Detector (e.g., Sensor) Patents (Class 310/323.21)
  • Patent number: 11156531
    Abstract: A sensor package for sensing vibration is described. The sensor package includes a carrier and a piezoelectric module coupled to the carrier. A wireless vibration sensor is further coupled to the carrier at a distance from the piezoelectric module. The sensor package further includes one or more conductive paths coupling the piezoelectric module to the wireless vibration sensor. The sensor package may be disposed on a bearing housing of a rail vehicle. The sensor package may also be utilized in marine, land and aviation applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: HARSCO TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Syed Reza Sami, Michael Petersen
  • Patent number: 11143546
    Abstract: A Piezo-electric transceiver for a vibration sensor, with the Piezo-electric transceiver being embodied as a separately handled unit with a drive seat comprising a mechanical connection section for connecting the Piezo-electric transceiver to a mechanical oscillation unit of the vibration sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KG
    Inventors: Dominik Fehrenbach, Volker Allgaier
  • Patent number: 11067420
    Abstract: A sensor for determining at least one parameter of a fluid medium, in particular an induction air-mass flow of an internal combustion engine, flowing through a measuring channel. The sensor has a sensor housing, in particular a plug-in sensor, which is introduced or may be introduced into a flow pipe and in which the measuring channel is developed, and at least one sensor chip, disposed in the measuring channel, for determining the parameter of the fluid medium. The sensor housing has a plurality of channel walls, which delimit the measuring channel. The sensor chip is situated on a sensor carrier. At least in the region of the sensor carrier, at least a first channel wall of the plurality of channel walls and a second channel wall of the plurality of channel walls, which differs from the first channel wall, or the sensor carrier have at least partly magnetic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Markov, Edda Sommer, Uwe Konzelmann
  • Patent number: 11035771
    Abstract: A method to operate a resonator is provided herein. As illustrated with an example, the resonator is excited by means of a periodic excitation signal with an integer number of at least two signal components with one specified frequency each. A response signal of the resonator is determined at the specified frequencies of the at least two signal components of the excitation signal. Eventually, parameters of a model illustrating the behavior of the resonator as a function of the response signal are calculated based on the response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventor: Alexander Niedermayer
  • Patent number: 10876909
    Abstract: A resonant sensor includes a proof body that can be subjected to a torque of forces produced by an external mechanical structure, the body comprising at least: a first interface and a second interface that can each come into contact with the structure; at least two sensitive elements each arranged between these two interfaces; a sensitive element comprising a plate embedded in a frame secured mechanically to the interfaces, the frame being fixed to the interfaces by two opposite corners, the other two corners being free, a local increase in weight being produced in each corner; each plate being able to resonate under the effect of local mechanical excitations produced at particular points by excitation transducers bearing the plate at several resonant frequencies, sensors picking up the resonant signals produced at the particular points, measurement means measuring the resonant frequency shifts of signals which are linear combinations of the resonant signals picked up, the shifts being a function of mechanica
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Davinson Castano Cano, Mathieu Grossard, Arnaud Hubert
  • Patent number: 10853549
    Abstract: A piezoelectric open-circuit output voltage profile simulator including a capacitor; at least first, second and third switches; and a controller for controlling the first, second and third switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: OMNITEK PARTNERS LLC
    Inventor: Ziyuan Feng
  • Patent number: 10826414
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for harvesting energy from mechanical vibrations with an improved power output. The apparatus comprises a frame (22), a first member (20) comprising a piezoelectric material, a cantilever beam (26) and an electrode. The first member is fixed to the frame at a first position and a second position and extends between the first and second positions. The cantilever beam has a first end fixed to the first member between the first position and the second position and a second end fixed to a proof mass (24). The electrode is fixed to the first member at a position between the first position and the second position. In another aspect, the apparatus may comprise a plurality of proof masses connected to the first member between the first and second positions in a spaced relationship to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Cambridge Enterprise Limited
    Inventors: Yu Jia, Ashwin Arunkumar Seshia, Sijun Du
  • Patent number: 10671225
