More Than One Poling Direction (e.g., Rosen Transformer) Patents (Class 310/359)
  • Patent number: 7550903
    Abstract: In a method and device for polarizing a piezoelectric actuator according to which high-frequency pulse voltages can be used for polarizing the actuators an actuator to be polarized is mounted between two retaining elements while connected in series to a second piezoelectric actuator. The retaining elements provide the actuator (1) with a desired pretension. A compensating element compensates for changes in length of the actuator (1) so that even in the event of high-frequency pulse voltages and thus high-frequency changes in length, the pretension can be maintained within a desired range of values. Preferably, the second piezoelectric actuator has the identical design of the first actuator and is polarized with the first actuator. This enables two piezoelectric actuators to be simultaneously polarized during a polarizing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Döllgast, Roland Niefanger, Kord Witte
  • Patent number: 7548012
    Abstract: A piezoelectric measuring element (9) consists of at least two piezoelectric crystals (1) showing a transversal effect for the measurement of axially acting forces and/or pressures as well as to a pressure or force sensor comprising said element. The crystals (1) with transversal effect having an opposite polarization (4) to each other are attached to each other by means of a lateral electrode (12). In this manner, if n crystals (1) are attached to each other, a single multi-layer measuring element (9) is obtained with a stability under load which is n-times that of an individual crystal. Preferably, the electrodes extend alternately into the two force-absorbing end faces (3) of the crystals. Such measuring elements can be fabricated from wafers (15) in a cost-effective manner. A compact multi-layer measuring element prepared in this way can be easily mounted in a sensor, particularly a force or pressure sensor, without the risk of inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Kistler Holding, AG
    Inventors: Claudio Cavalloni, Kurt Vollenweider, Roland Sommer
  • Patent number: 7545080
    Abstract: A piezoactuator has at least one piezoelectric-active partial stack with piezoceramic layers arranged one over the other with piezoceramic material and electrode layers arranged between the piezoceramic layers, at least one piezoelectric-inactive terminating region arranged over the partial stack and at least one transition region between the partial stack and the terminating region, the partial stack, the terminating region and the transition region all connected together to give a monolithic complete stack. The transition region has a transition region stack with piezoceramic layers arranged one over the other and electrode layers arranged between the piezoceramic layers both have a form and are arranged on each other such that, in the stack direction of the transition region stack, from piezoceramic layer to piezoceramic layer there is a successive rotation about a main axis of the polarity and/or a rotation of the main axis of the electric control is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Harald Johannes Kastl, Andreas Lenk, Carsten Schuh, Claus Zumstrull
  • Publication number: 20090085432
    Abstract: A self-poling piezoelectric based MEMS device is configured for piezoelectric actuation in response to application of a device operating voltage. The MEMS device comprises a beam, a first electrode disposed on the beam, a layer of piezoelectric material having a self-poling thickness disposed overlying a portion of the first electrode, and a second electrode overlying the layer of piezoelectric material. The layer of piezoelectric material is self-poled in response to application of the device operating voltage across the first and second electrodes. In addition, the self-poled piezoelectric material has a poling direction established according to a polarity orientation of the device operating voltage as applied across the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Lianjun Liu
  • Patent number: 7504765
    Abstract: A small, thin, light piezoelectric transformer capable of large-capacity output is provided at low cost. In piezoelectric transformers adjacent to each other in the row direction, a lower electrode extends in the column direction in a supporting substrate, so as to connect a plurality of piezoelectric transformers arranged in the column direction. Referring to FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) as well, the piezoelectric substrates of the piezoelectric transformers adjacent to each other in the row direction are connected via the lower electrode or an upper electrode wire that collectively connects the piezoelectric transformers arranged in the column direction. Meanwhile, the piezoelectric substrates of the piezoelectric transformers adjacent to each other in the column direction are connected via a right electrode wire or a left electrode wire that collectively connects the piezoelectric transformers arranged in the row direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohki, Yasuhiro Tsukada
  • Patent number: 7492078
