With Mechanical Energy Coupling Means Patents (Class 310/328)
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Publication number: 20120308355Abstract: A motor includes: a driven unit having a cylindrical shape; an actuator having a protrusion abutting on the driven unit; and an impelling unit impelling the actuator against the driven unit, wherein, assuming that the trajectory of the protrusion is disposed to abut on a side surface of the cylindrical shape at a contact point P and a point of action where an impelling force is exerted on the actuator is a point of action Q, the relation between an angle ?1 between the impelling direction of the impelling unit and a direction connecting a rotational center R of the driven unit and the contact point P and an angle ?2 between the impelling direction of the impelling unit and a direction connecting the contact point P and the point of action Q satisfy a relationship of ?1<?2.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Shinji YASUKAWA, Osamu MIYAZAWA
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Patent number: 8325024Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus used in an electronic device for providing haptic feedback. The apparatus includes a base defining a receiving space, a piezoelectricity vibrator suspended in the receiving space and being capable of vibrating in the receiving space, a pair of contacts partially accommodated in the base and electrically connected to the piezoelectricity vibrator, and a transmitting mass located above the piezoelectricity vibrator with a lower side abutting against the piezoelectricity vibrator.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., American Audio Components Inc.Inventors: Le-Ping Dong, Jie He, Lin Liu, Zheng-Ping Qin
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Patent number: 8324785Abstract: Piezoelectric actuators are provided. In some instances, the piezoelectric actuators are high-precision piezoelectric actuators. The piezoelectric beams may have a bi-chevron configuration. Also provided are methods of making the piezoelectric actuators, e.g., using Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) fabrication techniques, and methods of using the piezoelectric actuators, e.g., as valves in fluid dispensing systems.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Ya-Mei Chen, Michael Stephen Sheppy, Matthew A. Hopcroft, Albert P. Pisano, Rajesh Vinodrai Mehta, Michael Alan Marcus, Gilbert Allan Hawkins
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Patent number: 8324786Abstract: Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric actuator module. The piezoelectric actuator module includes a flat plate. An elastic member is provided on each of opposite ends of the plate in a longitudinal direction thereof, and protrudes perpendicularly from the plate in such a way that a first end of the elastic member is coupled to an electronic device. A plate-shaped elastic body is provided on a first surface of the plate. A piezoelectric element is provided on a first surface of the elastic body. The plate-shaped elastic body is provided between the plate and the piezoelectric element, so that the overall spring constant of the piezoelectric actuator module is lowered and thus the vibrating force of the piezoelectric actuator module is increased.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jae Kyung Kim, Yeon Ho Son, Ki Suk Woo, Su Young Jung, Ji Yeoun Jang, Dong Sun Park, Kum Kyung Lee, Dae Woong Yun
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Patent number: 8319400Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Scott A. Nield, Shan Wan
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Patent number: 8319403Abstract: Electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AGInventors: Michael G. Lipton, Ilya Polyakov, Alrieza Zarrabi, Otto Hui, Silmon James Biggs, Thomas A. Kirdl, Gordon Russell, Jonathan R. Heim, Roger Hitchcock, Chris A. Weaber
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Patent number: 8316526Abstract: The present invention provides electroactive polymers, transducers and devices that maintain pre-strain in one or more portions of an electroactive polymer. Electroactive polymers described herein may include a pre-strained portion and a stiffened portion configured to maintain pre-strain in the pre-strained portion. One fabrication technique applies pre-strain to a partially cured electroactive polymer. The partially cured polymer is then further cured to stiffen and maintain the pre-strain. In another fabrication technique, a support layer is coupled to the polymer that maintains pre-strain in a portion of an electroactive polymer. Another embodiment of the invention cures a polymer precursor to maintain pre-strain in an electroactive polymer.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Qibing Pei, Ronald E. Pelrine, Marcus Rosenthal
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Patent number: 8314533Abstract: A supporting structure for an actuator body, which can prevent reduction of vibration of an actuator body and maintain a contact state of a driver element with an abutment body in a stable manner even when the driver element receives reactive force from the abutment body is realized. An ultrasonic actuator (2) includes an actuator body (4) for generating vibration, driver elements (8), provided on a mounting surface (40a) of the actuator body (4), for outputting driving force, a pressing rubber (62) for pressing the actuator body (4) to a stage (11), a case (5) to which the actuator body (4) is coupled, and a plate spring (61) for elastically supporting the actuator body (4) relative to the case (5). The plate spring (61) supports the mounting surface (40a) of the actuator body (4) on which the driver elements 8 are provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Masaru Higashionji, Hideaki Mukae, Eiichi Nagaoka, Yusuke Adachi
