Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The driver assembly is either attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber with the same threaded means, a different threaded means, or a more permanent coupling means such as brazing, diffusion bonding or epoxy. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is adjacent to the external surface of the chamber has a spherical curvature greater than the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing a ring of contact between the acoustic driver and the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: A stator includes first and second piezoelectric elements, a flexible aluminum-based connective arrangement and upper and lower aluminum-based metal blocks. The flexible aluminum-based connective arrangement includes first to fourth aluminum-based electrodes, which apply a voltage to the piezoelectric elements to generate a vibration. Each aluminum-based electrode is made of one of aluminum and an aluminum alloy and directly contacts a corresponding one of axial ends of the piezoelectric elements. Each aluminum-based metal block is made of one of aluminum and an aluminum alloy. The piezoelectric elements and the aluminum-based electrodes are interposed between the aluminum-based metal blocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration wave driving apparatus including a vibration element having an electro-mechanical energy conversion element that is disposed between a first elastic member and a second elastic member, characterized in that the vibration element can have a plurality of vibration modes which are different in relative displacement ratio between respective ends of the vibration element. Specifically, a third elastic member is disposed between the first elastic member and the second elastic member, and the vibration element is allowed to have two portions which are different in dynamic stiffness from each other and are arranged in the axial direction thereof with the third elastic member interposed therebetween. According to this structure, the length of the vibration wave driving apparatus in the axial direction can be reduced and internal loss of vibration energy can be suppressed to be small.

Abstract: A lower metal block of a stator includes a plurality of securing projections, which engage with an external member and are arranged in an outer peripheral surface of the lower metal block at generally equal angular intervals. Each securing projection is circumferentially located between corresponding two of slits of the lower metal block and has first and second axial ends, which are opposed to one another in a direction generally parallel to the axial direction of the stator and are oriented toward first and second axial ends, respectively, of the stator. The first axial end of each securing projection is axially positioned within an axial extent of the slits, which is measured in the axial direction of the stator.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a spindle structure of an ultrasonic machine which can reduce the number of assembling steps, can improve working accuracy, and can reduce heat generation due to an ultrasonic wave leakage during the working process.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a stacked type electro-mechanical energy conversion element comprising a stack of superimposed layers with an electro-mechanical energy conversion function having an electrode film formed on a superimposed surface so as to improve the driving efficiency thereof. A part of the electrode film is connected to an electrode film formed on an edge portion of a layer, and on a side face of the stacked electro-mechanical energy conversion element, there are provided a connection terminal connectable to an external power supply, and a wiring portion connecting the connection terminal to the electrode film formed on the edge portion of the layer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor has a stator and a rotor which is press fit to the stator and rotates in accordance with the vibration of the stator. The stator includes a pair of metal blocks, a piezoelectric element located between the metal blocks, a tightening member and a positioning member. The tightening member is inserted through the metal blocks and the piezoelectric element to tighten the metal blocks and the piezoelectric element in the axial direction. The positioning member determines the radial position of the metal blocks. This reduces misalignment of metal blocks and the tightening member, and the stator for the ultrasonic motor.

Abstract: A vibration type actuator has an elastic member in which a shaft center portion is formed in hollow shape along an axial direction and in which driving vibration is generated in a driving portion, a fastening member which fastens the elastic member to an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, an output shaft which penetrates the shaft center portion of the elastic member, a moving member which is kept in press contact with the driving portion of the elastic member and which rotates together with the output shaft, and a bearing member which is located between an inner periphery portion of the elastic member and a distal end portion of the fastening member and which journals the output shaft.

Abstract: A driving apparatus that improves the precision of driving control for a driven member by reliably ensuring the desired motion of the tip member. Regulating members, which hold a piezoelectric actuator at positions opposite a rotor R, are located at positions separated from the piezoelectric actuator by a distance L that equals or exceeds the amplitude of the oscillation generated in the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: A stacked electro-mechanical energy conversion element includes a plurality of layers made of a material having an electro-mechanical energy conversion function on which a plurality of electrode areas are formed, a first layer having an electro-conductive portion formed from the electrode area to a side face which is a non-stacked surface area, a second layer having a through-hole formed therein by an electro-conductive member, a third layer having an electro-conductive film which communicates the electro-conductive portion of the first layer and the through-hole of the second layer, and an external electro-conductive film formed on the side surface of the first layer so as to communicate with the electro-conductive portion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a stator and a rotor. A plurality of slits are arranged at substantially equal angular intervals along an outer peripheral surface of the rotor. A photosensor is supported inside of an upper housing of the motor. The photosensor is arranged to oppose each one of the slits in a radial direction of the rotor when the slit comes in front of the photosensor during rotation of the rotor. Based on a signal outputted from the photosensor, a control device applies a high frequency alternating voltage between first and second electrode plates of the stator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic suture device is provided for drilling arc shaped holes through hard materials, such as metals, glass, or bone. The ultrasonic suture device includes a transducer, horn and probe. The probe is constructed of three sections including a stem section, extension section and arc section. The stem section extends along the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic suture device, while the arc section is constructed in the shape of an arc of a circle and is positioned concentrically with the stem's axis. At the distal extremity of the probe is a tip constructed for drilling into hard materials.

