Abstract: An acoustic matching layer 1 according to the present invention includes a first acoustic matching layer 2, which has a low density and a low sonic velocity, and a second acoustic matching layer 3, which has a higher density and a higher sonic velocity. The first acoustic matching layer 2, of which the acoustic impedance is matched to that of a medium into an ultrasonic wave is radiated, is provided closer to the medium, while the second acoustic matching layer 3 is provided closer to a piezoelectric layer, thereby increasing the sensitivity of an ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer according to the present invention includes: a piezoelectric body 4 to set up ultrasonic vibrations; an acoustic matching layer 3 made of a material with a density of 50 kg/m3 to 1,000 kg/m3 and an acoustic impedance of 2.5×103 kg/m2/s to 1.0×106 kg/m2/s; a lower acoustic matching layer 9 provided between the piezoelectric body 4 and the acoustic matching layer 3; and a structure supporting member 6 that supports the lower acoustic matching layer 9 and the piezoelectric body 4 thereon and shields the piezoelectric body 4 from a fluid that propagates the ultrasonic vibrations. The ultrasonic transducer includes a protective portion, which contacts with at least a portion of a side surface of the acoustic matching layer 4. This protective portion is defined by a portion of the lower acoustic matching layer 9 and forms an integral part of the lower acoustic matching layer 9.

Abstract: An acoustic matching layer according to the present invention includes a powder of a dry gel. The dry gel preferably has a density of 500 kg/m3 or less and an average pore diameter of 100 nm or less. By using the dry gel powder, a variation in the property of the acoustic matching layer can be reduced.

Abstract: Linear output motion of a substantial distance is imparted to the top plate of an actuator by forces produced within layers respectively formed by interconnectors on which magnetostriction material slabs are positioned in engagement with end retainers of the interconnectors through which such forces are transferred in sequence to produce the output motion in response to applied magnetic fields, inducing maximized magnetostriction in a direction perpendicular to such output motion. The magnetic fields are generated by electric current conducted through wiring coils extending through the magnetostriction material slabs maintained assembled in the layers under a prestress arrangement accommodating relative displacements resulting from the output motion.

Abstract: An acoustic actuator comprises a radially poled piezoelectric or electrostrictive drive element which is electroded on its inner and outer faces, and an acoustic diaphragm coupled to the upper surface of the piezoelectric drive element. As a voltage is applied to the electrodes, the piezoelectric drive element expands and contracts in the radial direction and the acoustic diaphragm displaces upward or downward, generating a sound wave. In an alternative embodiment, the piezoelectric or electrostrictive drive element is comprised of several subelements laid end to end and radially poled. In another embodiment, the piezoelectric or electrostrictive drive element is comprised of several subelements laid end to end which are thickness-poled reduced and internally biased oxide wafers of piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A closed loop motion control system employing at least one relaxor actuator which controls the position of a moving member having mass by controlling an electric field applied to the relaxor actuator. The actuator comprises a body of relaxor material dimensionally variable under the influence of the electric field applied in the form of a voltage to electrodes on at least two surfaces of the actuator. The voltage is applied in response to a feedback signal produced by at least one feedback sensor, which may be a displacement sensor or some other type of sensor. Thus, by constantly monitoring the displacement or other variable of the actuator device, the position of the moving member may be precisely controlled.

Abstract: The active/passive absorber for extended vibration and sound radiation control includes principally two layers. The first layer has a low stiffness per unit area which allows motion in the direction perpendicular to its main plane. The second layer is principally a mass layer. These two combined layers have a frequency of resonance close to one of the main structure. The dynamic behavior of the coupled system makes the active/passive absorber a passive absorbe; however, the first layer can be electrically actuated to induce motion in the direction perpendicular to its main plane. This addition property induces and/or changes the motion of the mass layer and therefore improves the dynamic properties of the active/passive absorber system.

Abstract: A piezoelectric sensor includes a carrier, a piezoelectric measurement sensing element arranged on the carrier, a covering layer covering the measurement sensing element and an electronic evaluation unit. The measurement sensing element is formed by a piezoelectric layer. The carrier has a first contact layer electrically connected to the piezoelectric layer and the covering layer has a second contact layer electrically connected to the piezoelectric layer. The electronic evaluation unit is able to determine a mechanical loading of the piezoelectric layer by evaluating the difference of electrical potential between the first contact layer and the second contact layer.

