Abstract: A component of a bone conduction device, including a housing and a piezoelectric bender located in the housing, wherein the component is configured to limit bending of the piezoelectric bender relative to that which would otherwise be the case in the absence of the limits via application of a stopping force at a centralized location of an assembly of which the bender is a part.

Abstract: A tunable bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator includes: a first electrode adapted to be coupled to an oscillator circuit; a second electrode adapted to be coupled to the oscillator circuit; and a piezoelectric layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a Bragg mirror. The Bragg mirror has: a metal layer; and a dielectric layer between the metal layer and either of the first electrode or the second electrode. The tunable BAW resonator also includes: a radio-frequency (RF) signal source having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first electrode, and the second end coupled to the second electrode; and an amplifier circuit between either the first electrode or the second electrode and the Bragg mirror metal layer.

Abstract: A vibrator including a housing, a transducer mounted in the housing such that there is a gap between the housing and transducer; and an impulse force damper that substantially fills the gap. Such a damper includes: a first layer in contact with the housing; and a second layer in contact with the transducer and the first layer; wherein substantially no adhesion is exhibited between the first and second layers or between at least one of the first and second layers and at least one of the housing and the transducer.

Abstract: A support garment can include a textile layer forming a supportive region and configured to adjustably permit or inhibit displacement of a body part of the wearer that is positioned adjacent or proximate the supportive region. The garment can include an electroadhesive clutch device to help control displacement. In an example, the garment includes an underwear garment or a portion thereof.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate bulk acoustic wave resonators with a patterned mass loading layer at least contributing to a difference in mass loading between a main acoustically active region of the bulk acoustic wave resonator and a recessed frame region of the bulk acoustic wave resonator. Related methods of manufacturing can involve forming the patterned mass loading layer in the main acoustically active region and the recessed frame region in a common processing step such that the patterned mass loading layer has a higher density in the main acoustically active region than in the recessed frame region.

Abstract: A wideband vibration suppression device utilizing properties of a sonic black hole, comprising: a vibration absorber (101) comprising a uniform portion (1011) of a fixed thickness and a conical portion (1012) integrally connected to the uniform portion (1011), the conical portion (1012) extending from the junction in such a manner that the thickness thereof gradually decreases from the thickness (d1) of the uniform portion (1011) to a predetermined thickness (d2); and a damping layer (102) attached to the conical portion (1012) of the vibration absorber (101).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a MEMS sound transducer for generating and/or detecting sound waves in the audible wavelength range and/or in the ultrasonic range, includes arranging at least one piezoelectric element on a support substrate. A diaphragm is formed on the at least one piezoelectric element. In forming the diaphragm, a flowable and curable polymer, which forms the diaphragm after curing, is at least partially cast around the at least one piezoelectric element. The invention further relates to the MEMS sound transducer formed by the method.

Abstract: A bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator includes a substrate, a stack over the substrate and including a piezoelectric layer disposed between two electrode layers, and one or more edge frames. The one or more edge frames can be a raised metal frame extending parallel to a periphery of an active region of the stack and has one or more slanted cuts such that the edge frame does not form a closed loop and loss of acoustic energy in the active region through the one or more cuts is reduced, minimized or prevented. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more edge frames include a recessed edge frame in the form of a trench in the piezoelectric layer extending parallel to a boundary of the active region, and may further include a second edge frame formed on the first electrode and embedded in the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor having a case including a bottom section and a peripheral wall section; a piezoelectric device on the bottom section inside the case; and a resin foam filler filling at least part of the case and covering the piezoelectric device. An inner surface of the case includes a first region and a second region, a surface roughness of the first region is higher than a surface roughness of the second region, the first region includes at least part of the bottom section and/or a portion of the peripheral wall section facing the piezoelectric device, the second region is on the peripheral wall section and is farther from the piezoelectric device than the first region, and the resin foam filler contacts each of the first region and the second region.

