that offers high reliability and high accuracy. The crystal device includes a first major face, which contains a portion of a base and a portion of a vibrating prong within a single plane, formed on the crystal plate, and a second major face, which contains another portion of the base and another portion of the vibrating prong within a single plane, formed on a crystal plate, wherein the first major face and the second major face have different outer shapes. The shapes of the first and second major faces can be produced by first forming mask layer patterns on a crystal substrate by exposure through different mask patterns and then etching the crystal substrate using the thus formed mask layer patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoo Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8256293
    Abstract: Devices usable as sensors, as transducers, or as both sensors and transducers include one or more nanotubes or nanowires. In some embodiments, the devices may each include a plurality of sensor/transducer devices carried by a common substrate. The sensor/transducer devices may be individually operable, and may exhibit a plurality of resonant frequencies to enhance the operable frequency bandwidth of the devices. Sensor/transducer devices include one or more elements configured to alter a resonant frequency of a nanotube. Such elements may be selectively and individually actuable. Methods for sensing mechanical displacements and vibrations include monitoring an electrical characteristic of a nanotube. Methods for generating mechanical displacements and vibrations include using an electrical signal to induce mechanical displacements or vibrations in one or more nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal R. Rueger
  • Patent number: 8248731
    Abstract: An electrical connecting structure for a piezoelectric element enables wiring to the piezoelectric element to be carried out without deteriorating the productivity and reliability of the piezoelectric element. The electrical connecting structure is formed by facing a common electrode of the piezoelectric element to a terminal that supplies power to the common electrode and by injecting a conductive adhesive into a through hole, which is formed substantially at the center of the piezoelectric element, from an opening of the through hole that is on the opposite side of the common electrode, thereby securing electrical connection between the terminal and the common electrode of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Fuchino
  • 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: 8231770
    Abstract: An electrochemically driveable actuator according to one embodiment includes a nanoporous carbon aerogel composition capable of exhibiting charge-induced reversible strain when wetted by an electrolyte and a voltage is applied thereto. An electrochemically driven actuator according to another embodiment includes a nanoporous carbon aerogel composition wetted by an electrolyte; and a mechanism for causing charge-induced reversible strain of the composition. A method for electrochemically actuating an object according to one embodiment includes causing charge-induced reversible strain of a nanoporous carbon aerogel composition wetted with an electrolyte to actuate the object by the strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Juergen Biener, Theodore F. Baumann, Lihua Shao, Joerg Weissmueller
  • Publication number: 20120147490
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration actuator which can be arranged in a limited space, and which has excellent drive performance. Also disclosed are a lens barrel and a camera, which are provided therewith. Specifically disclosed is a vibration actuator which includes: a piezoelectric body which has a first surface, and which is excited by an electrical signal; a vibration body which is joined to the first surface, and which has a second surface on which vibration waves are generated by the excitation; and a moving body which is brought into pressure contact with the second surface, and which moves relatively to the vibration body, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric body is different in the direction of the relative movement of the moving body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Sato
  • Patent number: 8183743
    Abstract: Tubular linear piezoelectric motor (100, 300), and a method for exciting a tubular piezoelectric resonator (101, 301) used in such motor. The motor is comprised of a resonator (101, 301) formed of a cylindrical tube. The tube has length nL comprised of a piezoelectric material, where L is some length, and n is an even numbered integer, greater than zero. The piezoelectric material of the cylindrical tube is polarized in a radial direction, perpendicular at each point to the interior and exterior surface of the cylindrical tube. The resonator is excited with one signal having a single exciter frequency applied across an inner electrode (102, 302) and one or more first outer electrodes (103, 103a, 103b). The single exciter frequency is selected to move a contact site of one or more annular protrusions along an elliptical path when the resonator is excited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Discovery Technology International, Inc.