Abstract: Tool for chip removing machining includes a shank having a clamping end and a cutting insert at an opposite end, plus a number of piezo-elements for dampening vibrations therein. A pair of cooperating, flat-shaped piezo-elements with lengths that are shorter than that of the shank, are placed on opposing sides of the shaft in an area adjacent to the region where the shank is secured in the machine wherein the direction of polarization of the piezo-elements is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shank. The piezo-elements constitute actuators that are actively steerable through the application of a voltage from a source of electricity via a control device in the form of a logic control circuit, to thereby dampen the bending vibrations of the shank.

Abstract: A second housing whose center portion is depressed and whose end portion around the center portion is formed like a visor is arranged around a first housing whose center portion is depressed and whose end portion around the center portion is formed like a visor, and a hollow portion is formed between the first housing and the second housing by sandwiching a packing between the end portions of the housings. Further, degassed water for preventing empty heating is filled in the hollow portion, and an ultrasonic transducer is placed on the surface of the center portion of the first housing. A weight for preventing the vibration of the wall is provided on the wall surface of the second housing. Since the vibration of the wall of the housing is suppressed by the weight, vibration energy returns toward the bottom surface of the center of the housing through water and is radiated from the bottom surface efficiently as ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: An electrical transformer including a tank containing transformer fluid, a transformer core and winding subassembly disposed in the transformer fluid within and spaced apart from the tank. An active device, disposed in the transformer fluid within the tank, various the volume of the transformer fluid in order to reduce pressure waves generated by the vibration of the core and winding subassembly during electromagnetic operation. The active device includes at least a cell having a main body and a corrugated membrane connected to the main body in order to realize a sealed container able to maintain a low pressure atmosphere inside, and an actuator placed inside the sealed container and solidly connected to the corrugated membrane.

Abstract: A fuel injector, particularly an injector for a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, includes a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator and a valve closure member which is actuable by the actuator with the aid of a valve needle and which is cooperable with a valve-seat surface to form a sealing seat. An electromagnetic damping device is provided for damping the movement of the valve needle.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for surface damping augmentation. The apparatus of the present invention includes a viscoelastic material, a hybrid constraining layer mechanically connected to the viscoelastic material and having an active material and a passive material, and the active material mechanically connected to the passive material. The method provides for selecting an active constraining material, selecting a passive constraining material, forming a hybrid constraining layer from the active constraining material and the passive constraining material, and mechanically connecting the hybrid constraining layer to a viscoelastic material.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic transceiver, an inner housing has a bottom portion, a first tubular side wall extending from one end surface of the bottom portion and a first flange portion formed on an outer peripheral portion of the first tubular side wall. The bottom portion and first tubular side wall provide a tubular cavity formed therebetween, and the piezoelectric member is mounted on the one end surface of the bottom portion in the tubular cavity. An outer housing has a second tubular side wall coaxially arranged around the outer peripheral portion of the first tubular side wall with a predetermined gap therebetween. The second tubular side wall is provided with one end portion which is opposite to one end surface of the first flange portion and contacted thereto. A first absorption member is inserted in the gap between the first tubular side wall and the second tubular side wall.

Abstract: A method is provided for making an ultrasonic transducer particularly useful in medical imaging. The transducer includes a transducer body having a major front surface for radiating ultrasonic energy to a propagation medium and is formed by a piezoelectric member having a curved shape including a curved front surface. The curved shape is produced by deforming a planar piezoelectric composite member to produce the desired curvature and retaining the curvature using suction forces. A graded frequency region is created by grinding the curved front surface of the piezoelectric element along a grinding plane. This region is defined by the area of intersection of the grinding plane and the front surface of the curved piezoelectric member and in different implementations of the method, covers all or less than all of the total front surface.

Abstract: A passive piezoelectric damping system dissipates mechanical energy propagating through a structure by tuning a shunt inductance to a non-resonant mode of the structure. The damping system includes a piezoelectric element coupled to the structure, where the piezoelectric element converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy has a reactive component. The damping system further includes a shunt circuit connected to the piezoelectric element for balancing the reactive component of the electrical energy with a shunt inductance. The shunt inductance is tuned to a non-resonant mode of the structure to reduce airborne noise transmission through the structure.