Abstract: An impedance matching device for matching a characteristic acoustic impedance includes an impedance matching body including a first side and an opposite second side. The impedance matching device is configured to match a characteristic acoustic impedance of a medium contacted on the first side to a characteristic acoustic impedance of a sound transducer contacted on the second side. The impedance matching body includes microstructures which have a structural extent of at most 500 nanometers along at least one spatial direction.

Abstract: A drop generator for a printing head of a continuous inkjet printer includes at least one ink feed conduit for feeding ink into a stimulation chamber, which has a quality factor Q lower than 2 and at least one resonant frequency fr; an actuator for stimulating a wall of said stimulation chamber; and at least one nozzle for ejecting a jet.

Abstract: An active cooling system and method for using the active cooling system are described. The active cooling system includes a cooling element having a first side and a second side. The first side of the cooling element is distal to a heat-generating structure and in communication with a fluid. The second side of the cooling element is proximal to the heat-generating structure. The cooling element is configured to direct the fluid using a vibrational motion from the first side of the cooling element to the second side such that the fluid moves in a direction that is incident on a surface of the heat-generating structure at a substantially perpendicular angle and then is deflected to move along the surface of the heat-generating structure to extract heat from the heat-generating structure.

Abstract: A transducer assembly operable to transmit ultrasonic energy in a desired direction towards a zone adapted to be acoustically coupled to an object or area of interest is disclosed which has a transducer layer, a backing material disposed behind the transducer layer with respect to the desired direction, and a back-matching layer disposed between the transducer layer and the backing material to reflect towards the transducer layer part of the ultrasonic energy directed from the transducer layer to the backing material. The backing layer has an acoustic impedance higher than the acoustic impedance of the back-matching layer. The back-matching material has an impedance less than the impedance of the transducer layer and the transducer layer has a thickness greater than a ¼ of the wavelength of the ultrasound waves the assembly is configured to generate. A process for manufacturing a transducer assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible ultrasonic transducer comprising a flexible metal plate, a piezoelectric ceramics element, a first electrical conductor and an insulation covering a portion of the metal plate. The metal plate comprises a first and a second outer surface opposite each other. The piezoelectric ceramics element is attached to the first outer surface, a first portion of the first outer surface is not covered with the piezoelectric ceramics element, and the first electrical conductor is attached to a first portion of the second outer surface or the first portion of the first outer surface. The first portion of the first outer surface and the first portion of the second outer surface have similar dimensions and positions and the insulation covering covers the first portion of the first outer surface so that the piezoelectric ceramics element is directly dry coupled an object to be inspected by means of the transducer.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a casing holding an image capturing device, a protective cover disposed in a visual field of the image capturing device, a vibrator to vibrate the protective cover, a controller to control the vibrator, a monitor to detect an electrical characteristic value associated with a vibration of the vibrator, and a storage to store determination criteria based on which the controller evaluates the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitor. The controller is configured to evaluate the electrical characteristic value based on the plurality of determination criteria stored in the storage and clean a surface of the translucent body by controlling the vibrator according to the determination.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cellular stimulation device includes: an ultrasonic transducer for generating a vibration wave; an upper cap having a fixing portion disposed on a lateral surface thereof; and a lower cap having a first surface and a second surface, and including: a recess indenting the first surface; an abutment portion located at a bottom of the recess; and an opening formed in the second surface and being in communication with the recess. The upper cap is partially received in the recess. The ultrasonic transducer is clamped and fixed between the fixing portion and the first surface. A glass piece is disposed on the abutment portion and fixed between the upper cap and the lower cap, such that the vibration wave is conveyed from the first surface into the abutment portion and the glass piece and a uniform and controllable sound field is generated above the glass piece.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for manufacturing a fingerprint recognition method, a fingerprint recognition module, and a display device. The method for manufacturing the fingerprint recognition module includes: providing a backplane; forming a bonding terminal in a bonding area of the backplane; forming a sensing electrode in a fingerprint recognition area of the backplane; forming an insulation layer cladding the bonding terminal in the bonding area, and forming a piezoelectric material layer in the fingerprint recognition area, where an orthographic projection of the piezoelectric material layer on the backplane coincides with an orthographic projection of the sensing electrode on the backplane; performing polarization processing on the piezoelectric material layer; and peeling off the insulation layer.