Abstract: A truss type actuator including two piezoelectric devices drives a chip member provided at a crossing point of the piezoelectric devices for moving along an elliptic or a circular trail. Only one piezoelectric device is driven for transmitting vibrations thereof to the other non-driven piezoelectric device. By selecting a frequency of driving signals, both of the piezoelectric devices are resonantly vibrated with a phase difference of 90 degrees.

Abstract: A stator includes a longitudinal-vibration sensing electrode. The stator also includes a torsional-vibration sensing piezoelectric element and a torsional-vibration sensing electrode plate for sensing torsional vibrations. A voltage signal from the torsional-vibration sensing electrode plate or a voltage signal from the longitudinal-vibration sensing electrode is sensed. Then, a drive voltage signal for driving the stator is generated in a self-excited oscillation drive circuit in such a manner that an actual vibrational frequency of the stator substantially coincides with a resonance frequency. Thereafter, the generated drive voltage signal is applied between a drive electrode and each one of first and second electrode plates.

Abstract: A stator of an ultrasonic motor includes a piezoelectric element, a plurality of metal blocks, and a fastener. The piezoelectric element is held by the metal blocks The fastener extends through the piezoelectric element and the metal blocks to fasten the piezoelectric element and the metal blocks together. A rotor is pressed against one side of the stator in a contact state. The rotor is rotated in a first direction by generating oscillation at a first resonance frequency in the stator. Further, the rotor is rotated in a second direction opposed to the first direction by generating oscillation at a second resonance frequency, which corresponds to the resonance frequency of the rotor, in the stator. The outer diameter of the fastener is within the range of from 30% to 55% of the outer diameter of the stator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a stator and a rotor. The stator has piezoelectric elements. When an alternating current having a predetermined frequency is applied to the piezoelectric elements, the elements axially vibrate. The stator axially vibrates in response to the axial vibration of the piezoelectric elements. The rotor includes projections arranged about its axis. The projections contact the stator. Each projection is designed and formed such that it torsionally vibrates independently in response to the axial vibration of the stator. As a result, a compact and high torque motor is produced.

Abstract: A vibration type actuator has an elastic member in which a shaft center portion is formed in hollow shape along an axial direction and in which driving vibration is generated in a driving portion, a fastening member which fastens the elastic member to an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, an output shaft which penetrates the shaft center portion of the elastic member, a moving member which is kept in press contact with the driving portion of the elastic member and which rotates together with the output shaft, and a bearing member which is located between an inner periphery portion of the elastic member and a distal end portion of the fastening member and which journals the output shaft.

Abstract: A method of tuning or trimming a flexure stage to substantially constrain a workpiece carried by the flexure stage's free end from moving along an axis of motion that does not contain a desired path of free end travel. In the case of an XY flexure stage, measures are incorporated into the flexure stage to prevent simple out-of-plane motion (either linear or non-linear), rolling, pitching, or combinations of all three, as well as out-of-axis motion where desired. A preferred tuning technique begins with initially aligning the flexure stage's actuator so that its highest off-axis force component extends as much as possible within the plane of desired motion, followed by positioning the actuator on the flexure stage so as to eliminate as much as possible simple out-of-plane motion and accompanied if necessary by incorporating additional measures to eliminate as much as possible roll or pitch motion and residual simple out-of-plane motion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor composed of a cylindrical stator having a vibration converting member and a cylindrical rotor slidably rotatable on the stator. Ultrasonic longitudinal vibration is generated in the stator by imposing high frequency voltage on piezoelectric elements disposed in the stator. A part of the longitudinal vibration is converted into twisting vibration by operation of slits formed on the vibration converting member. Both the longitudinal and twisting vibrations are compounded into elliptic vibration which drives the rotor. The vibration converting member is made by laminating a number of element plates each having cut-out portions or by combining several divided blocks. The slits are automatically formed on the vibration converting member without being machined, when the vibration converting member is formed by assembling the element plates or the divided blocks.

Abstract: In a torsional ultrasonic transducer for ultrasonic machining, a torsional ultrasonic transducer is structured such that a whole of a front body is integrally formed in an axially symmetrical manner, a total length thereof is set to be a half wavelength of a resonance frequency, a stepped circular column portion for adjusting a frequency is provided in the front body, and a tool attaching portion is provided in a front end portion of the front body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing high power sandwich type ultrasonic transducers and, more particularly, a new method of tuning high power sandwich type ultrasonic transducers without the need for a trimming process. A method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of assembling a sandwich type ultrasonic transducer, measuring the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer, and selecting from a plurality of tuning elements, whereby a dimension or material property of a selected tuning element alters the measured resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer to a desired resonant frequency after the tuning element is attached to the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A highly efficient and effective ultrasonic nailing and drilling apparatus for various precision use, such as medical or dental surgery, comprises of a piezoelectric transducer means to give an axial thrust and a motor to give a rotation to a bit. Therefore, this ultrasonic nailing and drilling apparatus combines the best of the ultrasound nailing or drilling bit and the best of the rotational drill. The ultrasonic nailing and drilling apparatus further comprises of an elongated horn having an operative tip, wherein a bit can be fixedly attached. The operative tip can be in any form designed to for ultrasonic machines, and even can be in a similar shape as a flat screwdriver tip, as a Phillips head tip, or even as a conventional drill bit.