Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus and method of manufacture are disclosed. One apparatus includes a piezoelectric element corresponding to a pressure chamber in a channel substrate, a trace corresponding to the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric layer, a first electrode, a second electrode disposed on a surface of the piezoelectric layer on a side opposite the channel substrate, and a protective film covering the piezoelectric layer and the second electrode. The second electrode includes a lead-out portion that extends to an area over the channel substrate where the piezoelectric layer is not disposed, and a contact portion that is provided in the lead-out portion and that is exposed from the protective film in the area. The trace is connected to the second electrode at the exposed contact portion.

Abstract: A driving member, a linear driving device using the driving member, a camera device and an electronic device are provided. The driving member (10) includes a deformable thin plate (16) having a flexible thin plate (12) capable of expanding and contracting itself under the applied voltage and an elastic thin plate (14) having at least one side thereof rigidly fixed to the flexible thin plate (12) and a driving shaft (30) having its one axial end rigidly fixed to the deformable thin plate (16) and being capable of undergoing displacements that are operatively associated with the deformation of the deformable thin plate (16), wherein the driving shaft (30) has the lateral side portion (32) of the one axial end thereof rigidly fixed to the corresponding inner side portion of a through hole formed on the deformable thin plate (16).

Abstract: A graphene-based laminate including a doped polymer layer is disclosed. The graphene-based laminate may include a substrate; a graphene layer disposed on the substrate and including at least one layer; and a doped polymer layer disposed on at least one surface of the graphene layer and including an organic dopant.

Abstract: A piezoelectric component has at least one piezoelectric ceramic layer and at least one electrode adjacent the piezoelectric ceramic layer. The piezoelectric ceramic layer has a piezoelectric ceramic material of the general formula Pb1-x-y-[(2a-b)/2]-p/2V[(2a-b)/2-p/2]?CupBaxSry[(TizZr1-z)1-a-bWaREb]O3, where 0?x?0.035, 0?y?0.025, 0.42?z?0.5, 0.0045?a?0.009, 0.009?b?0.011, 2a>b, p?2a?b, RE is a rare earth metal, and V? is a Pb vacancy.

Abstract: A valve for metering a fluid (liquid or gaseous medium), in particular, a fuel injector for internal combustion engines, having a valve housing, an actuator accommodated in the valve housing and acting on a valve member, an electrical connector accessible on the outside of the valve housing, and an electrical supply lead that produces an electrical connection from the connector to the actuator and has two lead strands, each having a flexible strand section.

Abstract: An apparatus including polymer configured to have a first state or a second state, wherein the volume of the polymer in the first state is different to a volume of the polymer in the second state; an actuator configured to be controlled by an input signal to cause the polymer to change between the first state and the second state; and a constraint configured to constrain the polymer in at least a first direction when the polymer changes between the first state and the second state.

Abstract: A heat dissipation device including a driving module and a heat dissipation sheet is provided. The heat dissipation sheet has a connection portion and a swing portion and is connected to the driving module by the connection portion. When the driving module receives an input voltage to drive the connection portion, the connection portion drives the swing portion to swing back and forth so as to generate a heat dissipation airflow.

Abstract: An operation method of an electronic apparatus is provided, wherein a setting procedure of safety mechanism is executed first. The procedure includes: receiving a setting operation through a setting interface so as to select plural sensing units from a sensing unit group; creating a unlocking information according to the setting operation, wherein the unlocking information includes an enabling sequence of the selected sensing units; making the unlocking information associated with the operation function. After finishing the setting procedure of safety mechanism, when a trigger event conforming to the unlocking information is received, the operation corresponding to the unlocking information is executed.

Abstract: An automotive rotary electric machine according to the present invention includes: a mounting bolt that is inserted through a penetrating aperture that is formed on a bottom portion of a protective cover and that is fixed to a portion at a first axial end of a casing; and a metal mounting device that is fixed to a portion of the mounting bolt that projects out through the penetrating aperture, and a harness clamp is held by the metal mounting device.