    Abstract: A circular piezoelectric apparatus includes an electrode assembly which has an independent electrode located on a perimeter side wall of the circular piezoelectric apparatus and two separated electrodes located respectively at two opposite surfaces of the circular piezoelectric apparatus, a first structure located between the two separated electrodes that has a polarized direction coincided with a first axial direction directing from one electrode of the two separated electrodes to the other electrode thereof, and a second structure surrounding the first structure about the first axial direction and having a polarized direction coincided with a radial direction of the perimeter. One of the three electrodes is electrically connected a ground electrode to provide a voltage source for supplying an input voltage and a load through at least a conductive wire, and another electrode is electrically connected to an input electrode of the voltage source through another conductive wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Wen Chou, Ying-Nan Cheng
  • Publication number: 20090015096
    Abstract: An ultrasound system for providing megasonics and ultrasonics to a liquid at different frequencies and/or sweeping frequencies with associated generators, transducers, operations between resonance and anti-resonance, non-resistive output with phase shift, multiple/sweep/single frequency modes, individually controlled sections, gate drive power control, variable inductive compensation for temperature changes, parallel inductor matching, stacked ceramics and non-volatile memory storage of fault, error and failure history.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: William L. Puskas
  • Patent number: 7453189
    Abstract: There is provided with a piezoelectric transformer which does not require a marking operation, is easy to manufacture, and is capable of reducing costs. After the piezoelectric transformer is manufactured, a shape of secondary side electrodes on the outer end is made so that a polarization direction can be recognized at the time of printing the secondary side electrodes without marking by a separate step to recognize the polarity on the primary side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Tamura Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Nakagawa, Yasuhide Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7439630
    Abstract: A system for generating electrical power supply signals includes at least one heat engine having a chamber that undergoes heating/cooling cycle and corresponding pressure variations. At least one piezoelectric transducer is deformed in response to the pressure variations of the heat engine. A power converter transforms the electric signals generated in response to deformation of the piezoelectric transducer(s) to a desired electrical power supply signal. The heat engine preferably uses a geothermal source of cold and an ambient source of hot or vice-versa. Hydrogen can be used as a working fluid, and metal hydride material can be used for absorbing and desorbing hydrogen during the cycle of heating and cooling of the heat engine. A phase change material can also be used. The power converter preferably includes an electromechanical battery with a flywheel storing rotational energy and possibly an electrostatic motor that adds rotational energy to the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Helius Inc.
    Inventor: Kimberly Peacock
  • Patent number: 7439659
    Abstract: The piezoelectric actuator comprises: a plate-shaped piezoelectric body which has a portion polarized in a thickness direction of the piezoelectric body and a portion polarized in a direction oblique to the thickness direction; and a pair of electrodes which are disposed on opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric body facing each other in the thickness direction across the piezoelectric body, have plane-symmetrical portions and plane-asymmetrical portions in relation to the piezoelectric body, are used as polarization electrodes for polarizing the piezoelectric body so that the portion polarized in the thickness direction and the portion polarized in the direction oblique to the thickness direction are formed in the piezoelectric body, and are used as drive electrodes for inducing strain in the piezoelectric body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Ryuji Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7423362
    Abstract: A driving circuit is composed of a discontinuous rectangle wave oscillator and a lowpass filter. A discontinuous rectangle wave used herein is composed of voltages Vp, 0 and ?Vp. Assuming one cycle is T, a discontinuous rectangle wave has such a configuration that a potential from a time 0 to a time ø is a potential 0, from the time ø to a time (T/6?ø) is a potential Vp, from the time (T/6?ø) to a time (T/3+ø) is a potential 0, . . . . Since the third harmonic wave is not included in the discontinuous waveform, the inductance of the lowpass filter can be reduced. Consequently, the lowpass filter may be omitted. Further, the amplitude of the fundamental wave can be changed by varying the phase difference ø.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Tamura Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Mizutani, Yasuhide Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20080211353