Abstract: An actuator includes a piezoelectric element, a vibration plate, and a holder. The vibration plate has the piezoelectric element joined thereto and vibrates an object of vibration in accordance with expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric element. The holder is joined to the vibration plate and holds the object of vibration. The height of the holder is less than the maximum bending displacement at which the piezoelectric element is not damaged by an external force.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical transducer including one or more moveable members, and a viscoelastic substance having a predetermined viscoelasticity, the viscoelastic substance being adapted to influence the response of the transducer in a predetermined manner. The micro-electromechanical transducer of the present invention may include a MEMS transducer, such as a MEMS microphone, a MEMS vibration sensor, a MEMS acceleration sensor, a MEMS receiver.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic device and a device for generating mechanical vibration. The ultrasonic device includes an ultrasonic probe and the device for generating mechanical vibration, where the device for generating mechanical vibration includes a vibration generator (1), a damping component (2), and a pressure component (3); the damping component (2) is fixed between the vibration generator (1) and the pressure component (3); the ultrasonic probe is connected to the pressure component (3); and the vibration generator (1) is configured to generate a vibration when a pressure value detected by the pressure component (3) falls into a preset range.

Abstract: A method and structure for a transfer process for an acoustic resonator device. In an example, a bulk acoustic wave resonator (BAWR) with an air reflection cavity is formed. A piezoelectric thin film is grown on a crystalline substrate. A first patterned electrode is deposited on the surface of the piezoelectric film. An etched sacrificial layer is deposited over the first electrode and a planarized support layer is deposited over the sacrificial layer, which is then bonded to a substrate wafer. The crystalline substrate is removed and a second patterned electrode is deposited over a second surface of the film. The sacrificial layer is etched to release the air reflection cavity. Also, a cavity can instead be etched into the support layer prior to bonding with the substrate wafer. Alternatively, a reflector structure can be deposited on the first electrode, replacing the cavity.

Abstract: A piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) device may include a piezoelectric membrane transducer designed to have lower sensitivity to residual stress and reduced sensitivity to geometric variations arising from the backside etching process used to release the membrane. These designs allow some of its key feature to be adjusted to achieve desired characteristics, such as pressure sensitivity, natural frequency, stress sensitivity, and bandwidth.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical transducer including one or more moveable members, and a viscoelastic substance having a predetermined viscoelasticity, the viscoelastic substance being adapted to influence the response of the transducer in a predetermined manner. The micro-electromechanical transducer of the present invention may include a MEMS transducer, such as a MEMS microphone, a MEMS vibration sensor, a MEMS acceleration sensor, a MEMS receiver.

Abstract: A resonating needle is adapted to be used in a device for measuring and controlling the dosage of a small quantity of fluid, includes: a needle (1) adapted to contain said small quantity of fluid; a resonating element of the piezoelectric type (2), coupled to said needle and adapted to be energized in order to detect variations of oscillation parameters of the needle and of the resonating element for the purpose of determining the dosage measurement and control.

Abstract: A radar level gauging arrangement for performing radar level gauging in a tank having a tank wall which is impermeable to a product held in the tank and transmissive to radar signals, comprising an attachment device configured to be secured to a substantially flat portion of said tank wall, without penetration of the tank wall, and a radar level gauge including a directional antenna, the radar level gauge being mounted to the attachment device, such that, when said attachment device is secured against the tank wall, the directional antenna is positioned so as to enable transmission of radar signals through the tank wall. By mounting a radar level gauge to an attachment device which can be secured to the tank wall without penetrating the tank wall, radar level gauging can thus be provided without damaging or interfering with the tank.

