With Mechanical Energy Coupling Means Patents (Class 310/328)
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Publication number: 20120161949Abstract: Actuation systems and devices using an electrically deformable material are disclosed. In the embodiments, a bidirectional actuator assembly includes a first unit including an electrically deformable material coupleable to an activation voltage and configured to provide a displacement in a first direction when the activation voltage is applied to the first unit. A second unit is serially electrically coupled to the first unit and includes an electrically deformable material coupleable to the activation voltage and configured to provide a displacement in a second direction that is different from the first direction when the activation voltage is applied to the second unit. A unidirectional actuator assembly includes at least one unit including an electrically deformable material coupleable to an activation voltage, wherein the electrically deformable material provides a displacement in a selected direction when the activation voltage is applied to the at least one unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD.Inventor: Hin Sing FONG
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Publication number: 20120154131Abstract: A force vector transferring apparatus to transfer a force vector to a finger of a human being. The force vector transferring apparatus may include an outer wall being formed of a hard material, an inner wall being formed of a flexible material to surround an inserted object, and an actuator being disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall to transfer a force to the object through the inner wall. The force vector transferring apparatus may transfer, to an end portion of a finger of a human being, a force from a plurality of directions acting on an end portion of a robot finger.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTDInventors: Hyung Kew Lee, Joon Ah Park
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Patent number: 8201753Abstract: An actuator module including a piezoactuator, for example for a piezoinjector for metering fuel in an internal combustion engine, is proposed. The piezoactuator has piezoelements stacked one above another between an actuator head and an actuator foot and is provided with at least one elastomer layer enclosing the piezoelements. The elastomer layer is enveloped by a corrugated bellows or by telescopic tubes, composed of a material that is diffusion-impermeable with respect to a fuel to be metered by the piezoinjector. The corrugated bellows or the telescopic tubes have on their periphery grooves which can absorb expansions of the elastomer layer or of the piezoactuator.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2007Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Rudolf Heinz, Dieter Kienzler, Udo Schaich
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Patent number: 8203254Abstract: A polymer actuator device includes an electrolyte layer, a pair of electrode layers that are provided on both surfaces of the electrolyte layer in a thickness direction of the electrolyte layer, a polymer actuator that is bent when a voltage is applied between the pair of electrode layers, and terminal parts that apply a voltage to the polymer actuator. The polymer actuator includes a deformable portion and a supported portion. A conductive porous member is interposed between a first electrode layer, which is positioned on the side of the supported portion of the polymer actuator corresponding to a negative electrode, and the terminal part.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2011Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Isao Takahashi
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Patent number: 8203253Abstract: In a piezoelectric actuator (8) comprising a layered piezoelectric element (14) which consists of alternately stacked expansion and contraction layers (14a) and electrode layers (14b), a driving shaft (15) of which one end is fixed to one end of the piezoelectric element (14) in expansion and contraction direction, a movable member (15) frictionally engaging with the driving shaft (15) and a collar (17) bonded to the circumference of the piezoelectric element (14), by bonding the collar (17) to the circumference of the plurality of the expansion and contraction layers (14a) with an adhesive (G) so that fastening force of the collar (17) to the expansion and contraction layers (14a) is imbalanced with reference to the center of the cross section of the piezoelectric element (14) so that the piezoelectric element (14) expands and contracts in an imbalanced manner to incline the driving shaft (15) to displace minutely the movable member (16).Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2008Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.Inventor: Kazuhiro Shibatani
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Publication number: 20120146462Abstract: A lead-free piezoelectric ceramic composition includes a first crystal phase of alkali niobate/tantalate type perovskite oxide having piezoelectric properties and a second crystal phase of A—Ti—B—O composite oxide (where the element A is an alkali metal; the element B is at least one of Nb and Ta; and the contents of the element A, the element B and Ti are not zero). Examples of the second crystal phase are those represented by A1?xTi1?xB1+xO5, and x preferably satisfies 0?x?0.15.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Masato Yamazaki, Takayuki Matsuoka, Katsuya Yamagiwa, Kazushige Ohbayashi