Abstract: A valve driving device using a piezoelectric actuator includes a piezoelectric body of which a volume expands according to a voltage applied thereto. A displacement increase housing amplifies the volume expansion of the piezoelectric body. A swing arm is connected to the displacement increase housing and operated to drive an engine valve according to the amplified expansion of the piezoelectric body.

Abstract: There are provided a multi-layer piezoelectric element capable of suppressing the development of a small crack occurring at an interface between a piezoelectric layer and an internal electrode layer or in the internal electrode layer, and a piezoelectric actuator, an injection device and a fuel injection system including the same. A multi-layer piezoelectric element includes a stacked body in which piezoelectric layers and internal electrode layers are laminated, and an external electrode disposed on a side surface of the stacked body and electrically connected to the internal electrode layers through a conductive bonding material, the external electrode including protrusions protruding toward the stacked body.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical apparatus for generating a physical effect, including an array of moving elements, each coupled to a mechanical support by at least one flexure which is associated with at least one piezoelectric member which is operable to be strained by an electrical field applied to the piezoelectric member, thereby flexing the flexure to which the piezoelectric member is coupled; an electrical wiring, including a group of electrodes, wherein each electrode out of the group of electrodes is coupled to at least one of the piezoelectric members; wherein the electrical wiring is operable to concurrently transfer different sequences of electric fields to different piezoelectric members, thereby controllably inducing movement of moving elements of the array for creating the physical effect; and a motion restriction mechanism for maintaining a maximal motion distance for each of the moving elements when actuated via the corresponding flexure and piezoelectric member.

Abstract: An oscillating conveyor including an oscillating rail, on which goods can be conveyed in the direction of a first position on the oscillating rail by oscillation of the oscillating rail, and also including at least one excitation element for exciting the oscillation. The excitation element is an ultrasonic transducer which is coupled to the oscillating rail at the first position and via which the oscillating rail can be excited into oscillating at the first position in dependence on a control signal supplied by a control device. The oscillating conveyor has at least one damping element and/or the oscillating rail itself is formed from an oscillation-damping material so that the oscillation amplitude decreases along the oscillating rail as the distance from the first position increases.

Abstract: A condensation inhibiting layer includes an electrostrictive actuator film, and a treated surface formed on the electrostrictive actuator film and including a plurality of channels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sound transducer for producing sound vibrations, which can be inserted in an ear and can be used in particular for an implantable hearing aid. The sound transducer has at least one carrier layer and at least one piezoelectric layer, as a result of which a deflection via a bimorph principle is achieved, or a deflection can be detected by picking up a voltage.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrical contact is disclosed. In an embodiment the method includes providing a piezoelectric component that includes an electromechanical transducer having two first electrodes and a second electrode arranged between the two first electrodes and spaced from the two first electrodes by a piezoelectric material, the transducer further including a first main side, a second main side opposite from the first main side and a first longitudinal side, and forming a contiguous metallization layer onto a first partial region of the first main side and onto a second partial region along the first longitudinal side, so that the second partial region along the first longitudinal side is at a distance from a side edge facing the second main side and the metallization layer in the second partial region of the first longitudinal side contacts the two first electrodes in an electrically conducting manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to actuator module (22) having a piezoceramic multilayer actuator (1) arranged in a casing (23). In order to avoid an increase in conductivity and hence rising leakage current at the actuator surface even after a long period of use, the invention proposes that the casing (23) is hermetically sealed, and a chamber (24) is arranged between the multilayer actuator (1) and the casing (23), which chamber is entirely or partially filled with a medium (21) that chemically transforms and/or binds water.