Abstract: A motor mounting assembly (30) for attaching a motor (32) to a housing (34) is presented. The mounting assembly (30) includes a pair of flanges (36, 38), one on the housing (34) and one on the motor (32). Each flange (36, 38) has a recess (54, 66) extending around its circumference. A hollow cover (44) is inserted over the flanges (36, 38) and crimped into the recesses (54, 66) to fasten the cover (44) and the motor (32) to the housing (34). The cover (44) includes inner and outer shells (84, 86) separated by a viscoelastic adhesive (88). A resilient damper (40) is sandwiched between the housing flange (38) and the motor flange (36).

Abstract: The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system includes a substantially horizontal substrate and a main flap hinged on one side thereof to the substrate. The system also includes at least one locking flap, preferably two, for securing the main flap in a substantially vertical position. The locking flap is coupled to the substrate by means of a biasing mechanism that continually forces the locking flap toward a position parallel to the substrate. Also provided is a method for assembling a micro-electromechanical hinged flap system. A locking flap is rotated through an acute angle against a biasing force. The biasing force is caused by a biasing mechanism coupling the locking flap to a substrate. A main flap is then raised, whereafter the locking flap is released, such that the biasing force causes the locking flap to engage with the main flap, thereby, securing the main flap in position at the predetermined angle.

Abstract: A first impedance synthesizing arrangement is adapted to accept an input voltage and to provide a corresponding output current according to a predefined relationship between the input voltage and the output current. A second impedance synthesizing arrangement accepts an input current and provides an output voltage. The first and second impedance synthesizing arrangements may be utilized in the vibrational damping apparatus. When using a digital signal processor in the impedance synthesizing arrangement, it is preferable to develop an algorithm which can be used to ensure that the predefined relationship between the voltage and the current is as required.

Abstract: A thin film piezoresonator, which can be tuned over a wide range of RF frequencies, includes a piezo layer between a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer. An electroactive layer of an electrostrictive material, which experiences a mechanical deformation when an electrical voltage is applied, is disposed between a third electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

Abstract: A thin-disc piezoelectric actuating ultrasonic motor is disclosed. A stator is commercial available buzz piece consisted of piezoelectric ceramic membrane bonded on a metal plate. It is a concentric disk and posses either electric or mechanical flexural characteristics. Ultrasonic motor driving mechanism is a mechanical vibration by extension and shrinkage of a metal back plate due to the reverse piezoelectric effect, which supplies a single phase AC power. There are two transferring directions in the mechanical vibrating wave. One is a radial component, and another is a transverse component. This, the outer edge of the buzz piece forms various of traveling waves in different directions. These traveling waves may be used to provide a torque so as to drive the rotor to rotate.

Abstract: The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system includes a substantially horizontal substrate and a main flap hinged on one side thereof to the substrate. The system also includes at least one locking flap, preferably two, for securing the main flap in a substantially vertical position. The locking flap is coupled to the substrate by means of a biasing mechanism that continually forces the locking flap toward a position parallel to the substrate. Also provided is a method for assembling a micro-electromechanical hinged flap system. A locking flap is rotated through an acute angle against a biasing force. The biasing force is caused by a biasing mechanism coupling the locking flap to a substrate. A main flap is then raised, whereafter the locking flap is released, such that the biasing force causes the locking flap to engage with the main flap, thereby, securing the main flap in position at the predetermined angle.

Abstract: A golf club includes an electroactive assembly attached to the club and electrically tuned to capture energy from one or more vibrational modes with high efficiency. More generally, a sports implement includes an electroactive element, such as a piezoceramic sheet attached to the implement, and a circuit attached to the electroactive element. The circuit may be a shunt, or may include processing such as amplification and phase control to apply a driving signal which may compensate for strain sensed in the implement, or may simply alter the stiffness to affect performance. The electroactive element is located in a region of high strain to apply damping, and may include plural subassemblies mounted to capture energy in different planes, or to capture an asymmetric strain distribution while maintaining structural symmetry. In a ski the element captures between about one and five percent of the strain energy of the ski.

Abstract: This invention is provided a method for making a backing layer for an ultrasonic matrix array transducer useful in diagnostic imaging, non-destructive material testing and treatment of human organs. The method includes placing the grid in a mold, filling the mold with an acoustically absorbent material such that the absorbent material fills the spaces between the contacts, curing the material in the mold so as to form a block formed by the cured absorbent material and the grid, and releasing the block from the mold.