    Abstract: A touch sensor includes: a first insulating layer disposed on a substrate; a plurality of first touch sensing cells disposed on the first insulating layer and coupled to each other in a first direction by first coupling patterns; a plurality of second touch sensing cells disposed on the first insulating layer and coupled to each other in a second direction by second coupling patterns; and a second insulating layer disposed on the first touch sensing cells and the second touch sensing cells. At least one of the first insulating layer or the second insulating layer includes a piezoelectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han Yung Jung, Chaun Gi Choi, Ji Hun Ryu, Jung Ha Son, Tae Kyung Ahn
  • Patent number: 10653490
    Abstract: Disclosed is a movement transmission chain including: a base of a driving member for driving a movable element; and three actuators controlling the base of the driving member in three movement directions orthogonal to one another, by element of three interfaces with the base of the driving member, the mid-surfaces of the three interfaces intersecting in a central region of the base of the driving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: ROBOCATH
    Inventors: Sebastien Deboeuf, Fabien Destrebecq, Bruno Fournier, Philippe Bencteux
  • Patent number: 10557826
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container, comprising at least an oscillatable unit having at least one membrane, and at least one oscillatory element, a driving/receiving unit embodied to excite the mechanically oscillatable unit by means of an electrical, exciter signal of adjustable excitation frequency to execute oscillations in an oscillation mode corresponding to the excitation frequency and to receive mechanical oscillations from the oscillatable unit and to convert such into an electrical received signal, and an electronics unit embodied, to produce the exciter signal, and to ascertain from the received signal the at least one process variable. The membrane is connected with the driving/receiving unit. The oscillatory element has the shape of an oscillatory rod, on which a paddle is terminally formed, and the oscillatory element is secured on the membrane in an end region remote from the paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KG
    Inventors: Raphael Kuhnen, Ira Henkel, Peter Wimberger
  • Patent number: 10523077
    Abstract: A stator has a field winding, the winding comprising a plurality of axial conductors connected at their ends to form at least one circuit with a number of turns. Each axial conductor, or set of axial conductors having a common voltage, is disposed within an insulated channel member, the insulated channel member being disposed within a stack of laminations. The axial conductors and the tubular insulation members are radially distributed at equal angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Coreteq System Ltd.
    Inventors: Philip Head, Hassan Mansir
  • Patent number: 10495663
    Abstract: The design and fabrication of a multi-axis capacitive accelerometer is presented with sub-?g resolution based on CMOS-compatible fabrication technology that can provide large proof-mass, high-aspect ratio and a large sense electrode area within a smaller footprint that previous accelerometers. In some instances, the device footprint can be reduced by placing the sense electrodes near the top or bottom of the transducer structure such that motion of the transducer causes size of the sense gap to vary in a direction that is parallel with longitudinal axis of the support beam for the transducer structure. An extra mass can also be added to the top of the transducer structure to increase sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Khalil Najafi, Yemin Tang
  • Patent number: 10416031
    Abstract: A pressure sensing mat may include: a first substrate; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate; a first electrode layer disposed on a side of the first substrate that faces the second substrate, the first electrode layer comprising a plurality of first electrode patterns; a second electrode layer disposed on a side of the second substrate that faces the first substrate, the second electrode layer comprising a plurality of second electrode patterns; and a spacer layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and comprising a plurality of holes such that the first electrode patterns are configured to contact the second electrode patterns through the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: MedicusTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Ming Hsu, Chung-Chih Lin, Chi Wen Liu, Chun Lin, Chao-Hung Chou
  • Patent number: 10254325
    Abstract: A piezoelectric field disturbance sensing system includes a piezoelectric element for generating mechanical energy when electrically excited and for generating electrical energy when mechanically deformed. A mass is coupled to the piezoelectric element. A signal generator is coupled to the piezoelectric element for applying electrical energy thereto for a fixed period of time. As a result, the piezoelectric element undergoes mechanical deformation and the mass reverberates in response to such mechanical deformation. A charge monitor is coupled to the piezoelectric element for monitoring electrical energy generated thereby during a time period subsequent to the fixed period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Scott Jensen
  • Patent number: 10247599
