Abstract: A resonator comprising a piezoelectric film which creates an acoustic path that is slightly longer in a central region of the resonator than at an edge of the resonator.

Abstract: An electronic filter circuit includes an electromechanical resonator that is mounted directly to the surface of a silicon integrated circuit, rather than being a surface mounted or leaded filter can on a circuit board. This filter circuit allows the integrated circuit electronic package to be significantly smaller than a conventional electromechanical resonator package. The electromechanical resonator may be protected during processing and during use with a protective cover that is made of a material such as titanium. The protective cover is attached to the integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic probe that controls temperature of a piezoelectric layer using a thermoelectric element and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus having the same. The ultrasonic probe includes: the piezoelectric layer that vibrates and generates ultrasonic waves if a current is supplied to the piezoelectric layer; and a thermoelectric element that contacts one surface of the piezoelectric layer and controls the temperature of the piezoelectric layer if a current is supplied to the thermoelectric element.

Abstract: A sealed piezoelectric transducer having a single, uniform, electrically insulating, heat-conducting layer of a soft, rubbery material filled with a fine, homogeneously-dispersed powder having high thermal conductivity. The material is placed in contact with the surfaces of the transducer and conducts the heat from the surfaces to an external heat sink. Since the thermally conductive powder is fully encapsulated in the rubbery material, its abrasive properties are neutralized. The softness of the material ensures that the vibration of the transducer does not transmit significant acoustic energy into the material, thereby avoiding the generation of parasitic heat. In addition, the layer fills the entire gap between the transducer and the heat sink, thereby removing any possibility of moisture-related arcing.

Abstract: An oscillation circuit includes a plurality of MEMS vibrators each having a first terminal and a second terminal, and having respective resonant frequencies different from each other, an amplifier circuit (an inverting amplifier circuit) having an input terminal and an output terminal, and a connection circuit adapted to connect the first terminal of one of the MEMS vibrators and the input terminal to each other, and the second terminal of the MEMS vibrator and the output terminal to each other to thereby connect the one of the MEMS vibrators and the amplifier circuit (the inverting amplifier circuit) to each other.

Abstract: An oscillator includes: a plurality of MEMS vibrators each having a first terminal and a second terminal, and having respective resonant frequencies different from each other; an amplifier circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal; a connection circuit adapted to connect the first terminal of one of the MEMS vibrators and the input terminal to each other, and the second terminal of the one of the MEMS vibrators and the output terminal to each other; a signal reception terminal adapted to receive a switching signal used to switch a state of the connection circuit; and a switching circuit adapted to make the connection circuit switch the MEMS vibrator to be connected to the amplifier circuit based on the switching signal, wherein the MEMS vibrators are housed in an inside of a cavity, and the signal reception terminal is disposed outside the cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insonification device (100) comprising a plurality of elementary ultrasonic transducers (110) each comprising at least one electro-acoustic element (111) and distributed on a chassis (120, 140) so that the electro-acoustic elements (111) are distributed on a so-called front surface (120?) of the device (100) intended to be placed facing the medium to be insonified. According to the invention, as each transducer (110) comprises a longitudinal body (113) made in a heat conducting material at the so-called front end of which the electro-acoustic element (111) is placed, the chassis (120, 140) comprises a sealed cooling chamber (130) placed behind the front surface (120?), crossed by the bodies of the transducers (113) and intended to be gone through by a coolant fluid flow.

Abstract: A method for driving a liquid ejector (1) provided with a piezoelectric actuator (7) including a piezoelectric ceramic layer (6) having a size covering a plurality of pressurizing chambers (2). An arbitrary piezoelectric deformation region (8) of the liquid ejector (1) is deflected in one thickness direction and the opposite direction individually by applying a driving voltage waveform including a first voltage (?VL) and an equivalent second voltage (+VL) of the opposite polarity in order to vary the volume of the pressurizing chambers (2) of a corresponding liquid droplet ejecting portion (4), and a liquid droplet is ejected through a communicating nozzle (3). Since gradual creep deformation of the inactive region (16) of the piezoelectric ceramic layer (6) is prevented, the ink droplet ejection performance is maintained at a good level over a long period.

Abstract: A ultrasonic probe has a plurality of piezoelectric transducers arranged in the array direction. Each piezoelectric transducer has a piezoelectric element which vibrates in the thickness direction. A signal electrode is formed on the lower surface of the piezoelectric element. An earth electrode is formed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric element. Inside the piezoelectric element, a plurality of non-piezoelectric elements are arranged along the lens direction. Each non-piezoelectric element does not come in contact with the signal electrode and the earth electrode.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators includes forming, in the lid substrate wafer, a plurality of cavity recesses forming a plurality of through-electrodes in and through the base substrate wafer; bonding the plural piezoelectric vibration members to the upper face of the base substrate wafer via routing electrodes; overlaying the base substrate wafer and the lid substrate wafer; bonding the base substrate wafer and the lid substrate wafer; and cutting the two bonded wafers into the plural piezoelectric vibrators. Forming the plurality of through-holes includes disposing electroconductive core members having two flat ends and a thickness substantially equal to that of the base substrate wafer, in the plurality of through-holes, and disposing connection members between the core members and the through-holes; and firing the connection members at a predetermined temperature to integrally fix the through-hole, the connection member and the core member to each other.