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Patent number: 8198072Abstract: A vibration type microinjection device capable of ensuring smooth piercing of membranes having different properties such as a zona pellucida, a cell membrane and a nuclear membrane included in a fertilized egg with high accuracy and efficiency is provided. A vibration type microinjection device comprises a vibrator (28) which is connected in series with a micropipette (8) and which has a piezoelectric actuator (29) installed in a housing, and a signal control device (21) for controlling an electric signal applied to the piezoelectric actuator (29), wherein vibration is applied in the longitudinal direction of the micropipette (8) via the vibrator (28) by inputting an electric signal to the piezoelectric actuator (29). By such configuration, smooth piercing of membranes having different properties such as a zona pellucida, a cell membrane and nuclear membrane included in a fertilized egg is realized with high accuracy and efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2006Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Inventors: Fujio Miyawaki, Kenji Kobayashi, Jun Hasegawa
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Patent number: 8198786Abstract: An inertial driving actuator includes a fixing member, a moving element that is fixed to the fixing member and generates a small displacement by extension and contraction, an oscillation substrate that is fixed to the moving element and is moved linearly reciprocally by the small displacement, and a moving body that is moved by reciprocal movement of the oscillation substrate. The moving body has a first electrode. The oscillation substrate has a second electrode, the area of the facing portion of the second electrode and the first electrode changing continuously as the moving body moves. The actuator further includes a frictional force controller that controls a frictional force generated between the oscillation substrate and moving body, and a position detector that detects the position of the moving body on the basis of the electrostatic capacitance of the facing portion of the first electrode and the second electrode.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2011Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Kaoru Matsuki
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Patent number: 8198784Abstract: A driving device 1 includes an electromechanical transducer 3, a shaft-like vibrating member 4 vibrated in its axial direction by the electromechanical transducer 3, a movable member 5 which engaging frictionally with the vibrating member 4, a substrate 6 with a sensor 14 mounted thereon for detecting a position of the movable member 5, and a holding member 7 fixed to the substrate 6 and having a holding section 20 for holding the vibrating member 4 and a positioning section 27 for positioning the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.Inventors: Tadatomi Sougawa, Kazumi Sugitani, Shuichi Fujii
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Patent number: 8198783Abstract: In a method for the production of a gradient encapsulation layer 20 on a piezoelectric actuator 1, based on this gradient encapsulation layer 20, the piezoelectric actuator 1 does not 5 require an additional housing-like enveloping structure in order to be protected externally. The gradient encapsulation layer 20 is produced by cold gas spraying of particles having different material properties.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Heiner Bayer, Hellmut Freudenberg, Axel Ganster, Christoph Hamann, Oliver Henning, Jens Dahl Jensen, Günter Lugert, Randolf Mock, Carsten Schuh
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Patent number: 8198785Abstract: A Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) switch includes a substrate, a fixed signal line formed on the substrate, a movable signal line spaced apart from one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the fixed signal line, and at least one piezoelectric actuator connected to a first end of the movable signal line so as to bring or separate the movable signal line in contact with or from the fixed signal line. The piezoelectric actuator includes a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer formed on the first electrode, a second electrode formed on the piezoelectric layer, and a connecting layer formed on the second electrode and connected with the movable signal line.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young-tack Hong, Dong-kyun Kim, In-sang Song, Sang-hun Lee, Sang-wook Kwon, Jong-seok Kim, Che-heung Kim
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Publication number: 20120138513Abstract: An improved actuator for use in a microfluidic particle sorting system utilizes a staggered packing scheme for a plurality of actuators used to selectively deflect a particle in an associated sorting channel from a stream of channels. An actuator block may be provided for housing a two-dimensional array of actuators, each configured to align with an actuation port in an associated sorting chip containing a plurality of sorting channels. The actuator block may include a built-in stressing means to pre-stress each actuator housed by the block. An actuator comprising a piezo-electric stack may employ contact-based electrical connection rather than soldered wires to improve packing density. The actuator may be an external actuator. That is, the external actuator is external to the substrate in which the sorting channels are formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2012Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: CYTONOME/ST, LLCInventors: Andrew Johnson, John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Hugh Lewis, Bernard Bunner
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Patent number: 8188637Abstract: A laminated piezoelectric element having a laminated structure in which a plurality of piezoelectric layers and a plurality of internal electrodes are alternately laminated is provided. This laminated structure has an opposing section wherein an internal electrode on an anode side and an internal electrode on a cathode side which are adjacent to each other in the laminating direction, oppose in the laminating direction, and an end-side non-opposing section situated in a position closer to end in the laminating direction than the opposing section. This end-side non-opposing section has a porous section having porosity larger than that of the internal electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Kyocera CorporationInventors: Takeshi Okamura, Ichitaro Okamura