    Abstract: A rotating machine abnormality detection device and a rotating machine abnormality detection method according to the present invention are designed to detect an abnormality in a rotating machine including a rotary member rotatable about a predetermined axis, and detect an initial abnormality in the rotating machine based on first measurement data obtained by measuring a vibration in an ultrasonic wave band caused by the rotary member. A rotating machine according to the present invention includes the rotating machine abnormality detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Takahashi, Kaname Araki, Shugo Takaki, Yasuharu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10222296
    Abstract: A device for monitoring a bearing, wherein the device comprises at least one sensor configured to obtain data concerning at least one of the factors that influences the residual life of the bearing. The device is a portable device and comprises a non-permanent attachment feature configured to non-permanently attach the device to a surface of the bearing so that at least a part of the at least one sensor is pressed against the surface of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Joseph Erskine, Allan Thomson, Andrew Campbell
  • Patent number: 10145424
    Abstract: A two dimensional structure such as a disk or belt is shaped or distorted to form a buckling wave. At least one contact touches the wave, with two contacts squeezing the wave between them providing a firmer connection. The wave is propagated along the structure by any of a variety of means including magnets or piezo actuators. This movement of the wave moves the contacts relative to the two dimensional structure, providing a high leverage ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Genesis Advanced Technology Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: James Brent Klassen
  • Patent number: 10096214
    Abstract: A circuit of a tactile presentation device is configured to: connect first electrodes at least partially included in a target area to an AC voltage signal source and connect second electrodes at least partially included in the target area to another AC voltage signal source to present tactile senses in the target area; and in transition from a frame to the next frame, turn each of multiple first electrodes including the first electrodes and multiple second electrodes including the second electrodes into a floating state and subsequently connect each of the multiple first electrodes and the multiple second electrodes to a voltage signal source. A time to keep the floating state is set shorter than a first period for unnecessary tactile senses presented outside the target area to be weaker than unnecessary tactile senses presented outside the target area in the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: TIANMA JAPAN, LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Sugimoto, Hiroshi Haga
  • Patent number: 9989433
    Abstract: A measuring element for measuring dynamic pressure, temperature and/or static pressure includes a body made of a piezoelectric material and having opposing side surfaces carrying electrodes. The piezoelectric material of the body is selected in such a manner that a thrust coefficient of the piezoelectric e-tensor is not equal to zero, with the result that the inverse piezoelectric effect can be used, and a transverse coefficient of the piezoelectric d-tensor is not equal to zero and/or a longitudinal coefficient of the piezoelectric d-tensor is not equal to zero, with the result that the transverse piezoelectric effect can be used in the transverse direction and/or the longitudinal piezoelectric effect can be used in the longitudinal direction in a simultaneous manner with the inverse piezoelectric effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: KISTLER HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Claudio Cavalloni, Roland Sommer
  • Patent number: 9983715
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to piezoelectric based force sensing in touch devices are presented. One embodiment, for example, may take the form of an apparatus including a touch device having a deformable device stack and a piezoelectric element positioned relative to the deformable device stack such that the piezoelectric element deforms with the deformable stack. Deformation of the piezoelectric element generates a signal having a magnitude discernable as representative of an amount of force applied to the touch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sinan Filiz, Brian Q. Huppi, Kai Wang, Peter W. Richards, Vikram Garg
  • Patent number: 9960057
    Abstract: A device for measuring the distribution and/or impulse of a series of droplets comprises a piezoelectric sensor positioned relative to a source of droplets such that each of a plurality of droplets contacts the piezoelectric sensor in succession, thereby to generate an electrical signal. Logic circuitry is configured to calculate one or more frequencies from the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH AG
    Inventors: Michael Dalmer, Alexander Lippert, Philipp Engesser, Rainer Obweger
  • Patent number: 9955989
    Abstract: A manipulator including an elongated shaft, at least one joint disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a manipulating part via which a movement instruction for the joint is input, and a driving unit that drives the joint according to the movement instruction input via the manipulating part. The manipulating part includes a handle fixed to the shaft and gripped in one hand of an operator, a displaceable member that is disposed at a position along which at least one finger of the hand gripping the handle can be extended and that can be displaced by a movement of the finger extending therealong, and a sensor that detects displacement of the displaceable member and outputs it as the movement instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shintaro Inoue