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Patent number: 8308454Abstract: A fluid conveyance device includes a substrate, and a disk-shaped piezoelectric element arranged in a bendable manner on the substrate. A plurality of substantially circular concentric segment electrodes are provided on the piezoelectric element, and are provided with voltages with phases that are shifted. A wavy ring deformation is thus produced on the piezoelectric element. A pocket produced between the piezoelectric element and the substrate is moved in a radial direction so as to convey a fluid from an outer substantially circular portion to a central portion and to discharge the fluid from the central portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Gaku Kamitani, Atsuhiko Hirata
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Publication number: 20120279342Abstract: A motor including a driven unit; an actuator including a vibrating plate having, at an end thereof, a protrusion which is biased toward the driven unit and a piezoelectric body stacked on the vibrating plate; and a biasing unit biasing the actuator toward the driven unit, wherein an axis in a direction in which the biasing unit biases the actuator toward the driven unit intersects with a plane containing a vibrating surface of the vibrating plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Shinji YASUKAWA, Osamu MIYAZAWA
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Patent number: 8304963Abstract: A piezoactuator of multilayer design includes piezoelectric layers and electrode layers to form a stack. A predetermined breaking layer for the targeted origination and guiding of cracks is introduced between two adjacent electrode layers. The predetermined breaking layer has a barrier region, in which the formation of continuous electrically conductive paths or the formation of cracks leading through the barrier region is impeded.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: EPCOS AGInventors: Reinhard Gabl, Alexander Glazunov, Georg Kuegerl, Martin Galler
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Patent number: 8299681Abstract: Apparatus and method that includes providing a variable-parameter electrical component in a high-field environment and based on an electrical signal, automatically moving a movable portion of the electrical component in relation to another portion of the electrical component to vary at least one of its parameters. In some embodiments, the moving uses a mechanical movement device (e.g., a linear positioner, rotary motor, or pump). In some embodiments of the method, the electrical component has a variable inductance, capacitance, and/or resistance. Some embodiments include using a computer that controls the moving of the movable portion of the electrical component in order to vary an electrical parameter of the electrical component. Some embodiments include using a feedback signal to provide feedback control in order to adjust and/or maintain the electrical parameter.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Life Services, LLCInventors: Carl J. Snyder, John Thomas Vaughan, Jr., Charles A. Lemaire
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Publication number: 20120262029Abstract: Processes for making a membrane having a curved feature are disclosed. Recesses each in the shape of a reversed, truncated pyramid are formed in a planar substrate surface by KOH etching through a mask. An oxide layer is formed over the substrate surface. The oxide layer can be stripped leaving rounded corners between different facets of the recesses in the substrate surface, and the substrate surface can be used as a profile-transferring substrate surface for making a membrane having concave curved features. Alternatively, a handle layer is attached to the oxide layer and the substrate is removed until the backside of the oxide layer becomes exposed. The exposed backside of the oxide layer includes curved portions protruding away from the handle layer, and can provide a profile-transferring substrate surface for making a membrane having convex curved features.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventors: Gregory De Brabander, Mark Nepomnishy
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Patent number: 8288921Abstract: In a multilayer piezoelectric element comprising a plurality of piezoelectric layers and a plurality of metal layers which are alternately stacked one upon another, the metal layers includes a plurality of high resistance metal layers having a higher electrical resistance than adjacent metal layers on the both sides. The high resistance metal layers are regularly arranged so as to interpose a plurality of different metal layers other than the high resistance metal layers. In another multilayer piezoelectric element in which a plurality of piezoelectric layers and a plurality of metal layers are alternately stacked one upon another, at least one layer of the metal layers is formed by a plurality of partial metal layers disposed between the piezoelectric layers.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Kyocera CorporationInventors: Masaki Terazono, Takafumi Tsurumaru, Shigenobu Nakamura, Ken Yamamoto