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Patent number: 8188844Abstract: A reconfigurable tactile human-machine interface adapted for facilitating selection and manipulation by a user, presenting a first geometric shape, orientation, position, or characteristic, and including at least one active material element configured to cause the interface to achieve a second geometric shape, orientation, position or otherwise characteristic when activated or deactivated, and preferably further including at least one sensor, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and interface and configured to selectively cause the element to be activated upon receipt of sensory input.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: John K. Lenneman, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
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Patent number: 8183749Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic device with improved characteristics and a method of making the electronic device. In a method of making an electronic device (piezoelectric device) 74 according to the present invention, an outer edge R1 of a piezoelectric film 52A formed on an electrode film 46A of a laminate 60 is located inside an outer edge R2 of the electrode film 46A. For this reason, in removal of a monocrystalline Si substrate 14 from a multilayer board 61, where an etching solution permeates between polyimide 72 and laminate 60, the etching solution circumvents the electrode film 46A before it reaches the piezoelectric film 52A. Namely, a route A of the etching solution to the piezoelectric film 52A is significantly extended by the electrode film 46A. In the method of making the electronic device 74, therefore, the etching solution is less likely to reach the piezoelectric film 52A.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Kenichi Tochi, Masahiro Miyazaki, Takao Noguchi, Hiroshi Yamazaki, Ken Unno, Hirofumi Sasaki
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Patent number: 8183751Abstract: A piezoelectric element including a plurality of stacked piezoelectric sheets, wherein the stretching axis of a first piezoelectric sheet and the stretching axis of a second piezoelectric sheet of the plurality of piezoelectric sheets are oriented in different directions from each other. Preferably, the stretching axis of the first piezoelectric sheet and the stretching axis of the second piezoelectric sheet are intersected at an angle of 90 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignees: A School Corporation Kansai University, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiro Tajitsu, Masamichi Andoh, Satoshi Kuretake
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Patent number: 8183743Abstract: Tubular linear piezoelectric motor (100, 300), and a method for exciting a tubular piezoelectric resonator (101, 301) used in such motor. The motor is comprised of a resonator (101, 301) formed of a cylindrical tube. The tube has length nL comprised of a piezoelectric material, where L is some length, and n is an even numbered integer, greater than zero. The piezoelectric material of the cylindrical tube is polarized in a radial direction, perpendicular at each point to the interior and exterior surface of the cylindrical tube. The resonator is excited with one signal having a single exciter frequency applied across an inner electrode (102, 302) and one or more first outer electrodes (103, 103a, 103b). The single exciter frequency is selected to move a contact site of one or more annular protrusions along an elliptical path when the resonator is excited.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Discovery Technology International, Inc.Inventors: Serhiy Petrenko, Valentin R. Zhelyaskov
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Publication number: 20120119620Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include an apparatus and methods for using a piezoelectric device, that includes an outer flextensional casing, a first cell and a last cell serially coupled to each other and coupled to the outer flextensional casing such that each cell having a flextensional cell structure and each cell receives an input force and provides an output force that is amplified based on the input force. The apparatus further includes a piezoelectric stack coupled to each cell such that the piezoelectric stack of each cell provides piezoelectric energy based on the output force for each cell. Further, the last cell receives an input force that is the output force from the first cell and the last cell provides an output apparatus force In addition, the piezoelectric energy harvested is based on the output apparatus force. Moreover, the apparatus provides displacement based on the output apparatus force.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicants: Space AdministrationInventors: Tian-Bing XU, Emilie J. SIOCHI, Lei ZUO, Xiaoning JIANG, Jin Ho KANG
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Publication number: 20120119623Abstract: The present invention relates to lead-free piezoelectric ceramic materials comprising crystalline (and preferably perovskite crystalline) structures of the formula Bi1-x(RE)xFeO3, where RE is one or more of La, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, and 0?x?0.3. The materials are at or near the morphotropic phase boundary and display enhanced piezoelectric and dielectric properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2009Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARKInventors: Ichiro Takeuchi, Fujino Shigehiro, Makoto Murakami, Sung Hwan Lim, Daisuke Kan
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Patent number: 8169123Abstract: In a multilayered piezoelectric element, a side insulating film is accurately formed even on a thin multilayered structure. The element includes: a multilayered structure having a step formed on a side surface of the multilayered structure such that an end of an internal electrode is located on a projecting portion of either side surface; a side insulating film for covering the end of the internal electrode on the projecting portion of the side surface; a first flat electrode formed on one principal surface of the multilayered structure; a second flat electrode formed on the other principal surface of the multilayered structure; a first side electrode formed on a first side surface of the multilayered structure and connected to a first group of electrodes; and a second side electrode formed on a second side surface of the multilayered structure and connected to a second group of electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Atsushi Osawa