    Abstract: A bimorph actuator has been found that uses commonly available piezoelectric material and is operational up to about 150° C. or one half of Curie temperature, in that it does not exhibit depolarization due to negative electric fields and/or elevated temperature. This result is accomplished by driving both piezoelectric materials with a positive electric field along the polarization direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Charles Erklin Seeley, Dirk Bellamy, Eladio Clemente Delgado, Jan Kunzmann
  • Publication number: 20080203857
    Abstract: A piezoactuator has at least one piezoelectric-active partial stack with piezoceramic layers arranged one over the other with piezoceramic material and electrode layers arranged between the piezoceramic layers, at least one piezoelectric-inactive terminating region arranged over the partial stack and at least one transition region between the partial stack and the terminating region, the partial stack, the terminating region and the transition region all connected together to give a monolithic complete stack. The transition region has a transition region stack with piezoceramic layers arranged one over the other and electrode layers arranged between the piezoceramic layers both have a form and are arranged on each other such that, in the stack direction of the transition region stack, from piezoceramic layer to piezoceramic layer there is a successive rotation about a main axis of the polarity and/or a rotation of the main axis of the electric control is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Harald Johannes Kastl, Andreas Lenk, Carsten Schuh, Claus Zumstrull
  • Patent number: 7411340
    Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer with a base body is specified that has an input part and an output part, wherein at least three groups of internal electrodes are contained in at least one of these parts. The internal electrodes of each group are interconnected in an electrically conductive way. In this way, the internal electrodes of one group are electrically isolated from the internal electrodes of the other groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Heinz Florian, Alexander Glazunov, Igor Kartashev
  • Publication number: 20080185939
    Abstract: A vibrator includes a vibrating body having a substantially quadrangular prism shape and including four side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction of the vibrating body. A common electrode is formed on substantially an entire surface of one of the side surfaces of the vibrating body. Split electrodes extend in the longitudinal direction on another side surface opposite to the side surface on which the common electrode is formed, and are spaced from each other in the width direction of the side surface on which the split electrodes are formed. In the vibrating body, a first polarized section is polarized in a direction from the side surfaces of the vibrating body that do not have an electrode disposed thereon, toward the split electrodes. A second polarized section is polarized in a direction from the side surfaces of the vibrating body that do not have an electrode disposed thereon, toward the common electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsumi FUJIMOTO
  • Patent number: 7405512
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer comprises a ferroelectric crystal having a plurality of spaced apart ferroelectric domain inverted regions and at least one non-inverted region. An electrode layer is disposed on one side of the crystal electrically contacting both the domain inverted portion and the non-inverted portion of the crystal. On a side of the crystal opposite the electrode layer, a first electrode is disposed on the domain inverted portion spaced apart from a second electrode disposed on the non-inverted portion. As a result, the acoustic transducer provides sub-transducers hooked in series having effective areas defined by the areas of their respective electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Gooch and Housego PLC
    Inventor: Christopher N. Pannell
  • Patent number: 7355326
    Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer, which operates in a half wavelength mode, includes an input part having input electrodes laminated in a thickness direction on a central part in a longitudinal direction of a piezoelectric element with rectangular shape, in which the input part is polarized in the thickness direction between the input electrodes, a pair of output parts provided along the longitudinal direction so as to sandwich the input part, in which the output parts are polarized in the same direction along the longitudinal direction, and an output electrode provided at an end part of each of the output parts, wherein L1, L2 and L3 satisfy a relationship of 0.1?(4L2?L3)/4L1?0.5, where L1 is a length of the piezoelectric element in the longitudinal direction, L2 is a length of the input part in the longitudinal direction, and L3 is a length of either one of the output electrodes in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Taiheiyo Cement Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Fujimura, Masaaki Toyama
  • Patent number: 7353585