  • Patent number: 9904884
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a rotating device. In one example, a system includes a rotating device and a RFID circuit coupled to the rotating device. The RFID circuit includes a RFID chip, an antenna, and a mechanical link designed to change impedance with a changing input from the rotating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey David Willis, Bret Dwayne Worden
  • Patent number: 9874773
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel configured to display an image; a touch panel on the display panel and including a touch region configured to extract a touch coordinate when a touch is generated thereon, and a non-touch region adjacent to the touch region; a cover glass on the touch panel; a piezoelectric element on the cover glass and covering the touch region, the piezoelectric element being configured to generate an electrical change by a pressure of the touch; and a pressure calculating unit configured to calculate a magnitude of the pressure based on the generated electrical change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyunhee Lee
  • Patent number: 9857268
    Abstract: A remote assistant system capable of measuring a vibration velocity and then determining whether or not warning is required includes a vibration sensor unit which measures a vibration velocity, while transmitting information of a measured value of the measurement every ten minutes. A cloud server receives and saves the information of the measured value, while employing as an effective velocity value only a measured value within a range between an effective upper-limit velocity value and an effective lower-limit velocity value. Then, when a latest moving average value calculated by use of a latest effective velocity value and a saved effective velocity value exceeds a velocity threshold previously set as an upper limit for a vibration velocity in a case not requiring inspection, the cloud server transmits a warning e-mail to that effect to a previously set e-mail address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Kondo, Kazuhisa Senoo, Kouichi Kusano
  • Patent number: 9759270
    Abstract: A two dimensional structure such as a disk or belt is shaped or distorted to form a buckling wave. At least one contact touches the wave, two contacts squeezing the wave between them providing a firmer connection. The wave is propagated along the structure by any of a variety of means including magnets or piezo actuators. This movement of the wave moves the contacts relative to the two dimensional structure, providing a high leverage ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Genesis Robotics LLP
    Inventor: James Brent Klassen
  • Patent number: 9753056
    Abstract: A weight member includes two sides opposite to each other in an X-axis direction when looked at in a plan view. A vibrating beam includes one end portion connected at one location to a fixation member and the other end portion connected at one location to one of the two sides of the weight member in the X-axis direction when looked at in a plan view. The vibrating beam supports the weight member to be displaceable in the X-axis direction. A holding beam includes one end portion connected at one location to the fixation member and the other end portion connected at one location to the other of the two sides of the weight member opposing to each other in the X-axis direction when looked at in a plan view. The holding beam supports the weight member to be displaceable in the X-axis direction. A driver is disposed on the vibrating beam and vibrates the vibrating beam. A detector is disposed on the vibrating beam and configured to output a detection signal changes according to deformation of the vibrating beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuo Hada, Katsumi Fujimoto, Hideya Horiuchi, Toshimaro Yoneda
  • Patent number: 9689733
    Abstract: A vibration limit switch with a membrane, which can be set into oscillation, and a drive unit for setting the membrane into oscillation and/or for detecting an oscillation of the membrane, with the drive unit comprising at least one electromagnetic drive and one Piezo-electric drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KG
    Inventor: Holger Gruhler
  • Patent number: 9574954
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments include a press sensor element that includes a piezoelectric layer having a first surface in communication with a first layer, the first layer including a first conductive region, where the first conductive region covers at least a central portion the first surface. The sensor element includes a second surface in communication with a second layer, the second layer including a second conductive region, a third conductive region, and a first non-conductive void region separating the second conductive region and the third conductive region. An area of the first conductive region is configured in size relative to an area of the third conductive region to substantially reduce a thermally-induced voltage change between two or more of the first, second, and third conductive regions responsive to a corresponding temperature change of at least a portion of the piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERLINK ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Baker, Edwin Keshesh Yousafian, Declan Christopher Flannery
  • Patent number: 9552092