Abstract: A method for driving a liquid drop ejector (1) equipped with a piezoelectric actuator (7) including a piezoelectric ceramic layer (6) having a size covering a plurality of pressurizing chambers (2). An arbitrary piezoelectric deformation region (8) of the liquid drop ejector (1) is deflected in one thickness direction and the opposite direction, respectively, by applying a driving voltage waveform including a first voltage (?VL) and an equivalent second voltage (+VL) of the opposite polarity in order to vary the volume of the pressurizing chambers (2) of a corresponding liquid drop ejecting portion (4), and a liquid drop is ejected through a communicating nozzle (3). Since gradual creep deformation of the inactive region (16) of the piezoelectric ceramic layer (6) is prevented, the ink drop ejection performance is maintained at a good level over a long term.

Abstract: The invention describes a vibrating element apparatus, preferably a tuning fork liquid level transducer, and a method of forming the same, which is particularly suitable form operation in environments subject to prolonged operation at markedly different temperatures. A piezoelectric stack, which generates vibration of the tines, is located within a hollow body defined by a diaphragm, from which the tines extend, and a wall section. Associated with the stack are a pair of thermal compensating elements which expand or contract as the apparatus is subjected to differing temperatures. The thermal compensating elements are selected and sized, having regard to the stack components, so that the stack and thermal compensating elements expand and contract to substantially the same amount as the structure in which the stack is supported.

Abstract: The present invention is an ultrasonic device with the transmitting head located outside a housing enclosure while radial mode PZTs and tail mass are located inside the housing enclosure. The ultrasonic device and related process are useful for any process involving supplying ultrasonic energy to a liquid, including controlling algae and decontaminating liquids with multiple ultrasonic transmitters driven at variable frequencies. A broad range of algae can be successfully controlled and various liquids can be decontaminated or otherwise processed in a rapid and effective way. Each transmitter is housed in an enclosure that can float on the surface of tanks; pools, reservoirs, lakes, ponds, and water and waste-water facilities. Alternatively, the transmitters can be attached to a structure and positioned with the transmitting head immersed into the liquid. The exposed transmitting head efficiently transmits ultrasonic energy to the liquid.

Abstract: An electrical energy-generating heat sink system provides a convenient and economical method for continuously recharging an energy storage device in electronic devices.

Abstract: The specification discloses embodiments of an apparatus comprising a film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) filter comprising a piezoelectric membrane having a portion thereof sandwiched between a first electrode and a second electrode, the piezoelectric membrane being suspended from at least two edges thereof, and a heat transfer layer placed on the piezoelectric membrane surrounding, but not in contact with, the first electrode. Also disclosed are embodiments of a process comprising sandwiching a portion of the piezoelectric membrane between a first electrode and a second electrode, suspending a piezoelectric membrane from at least two edges thereof, and placing a heat transfer layer on the piezoelectric membrane surrounding, but not in contact with, the first electrode. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A piezoelectric blade protection structure for a plurality of juxtaposed piezoelectric blades mounting onto a circuit board to provide protection and anchoring effect for the piezoelectric blades. A protection member is mounted onto the vibration nodes of the piezoelectric blades to prevent the piezoelectric blades from broken by improper impact of external forces. The protection member, piezoelectric blades and circuit board are interposed respectively by a upper elastic element and a lower elastic element to provide a desired vibration space and anchoring for the piezoelectric blades.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer system has at least one ultrasonic transducer. Each ultrasonic transducer includes a housing having a wall that is made at least in part of an organic structural material that is substantially impervious to water; and an ultrasonic sensor element located at least in part within the housing and positioned to transceive ultrasonic signals. The wall is preferably cylindrical in shape and made of polyvinylchloride plastic. An electrically grounded shield is within the housing and adjacent to an interior wall surface. The ultrasonic sensor element may be a piezoelectric copolymer film ultrasonic sensor element.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical generator has a liquid chamber, a heating block, an elongated elastic piezoelectric plate and a pair of electrodes. The liquid chamber is defined by bottom blocks which include the heating block and side walls, and can maintain a liquid. The heating block generates bubbles within the liquid chamber. The elongated elastic piezoelectric plate has a piezoelectric material layer, and is positioned in the liquid chamber adjacent to an upper portion of the heating block. The elongated elastic piezoelectric plate is deformable by contact with the bubbles, wherein a first end of the elongated elastic piezoelectric plate is a free end and a second end of the elongated elastic piezoelectric plate is a fixed end. The pair of electrodes are electrically connected to the piezoelectric material layer.