    Abstract: A method of producing an actuator includes shaping a block of ferroelectric material to provide an active element of the actuator. The element includes a stack of ferroelectric layers with adjacent layers separated by electrodes arranged parallel to end faces of the element. The method includes applying a primary electrode to the end faces, immersing the element and the primary electrode within a dielectric fluid, applying a primary poling voltage to the primary electrode so as to polarize the element in a first polarization direction, applying a secondary external electrode to side faces of the element, and applying a secondary poling voltage to the secondary electrode to polarize alternate layers along the first polarization direction and the other layers along a second, oppositely-directed polarization axis. The method may also include applying a conductive film to the end faces and/or applying heat to help evaporate the dielectric fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Andrew Goat
  • Publication number: 20080079784
    Abstract: There is provided a piezoelectric actuator which includes a piezoelectric material layer in which, a portion sandwiched between a first electrode and a second electrode is an active portion, and a vibration plate which is arranged on a surface of the piezoelectric material layer. The piezoelectric material layer is polarized in a direction parallel to a direction of thickness thereof, and a direction of polarization of a central portion in the active portion and a direction of polarization of an edge portion excluding the central portion, in the active portion are mutually opposite. Accordingly, even when a drive voltage is low, it is possible to increase sufficiently an amount of deformation of the piezoelectric actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventor: Hiroto Sugahara
  • Patent number: 7336022
    Abstract: Piezoelectrical bending converter with at least one monolithic layered composite, includes a piezoelectric-active ceramic layer with a lateral dimension change which may be generated by application of an electrical field and at least one further piezoelectric-active ceramic layer with a further lateral dimension change, different from the lateral dimension change. An electrode layer is arranged between the ceramic layers, for generation of the electric fields. The layered composite preferably comprises several piezoelectric-active layers and electrode layers arranged between the above. The shift is thus obtained as a gradient of the dimension changes in the direction of the stack of the layered composite. The dimension changes for the ceramic layers and the gradient may be adjusted by the generation of the electrical fields. In order to achieve a shift it is necessary not to have a piezoelectric-inactive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Carsten Schuh, Thorsten Steinkopff, Andreas Wolff
  • Patent number: 7288877
    Abstract: A piezoelectric film device has a piezoelectric film element and a power supply circuit. The piezoelectric film element is formed of a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric film that is sandwiched between the first electrode and second electrode and has a polarization vector in the film thickness direction. The polarization vector is inverted by application of a predetermined voltage or higher through the first electrode and second electrode. The power supply circuit supplies voltage for inverting the polarization vector. The piezoelectric film has each different lattice constant depending on the direction of the polarization vector. The piezoelectric film device keeps a different displacement position corresponding to the direction of the polarization vector even when the voltage application is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kita, Hirokazu Uchiyama, Toshiyuki Matsunaga, Fumiyo Tojo
  • Patent number: 7288876
    Abstract: A non-symmetric drive type piezoelectric ceramic transformer has been disclosed in the present invention. The non-symmetric drive type piezoelectric ceramic transformer has a rectangular piezoelectric ceramic conductor. Along the length of rectangular piezoelectric ceramic conductor, it is divided into three zones: the first zone is the oscillation node accommodate zone of the length adjusting, that the change of length can adjust the resonance frequency and the oscillation node of the piezoelectric ceramic transformer; the second zone is input drive zone, which upper of lower surface have been coated with electrodes and polarized in the direction of the thickness; the third zone is the output generation zone, which output terminals are coated with electrodes and polarized in the direction of the length of the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Xi'an Kong Hong New Materials Sci-Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaoqiang Chen, Quanbao Liu
  • Patent number: 7274729
    Abstract: A structure of a spectrum spreading communication device which solves the problem with the conventional spectrum spreading communication using Barker codes, etc., and limits the rise of the side-lobe of a correctional signal independently of the order of information codes by use of a code sequence having a code length of at least 14. The spectrum spreading communication device uses a pseudo-noise code having code length of at least 14 and a self-correlation side-lobe of not greater than 3 as a pseudo-noise code of a direct spreading communication device which uses the pseudo-noise codes whose polarities are inverted so as to deal with also digital information. Thus, even when the pseudo-noise code length is 14 or more, the side-lobe of the correction coefficient can be restricted. Accordingly, the error rate of the spectrum spreading communication device is reduced and the processing gain is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Shiba, Akitsuna Yuhara, Yoshihiro Yamada, Yasuhiro Ohta