Abstract: A semiconductor bulk acoustic resonator (SBAR) with improved passband insertion loss and phase performance characteristics making it suitable for use in a wider variety of narrowband filtering applications. The SBAR is configured to suppress lateral propagating acoustical wave mode. The lateral acoustical wave modes are controlled by varying the lateral dimension of the resonator electrodes and or utilizing a viscous acoustic damping material, such as a viscoelastic material, such as polyimide, along at least~a portion of the perimeter of the electrodes to attenuate reflections of the lateral acoustic modes at the electrode edges back into the electrode region.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator supporting structure supports a piezoelectric resonator at a supporting member through a connecting member. The piezoelectric resonator is adapted to vibrate in a longitudinal vibration mode. A portion of the fixing member that contacts the piezoelectric resonator is made of a vibration transmission restricting material for restricting transmission of vibration from the piezoelectric resonator to the supporting member through the connecting member.

Abstract: A low-cost piezoelectric component which is efficiently manufactured and which provides excellent electrical characteristics, includes a piezoelectric element, a damping member, a supporting substrate for mounting the piezoelectric element, and a cover member. On a surface of the piezoelectric element, the damping member has a predetermined hardness and a vibrating electrode. In the case of a piezoelectric trap filter, a damping member is provided which has a Shore hardness of about 35 to about 80. In the case of a piezoelectric discriminator, the damping member has a Shore hardness of about 80 to about 100.

Abstract: A group-delay-characteristics adjusting method allows group-delay characteristics of piezoelectric resonators to be easily adjusted without affecting the electrical characteristics thereof. Piezoelectric resonators are arranged on an insulating substrate and are connected in a ladder arrangement, thereby defining a piezoelectric filter. Silicon sheets, each of which has a Young modulus that is about 100 MPa or smaller, are prepared to adjust the group-delay characteristics of the piezoelectric resonators. Then, characteristics of the piezoelectric resonators are measured. The silicon sheets having a size that is appropriate to achieve the required group-delay characteristics are selected, and adhered onto the individual piezoelectric resonators.

Abstract: A recreational board such as a snowboard incorporates strain transducers to damp a plate resonance of the board. The strain transducers are preferably located around a peripheral region to capture strain energy affecting control edges, for example steering control edges at the front and/or rear of the board. Electrical energy from the transducers is shunted to damp a targeted resonance. In a preferred embodiment the strain transducers cover a region of the snowboard adjacent one surface and extending along the forward periphery, preferably at both inside and outside edges, and are shunted with a resonant shunt tuned to a torsional or torsion-like mode of the board that is excited during steering maneuvers. The transducers may be fabricated as preassembled sheets or may be formed in the snowboard during the assembly process using sheets of piezoceramic material, or using piezo fiber or other composite constructions.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator utilizes a thickness shear vibration mode, which allows for simplification of the manufacturing process, effectively suppresses ripples in the width mode, has superior frequency characteristics and is inexpensive. This piezoelectric resonator includes a pair of vibration electrodes provided on portions of first and second main surfaces, respectively, of a piezoelectric substrate, and a damping member arranged so as to cover a vibrating portion only on one main surface of the piezoelectric resonator and a pair of side surfaces connecting the first and second main surfaces.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprises a fluid chamber having two actuators coupled thereto. One of the actuators damps a fluid response of the other. The fluid chamber may comprises a cylindrical capillary, and the actuators may comprise spaced cylindrical piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator adapted to generate a third harmonic wave of a thickness extensional vibration mode in which the fundamental wave is lead out of the vibrating portion and suppressed effectively. The piezoelectric resonator includes a vibrating portion with vibration electrodes opposing each other in the middle of a piezoelectric plate, lead-out electrodes electrically connected to the vibration electrodes, and a floating electrode disposed along the short side edge on at least one major surface of the piezoelectric plate or in the vicinity of the edge.

Abstract: A transducer for use in an ultrasonic gas flow meter includes a housing having an open end and a closed end with a side wall extending therebetween. The closed end of the housing is shaped to receive and transmit sound waves during operation of the transducer. A resonator is positioned in the housing with a transmitting and receiving end facing the closed end of the housing. A thickness of the side wall of the housing at the closed end is less than at a position further toward the open end in order to divert and diffuse spurious vibrations that might otherwise occur near the resonating frequency of the transducer. Generally, such vibration diversion and diffusion is best achieved when the thickness of the side wall housing gradually decreases toward the closed end of the housing. Further, an outer diameter of the housing side wall may gradually decrease toward the closed end of the housing to improving ringing and bandwidth properties.