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Patent number: 8288924Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ceramic electronic component capable of preventing degradation of the self alignment property and product characteristics due to absorption of flux into pores of a ceramic element assembly during soldering in mounting and a ceramic electronic component. In the method, a ceramic element assembly is subjected to an oil-repellent treatment by using an oil-repellent agent containing a polyfluoropolyether compound as a primary component and hydrofluoroether as a solvent, so as to avoid absorption of the flux by the ceramic element assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuya Mizuno, Masaharu Konoue, Hiroki Hashimoto, Mitsuru Ueda
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Patent number: 8287253Abstract: A fluid conveyance device includes a substrate, and a disk-shaped piezoelectric element arranged in a bendable manner on the substrate. A plurality of substantially circular concentric segment electrodes are provided on the piezoelectric element, and are provided with voltages with phases that are shifted. A wavy ring deformation is thus produced on the piezoelectric element. A pocket produced between the piezoelectric element and the substrate is moved in a radial direction so as to convey a fluid from an outer substantially circular portion to a central portion and to discharge the fluid from the central portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Gaku Kamitani, Atsuhiko Hirata
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Patent number: 8288919Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator includes an actuator body; and driver elements for outputting drive force, which are provided to the actuator body. The ultrasonic actuator further includes a holder which is provided to the actuator body, and which protrudes outwardly beyond principal surfaces in a direction crossing the principal surfaces of the actuator body; two supports for supporting the holder; contact rubber blocks limiting displacement of the actuator body by contacting the principal surfaces of the actuator body. The actuator body is biased toward a movable body side. A long hole extending in a biasing direction of the actuator body and into which the holder is fitted is formed in the support. At least two contact rubber blocks contact the principal surfaces of the actuator body at different positions in a longitudinal direction of the actuator body.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Hideaki Mukae
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Patent number: 8284964Abstract: A compound membrane (100) for an acoustic device (200), the compound membrane (100) comprising a first layer (101) and a second layer (102), wherein a value of Young's modulus of the second layer (102) does not vary more than essentially 30% in a temperature range between essentially ?20° C. and essentially +85° C.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2007Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Knowles Electronics Asia PTE. Ltd.Inventors: Susanne Windischberger, Josef Lutz, Ewald Frasl
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Patent number: 8283839Abstract: Devices employing electroactive polymer actuators are disclosed. Acrylic dielectric material based actuators are optionally provided in which architectures are presented that allow for improved power output as compared with other known acrylic dielectric material based transducers. Such technology may be applied in motor-driven applications, lightweight flight applications and lighting applications among others.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AGInventor: Jonathan R. Heim
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Publication number: 20120248805Abstract: A motor includes a vibrating plate having a projection part to be pressed against a driven member and a piezoelectric material provided on the vibrating plate, wherein a Young's modulus EL in the pressing direction of the vibrating plate and a Young's modulus ES in a direction crossing the pressing direction are different.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Koichi KAMIJO, Osamu MIYAZAWA, Akihiro SAWADA, Reiko NAGAHAMA
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Publication number: 20120242550Abstract: Apparatus and method that includes providing a variable-parameter electrical component in a high-field environment and based on an electrical signal, automatically moving a movable portion of the electrical component in relation to another portion of the electrical component to vary at least one of its parameters. In some embodiments, the moving uses a mechanical movement device (e.g., a linear positioner, rotary motor, or pump). In some embodiments of the method, the electrical component has a variable inductance, capacitance, and/or resistance. Some embodiments include using a computer that controls the moving of the movable portion of the electrical component in order to vary an electrical parameter of the electrical component. Some embodiments include using a feedback signal to provide feedback control in order to adjust and/or maintain the electrical parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2010Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Carl J. Snyder, John Thomas Vaughan, JR., Charles A. Lemaire