  • Patent number: 7183698
    Abstract: A piezoelectric structure receives input from a voltage source to generate polarization and output voltage. Two surfaces are formed on the direction normal to the polarized direction. One surface has an input electrode electrically connecting to the voltage source and an output electrode to output voltage. Another surface has a ground electrode. The distance between the input electrode and the ground electrode is different from the distance between the output electrode and the ground electrode. Through the height difference of the two electrodes, the step-up and step-down ratio can be altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Wen Chou, Ying-Nan Cheng, Yu-Liang Cheng
  • Patent number: 7126251
    Abstract: The invention relates to interfaces acoutics wave components made of lithium tantalate. Two substrate make up the filter have the same cut and the same crystal orientation, the invention gives the best cut angles in particular for optimizing the electromechanical coupling coefficient that determines the final performance characteristics of the component produced. Curves giving the variations of the coupling coefficient an the attenuation as a function of the cut angles and of the direction of propagation are provided. The values of the main acoustic characteristics of the component for these optimum cut angles are also given. The application of this type of device are, on the on hand, uses as a passive component such a resonator or a filter or a delay line, or as an integrated device, either in a measurement chain or in any array of devices operating according to the principle of recognition of the device by a phase code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Marc Solal, Serge Calisti, Vincent Laude, Sylvain Ballandras, Serge Camou, Thomas Pastureaud
  • Patent number: 7122939
    Abstract: A piezoelectric power supply has a piezoelectric transformer circuit configuration which is alterable flexibly according to varying loading power requirements. It includes a control unit (control IC), a power switch (MOSFET) and an inductor to drive a piezoelectric transformer unit to actuate a high voltage and power load such as a cold cathode fluorescent lamp. The piezoelectric transformer unit consists of a plurality of piezoelectric transformers coupled in parallel. The specification of the piezoelectric transformers (single sheet piezoelectric transformers or low level laminated piezoelectric transformers) and parallel coupling number may be altered according to the required power of the load to change the voltage and current output by the piezoelectric transformers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Wen Chou, Eddie Cheng, Kuang-Ming Wu, Chin-Biau Chung
  • Patent number: 7075217
    Abstract: A laminated piezoelectric transformer is provided using the longitudinal vibration modes for step-up voltage conversion applications. The input portions are polarized to deform in a longitudinal plane and are bonded to an output portion. The deformation of the input portions is mechanically coupled to the output portion, which deforms in the same longitudinal direction relative to the input portion. The output portion is polarized in the thickness direction relative its electrodes, and piezoelectrically generates a stepped-up output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Face International Corp
    Inventor: Alfredo Vazquez Carazo
  • Patent number: 7065846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of piezoelectric multilayer actuator in which thin layers of a piezoceramic material, called “green leaves” on which at least one internal electrode is applied, are stacked to form a block such that the internal electrodes are guided in alternation to oppositely lying surfaces of the actuator, where they become bound together by an external electrode, the actuator compact being sintered and subjected to abrasive shaping, and then the base metallization is applied for the external electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Ceramtec AG Innovative Ceramic Engineering
    Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Schreiner, Reiner Bindig, Jurgen Schmieder
  • Patent number: 7019993
    Abstract: A modular design for combining piezoelectric transformers is provided for high voltage and high power conversion applications. The input portions of individual piezoelectric transformers are driven for a single power supply. This created the vibration and the conversion of electrical to electrical energy from the input to the output of the transformers. The output portions of the single piezoelectric transformers are combining in series and/or parallel to provide multiple outputs having different rating of voltage and current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Face International Corp.