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Patent number: 8162628Abstract: An electrical connection structure for use in a micro piezoelectric pump is disclosed. The electrical connection structure includes a driving circuit board and a multilayered wiring structure. The electrical connection structure includes the driving circuit board, the wiring structure, and a piezoelectric element arranged from top to bottom. The driving circuit board is provided with a driving circuit for driving the piezoelectric element and at least an electrical contact, wherein the electrical contacts are electrically connected to the driving circuit. A first electrode contact region and a second electrode contact region electrically insulated from each other are defined on the same surface of the piezoelectric element. The wiring structure sends a signal from the electrical contacts to the first electrode contact region and the second electrode contact region.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Microbase Technology Corp.Inventors: Hsien-Kai Meng, Shu-Pin Hsieh, Chieh-Ming Hsiung, Chien-Hua Lin, Yu-Chung Hsu, Tai-Shuan Lin
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Publication number: 20120091858Abstract: A parylene C polymer that is electrically poled such that it is piezoelectric is presented. Methods for manufacturing the piezoelectric parylene C polymer with an optimal piezoelectric coefficient d33 are also disclosed. Actuators formed with piezoelectric parylene C are disclosed as well as sensor devices that incorporate piezoelectric parylene C using charge integrator circuits in which the integration time is longer than likely adiabatic temperature transients.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Justin Young Hyun Kim, Austin Cheng, Yu-Chong Tai
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Patent number: 8159114Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Qinetiq LimitedInventors: Ahmed Yehia Amin Abdel Rahman, Jonathan Geoffrey Gore, Fiona Louise Lowrie, Richard Carson McBride
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Publication number: 20120087047Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes an actuator base that supports a load beam and has an opening accommodating a piezoelectric element, a receiver member that is laid on and fixed to the actuator base and forms a receiver that faces the opening and receives the piezoelectric element, an adhesive part formed of a liquid adhesive that is filled in a space defined by the piezoelectric element, an inner circumference of the opening, and the receiver and adheres the piezoelectric element to the inner circumference of the opening and the receiver, and a suppressing zone that is formed along an overlapping area where the actuator base and receiver member overlap each other and suppresses penetration of the liquid adhesive due to a capillary phenomenon into the overlapping area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.Inventor: Shogo IMUTA
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Patent number: 8154173Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer having a component therein for amplifying the deformation of the piezoelectric element so as to increase the available transducer stroke. This amplification of the piezoelectric element may be provided by a mechanical amplifier coupled to the piezoelectric element. The mechanical amplifier is configured to exert a preloading force on the piezoelectric element.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: John Parker, Hans Jaeger, Christian M. Peclat
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Publication number: 20120082445Abstract: A driving mechanism includes plural driving members arranged in a circumferential shape around a reference shaft, a base member holding the plural driving members with each interposed in the circumferential direction, first piezoelectric elements vibrating in a thickness-shear vibration mode in a first direction, and second piezoelectric elements vibrating in the thickness-shear vibration mode in a second direction. Each driving member includes a first member and a second member. The base member supports one driving member of two driving members adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction on a first support face and supports the other driving member on a second support face. The base member is formed so that the angle formed by the first support face and the second support face is equal to or greater than 60°.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Kunihiro KUWANO
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Patent number: 8148879Abstract: In a sheet-type piezoelectric vibrator provided with a piezoelectric sheet made from a transparent organic polymer and electrodes formed on respective main surfaces that are opposite to each other of the piezoelectric sheet, an electrode material that is effectively used for making the vibrator colorless is provided. The first electrodes formed on one of the main surfaces of piezoelectric sheets are made of zinc oxide electrode layers, each mainly containing zinc oxide, and second electrodes formed on the other main surface of the piezoelectric sheets include polythiophene electrode layers made from a conductive polymer containing thiophene in a molecule structure thereof. Although the zinc oxide electrode layer is transparent, it is slightly yellowish, while, on the other hand, although the polythiophene electrode layer is also transparent, it is slightly bluish.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2010Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masamichi Andoh, Osamu Nakagawara, Souko Fukahori