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a display device including a touch sensor and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, to a display device including a touch sensor using a piezoelectric material and a manufacturing method thereof. The display device includes a first substrate, wherein a plurality of thin film transistors are disposed on the first substrate; a second substrate disposed facing the first substrate; a plurality of piezoelectric elements disposed on the second substrate; and a first sensing electrode overlapping the piezoelectric elements, the first sensing electrode being configured to transfer a sensing voltage generated as a result of pressure applied to the piezoelectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Mi Seo, Joon Hak Oh, Jong Seo Lee
  • Patent number: 9530954
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element is a laminated type piezoelectric element including a plurality of piezoelectric layers laminated on each other; and an internal electrode layer disposed between adjacent piezoelectric layers. In the piezoelectric element, coating layers are disposed on a side surface of the piezoelectric element so as to cover at least an effective portion of the internal electrode layer that is exposed at the side surface. The coating layers contiguously extend from the side surface of the piezoelectric element to at least one of upper and lower surfaces of the piezoelectric element. A step is formed at the at least one of upper and lower surface of the piezoelectric element by the coating layers formed at an edge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuro Takagaki, Kazuyoshi Shibata, Haruhiko Ito
  • Patent number: 9449623
    Abstract: Approaches to a suspension for a hard disk drive include having an adhered one or more piezo actuating device driven by a negative bias driving voltage. The negative bias driving voltage is lower than ground, therefore such voltage inhibits the migration of ions of an electrically conductive adhesive to an electrically conductive flexure layer, and inhibits the degradation of the resistance of an insulating material positioned between the conductive adhesive and the conductive flexure layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Shinobu Hagiya, Haruhide Takahashi, Kousaku Wakatsuki
  • Patent number: 9443412
    Abstract: An integrated line voltage converter and microprocessor-controlled tone generator allow advanced alarm features to be implemented in standard appliances as powered by a high-voltage line power. An integrated switch may also be used to allow the addition of alarm features to standard appliances as a drop-in replacement for door switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Barrena, Andrew W. Tucker, Eric K. Larson, Jeffrey L. Prunty
  • Patent number: 9430099
    Abstract: A touch panel having a piezoelectric sheet with a first region and a second region, and a surface protection film bonded to the second region of the piezoelectric sheet with a non-curable adhesive. The non-curable adhesive has a larger elasticity than a material that bonds the first region of the piezoelectric sheet to the surface protection film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masamichi Ando, Yoshiro Tajitsu, Mitsunobu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9417737
    Abstract: A touch panel capable of detecting a pen and a finger, capable of corresponding to multi-touch, capable of detecting pressing force, and capable of reducing the use amount of a transparent electrode as much as possible. The touch panel has a piezoelectric sheet of poly-L-lactic acid having a predetermined stretching axial direction, electrodes that are opposed to each other and formed on the piezoelectric sheet do not cover the entire surface of the piezoelectric sheet and are formed so that they are discretely distributed in plural positions. The piezoelectric sheet is brought into the condition that tension is imparted in directions not coincident with the stretching axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masamichi Ando, Yoshiro Tajitsu, Mitsunobu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9391491
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a brushless motor, and a cover member. The housing has an air intake hole and an air exhaust hole formed therein, the housing having an inner surface. The brushless motor has an outer surface disposed in the housing, a first endface near the air intake hole, and a second endface near the air exhaust hole. The cover member covers at least one of the first endface and the second endface for preventing dust from entering the brushless motor. The inner surface of the housing and outer surface of the brushless motor define a circulation path providing communication between the air intake hole and the air exhaust hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI KOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichirou Yoshida, Katsuhiro Oomori, Yoshihiro Komuro, Kazutaka Iwata
  • Patent number: 9378725
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer comprises a metal plate; an acoustic matching member fastened to one of surfaces of the metal plate, a piezoelectric substrate which is fastened to the other surface of the metal plate and generates a vibration; and an insulating damping member covering a surface of the piezoelectric substrate which surface is on an opposite side of a surface fastened to the metal plate; wherein a thickness of the insulating damping member is set to a length which is n/2 of a wavelength of the vibration propagating through the insulating damping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Satou, Hidetomo Nagahara, Yuji Fujii, Akihisa Adachi, Aoi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9003887