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Patent number: 8274197Abstract: A driving device capable of multidimensional positioning by the single device has a shaft-like driving member 4, an electromechanical transducer 3 which has a plurality of expandable portions 11, 12 and which holds one end of the driving member 4, the expandable portions being provided in parallel so that each of the expandable portions can separately expands and contracts in a axial direction of the driving member 4, and a movable member 5 which frictionally engages on the driving member 4 and which can displace slidingly on the driving member 4, and a drive circuit which applies to some of the expandable portions 11, 12 a low change rate of direct-current voltage component different from that applied to other expandable portions 11, 12, and which applies to all the expandable portions 11, 12 a common alternating voltage component fluctuating with a common period.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.Inventors: Kazuhiro Shibatani, Manji Takano
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Patent number: 8274199Abstract: A piezoelectric multilayer component includes a stack of piezoceramic layers, which are arranged one on top of the other, and electrode layers. The stack has a first area and a second area. The second area contains a disturbance material, which is used to make the second area less mechanically robust than the first area.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: EPCOS AGInventors: Georg Kuegerl, Oliver Dernovsek, Alexander Glazunov
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Patent number: 8264125Abstract: A piezoelectric component with a monolithic stack, has electrode layers and piezoceramic layers arranged alternately one on top of the other, the piezoceramic layers have a piezoceramic, and having at least one porous security layer arranged in the stack for the formation of a crack if mechanical overload of the stack should occur. The piezoelectric component has an infiltration barrier arranged between the security layer and a lateral surface section of the stack for suppressing the penetration of a foreign substance into the security layer. The piezoelectric component can be as a piezoactuator for controlling a valve, particularly a valve of an internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael Denzler, Christoph Hamann, Harald Johannes Kastl, Stefan Kohn, Maximilian Kronberger, Christian Reichinger, Carsten Schuh, Claus Zumstrull
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Patent number: 8261720Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator for flowing-around media, with a piezo element arranged between two end caps. The piezo element is surrounded by a ring-shaped sheathing connected to the end caps. The sheathing consists, at least in portions, of a composite material with at least two layers, at least one layer consisting of a metallic material and at least one layer consisting of a polymer.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2007Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Rainer Capellmann, Gregor Renner, Holger Stark
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Publication number: 20120223619Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention comprises: a column-like piezoelectric body 31, whose bottom face is fixed to a base portion 20, and which stands from the base portion; and a driving power supply section for applying a driving voltage to the piezoelectric body. The piezoelectric body includes two sets (32, 33) of a pair of electrodes for providing electrical fields to the piezoelectric body. The two sets are formed so that each of the two sets is provided to each of two regions into which the piezoelectric body is divided by a virtual plane VPL1 parallel to the center axis CL of the piezoelectric body. The driving power supply section applies the driving voltage Vin having a “frequency between the second-order bending resonant frequency and the first-order expansion-contraction resonant frequency” to either one of the two sets, selectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventor: Makoto TANI
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Patent number: 8258677Abstract: The embodiments relate to a piezoelectric component including at least one fully active piezoelectric element comprising electrode layers and piezoelectric layers arranged therebetween. The electrode layers are conveyed to a lateral edge of the piezoelectric element and contacted there. The external electrode is attached in a structured fashion for electrical contacting and/or a structured external electrode is made available: The external electrode essentially includes two components, namely the contacting field and the contacting path. In the event of several piezoelectric elements (piezoelectric actuator in multilayer structure) stacked one above the other, the contacting path functions as a collector electrode, which connects the contacting fields of the piezoelectric elements to one another. The insulation path exists for the electrical insulation of the contacting path from electrode layers which are not to be contacted.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Stefan Denneler, Axel Ganster, Susanne Kornely, Andreas Lenk, Carsten Schuh, Andreas Wolff, Jorg Zapf