Abstract: A thermo-mechano-electric converter including a plurality of shape memory bistable elements embedded in a resilient material intimately associated with a piezoelectric material.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor having an ultrasound actuator in the form of a piezoelectric hollow cylinder with friction elements on at least one of its end surfaces, and having a rotor in effective contact with the friction elements and an electric excitation device. The actuator is subdivided in the circumferential direction in an even number of sectors Sa and Sb with the sectors Sa and Sb alternating and being adjacent in circumferential direction, and the friction elements being arranged in the range of adjacency of neighboring sectors. Each of the sectors Sa and Sb is formed by exciter electrodes and general electrodes alternatingly arranged in the axial direction of the hollow cylinder, wherein a layer of piezoelectric material is arranged between neighboring excitation electrodes and general electrodes.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator of the invention includes: a piezoelectric element; a base body having an upper surface which is in contact with a lower end portion of the piezoelectric element; and a case having an inner surface which is in contact with an upper end portion of the piezoelectric element, the case storing the piezoelectric element therein, the upper surface of the base body and the case being joined to each other. The case includes a cylindrical portion including a cylindrical main body and a plurality of grooves formed all around a perimeter thereof, and a collar portion disposed at a lower end side of the cylindrical portion. At least one of the plurality of grooves has a sectional profile taken along a plane perpendicular to a vertical direction whose oblateness differs from that of a sectional profile of the cylindrical main body.

Abstract: There is provided a vibration generating apparatus including: a housing having an internal space; a vibrator disposed and vibrating within the housing; and a plurality of damper members installed in at least one of the housing and the vibrator and formed of different materials, wherein the plurality of damper members are overlapped and formed integrally with each other or are disposed to be adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for driving a piezoelectric actuator with a piezoelectric stack, which is operated as an actuating element of an injector. The piezoelectric stack is polarized during production by a polarization process initially with a first field strength, which results in a first length of the piezoelectric stack. According to the method, the piezoelectric stack is driven during operation at a second field strength, which is smaller than the first field strength, wherein a setpoint length for the piezoelectric stack is defined depending on the second field strength. In addition, a change in length caused by depolarization from the setpoint length of the piezoelectric stack is monitored. Then, when a predetermined threshold value for the change in length is reached, the piezoelectric stack is operated at a third field strength until the setpoint length for said piezoelectric stack is reached.

Abstract: An inchworm actuator which can move a movable body relative to a stationary body while selectively giving priority to displacement speed or displacement resolution in accordance with the conditions of use is provided. An inchworm actuator 100 includes a movable body 110 supported between first and second guides 101 and 102 which are made of a magnetic material and which extend parallel to each other. In the movable body 110, a voice coil motor 115 is supported by first and second support legs 111 and 112 through toggle mechanisms 116a and 116b. The first and second support legs 111 and 112 are made of a magnetic material and have magnetic field-forming coils 113 and 114. The toggle mechanisms 116a and 116b convert the amount of displacement input from the voice coil motor 115 using a reducing conversion ratio corresponding to the amount of the displacement and transmit a resultant displacement to the first and second support legs 111 and 112.

Abstract: A method of forming a piezoelectronic transistor (PET), the PET, and a semiconductor device including the PET are described. The method includes forming a piezoelectric (PE) element with a trench and forming a pair of electrodes on the PE element in a coplanar arrangement in a first plane, both of the pair of electrodes being on a same side of the PE element. The method also includes forming a piezoresistive (PR) element above the pair of electrodes and forming a clamp above the PR element. Applying a voltage to the pair of electrodes causes displacement of the PE element perpendicular to the first plane.

Abstract: A method includes the following steps. An original carbon nanotube film is provided. The original carbon nanotube film includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a first direction. The original carbon nanotube film is suspended. The suspended original carbon nanotube film is soaked with an atomized organic solvent to shrink into a carbon nanotube film. Wherein the atomized organic solvent comprises a plurality of dispersed organic droplets with diameters of larger than or equal to 10 micrometers, and less than or equal to 100 micrometers.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator, in particular for injectors in internal combustion engines, is provided which includes a piezoelectric module including a ceramic body and two end pieces which clamp the ceramic body axially in place, and an electrical connecting element which is secured on the piezoelectric module and which includes two contact plates leading to the ceramic body. To increase the robustness of the connecting element and to avoid fractures in the contact plates under high vibrational stresses, the contact plates are designed as one-piece metal stampings including at least partially embossed stamped edges.