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a cylindrical case having a bottom and a side wall, a piezoelectric element attached to an inner bottom surface of the case, a terminal retainer configured to hold outer terminals and inner terminals, and wires connected to the inner terminals and configured to feed power to the piezoelectric element. The side wall of the case has a thin portion adjacent to an opening of the case and a thick portion adjacent to the bottom of the case. The elastic member is provided between the thick portion and the terminal retainer. An opening region surrounded by the thick portion is preferably covered with the elastic member. The case is preferably internally filled with a filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taku Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20150002586
    Abstract: A piezoelectric material contains a first component that is a rhombohedral crystal and that is configured to have a complex oxide with a perovskite structure and Curie temperature Tc1, a second component that is a crystal other than a rhombohedral crystal and that is configured to have a complex oxide with a perovskite structure and Curie temperature e Tc2, and a third component that is a rhombohedral crystal and that is configured to have a complex oxide with a perovskite structure and Curie temperature Tc3 different from the first component, and in which Tc2 is higher than Tc1, Tc3 is equal to or higher than Tc2, and a value of (0.1×Tc1+0.9×Tc2) is equal to or lower than 280° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Koji SUMI, Kazuya KITADA, Tomohiro SAKAI, Yasuaki HAMADA, Tetsuya ISSHIKI, Satoshi KIMURA, Akio ITO, Tsuneo HANDA
  • Publication number: 20140062258
    Abstract: External force detection equipment according to the present disclosure includes a container, a supporting portion, one excitation electrode, another excitation electrode, an oscillation circuit, a movable electrode, a fixed electrode, a frequency information detecting unit, and a conductor. An oscillation loop is formed from the oscillation circuit to pass through the one excitation electrode, the other excitation electrode, the movable electrode, and the fixed electrode, and return to the oscillation circuit. The frequency information detected by the frequency information detecting unit is used for estimating an external force acting on the piezoelectric plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: MITSUAKI KOYAMA, TAKERU MUTOH
  • Patent number: 8657027
    Abstract: A Single Piezo-Actuator Rotary-Hammering (SPaRH) Drill includes a horn actuator having high power piezoelectric materials and a flexure pre-stress to increase the actuators effectiveness. The drill is a low mass, low power, compact coring drill measuring 20-cm high by 7-cm diameter and having a total weight of 2 kg including drive electronics. Using an average power of 50-Watts, the drill basalt is expected to cut basalt at a rate of 0.2 cm/min down to depth of 10-cm and create cuttings and an intact core. The drill is expected to operate under different environments including Martian ambient (6 Torr and down to ?50° C.), and liquid nitrogen temperatures (77 K) and low pressure (<<1 Torr) to simulate lunar polar and Europa conditions. Materials expected to be sampled include Kaolinite, Saddleback Basalt, Limestone, Volcanic Breccia, Siltstone, ice, permafrost and layered rocks with different hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stewart Sherrit, Xiaoqi Bao, Mircea Badescu, Yoseph Bar-Cohen
  • Patent number: 8604668
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a support body having a displacing part capable of undergoing displacement, a lower electrode layer having a lower main electrode body and a lower electrode wire part with the lower main electrode body being formed on the support body and provided within the displacing part in a plan view and the lower electrode wire part being connected to the lower main electrode body and provided across an interior and an exterior of the displacing part, a first piezoelectric layer provided on the lower main electrode body, an upper electrode layer provided across the interior and exterior of the displacing part with at least a part of the upper electrode layer being layered on the first piezoelectric layer and insulated from the lower electrode layer, and a second piezoelectric layer provided on the support body to cover at least a part of the lower electrode wire part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20130285508
    Abstract: A vibrating element includes a base, drive vibrating arms, detection vibrating arms, and adjustment vibrating arms. The drive vibrating arms are driven to make bending vibration in a predetermined plane. The following expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied: f3>f2??(1) 0.964×(1?0.321(1+L/t))?f2/f1?0.995??(2) where t represents the thickness of the base, L represents the length of the base in the direction in which the drive vibrating arms extend, f1 represents the frequency of natural vibration of the detection vibrating arms in a direction that intersects the predetermined plane, f2 represents the frequency of natural vibration of the drive vibrating arms in a direction that intersects the predetermined plane, and f3 represents the frequency of natural vibration of the adjustment vibrating arms in a direction that intersects the predetermined plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji NAKAGAWA
  • Patent number: 8555718