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Publication number: 20120217845Abstract: A multistage flextensional transducer includes at least one inner elongate driver member within and mechanically coupled to an inner shell that is nested within an outer shell; the inner shell comprising a pair of contact portions abutting the driver member and a pair of transmission portions on opposite sides of the inner shell between the contact portions; the outer shell being arranged so that the transmission portions act as bridging driver members between the said inner and outer shells, flexure of the outer shell being driven, on actuation of the transducer, by movement of the bridging driver members. The transducer may act as a push or pull actuator or sensor, may magnify displacement and may employ smart materials as driver members. Also cylindrical modules containing thin flextensional actuators may provide axial displacement in a downhole environment and may move a device axially along a downhole pipe or close a valve opening or inch along the pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: QINETIQ LIMITEDInventors: Ahmed Yehia Amin Abdel RAHMAN, Jonathan Geoffrey GORE, Fiona Louise LOWRIE, Richard Carson MCBRIDE
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Publication number: 20120217844Abstract: An aspect of a piezoelectric actuator according to the present invention comprises: a plate-like piezoelectric element (20); a sheet (30); and a movable body (50). The piezoelectric element is provided to the sheet (30) in such a manner that the upper surface of the plate-like piezoelectric element is parallel to the upper surface of the sheet. The sheet includes a movable body driving section (40) formed on one of the upper and the lower surfaces of the sheet. A movable body includes a contact section (51) contacting with the sheet at the movable body driving section. The actuator moves the movable body driving section in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the sheet by using expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric element in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the piezoelectric element to move the movable body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventor: Makoto TANI
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Patent number: 8250732Abstract: A tubular elastomer actuator with a shape in a cross-sectional view which shape exposes at most one single axis of symmetry of a specific length, e.g., an oval shape. The actuator could be made from a sheet made from a plurality of plate shaped elements which are laminated together and rolled. Each plate shaped element may have a corrugation that gives the element an anisotropic structure, and contains an electrode on only one surface. The actuator displacement is the result of shrinkage displacement of the plate shaped elements upon the application of electrical field across their thickness.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Danfoss A/SInventors: Mohamed Yahia Benslimane, Peter Gravesen
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Patent number: 8253305Abstract: A drive unit of a pressure device, such as a welding gun, includes a piezoelectric type load cell adapted to be arranged in an easily attached and removed manner and to have relatively small capacity. The drive unit includes a through-hole 6, formed in a rotary shaft 5 of a drive motor 1, which is a drive source, and a pressure shaft 10, configured to be able to move with a part thereof being in the through-hole 6. The rotary shaft 5 is rotatably supported by the bearing 7, and the piezoelectric type load cell 17 is sandwiched between a preload striker plate 18, through which the pressure shaft 10 passes, and a preload setting striker plate 19, through which the pressure shaft 10 passes with a preload exerted on the load cell 17.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Obara Group IncorporatedInventors: Yoshio Sato, Arinobu Mori, Tsuneaki Sudo, Shinichi Kurihara
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Patent number: 8247947Abstract: A coupling structure for coupling piezoelectric material generated stresses to an actuated device of an integrated circuit includes a rigid stiffener structure formed around a piezoelectric (PE) material and the actuated device, the actuated device comprising a piezoresistive (PR) material that has an electrical resistance dependent upon an applied pressure thereto; and a soft buffer structure formed around the PE material and PR material, the buffer structure disposed between the PE and PR materials and the stiffener structure, wherein the stiffener structure clamps both the PE and PR materials to a substrate over which the PE and PR materials are formed, and wherein the soft buffer structure permits the PE material freedom to move relative to the PR material, thereby coupling stress generated by an applied voltage to the PE material to the PR material so as change the electrical resistance of the PR material.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Bruce G. Elmegreen, Lia Krusin-Elbaum, Glenn J. Martyna, Xiao Hu Liu, Dennis M. Newns, Kuan-Neng Chen