Abstract: A vibration apparatus includes a plate-shaped dust prevention member, a vibration application member, and an electrode. The vibration application member includes a flexible thin plate-shaped piezoelectric member, and vibrates the dust prevention member. The electrode formed of a conductive thin plate or film, disposed to part or entire holding the piezoelectric member, and partly extends outward relative to the dust prevention member.

Abstract: A microactuator assembly is formed by depositing PZT material over electrode gaps, the electrode gaps being defined by the spaces between interleaved fingers of metal that define alternating plus and minus electrodes. The PZT material is hardened and poled. The PZT material may be deposited and poled either as isolated islands of PZT material across respective electrode gaps, or as a continuous sheet of PZT material with localized areas of that material being poled and then activated. The individual PZT elements are arranged such that successive PZT elements extend in the same direction as across the electrode gaps. The resulting microactuator assembly acts in the d33 direction of the PZT elements. The electrodes have raised or recessed features such as ribs or castellations, with the PZT material mating with those features, thus anchoring the PZT material to the electrodes.

Abstract: What is presented is an ultrasonic waveguide for the transmission of ultrasonic vibrations that establishes a plurality of node and anti-node positions that are each along the ultrasonic waveguide's central axis. The ultrasonic waveguide comprises a waveguide tube, which has both a proximal end and a distal end; a waveguide fitting, which has both a threaded end and a impact surface; and a spring, shock-pulsing mass, and stop. Both the spring and shock-pulsing mass are each positioned on the waveguide tube. Whereas, the stop is positioned on the waveguide tube and it is adapted to non-fixedly engage the spring and shock-pulsing mass. The impact surface of the waveguide fitting is located at an anti-node position, which is along the central axis of the ultra-sonic waveguide when its installed within ultrasonic transducer while in operation.

Abstract: Provided is a hydraulic engine that generates power using oil pressure, the hydraulic engine including: a hydraulic power unit including a hydraulic tube comprising a hollow portion having an opened front end and being filled with a fluid, an amplitude amplification device that is disposed at the rear side of the hydraulic tube, an oscillator that is disposed at the rear side of the amplitude amplification device so as to be deformed and increases and decreases a pressure within the hydraulic tube, and an oscillator head that is attached to a front end of the oscillator.

Abstract: A power controlling device includes a detecting unit that detects a person in a detection area, a first imaging unit that takes an image of the person in a detecting range in an operating state, a second imaging unit that takes an image of a face of the person for use in user authentication in an operating state, and a power controller that supplies power to and brings the first imaging unit into the operating state if the person is detected, supplies power to and brings a processing unit that performs a process into an operating state if the approach of the person is determined on the basis of the taken image of the person, and supplies power to an brings the second imaging unit into the operating state during a period from the detection of the person to the shift of the processing unit to the operating state.

Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a main body, a traveling unit installed in the main body, to move the main body, an ultrasonic sensor to emit an oscillation wave, to receive a reflection wave reflected from an object surface, and to output vibration generated by the oscillation wave and vibration generated by the reception of the reflection wave as an electrical signal, a waveform analyzer to calculate a generation time period of the electrical signal output from the ultrasonic sensor, and a controller to determine information about the object surface based on the calculated generation time period of the electrical signal, and to control movement of the traveling unit based on the information about the object surface.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for measuring low levels of acceleration caused by low frequency seismic waves. For example, an omnidirectional beam accelerometer configured to measure low frequency waves is disclosed. The omnidirectional beam accelerometer may include three beam acceleration sensors. Each beam acceleration sensor may include a respective mass and a respective beam. Each respective beam may be comprised at least in part of a piezoelectric material. Each beam acceleration sensor may have a ratio of mass density [kg/m3] to beam stiffness [N/m] of at least 4.5×10?5 kg/Nm2. The omnidirectional beam accelerometer may also include a housing to ensure the sensors are operating in orthogonal directions and an interface circuit to interface between the sensor and external circuitry.

Abstract: Rather than using a coaxial cable, a twisted pair of wires is provided for each element-to-beamformer connection. Differential mode signals are transmitted between the transducer element and the respective channel. A multi-layer element is used for operation with the differential mode signals. In catheters or other probes, coaxial cables are not used. Using differential mode signals over twisted pairs allows reduction or rejection of common mode cross-talk and/or interference.