Abstract: An on-demand ink jet head includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements in alignment with one another with one end of each facing in the same direction. The end of each piezoelectric element is bonded by an adhesive material to a diaphragm which, together with a nozzle plate, forms a pressurizing chamber. To confine the fluid state adhesive material expelled out of the endmost piezoelectric elements, a dummy piezoelectric element is disposed outside each endmost piezoelectric element. The adhesive material, when dried, serves as a damper of the piezoelectric element for damping unwanted vibrations of the piezoelectric elements. By the provision of the dummy piezoelectric elements, the distribution of the adhesive material becomes substantially even between the piezoelectric elements, resulting in uniform operations of the piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: Modular control patches including assemblies of sensors and actuators are provided to impart or control vibration of foundation members such as struts in aerospace apparatus. Local digital electronic control means is associated with each control patch assembly. Programmable digital compensators in the control permits operation of the patches to be remotely varied. Patches are attached mechanically or by chemical bonding to the outside of the struts so that the electronics can be selectively removed and replaced. The patch being the sensors and actuators may also be attached or embedded with a composite structure.

Abstract: A protection plate 36a and a protection plate 36b, which are each of a substantially rectangular shape and which extend upwards from respective substantially central portions of opposite lengthwise ends of an attachment platform 34, are formed in the attachment platform 34 by bending part of the attachment platform 34. Also, stoppers 46a and 46b, which have notches 48for protecting two surfaces on either side of the ridge line of the oscillator 12, are attached to the attachment platform 34. Further the oscillator 12, the attachment platform 34, and the stoppers 46a and 46b etc. are housed in a box-shaped case 50. Accordingly, the vicinities of both lengthwise ends of the oscillator 12 are surrounded and protected by the stoppers 46a and 46b. The protection plates 36a and 36b, and the inner side surface of the case 50 as the protection members in the predetermined space d. By means of this structure, an oscillation gyroscope is provided in which the shock resistance is further improved.

Abstract: In a vibration type driving apparatus comprising a vibration member of which the vibration is excited, and a contacting member contacting with the vibration member, the contacting member and the vibration member being moved relative to each other by the vibration of the vibration member, a friction member is provided on the contacting portion of at least one of the vibration member and the contacting member, and the friction member is formed with a contacting surface smoothed by the pressing of a mold.

Abstract: A golf club includes an electroactive assembly attached to the club and electrically tuned to capture energy from one or more vibrational modes with high efficiency. More generally, a sports implement includes an electroactive element, such as a piezoceramic sheet attached to the implement, and a circuit attached to the electroactive element. The circuit may be a shunt, or may include processing such as amplification and phase control to apply a driving signal which may compensate for strain sensed in the implement, or may simply alter the stiffness to affect performance. The electroactive element is located in a region of high strain to apply damping, and may include plural subassemblies mounted to capture energy in different planes, or to capture an asymmetric strain distribution while maintaining structural symmetry. In a ski the element captures between about one and five percent of the strain energy of the ski.

Abstract: An article of clothing including a piezoelectric transducer and an electrical component restrains movement of a first body portion relative to a second body portion. The article of clothing can be a sports bra that controls the wearer's breast movement relative to the wearer's torso. As the breast moves, the piezoelectric transducer deforms and induces a voltage that is passed to the electrical component. The electrical component provides either a resistance or a control signal to the transducer. The transducer stiffens in response to the electrical component and reduces the movement of the breast by placing an external force on the breast.

Abstract: A vibration damper assembly for a ring resonator of a vibrating structure gyroscope has a female portion attachable to a body of the gyroscope so as to have limited resiliency with respect to the body in a direction substantially perpendicular to the body. A male portion is fixedly attachable at one end to a resonator of the gyroscope, projectable into the female portion and fixedly attachable at its other end in and to the female portion. The assembly permits damping of vibratory movement of the resonator in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto whilst retaining stiffness and freedom to vibrate for the resonator in the plane thereof.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor is provided which measures the angular rate of a moving object such as an automotive vehicle. The angular rate sensor includes an installation base and an oscillator. The oscillator is excited to oscillate in a preselected direction perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the moving object and provides a signal indicative thereof. The installation base is used for installation of the sensor on the moving object and has an improved orientation structure for orienting the oscillator relative to the installation base during installation of the oscillator on the installation base so that the oscillator may oscillate in the preselected direction. The angular rate sensor is disposed within a casing through improved vibration isolators for absorbing unwanted vibrations impinging upon an operation of the sensor.