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Patent number: 8247950Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible energy conversion device, comprising a first flexible substrate, a transparent electrode disposed on the first flexible substrate, a first nanostructure disposed on the transparent electrode and comprising a transition metal oxide or semi-metal oxide, a second nanostructure disposed on the first nanostructure, a second flexible substrate disposed on the second nanostructure, and a sealing layer for sealing the first flexible substrate an the second flexible substrate. A method of manufacturing the flexible energy conversion device is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Sanghyeob Kim, Myungae Chung, Sungwon Sohn
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Patent number: 8243683Abstract: A method and network element to control use of a transition indication message by a user equipment, the method including an inhibit transition indication in a configuration message; and sending the configuration message with the inhibit transition indication to the user equipment. Also, a method and user equipment for sending a transition indication, the method setting a timer according to an inhibit transition indication received from a network element; detecting that a data transfer is complete; and sending the transition indication upon detecting that the timer is not running.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Gordon Peter Young, Takashi Suzuki, Claude Jean-Frederic Arzelier, Muhammad Khaledul Islam, Jeffrey William Wirtanen
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Patent number: 8240396Abstract: The invention relates to a tool that includes a tool holder, which has on its first end a tool holder recess that is adapted to the contours of a rotating spindle driver and a tool recess on a second end that lies opposite the first end. The tool holder also includes a tool head that can be inserted into the tool recess. For the optimal machining of a workpiece, attempts were previously made to provide an oscillating unit in the spindle of the machine, to initiate oscillations in the tool head. The disadvantage of said known constructions is that all available tools have to be synchronized with the oscillation unit. The invention overcomes said disadvantage by equipping the tool holder with an oscillating motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2004Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Sauer GmbHInventor: Hermann Sauer
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Publication number: 20120200197Abstract: An oscillation motor is provided in which the influence of vibration on other components by avoiding generation of noise in operation is reduced. The oscillation motor that makes an oscillator vibrate and transmits the vibration generated in the oscillator as a driving force by bringing the oscillator into pressure-contact with a driven body includes a base member; an oscillator that is mounted on the base member and is provided with a protruding output section on one side surface on one end side, the output section is arranged in contact with the driven body; and a press mechanism that is mounted on the base member and presses the oscillator toward the driven body on the other side surface on the opposite end side of the oscillator, wherein an vibration insulating member is provided between the base member and the press mechanism is employed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: TAMRON CO., LTD.Inventor: Naoto Shiga
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Patent number: 8237328Abstract: A foreign substance removing apparatus that removes a foreign substance adhering on an optical member, comprising a piezoelectric element arranged at one end of the optical member, a transformer which generates a voltage to drive the piezoelectric element, the transformer including a primary-side wound wire and a secondary-side wound wire, the secondary-side wound wire being connected to the piezoelectric element, a first driving signal generation circuit which is connected to one end of the primary-side wound wire in the transformer, and generates a signal with a first frequency, and a second driving signal generation circuit which is connected to the other end of the primary-side wound wire in the transformer, and generates a signal with a second frequency.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ritsuo Kashiyama
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Patent number: 8237327Abstract: Abnormal noise generated while driving a piezoelectric actuator is prevented. A pulse-generation circuit is capable of selectively generating a displacement pulse and a stationary pulse as a drive pulse for application to a piezoelectric element, the displacement pulse having a duty ratio for causing a lens to be displaced by a predetermined step width, and the stationary pulse having a duty ratio for causing the lens to remain stationary in a current position. The pulse-generation circuit controls the production of the drive pulse continuously for a plurality of times within the servo control cycle, causes the displacement pulse to be produced when the remainder of a required amount of displacement is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and causes the stationary pulse to be continuously produced until the initiation of the next servo control cycle when the remainder is less than the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd., Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Tetsuya Tokoro, Yukihiko Shigeoka, Hisao Ito, Hideo Yoshida, Takezo Nagamitsu