Abstract: There are provided a multi-layer piezoelectric element which is capable of suppressing separation of an external electrode plate, as well as a piezoelectric actuator, an injection device, and a fuel injection system that are provided with the multi-layer piezoelectric element. A multi-layer piezoelectric element includes a stacked body composed of piezoelectric layers and internal electrode layers which are laminated; an external electrode plate attached to a side face of the stacked body via an electrically-conductive joining member; and a metal cover layer being disposed on a surface of the external electrode plate, an area of the metal cover layer corresponding to one end portion of the stacked body in a stacking direction of the stacked body having a thick-walled portion which is larger in thickness than an area of the metal cover layer corresponding to a midportion of the stacked body.

Abstract: An input device includes an electrical isolator disposed on a base, the electrical isolator comprising at least a first element extending away from the base. A first actuator is disposed on the base and on a first side of the first element and is configured to provide first tactile feedback. A second actuator is disposed on the base and on a second side of the first element and is configured to provide second tactile feedback. A touch sensor is disposed with the first actuator and the second actuator and is arranged to provide touch data such that input is provided based on the touch data.

Abstract: Activities, actions and events during user performance of physical activity may be detected using various algorithms and templates. Templates may include an arrangement of one or more states that may identify particular event types and timing between events. Templates may be specific to a particular type of activity (e.g., types of sports, drills, events, etc.), user, terrain, time of day and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is piezoelectric vibrator including a piezoelectric vibrator unit. The piezoelectric vibrator has a vibrating portion, a mass attached on the vibrating portion and having an connecting portion attached on the vibrating portion and at least one extending portion extending from the connecting portion and away from the vibrating portion, and a holder having a stopping portion disposed between the extending portion of the mass and the vibrating portion. A distance from the extending portion to the at least one stopping portion is less than the amplitude of the vibration portion for limiting the vibrating portion and avoiding excessive amplitude of the vibrating portion.

Abstract: A miniature energy harvesting device for producing electricity from acoustical energy, stray electromagnetic energy, noise and from energy of different anatomical motions. The device comprises a housing, a mechanical spring engaged with the housing between a static and dynamic state and a first magnet engaged with the mechanical spring. The device further comprises a conductive grid freely moveable within a cavity of the housing. The device further comprises a composite structure comprising a fixed magnet and a piezoelectric material. The composite structure is engaged with the grid and in communication with the first magnet. The first magnet and the fixed magnet apply a force upon the piezoelectric material when the mechanical spring is in the static state to produce a base voltage. Excitation of the mechanical spring causes the piezoelectric material to generate an alternating voltage output having a peak voltage greater than the base voltage.

Abstract: A resonator filter includes a substrate, a bottom electrode formed on the substrate, a multi-layered coupling structure formed on the bottom electrode, a top electrode formed on the multi-layered coupling structure, a first piezoelectric layer sandwiched in between the bottom electrode and the multi-layered coupling structure, and a second piezoelectric layer sandwiched in between the multi-layered coupling structure and the top electrode. The multi-layered coupling structure includes at least an insulating material.

Abstract: An element body having a first and second internal electrodes exposure surface comprising a piezoelectric active area, wherein a first internal electrode faces a second internal electrode sandwiching piezoelectric body layer in-between along laminating direction, and a piezoelectric inactive area, wherein the piezoelectric body layer contacts only first or second internal electrode at one face along laminating direction, or the first internal electrodes or the second internal electrodes respectively face each other sandwiching piezoelectric body layer in-between along laminating direction, an insulating layer which covers the piezoelectric active area of the first and second internal electrodes exposure surface, and a resistance layer which is isolated from the piezoelectric active area by the insulating layer, placed at the first and second internal electrodes exposure surface connecting at least a part of the first and that of the second internal electrode in the piezoelectric inactive area and has lower el

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator is formed by forming first and second electrodes on a substrate, and depositing a material on the substrate and between side surfaces of adjacent first and second electrodes to form a thin film sheet within which the first and the second electrodes extend from a first surface of the thin film sheet towards a second surface of the thin film sheet opposite the first surface. The second electrode is interdigitated in relation to the first electrode. The side surfaces of the first and the second electrodes are at least substantially perpendicular to the substrate. The thin film sheet is to physically deform in response to an electric field induced within the thin film sheet via application of a voltage across the first and the second electrodes.