Abstract: In an ultrasound transducer (1), a piezo-ceramic element (2) and an active materaial element (3) are joined to form a composite body in which the speed of sound is greater than in the piezo-ceramic element (2). This makes it possible to narrow the aperture angle .PHI. of the main sonic beam according to requirements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric acoustic device 2 capable of preventing substantial deflection of a first side wall 17 opposite a piezoelectric vibrator 13 due to application of force to an integral cylinder 12 in a direction toward the first side wall 17. According to the invention, a piezoelectric vibrator 13 including a piezoelectric ceramic element is received in a two-part receiving casing 9 formed by fitting a first casing half 10 and a second casing half 11 together. The first casing half 10 includes a first side wall 17 opposite to the piezoelectric vibrator 13 and a first peripheral wall 18 extending from the first side wall 17. A front air chamber 30 is defined between the first side wall 17 and the piezoelectric vibrator 13. A cylinder 12 is integrally formed on the first side wall 17 so as to extend in a direction perpendicular away from the plane of the first side wall 17.

Abstract: A printer includes an inductor connected in a power supply line to piezoelectric elements for ejecting ink. When a drive voltage rises or falls, an undershoot and an overshoot which become large in proportion to the number of the driven piezoelectric elements are caused in a drive current by the inductor. As a result, when the number of the driven piezoelectric elements increases, the drive voltage for driving the piezoelectric elements increases and the pressure applied to the ink increases. Thus, the decrease in the ink ejection speed due to the influence of a crosstalk phenomenon can be avoided, and hence an image formed on a paper becomes more even.

Abstract: An apparatus for suppressing print quality degradation due to vibrations in a printing machine structure. The apparatus comprises a vibration member having a structural resonance, a transducer, and means for damping vibrations. The transducer is mounted to the vibration member and produces electrical signals corresponding to mechanical vibrations of the vibration member. The damping means is connected across the transducer and is responsive to the electrical signals.

Abstract: A unit for suppressing harmonic vibration of a lower order which does not have desired frequency in an overtone resonator consisting main electrodes and sub electrodes. Harmonic vibration of a lower order suppressing piezoelectric vibrator comprises main electrodes arranged on a piezoelectric substrate and sub electrodes arranged in the vicinity of the main electrodes with gaps provided therebetween. If the electric equivalent circuit of the resonator is expressed by a coupling circuit which connects in series a circuit, which connects in parallel a series resonance circuit by the sub electrodes and coupling capacity indicating that the main electrodes are coupled with the sub electrodes, to a series resonance circuit by the main electrodes, then their loop frequencies substantially coincide with each other.

Abstract: A golf club shaft (10) incorporating a piezoelectric device (12) which, upon deflection or deformation of the golf club shaft (10) caused by swinging of the golf club shaft, selectively stiffens a section of the golf club shaft. The piezoelectric device (12), includes a sensor (24) located along the golf club shaft (10) and configured such as to produce an electrical signal upon flexing of the golf club shaft. A piezoelectric stiffener (22) is electrically connected to the sensor (24), is located along the golf club shaft (10), and is designed to mechanically deform as a result of receiving the electrical signal from the sensor (24). The mechanical deformation of the piezoelectric stiffener (22) causes a corresponding deformation of the golf club shaft (10).

Abstract: A transducer according to various aspects of the present invention provides high fractional bandwidth with relatively low degradation of the pulse duration and sensitivity. The transducer includes a back matching layer behind the transducer material. The back matching layer is characterized by an impedance selected to transmit a selected portion of the backwards propagating acoustic energy to an absorption layer. The remaining acoustic energy is reflected in the desired direction of propagation. As a result, the transducer provides enhanced bandwidth without excessive loss of sensitivity or increase in pulse duration.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for generating sound waves or anti-sound waves. For the sound waves. For the sound wave transducer, use can be made of window glass (1) or other types of transparent material, which is set into vibration by means of one or a plurality of actuators (6), such as piezo elements or actuators based on electrostatic attraction and repulsion.

Abstract: The elastic modulus of a piezoelectric substance is controlled over a wide range using a simple method. The effective modulus (the real part of the elastic modulus) and the energy loss modulus (the imaginary part of the elastic modulus) of the piezoelectric substance are changed by installing electrodes on the surface of the piezoelectric substance and by connecting a mechanism consisting of one or more circuit elements to each of the electrodes.