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Patent number: 8237334Abstract: A transducer mechanism has a stacked piezo electric actuators driving arms rotating in different directions and having a structure such that the arms remain generally parallel to each other. A flexible member may be attached to the arms to obtain an extended stroke in a direction perpendicular to the axis of movement of the actuators.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Parker-Hannifin CorporationInventor: Steven Robert Knight
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Patent number: 8237333Abstract: A fully active piezoelectric stack has alternately successive piezoelectric layers and inner electrodes which pass through to the outer side of the stack and each have a first region, which does not adhere or adheres poorly and a second region which adheres well to the coating. The inner electrodes are provided for the purpose of using their first regions to alternately contact-connect a first outer electrode and a second outer electrode. The outer side of the fully active piezoelectric stack is coated with the coating at least in regions which are assigned the outer electrodes. The coating is then removed in regions which border the first regions of the inner electrodes and the two outer electrodes are applied to the remaining coating, with the result that the outer electrodes contact-connect the first regions of the inner electrodes and the coating is otherwise arranged between the inner electrodes and the outer electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventor: Annett Dorner-Reisel
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Publication number: 20120192320Abstract: Provided is a cantilever excitation device capable of preventing complication of resonance characteristics by a simple configuration. A cantilever excitation device (1) is provided with a cantilever (7), a cantilever holder (3) for holding the cantilever (7), and a piezoelectric vibrator (5) attached to the cantilever holder (3). The cantilever holder (3) includes a holder main part (11) (first part) having an acoustic impedance different from that of the piezoelectric vibrator (5) for transmitting vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator by elastic deformation and an attachment piece (13) (second part) having the acoustic impedance different from that of the first part for forming a material boundary to block propagation of an acoustic wave between the same and the first part. The first and second parts are interposed between the piezoelectric vibrator (5) and the cantilever (7).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2010Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: Hitoshi Asakawa, Takeshi Fukuma
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Publication number: 20120187800Abstract: An electromechanical conversion element having high connection reliability and an actuator equipped with the electromechanical conversion element. The electromechanical conversion element includes: a displacement part capable of expanding and contracting by application of voltage and having electrode forming faces and an adhesion face which are disposed adjacent to each other; and external electrodes on the electrode forming faces, in which lead electrodes for applying voltage to the displacement part are bonded to bonding regions provided in the external electrodes, and a driven member capable of being driven by the expansion and contraction of the displacement part is bonded to the adhesion face by an adhesive. The electromechanical conversion element further includes bleed flow blocking parts on the electrode forming faces at points closer to the adhesion face than ends of the bonding regions located on the same side as the adhesion face.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicants: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc., Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tadashi Yoda, Toshio Nishimura, Masanaga Nishikawa, Yasuhiro Okamoto, Tomoyuki Yuasa
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Publication number: 20120187802Abstract: A nano piezoelectric actuator energy conversion apparatus fabricated from silicon comprising a mechanical amplifier comprising a fixed supporting member, a movable supporting member connected to compliant links attached to at least one actuating arm, and a piezoelectric stack affixed between the fixed supporting member and movable supporting member. Also disclosed is a method for fabricating a nano piezoelectric actuator from silicon and preloading the nano actuator with a piezoelectric stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicants: PARKER HANNIFIN CORPORATION, VIKING AT, LLCInventors: Jeffery B. Moler, Jeffrey M. Melzak
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Patent number: 8226676Abstract: First and second actuators where positive electrodes and negative electrodes are disposed on cylindrical electrostrictive polymers are disposed so as to face each other via a fixing member, a blade inserted into the first actuator is provided on the fixing member, and the blade is ultrasonically vibrated via the fixing member by driving one of the first and second actuators in a stretching and shrinking manner and driving the other in a stretching manner in synchronization with each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventor: Norihiro Yamada