    Inventors: Serhiy Petrenko, Valentin R. Zhelyaskov
  • Patent number: 8159763
    Abstract: To provide a vibrating element which can be driven by a low voltage, a vibration actuator, a lens barrel, a camera system and a method for driving a vibration actuator. A vibrating element (10) is provided with an elastically deformable tube-like member (11) having a hollow section (15); and an input sections (13 (13-1 to 13-4)), which are arranged on the outer surface of the tube-like member (11) and/or the inner surface of the tube-like member on the side of the hollow section (15), are divided into n (n is an integer of 3 or more) in the circumference direction of the tube-like member (11), and permit the tube-like member (11) to input a physical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Takatoshi Ashizawa
  • Patent number: 8159111
    Abstract: A driving device includes a motor, a clutch gear, a first rotating portion, a second rotating portion, a piezoelectric assembly, and a controlling unit. The motor includes a rotating shaft. The clutch gear is fixed to the rotating shaft. The first rotating portion sleeved on the rotating shaft includes a first end meshing with the clutch gear and a second end opposite to the first end. The second rotating portion is engaged with the second end. The piezoelectric assembly is sandwiched between the second end and the second rotating portion. The controlling unit is electrically connected to the motor and the piezoelectric assembly. The controlling unit is configured for storing a predetermined voltage, and determining whether a voltage output by the piezoelectric assembly equals to or exceeds the predetermined voltage. A protection method for the driving device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Song-Ling Yang
  • Patent number: 8149542
    Abstract: A wiring connecting structure for a piezoelectric element is capable of performing wiring to the piezoelectric element without deteriorating the quality and reliability of the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is arranged between a base and head of an object, to minutely move the head in a sway direction according to deformation that occurs on the piezoelectric element in response to a voltage applied from a terminal to an electrode of the piezoelectric element. The wiring connecting structure includes first and second liquid stoppers arranged between the terminal and the electrode, the second liquid stopper being arranged outside the first liquid stopper. The wiring connecting structure also includes an adhesive part to connect the electrode to the terminal. The adhesive part has a conductive adhesive part defined by the first liquid stopper and a sealing adhesive part defined by the second liquid stopper. The sealing adhesive part seals the first liquid stopper and conductive adhesive part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiki Ando
  • Patent number: 8121317
    Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric microphone. The piezoelectric microphone includes a plurality of cells each having a lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and an upper electrode. The cells can be arranged on a protection layer in various patterns. Since the piezoelectric microphone includes the plurality of cells, the voltage level of a piezoelectric signal of the piezoelectric microphone can be easily increased to a desired level by adjusting the number of the cells. Thus, the sensitivity of the piezoelectric microphone can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Mems Solution Inc.
    Inventor: Jaemyoung Jhung
  • Patent number: 8080924
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head including a pressure-generating chamber which communicates with a nozzle opening, and a piezoelectric element including a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer formed above the first electrode and having a perovskite structure represented by the general formula ABO3, and a second electrode formed above the piezoelectric layer, wherein the piezoelectric layer, lead, zirconium, and titanium are present at A sites of the perovskite structure, and lead, zirconium, and titanium are present at B sites of the perovskite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromu Miyazawa, Jiro Kato
  • Publication number: 20110292528
    Abstract: A vibration actuator having excellent driving performance, a method for manufacturing the vibration actuator, a lens barrel and a camera. The vibration actuator is provided with: an electromechanical conversion element which converts an electric energy into a mechanical energy; an elastic body which generates vibration waves by oscillation of the electromechanical conversion element; a resin layer, which is formed of a conductive thermoplastic resin and bonds the electromechanical conversion element and the elastic body with each other; and a relatively moving member which is brought into contact with the elastic body with a pressure and is relatively moved to the elastic body by vibration waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Kariya
  • Patent number: 8063538
    Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a stator and a rotor. In the stator, an n number of piezoelectric elements (wherein n is a natural number) are affixed to one surface of a vibrating member, whose outer circumferential edge is circular or polygonal, along a direction in which the outer circumferential edge extends. Each of the piezoelectric elements has a size corresponding to ??/2 in terms of center angle, and the piezoelectric elements that are adjacent to each other are disposed so as to be separated by an interval corresponding to ??/4 in terms of the center angle along a circumferential direction of the vibrating member. The piezoelectric elements are polarized in opposite directions in a thickness direction. The rotor is disposed so as to contact the stator, and is rotated by receiving vibration resulting from a 3n-wave traveling wave generated by the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Asano
  • Patent number: 8040623
    Abstract: A compact auto focus lens module includes a piezoelectric actuator, an elastic element, at least two guiding fixtures, and a lens barrel with an optical lens set therein. By elastic force of the elastic element, a friction is generated between the lens barrel and the piezoelectric actuator. While being applied with a voltage, the lens barrel driven by the movement of the piezoelectric actuator moves along the optical axis under the guidance of the guiding fixtures. Due to fewer elements, compact volume, and light weight, the design is applied to a miniature auto focus lens modules so as to achieve effects of fast movement, stable focusing and reduced tilting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: E-Pin International Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: San-Woei Shyu, Chin-Yi Chou, Teng-Chien Yu
  • Patent number: 8035089
    Abstract: In a scanning probe apparatus capable of always effectively canceling an inertial force to suppress vibration even in repetitive use while replacing a sample holding table or a probe, a stage for a sample or the probe includes a drive element for moving the sample holding table and movable portions movable in a direction in which an inertial force generated during movement of the sample holding table. The stage is configured so that the drive element, the movable portions, and the sample holding table or the probe are integrally detachably mountable to a main assembly of the scanning probe apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Kusaka, Nobuki Yoshimatsu, Susumu Yasuda, Junichi Seki
  • Patent number: 8018124
    Abstract: A piezoelectric motor including a rotor, a stator including a piezoelectric material having axial polarization, the stator including at least three pairs of electrodes spaced from one another on a top end face thereof and a common electrode on a base end face thereof, and slabs affixed to the stator at spacings between the electrodes, wherein the rotor is pressed towards the slabs by a pre-load force, wherein when a positive charge is applied to a first of the electrodes and a negative charge is applied to a second of the electrodes and an electric common port is applied to the common electrode, D33 piezoelectric phenomenon is created, thereby causing the spacings between the electrodes to bend and the slabs to tilt, thus applying a frictional pushing side force against the rotor to cause the rotor to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Pinanotech (Piezo-Nano Technology) Ltd.
    Inventor: Benny Gaber
  • Publication number: 20110215675
    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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Hiroshi Asano
  • Publication number: 20110133602
    Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric motor including: a stator which includes first and second faces, wherein a plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged on the first face, and a plurality of protrusions are formed on the second face; a rotor which is rotated by motions of waves of the stator generated by the piezoelectric elements; and a driver device which applies driving voltages to the piezoelectric elements, wherein polarization directions of the plurality of piezoelectric elements are vertical to a rotary face of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan-young Moon, Woo-jong Cho, Mun-cheol Choi, Cheol-eun Jang
  • Patent number: 7948149
    Abstract: A stator and a piezo ultrasonic motor including the same are provided. 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: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Burhanettin Koc
  • Patent number: 7932660
    Abstract: An ultrasonic motor has a cylindrical rotor for performing a mechanical output, a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators each having two points in internal contact with the rotor, and a preload mechanism for pressing the ultrasonic vibrators from an inside toward an outside of the rotor, and the ultrasonic vibrators are provided to be rotatable relative to the preload mechanism. With this configuration, an internal contact type ultrasonic motor capable of performing efficient drive by using a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators each in contact with a cylindrical rotor at two points and allowing contact at all contact points without requiring a high machining accuracy can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Hamamoto, Teruhisa Kotani
  • Patent number: 7922385
    Abstract: A piezoelectric drive device has a piezoelectric actuator that has a vibrator with a piezoelectric element, and a rotor that is rotated by the vibrator, an elastic device that can store the rotational energy of the rotor as elastic energy, and a driven body that is rotated by the elastic energy stored by the elastic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shoichi Nagao