Abstract: A tactile sense presenting device that includes a piezoelectric film, a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm. The piezoelectric film deforms in a planar direction when a voltage is applied thereto. The first diaphragm and the second diaphragm sandwich the piezoelectric film. Opposed ends of the first diaphragm and opposed ends of the second diaphragm are fixed, respectively, to opposed ends of the piezoelectric film such that the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are in a warped state.

Abstract: A bimorph disk actuator is disclosed including a substrate formed from a substrate composite material and having a first substrate surface and a second substrate surface, a first piezoceramic disk rigidly connected to the first substrate surface of the substrate, a second piezoceramic disk rigidly connected to the second substrate surface of the substrate, and a first composite ring formed from a first ring composite material, rigidly connected to the first substrate surface and surrounding the first piezoceramic disk. A second composite may be rigidly connected to the second substrate surface and surrounding the second piezoceramic disk. A method and apparatus for forming the bimorph disk actuator are also disclosed.

Abstract: A PZT microactuator such as for a hard disk drive has a restraining layer bonded on its side that is opposite the side on which the PZT is mounted. The restraining layer comprises a stiff and resilient material such as stainless steel. The restraining layer can cover most or all of the top of the PZT, with an electrical connection being made to the PZT where it is not covered by the restraining layer. The restraining layer reduces bending of the PZT as mounted and hence increases effective stroke length, or reverses the sign of the bending which increases the effective stroke length of the PZT even further. The restraining layer can be one or more active layers of PZT material that act in the opposite direction as the main PZT layer. The restraining layer(s) may be thinner than the main PZT layer.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a couplant and an arrangement of a couplant, a transducer, and a construction component. The couplant is adapted to couple the transducer to the surface of the construction component. The couplant provides 36% to 40% mass portion of hard metal.

Abstract: A solution is offered to providing wearable garment, which provides a continued support for the wearer. A novel system is proposed including a wearable garment and a sensor module attached to the wearable garment. The sensor module has an oscillation sensing element, which measures oscillations experienced by the wearable garment, and an interface provided to the oscillation sensing element for outputting measurement data to a processor.

Abstract: A method provides a band, including: placing an energy harvesting mechanism within a deformable band; the energy harvesting mechanism being placed to transform deformation of the deformable band into stored energy; and providing a connection element to the energy harvesting mechanism; said connection element offering a coupling of the stored energy of the deformable band to a device. In an embodiment, a force is applied to deform a deformable band along a length dimension of the deformable band. The force acts to move an energy harvesting mechanism of the deformable band such that the energy harvesting mechanism transforms deformation of the deformable band into stored energy. The stored energy may be used, e.g., to collect information using a sensor of said deformable band. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transmission probe is arranged such that an ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic transmission probe toward a pipe propagates in a thick part of the pipe, is at least reflected on the outer peripheral face of the pipe, and travels toward an inspection site on the pipe, and an ultrasonic reception probe is arranged to be symmetrical to the ultrasonic transmission probe with reference to the xz plane including the inspection site and perpendicular to the center axis of the pipe.

Abstract: A method and structure for a transfer process for an acoustic resonator device. In an example, a bulk acoustic wave resonator (BAWR) with an air reflection cavity is formed. A piezoelectric thin film is grown on a crystalline substrate. A first patterned electrode is deposited on the surface of the piezoelectric film. An etched sacrificial layer is deposited over the first electrode and a planarized support layer is deposited over the sacrificial layer, which is then bonded to a substrate wafer. The crystalline substrate is removed and a second patterned electrode is deposited over a second surface of the film. The sacrificial layer is etched to release the air reflection cavity. Also, a cavity can instead be etched into the support layer prior to bonding with the substrate wafer. Alternatively, a reflector structure can be deposited on the first electrode, replacing the cavity.