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Patent number: 8227955Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a temperature-activated voltage generator includes a generator housing having a housing interior; a flexible, temperature-sensitive bimetallic element disposed in the housing interior; and a piezoelectric element carried by the generator housing. The bimetallic element is positional between a first position wherein the bimetallic element disengages the piezoelectric element and a second position wherein the bimetallic element engages the piezoelectric element. Electrical voltage output leads are electrically connected to the piezoelectric element. A voltage-generating method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bradley J. Mitchell, Gerardo Peña, Matthew C. Malkin
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Patent number: 8227928Abstract: A thermo-electro-acoustic engine comprises a sealed body having a regenerator, hot and cold heat exchangers, an acoustic source, and an acoustic energy converter. An acoustic pressure wave is generated in a gas in the region of the regenerator. The converter converts a portion of the acoustic pressure into electrical energy. A portion of the electrical energy is used to drive the acoustic source. The acoustic source is controllably driven to produce acoustic energy which constructively adds to that of the acoustic pressure wave in the region of the regenerator. The remaining electrical energy produced by the converter is used external to the engine, such as to drive a load or for storage. The resonant frequency of the engine and the frequency of the energy output can be controlled electronically or electromechanically, and is not limited solely by the physical structure of the engine body and its elements.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Sean Garner, David Eric Schwartz
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Patent number: 8222800Abstract: A stacked-type piezoelectric device includes a stack of piezoelectric layers, plural conductive layers, a first contact hole, a second contact hole, and plural insulating portions. The piezoelectric layers are disposed between the conductive layers. The first and second contact holes penetrate the piezoelectric layers and the conductive layers, and each of first and second contact holes is filled with a conductive material. Every insulating portion is formed at one conductive layer. Two adjacent insulating portions are respectively formed at the outer rims of the first and second contact holes, to electrically isolate the conductive layer (in which the insulating portion is formed) from the conductive material in the contact hole.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Wen-Chih Chen, Tsung-Fu Tsai, Huan-Chun Fu
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Publication number: 20120176703Abstract: An method of manufacturing a piezoelectric element easily and surely forms polymer coatings on peripheral end faces of the piezoelectric element without deteriorating a yield of the piezoelectric element. The method includes steps of cutting a piezoelectric element out from a base piezoelectric material plate so that peripheral end faces are formed to define a peripheral shape of the piezoelectric element, and forming polymer coatings on at least objective areas of the peripheral end faces of the piezoelectric element by vapor deposition polymerization, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.Inventor: Akira NOJIMA
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Patent number: 8212451Abstract: A multi-layer piezoelectric element includes a stack having metal layers and piezoelectric layers stacked one on another, and a pair of external electrodes formed on the side faces of the stack. At least one of the metal layers is a stress relieving layer having partial metal layers scattered between the two piezoelectric layers and voids. Junction sections are formed between the two piezoelectric layers to join and are disposed on both sides of an imaginary straight line drawn to connect the center of width of one of the external electrodes and the center of width of the other of the external electrodes in a plane including the stress relieving perpendicular to the stacking direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignees: Kyocera Corporation, Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Masahiro Inagaki, Takami Sakamoto, Harald-Johannes Kastl, Carsten Schuh, Bernhard Doellgast, Atsushi Ochi
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Patent number: 8212452Abstract: In a light-transmitting vibration unit and the module thereof, which the vibration unit comprises a first and a second substrates stacked sequentially with each other, and made of a conductive polymer material, such that both first and second substrates have light transmittance and uniform resistance, and after a vibration driven component is electrically coupled to the first and second substrates, an electric field will be acted for converting electric energy into mechanical energy to produce vibrations. If the vibration unit is coupled directly to a touch-sensitive display unit, an image displayed by the touch-sensitive display unit will be able to pass through the vibration unit, and the vibrations produced by the vibration unit will be more directly transmitted to a touch object.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: J Touch CorporationInventors: Yu-Chou Yeh, Min-Hui Chiang