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Patent number: 8148881Abstract: A vibration reduction system has a vibration reduction film and a control unit. The vibration reduction film is constituted of a vibration sensor film, an insulating layer, and a vibration actuator film that are stacked in this order. In each of the vibration sensor film and the vibration actuator film, two pairs of electrodes are formed on both surfaces of a piezoelectric polymer film into a pattern based on a particular mode of vibration. The electrodes of the vibration sensor film overlap with the electrodes of the vibration actuator film. In response to electric charge signals from the electrodes of the vibration sensor film, the particular mode of vibration is detected. By application of voltages into the electrodes of the vibration actuator film, a vibration of opposite phase is generated to counteract the detected vibration.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventor: Satoshi Yoneyama
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Patent number: 8148876Abstract: Piezoelectric actuator (51) includes a piezoelectric element (11) that performs expansion/contraction movement in accordance with the state of an electrical field, a base (21) with the piezoelectric element (11) adhered to one surface thereof, and a support member (46) for supporting the piezoelectric element (11) and the base (21), the piezoelectric element (11) and base (21) vibrating up and down in accordance with the expansion/contraction movement of the piezoelectric element (11). The base (21) is connected to the support member (46) by way of a vibration film (31) having less rigidity than the base (21). In addition, the piezoelectric element (11) and support member (46) have different outline shapes.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2008Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: NEC CorporationInventors: Yasuharu Onishi, Yasuhiro Sasaki, Masatake Takahashi, Ukyo Mori, Yukio Murata, Nozomi Toki, Yukio Yokoyama
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Patent number: 8143763Abstract: A linear piezoelectric nano-positioner includes an armature configured to be translated along a longitudinal axis and having oppositely-disposed bearing surfaces and oppositely-disposed piezo surfaces, bearing sets engaged with the bearing surfaces of the armature to translatably support the armature, and piezoelectric elements engaged with the piezo surfaces of the armature to translate the armature along the longitude axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: RHK Technology, Inc.Inventors: Sergiy Pryadkin, Zhouhang Wang, Gennady Royzenblat, Xun Pan
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Patent number: 8143764Abstract: A first conductive polymer film, a plate-shaped first porous member, a second conductive polymer film, and a plate-shaped second porous member are stacked on one another, and the adjacent members are connected with each other on first end portions so as to form a zigzag pattern. The first and second porous members each have an ionic solution injected thereinto so as to function as an electrolyte retention layer, so that operations can be carried out with tensions being always maintained upon both of the expansion and the contraction, and rigidity and a driving force can be exerted in both of the contracting and expanding directions.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2011Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Sachio Nagamitsu, Atsushi Ono
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Patent number: 8138656Abstract: An actuator housing unit for a system of layered surfaces, comprising an activated primary surface having a physical shape capable of change when activated by an electrical, chemical, or light stimulus, to expand and exert force or pressure or contract and remove force or pressure, upon activation or deactivation, to move or keep matter within the housing by direct or indirect contact.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2010Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Mediapacs, Inc.Inventor: Mark Banister
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Patent number: 8138658Abstract: An actuator device is disclosed. The actuator device comprises a stack of piezoelectric-ferroelectric active layers separated by surface electrodes. At least a few of the surface electrodes are independently addressable such that at least two active layers are biasable by different voltages. In an embodiment of the invention, at least a few of the voltages induce a nonlinear ferroelectric effect.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Technion Research & Development Foundation Ltd.Inventors: Uri Kushnir, Oded Rabinovitch
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Patent number: 8132304Abstract: A method for producing a piezoelectric actuator has the following steps: providing a plurality of piezoelectric material layers (2) which can be assembled into a stack; applying electrode layers (3) each having a recess (4, 4?) to the plurality of piezoelectric material layers, such that an alternating sequence of piezoelectric material layers and electrode layers is formed in the stack, wherein electrode layers with a recess (4) in a first recess zone and electrode layers with a recess (4?) in a second recess zone which differs from the first recess zone are alternatingly formed in the stack; and providing a stress-relieving material (5) in the first and second recesses, the stress-relieving material exhibiting electrically insulating properties after the stack is sintered, and preventing the individual material layers from adhering to one another.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Martin Schröder, Manfred Weigl
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Patent number: 8134276Abstract: A micro device may comprise a substrate, a first micro structure coupled to the substrate, a second micro structure coupled to the substrate, and port configured to receive an input. The first micro structure is configured to move into engagement with the second micro structure in response to the input.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2007Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: MicroZeus, LLCInventor: Harold L. Stalford