Abstract: Printed resistive-based sensors and transducers comprising a thin, electronically “active” sensing layer within a dielectric and/or metallic layered structure are provided. The electronic resistance of the active sensing layer is measured during a change in the sensor environment. By utilizing a multi-layered architecture around the active sensing layer, the electronic signal of the sensing element can be improved. By carefully selecting the architecture and materials that surround the active sensing layer, the sensitivity, stability, and selectivity of the sensor to detect changes in the environment are improved. This design allows for a number of specific application areas for environmental sensing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high speed actuator. The high speed actuator includes an actuation part configured to cause deformation such as bending or twisting and an active stiffness controller on a surface of the actuation part or in the actuation part configured to control in real time a stiffness (e.g., of the actuator) according to an external signal. The active stiffness controller may control a stiffness of the high speed actuator in order for the actuator to be actuated at a high speed. Moreover, since the stiffness of the actuator is controlled in real time, a speed of the actuator may be controlled in real time.

Abstract: An ultrasound observation apparatus includes: a sheet including a first transducer, a first transducer region, a columnar portion, and a film portion configured to connect a plurality of first upper electrodes in the first transducer region and a second surface of the columnar portion in an arrangement direction C; and a bonding portion provided between the first transducer positioned on a second end portion in the first transducer region and the columnar portion and configured to maintain a state in which the sheet is rounded such that the film portion becomes an external surface, and the first transducer positioned on the second end portion and a first surface of the columnar portion are attached to each other.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel which displays an image and a vibration member attached to a surface of the display panel, where the vibration member receives a sound signal, generates a vibration in response to the sound signal, and transfers the vibration to the display panel to allow the display panel to output a sound.

Abstract: To address limitations of conventional transducers, a phased array transducer is provided with a form factor suitable o for packaging into, e.g., an endoscope. A method of manufacture of small packaging transducers is also provided, whereby the overall package size is reduced by electrically connecting signal wires to array electrodes at an angle approximately normal to the array surface, thus largely eliminating the bend radius requirements of conventional printed circuit boards or flex circuits.

Abstract: A method for producing a porous piezoelectric polymer film with a dense surface, includes depositing a polymer solution onto a substrate to form a polymer film including a solvent; evaporating a portion of the solvent to form the dense surface away from the substrate; forming water droplets in interior of the polymer film; and substantially evaporating the water droplets and remaining solvent to form porous interior. A piezoelectric composition includes a piezoelectric material with a porous interior and a dense surface for interfacing with an electrode. A piezoelectric device includes a first electrode; a porous piezoelectric film with a dense surface and porous interior, wherein the porous piezoelectric film is deposited on the first electrode and the dense surface is away from the first electrode; and a second electrode deposited on the dense surface for, together with the first electrode, providing an electrical interface for the porous piezoelectric film.

Abstract: A couplant and an arrangement of a couplant include a transducer and a construction component. The couplant is adapted to couple the transducer to a surface of the construction component. The couplant comprises basically 15% to 75% mass portion of hard metal.

Abstract: A vibrator includes a piezoelectric element deformed when power is applied thereto, an installation member having the piezoelectric element installed thereon, and a plurality of elastic members connected to the installation member and changing a displacement direction through deformation of the installation member. The plurality of elastic members are disposed to oppose each other.

Abstract: A low power ultrasound system for use in sonography applications, including vascular imaging, is disclosed. The low power ultrasound system includes a base unit having an image processor and a display. An ultrasound probe is operably connected to the base unit. The probe includes a head portion including an array of crystal transducers. A plurality of pulser/receiver modules that cause the transducers to emit ultrasonic transmit pulses are also included in the probe. The pulser/receiver modules are further configured to receive analog signals relating to ultrasonic echo receive pulses detected by the transducers. The probe includes a singular low noise amplifier that amplifies the analog signals, and an analog-to-digital converter that converts the analog signals to a digital signal. A wireless interface is included for enabling the digital signal to be wirelessly transmitted from the probe to the image processor of the base unit.