Abstract: A compound electro-acoustic transducer for producing acoustic signals has a plurality of elements. Each element has a piezoelectric disk with electrically conductive plates fixed on the top and bottom sides of the piezoelectric disk. A stud is joined to an outer face of each plate. Conductors can be joined to each stud. The elements can be assembled on a resilient structure to form an array. Elements can be used in the array or individually accessed.

Abstract: A controller for a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor system and method for detecting mass deposition on a QCM sensor. The controller controls a QCM using temperature-, voltage- and current-regulating circuits, a microcontroller, an oscillator, heating and cooling devices and circuits, high voltage grids, digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters, data telemetry and uplink circuits, and a remote user. The remote user may be a person, computer, network or data logger. The remote user allows the controller to be reconfigurable during operation. The controller samples and reports data faster and is more reliable over extended periods of operation. Further, the controller is assembled using innovative techniques making it smaller and thus more transportable, easier to incorporate into existing facilities and less expensive to construct and operate. The apparatus may also be assembled in a modular fashion that allows for customization.

Abstract: A multilayer type piezoelectric filter is provided which includes at least two chambers for receiving therewithin resonators, respectively. The chambers are partly defined by a top printed circuit board and an intermediate printed circuit board. The top printed circuit board and the intermediate printed circuit board are formed with communication holes for communicating the chambers with the outside.

Abstract: A therapeutic ultrasound delivery system, comprising: a catheter body; a plurality of axially spaced-apart hollow cylindrical vibrational transducers disposed along a length of the catheter body; a first spring connector wrapped around the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers, the first spring connector exerting an inward pre-stress on the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers; and a second connector disposed in contact with the inner surfaces of the vibrational transducers.

Abstract: A controller for a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor system and method for detecting mass deposition on a QCM sensor. The controller controls a QCM using temperature-, voltage- and current-regulating circuits, a microcontroller, an oscillator, heating and cooling devices and circuits, high voltage grids, digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters, data telemetry and uplink circuits, and a remote user. The remote user may be a person, computer, network or data logger. The remote user allows the controller to be reconfigurable during operation. The controller samples and reports data faster and is more reliable over extended periods of operation. Further, the controller is assembled using innovative techniques making it smaller and thus more transportable, easier to incorporate into existing facilities and less expensive to construct and operate. The apparatus may also be assembled in a modular fashion that allows for customization.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a microactuator for an inkjet head, which achieves easy formation of oxide piezoelectric elements and upper electrodes having desired patterns, using a patterning process mainly used in the fabrication of semiconductor devices. The method includes the steps of sequentially laminating a vibrating plate, a lower electrode, an oxide piezoelectric sheet, and an electrode layer, patterning the electrode layer, thereby forming upper electrodes of a desired pattern, and patterning the oxide piezoelectric sheet in accordance with an etching process while using the upper electrodes as a mask, thereby forming oxide piezoelectric elements of a desired pattern.

Abstract: A structure for mounting a SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) device includes photosensitive resin filling a gap between the SAW device and a mounting substrate in the peripheral portion of the SAW device. The entire structure is substantially as small in size as the SAW device and light weight. The photosensitive resin is formed in a region including pads for connection in order to absorb thermal stresses and extraneous forces apt to act on the pads. Second resin may surround the photosensitive resin or may be provided in a laminate structure together with the photosensitive resin so as to enhance a sealing ability. A method of mounting a SAW device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method to improve the high output characteristics of an ultrasonic transducer by urging a cooling gas 13 to flow through the transducer, thereby passing a cooling member 3 at the inner radius of at least one piezoelectric element 6 surrounding a central fluid conduit 21. In a preferred embodiment sulfurhexafluoride (SF.sub.6) is used as cooling gas.

Abstract: An improved composite ultrasonic transducer, and elements therefor, which may be made autoclavable, and a method of making these elements. A number of planar precursors comprising strips of piezoelectric ceramic material separated from one another by a polymer material are stacked one above another with the ceramic strips aligned with one another, and with electrical conductors disposed between each of the planar precursors. These precursors are then bonded to one another, to form a bonded assembly. The bonded assembly is then slit along parallel lines perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the ceramic strips, subdividing the strips into individual ceramic members and also subdividing the planar conductors, forming ribbon-like conductors extending between opposite sides of the array. The saw kerfs are filled with a hardening polymer material. The ribbon-like conductors reaching the edges of the assembly are then connected electrically in parallel, reducing the capacitance of the individual emitters.