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Patent number: 8129883Abstract: A piezoelectric stack (1) has alternately successive piezoelectric layers (2) and inner electrode layers (3, 4) which are alternately electrically connected to two outer electrodes (7, 8) which are arranged on the outer side (5, 6) of the piezoelectric stack (1). The piezoelectric stack (1) also has at least one safety layer (9, 40, 50) which is arranged between two successive piezoelectric layers (2) instead of one of the inner electrode layers (3, 4). The safety layer (9, 40, 50) is structured in such a manner that it has an internal interruption (13, 44, 45, 53) which is configured in such a manner that the safety layer (9, 40, 50) does not form an electrical contact between the two outer electrodes (7, 8) if it contact-connects both outer electrodes (7, 8) and is electrically conductive.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Christoph Hamann, Harald Johannes Kastl
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Patent number: 8129884Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator unit includes a piezoactuator and a casting compound enclosing the piezoactuator. The casting compound is disposed in a sleeve that includes a hydrophobic material.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2010Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: EPCOS AGInventors: Franz Rinner, Herbert J. Thanner, Siegfried Fellner
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Publication number: 20120051058Abstract: An apparatus is provided including at least one electronic component. The apparatus also includes an enclosure enclosing the at least one electronic component. The enclosure includes at least one wall defined by a membrane. The apparatus further includes a piezoelectric actuator that is fixed at a first end and rigidly attached to the membrane at a second end. Application of alternating current to the piezoelectric actuator generates a pulsating mechanical deformation of the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rajdeep Sharma, Stanton Earl Weaver, JR., Glenn Howard Kuenzler, Mehmet Arik, Gary Robert Allen, Jeffrey Marc Nall
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Patent number: 8125119Abstract: In a control circuit for servo control of a piezoelectric actuator, it is possible to efficiently move a movement object toward a target position in each servo control cycle. A pulse generation circuit (26) generates a drive pulse a plurality of times within a servo control cycle. The ideal value of the amount of movement in one drive pulse is stored in a register (28), and is used to estimate the amount of movement required to reach the target position of a lens (8) each time a drive pulse is generated. It is possible to switch between coarse movement and fine movement by using two types of drive pulses that have mutually different duty ratios, and the lens (8) can be rapidly moved by coarse movement when the required amount of movement is large, and fine movement when the required amount of movement is small.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihisa Yamada, Tomonori Kamiya
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Patent number: 8125120Abstract: A vibration device comprising; a vibrator which generates bending vibration on a predetermined member, a controller which controls a driver to drive the vibrator, wherein; the vibrator comprises a plurality of driving electrodes electrically insulated respectively, the controller controls the driver to make phases of driving signals respectively output to the plurality of driving electrodes changeable relatively and adjust an order of the bending vibration.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Mitsuhiro Okazaki
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Publication number: 20120026613Abstract: It is an objective of the present invention to provide an actuator that can efficiently enlarge a displacement amount of a moving element. Provided is an actuator that moves a moving element, comprising a drive element that contacts the moving element; a drive unit that moves the moving element in a movement direction by moving a contact portion of the drive element contacting the moving element in the movement direction and in an opposite direction that is opposite the movement direction, such that movement speed in the opposite direction is greater than movement speed in the movement direction; and a displacement enlarging section that joins the drive unit and the drive element to each other, and transmits enlarged displacement of the drive unit to the drive element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshihiko SUZUKI, Masaaki TANABE
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Publication number: 20120027620Abstract: Piezoelectric elements for power generation and/or actuation are described. An aspect is directed to generators utilizing piezoelectric elements for electrical power generation. Such a generator can use one or more arrays of piezoelectric cantilevers for electrical power generation in conjunction with modulated air pressure used for exciting the cantilevers. The pressure level/modulation and cantilever area can be controlled variables for maximizing the bending, and hence energy generation, of the cantilevers. A further aspect is directed to hydraulic fluid actuators utilizing a pumping mechanism that includes a piezoelectric element. The linear actuators can advantageously utilize the high force and high frequency characteristics of a piezoelectric membrane in conjunction with a large stroke and actuation direction conversion afforded by hydraulic transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Inventor: Itzhak SAPIR