Abstract: An at least partially implantable hearing aid has an input transducer (26) for capturing audio signals from ambient sound, an audio signal processing unit (32) for processing the captured audio signals, an actuator (20) for stimulating a patient's hearing, and a driver unit (44) for driving the actuator. The actuator has a rigid housing (64) closed on at least one side by a vibration diaphragm (66) that is driven by a piezoelectric transducer (68, 88). The housing is designed to float in the cochlea in direct contact with the cochlear liquids in order to couple vibration energy from the diaphragm directly into the cochlear liquids.

Abstract: The piezoelectric multilayer component includes a piezo stack having an alternating sequence of piezoelectric ceramic layers and inner electrodes, and a passivation on an outer side. The passivation is produced from a piezoelectric ceramic material which is different from the material of the ceramic layers. In the production method, the passivation is polarized together with the ceramic layers.

Abstract: In a method for ultrasonic bonding, two longitudinal ultrasonic waves propagating in a common working plane oriented parallel to a substrate are induced in one or more ultrasonic transducers and are passed through ultrasound-conducting arms from different spatial directions onto a common connection point of the arms. At the connection point the ultrasonic waves cause an ultrasonic tool arranged directly or indirectly at said connection point to oscillate in two or three dimensions. At least one of the ultrasonic transducers induces an ultrasonic wave with a first harmonic oscillation component and a second oscillation component.

Abstract: An in-plane actuated resonant device, and method of manufacturing the device. The device includes a support; a suspended beam, moving parallel to the plane of the surface of the support and anchored to the support through at least one of its ends; and a mechanism actuating the beam to enable its displacement parallel to the support. The actuation mechanism includes at least one suspended element, anchored to the support and to one lateral face of the beam. The element moves when a control voltage is applied to the element and thus causes displacement of the beam. The device may be manufactured using surface technology and is applicable particularly for resonant mass sensors.

Abstract: A method of forming a piezoelectronic transistor (PET), the PET, and a semiconductor device including the PET are described. The method includes forming a piezoelectric (PE) element with a trench and forming a pair of electrodes on the PE element in a coplanar arrangement in a first plane, both of the pair of electrodes being on a same side of the PE element. The method also includes forming a piezoresistive (PR) element above the pair of electrodes and forming a clamp above the PR element. Applying a voltage to the pair of electrodes causes displacement of the PE element perpendicular to the first plane.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element 300 includes a first electrode 60, a piezoelectric layer 70 arranged on the first electrode 60, and a second electrode 80 arranged on the piezoelectric layer 70, in which the piezoelectric layer 70 includes a composite oxide which has a perovskite structure and the composite oxide has a composition represented as a mixed crystal of bismuth ferrate and strontium titanate.

Abstract: Apparatus for uniformizing light amount distribution by shaking line beams along a longitudinal axis direction is provided. The apparatus includes a mirror mount, a mirror, an actuator, and a deformation member. The mirror fixed to the mirror mount and includes a reflective surface. The actuator is disposed at a distance from the mirror mount and configured to repeat expansion and contraction along a first direction. The deformation member includes a plurality of blocks connected to each other by flexible joints and is coupled to the actuator and the mirror mount. The deformation member is configured to change a displacement in the first direction due to operation of the actuator to a displacement in a second direction that crosses the first direction, amplify the changed displacement, and transmit the amplified displacement to the mirror mount.

Abstract: Various sensor systems are described herein, including inserts having sensors thereon, which are configured to be received in an article of footwear. The inserts may be connected to a sole member of the footwear, or may function as a sole member. The sensors may be piezoelectric sensors in some configurations. The system may also include an electronic module that is overmolded into the sole structure and includes a connector for external access.