Abstract: There is provided a vibration generating apparatus including: a housing having an internal space; a vibration member having both end portions thereof fixed to the housing; and a piezoelectric element installed on the vibration member, wherein the vibration member includes a first member having the piezoelectric element installed thereon and second members disposed at both end portions of the first member, the second members being formed of a material having a higher degree of tensile strength than the first member.

Abstract: A nanometer-scale precision actuator comprises a base, an intermediate structure, an output interface, and two linear elements producing a controllable extension in the same longitudinal direction, each between a first and a second end. A first of the two elements has a first end fixed onto the intermediate structure and a second end fixed onto the base, a second of the two elements has a first end fixed onto the intermediate structure and a second end fixed to the output interface. The base and the intermediate structure are positioned in such a manner that the controllable extension of the second element produces a displacement of the actuator in a first direction and the controllable extension of the first element produces a displacement of the actuator in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, with respect to the base.

Abstract: The present teachings provide for a vehicle drive module including a housing, an electric motor, a transmission gear set, a differential assembly, and a pair of output members. The transmission gear set can transmit rotary power between a motor output shaft and an output of the transmission gear set. The differential assembly can include a case, a pair of pinion gears, and a pair of side gears. Each of the side gears can be meshingly engaged with the pair of pinion gears. Each output member can include a driven body and an outer flange. The driven body can have a first end drivingly coupled to one of the side gears. The outer flange can have a first side that is releasably coupled to the second end of the driven body, and a second side that is adapted to be releasably coupled to a constant velocity joint.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer is mounted in a housing. An impedance matching layer is provided between the piezoelectric transducer and the housing. The impedance matching layer includes high-permittivity regions that have a first permittivity, and low-permittivity regions that separate the high-permittivity regions and have a second permittivity. The second permittivity is lower than the first permittivity.

Abstract: A piezoelectric film having a porosity between 20 and 40%, a thickness ranging from tens of microns to less than a few millimeters can be used to form an ultrasonic transducer UT for operation in elevated temperature ranges, that emit pulses having a high bandwidth. Such piezoelectric films exhibit greater flexibility allowing for conformation of the UT to a surface, and obviate the need for couplings or backings. Furthermore, a method of fabricating an UT having these advantages as well as better bonding between the piezoelectric film and electrodes involves controlling porosity within the piezoelectric film.

Abstract: A method of use for parametric sonar is provided that utilizes an acoustic beam formed at a difference frequency generated by non-linear interaction of acoustic energy of primary frequencies. At least three primary frequencies are transmitted from a frequency source by amplifiers and acoustic projectors of the sonar. The non-linear interaction of the primary frequencies produces at least three difference frequencies. The difference frequencies are received by a receiver array. Increased interaction increases efficiency linearly with the number of primary frequencies used. The increased bandwidth resulting from the use of multiple center frequencies can also produce signal processing gains and signal-to-signal ratio is also improved, especially at the lower difference frequencies.

Abstract: There is provided a vibration generating apparatus including: an elastic member having both end portions thereof fixedly installed on a support part of a lower case; a piezoelectric element installed on one surface of the elastic member; and a mass body part connected to the elastic member to increase an amount of vibrations, wherein the mass body part is provided with protrusion portions for first contacting the lower case at the time of an external impact.

Abstract: An electrically conductive contact layer (4) is provided with a joining material (9) during a method for producing a piezoelectric component (1), in particular a piezoelectric sensor (1). To this end, the electrically conductive contact layer (4) can be dipped into a paste that serves to form the joining material (9). The contact layer (4) provided with the joining material (9) is subsequently disposed between a first piezoceramic layer (2) and a second piezoceramic layer (3). The contact layer (4) is then inserted via the joining material (9) between the first piezoceramic layer (2) and the second piezoceramic layer (3), wherein a pressure is applied to the first piezocermaic layer (2) against the second piezoceramic layer (3).