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Patent number: 8106566Abstract: A piezoelectric component with at least one fully active piezoelement has electrode layers and interposed piezoelectric layers guided to a lateral edge of the piezoelement and contacted there. An insulating layer applied for electric contacting has an electric through-plating. An electrically conductive gas-phase deposition layer is applied directly to the electrode layer guided up to the lateral surface of the piezoelement by way of deposition from the gas phase in order to improve electric contacting. An external electrode is applied to the gas-phase deposition layer. In the case of several superposed stacked piezoelements (piezoactuator in multi-layer design), the external electrode functions as a collector electrode which connects the electrode layers to each other. The structure enables secure contacting of the electrode layers. A fully active piezoceramic multi-layer actuator with the described contacting may be used in automobile technology for activating fuel-injection valves.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Stefan Denneler, Axel Ganster, Susanne Kornely, Carsten Schuh, Andreas Wolff, Jörg Zapf
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Patent number: 8106565Abstract: In a piezoelectric multilayer actuator (1) having micromechanical relief zones (30) and an insulation layer (40) as well as in a method for producing said actuator, as a result of the micromechanical relief zones (30), poling cracks are concentrated in these relief regions (30). This makes it possible to provide the sections I, II, III of the multilayer actuator (1) with an insulation layer (40) which only has an extension behavior similar to the multilayer actuator (1) without poling cracks.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Harald Johannes Kastl, Christian Reichinger, Carsten Schuh
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Patent number: 8104876Abstract: A liquid transporting apparatus includes a piezoelectric actuator which applies a pressure to liquid in a pressure chamber and which has a vibration plate covering the pressure chamber; a piezoelectric layer formed on a surface, of the vibration plate, not facing the pressure chamber; an electrode formed on a surface of the piezoelectric layer not facing the vibration plate at a portion facing the pressure chamber; a contact point formed on the surface of the piezoelectric layer not facing the vibration plate; and a connecting portion formed on the surface of the piezoelectric layer not facing the vibration plate and connecting the electrode and the contact point; and the connecting portion extends from the contact point and is connected to a portion, of the electrode, which is different from a nearest portion nearest to the contact point.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasuhiro Sekiguchi
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Patent number: 8100346Abstract: A piezoelectrically actuated device includes a body, a valve disposed within the body and an actuator for the valve, the actuator including a casing coupled with the body and a piezoelectric element disposed within the casing The actuator further includes a multi-function spring applying a preloading force to the piezoelectric element. The multi-function spring includes a first segment having a piston configured to translate a motion of the piezoelectric element during operation of the actuator, a second segment having at least one flexural element and a third segment having a first set of threads. The first set of threads is engaged with a second set of threads of the actuator and maintains the second segment in a tension state which corresponds with the preloading force.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jayaraman Venkataraghavan, Zhenlong Xu, Kenneth C. Adams, Stephen Lewis
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Patent number: 8098001Abstract: A component has a substrate and a compensation layer. A lower face of the substrate is mechanically firmly connected to the compensation layer. The lower face of the substrate and the upper face of the compensation layer have a topography.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2010Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: EPCOS AGInventors: Wolfgang Pahl, Hans Krueger, Werner Ruile
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Patent number: 8093869Abstract: A ferromagnetic material having non-zero magnetoelasticity, and/or nonzero magnetostriction is driven with vibratory mechanical energy at a frequency producing at least one resonant vibratory mode, by coupling a source of vibratory energy to the ferromagnetic structure. The ferromagnetic material threads at least one conductive wire or wire coil, and couples to at least one source of magnetic induction, and provides an electrical power output driven by the magnetic induction. The origin of vibratory energy and the site or sites of magnetic induction are situated at distinct locations, separated by a specific distance not less than ? the fundamental acoustic wavelength. Various combinations of acoustic wavelength, ferromagnetic material type, and source of vibration produce independent transfer coefficients between acoustic and electromagnetic energy which are either positive, zero, or negative.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Chava Energy LLCInventor: Graham A Gunderson
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Patent number: 8093781Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2010Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Michael J. Cima, Timothy E. Chin
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Patent number: 8093783Abstract: The invention describes rolled electroactive polymer devices. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. A rolled electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and includes a rolled electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. Prestrain is typically applied to the polymer. In one embodiment, a rolled electroactive polymer device employs a mechanism, such as a spring, that provides a force to prestrain the polymer. Since prestrain improves mechanical/electrical energy conversion for many electroactive polymers, the mechanism thus improves performance of the rolled electroactive polymer device.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Marcus A. Rosenthal, Qibing Pei, Neville A. Bonwit