Abstract: A method for making a piezoelectric stack. The stack includes a plurality of piezoelectric discs interleaved with a plurality of electrodes. Each disc has two opposing surface facets. Each electrode has a thin planar section having two opposing planar surfaces. The planar section is adapted to contact a substantial portion of the surface facets of two adjacent discs. The method includes the steps of cutting a cylindrical piezoelectric ceramic slug into discs. The two opposing surface facets of each disc is formed substantially parallel to one another and have a predetermined surface roughness. The method includes the steps of applying a conductive layer to the surface facets and etching the planar surfaces of the electrodes with an acidic solution. The etching step causes the planar surfaces to achieves a surface roughness similar to that of the predetermined surface roughness of the disc surface facets.

Abstract: A crystal oscillator for generating an output oscillation whose frequency is maintained constant independently of the variation of temperature including a first quartz vibrator arranged in a heating unit which includes a thermostat and vibrating at a fundamental frequency, a second quartz vibrator arranged also in the same heating unit and vibrating at a third overtone frequency, a frequency multiplying circuit for multiplying the fundamental frequency by three, a frequency comparator for comparing the fundamental frequency multiplied by three with the third overtone frequency to derive a frequency difference which represents a temperature of the thermostat, and a temperature controlling circuit for controlling the temperature setting of the thermostat in accordance with the detected frequency difference. Any one or both of the fundamental and third overtone oscillations may be derived as an output oscillation.

Abstract: Two or more crystal filter blanks are mounted together in such a manner so as to minimize the printed circuit board surface area occupied by their aggregate footprint and to minimize the vibratory and oscillatory interference among the cyrstal filters. Mounting devices are coupled to a first nonvibratory node and a second nonvibratory node of the crystal blanks to minimize vibrational and oscillatory interference between the crystal filters. Insulating material is disposed between the crystal blanks for electrically insulating and physically separating the crystal blanks from each other to additionally minimize electrical and vibrational interference between the crystal blanks.

Abstract: A feed mechanism is constructed with a piezoelectric actuator embedded in the front end of a square sliding shaft, which is supported by hydrostatic guide surfaces formed on a guide base for sliding motion in the axial direction. A cooling jacket having a helical channel on its outside surface is provided at the periphery of the piezoelectric actuator. A part of pressurized fluid fed to the hydrostatic guide surfaces is led to the helical channel of the cooling jacket through a cooling oil feeding channel formed in the sliding shaft, and fluid in the helical channel is drained to a low pressure space through an oil discharging channel formed in the sliding shaft.

Abstract: A unitary extended width comb horn for generating ultrasonic vibrations over a width of greater than 12 inches for a frequency of 20 kHz wherein such vibrations vary by less than .+-.10% across the width of the horn. Also, processes utilizing this horn and related devices incorporating same.

Abstract: A unit comprising a printed board on which a plurality of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices are installed. Each SAW device comprises a piezoelectric substate on which arrays of strip electrodes are formed. A cover is mounted over the SAW devices to hermetically seal the surfaces of the SAW devices on which the electrodes are formed. The terminals of the board are directly coupled to the terminals of the SAW devices.

Abstract: A quartz vibrator mounted on a terminal substrate member having a through-hole. The ratio of through hole area being from 0.5 to 0.8 of the vibrators electrode area. Fine frequency adjustment is obtained by evaporation of material thru the through hole.

Abstract: A piezoelectric bi-resonator with electrodes not adhering to the crystal, comprising at least first and second plates in dielectric material on which plates are deposited respectively first and second electrodes, a third plate in dielectric material having faces opposed to the first and second plates respectively, on which faces are respectively deposited third and fourth electrodes, connected together, and a piezoelectric body constituted by two piezoelectric chips made of quartz, independent and similar, one of which is interposed between the said first and third electrodes, without contact therewith, and the other is interposed between the second and fourth electrodes without contact therewith, the said piezoelectric quartz chips being arranged so that their axes Y' are opposite.

Abstract: In an electronic wristwatch having a watch body an a plurality of electronic vibrators having frequency-position characteristics, the frequency-temperature characteristic of the standard signal generated thereby is improved by positioning the vibrators in the watch body so that at least one vibrator has a different frequency-position characteristic than the other vibrators to compensate for any frequency deviation thereof due to the orientation of the watch body.

Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator unit has a substantially flat holder case which is provided on one side with a recess or recesses each encasing a piezoelectric vibrator plate. The bottom wall of each recess is provided therethrough with a port or ports each at a position which corresponds to an excitation electrode formed on the vibrator plate. Another side of the holder case is used for masking means for forming, for the micro-adjustment of vibration frequency, a vacuum evaporated film on the excitation electrode.