    Abstract: An inertial sensor includes driving piezoelectric transducers for enabling an oscillation of a resonator, sensing piezoelectric transducers for enabling a detection of a movement of the inertial sensor, and piezoelectric compensating elements substantially equidistantly among the driving and the sensing piezoelectric transducers, wherein the compensating elements and the resonator form corresponding capacitors having capacitive gaps, and wherein, during the oscillation of the resonator, changes in electrostatic charges stored in the capacitors are measured with the compensating elements and are modified so as to modify the oscillation of the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinbo Kuang, William A. Clark, John A. Geen
  • Publication number: 20130241353
    Abstract: A sensor element includes a base part, a detection vibrating arm extended from the base part, and detection parts that are provided on the detection vibrating arm and detect flexural vibration of the detection vibrating arm, the detection parts each have a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer provided at an opposite side to the detection vibrating arm with respect to the first electrode layer, and a piezoelectric layer provided between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and the detection parts have parts provided over boundary parts between the detection vibrating arm and the base part and the parts bend or curve to extend in a direction including a direction component orthogonal to an extension direction of the detection vibrating arm along side surfaces of the detection vibrating arm and the base part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomotaka ASARI
  • Publication number: 20130221804
    Abstract: A sensor element includes a base, vibrating arms for detection extended from the base, and first to fourth detecting sections provided in the vibrating arms for detection. The first to fourth detecting sections respectively include lower electrode layers, upper electrode layers, and piezoelectric layers. The lower electrode layers of the first and second detecting sections are electrically connected to each other. The lower electrodes of the third and fourth detecting sections are electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiko Epson Coporation
  • Patent number: 8515135
    Abstract: Provided is a method for determining a resonant frequency of a biometric sensor. The method includes obtaining first pixel data from a first scan by scanning the biometric sensor with a first frequency. Second pixel data is obtained from a second scan by scanning the biometric sensor with a second frequency that is different from the first frequency. A respective first and second reference value is calculated from the first and the second pixel data. A highest reference value is determined from the first and the second reference values. The first or the second frequency is selected as the resonant frequency based on the highest reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Sonavation, Inc.
    Inventors: David Brian Clarke, Christian Liautaud
  • Patent number: 8511163
    Abstract: A piezoelectric cantilever sensor includes a piezoelectric layer and a non-piezoelectric layer, a portion of which is attached to the piezoelectric layer. In one embodiment, one end of the non-piezoelectric layer extends beyond the end of piezoelectric layer to provide an overhang. The overhang piezoelectric cantilever sensor enables increased sensitivity allowing application of the device in more viscous environments, such as liquid media, as well as application in liquid media at higher flow rates than conventional piezoelectric cantilevers. In another embodiment, the sensor includes first and second bases and at least one of the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer is affixed to each of the first and second bases to form the piezoelectric cantilever sensor. In this embodiment, the sensor is robust and exhibits excellent sensing characteristics in both gaseous and liquid media, even when subjected to relatively high flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Rajakkannu Mutharasan, David Maraldo, Gossett Augustus Campbell, Kishan Rijal
  • Patent number: 8481335
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a sensor system including at least one sensor and target specific receptors bound substrates for purposes of enhancing detection sensitivity. Optionally, the sensor system may include quantum dots for independently verifying the presence of a target molecule or compound. The sensor system may be particularly beneficial in the field of medical diagnostics, bio-defense, food safety, water safety and general chemical detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Wei-Heng Shih, Wan Y. Shih
  • Publication number: 20130154440
    Abstract: An in-plane actuated resonant device, and method of manufacturing the device. The device includes a support; a suspended beam, moving parallel to the plane of the surface of the support and anchored to the support through at least one of its ends; and a mechanism actuating the beam to enable its displacement parallel to the support. The actuation mechanism includes at least one suspended element, anchored to the support and to one lateral face of the beam. The element moves when a control voltage is applied to the element and thus causes displacement of the beam. The device may be manufactured using surface technology and is applicable particularly for resonant mass sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENE ALT
    Inventor: Sebastien Hentz