    Inventor: Alfredo Vazquez Carazo
  • Patent number: 6989626
    Abstract: A compact and high-power piezoelectric transformer is realized by using higher order longitudinal extensional mode vibrations and increasing an effective electromechanical coupling factor by a primary electrode which consists of plural electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsu Takeda, Hiroshi Nakatsuka, Takeshi Yamaguchi, Kojiro Okuyama, Katsunori Moritoki
  • Patent number: 6960871
    Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer (101) comprises a layered structure (15) formed by alternately stacking a plurality of internal electrodes (13) and a plurality of piezo-electric ceramics layers (103) in thickness direction, first electrodes (21, 23) formed on side surfaces of said layered structure (15) and connected to said internal electrodes (13), at least one pair of second electrodes (27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37) formed on the side surfaces in areas different from those of the first electrodes (21, 23) and having a same potential, and a circuit board for driving the piezoelectric transformer. The piezoelectric transformer (101) is mounted on the circuit board. Each of the at least one pair of the second electrodes (27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37) opposite to each other is electrically connected to the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: NEC TOKIN Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Kumasaka, Masao Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6949867
    Abstract: A multiple loads driver circuit equipped with piezoelectric transformation circuits consists of at least one piezoelectric ceramic transformer and two loads connecting to the piezoelectric ceramic transformer(s). Each pair of voltages of the same phase are input to a pair of input ends which have opposite polarization, or the two piezoelectric ceramic transformers group have input ends of opposite polarization or its group assembly output an even number of voltages of opposite phases to input ends of the loads which the feedback ends are grounded respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Chin-Wen Chou
  • Patent number: 6882090
    Abstract: Of a plurality of surfaces forming its shape, a piezoelectric transformer 13A has two types of output electrodes 22 and 23 on one surface in the longitudinal direction and two opposing surfaces in the lateral direction. This piezoelectric transformer 13A can be driven by properly switching first and second resonance modes different from each other. In a strobe apparatus, a discharge capacitor 3 is charged by a voltage generated in the output voltage 23 when the piezoelectric transformer 13A is driven in the first resonance mode, and a discharge tube 4 is triggered by a voltage generated in the output electrode 22 when the piezoelectric transformer 13A is driven in the second resonance mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Taiheiyo Cement Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Fujimura, Masaaki Toyama, Katsuyuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6856070
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator is disclosed including an annular piezoelectric element and a base. There is a gap along the radial direction of the annular piezoelectric element. One of the two ends, i.e., the fixed end of the said annular element, is connected to the base, while the other end is free. The base is made of piezoelectric materials. Furthermore, the annular element is divided into two or more annular parts along the direction of its circumference by the electrode patterns applied on its two opposite surface and/or its polarization directions. When driving voltages are applied, the actuator can generate roughly a rotary motion around the center of the annular piezoelectric element. The annular rotary actuator could be either a single plate or with multilayer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhihong Wang, Tamon Kasajima, Masashi Shiraishi, Ping Shang, Kai Wu
  • Patent number: 6842087
    Abstract: A three-terminal filter using the area flexural vibration mode is smaller than filters using the area expansion vibration mode or the length vibration mode, and is easily adjusted to produce a desired frequency by changing the thickness and length of the three-terminal filter. The three-terminal filter includes three electrodes having a substantially square shape, and two piezoelectric layers having a substantially square shape, which are alternately laminated. The piezoelectric layers are polarized in the same thickness direction as the thickness direction, or in opposite thickness directions. The three-terminal filter further includes one surface electrode that functions as an input electrode, another surface electrode that functions as an output electrode, and an internal electrode that functions as a ground electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masakazu Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20040256960
    Abstract: A compact and high-power piezoelectric transformer is realized by using higher order longitudinal extensional mode vibrations and increasing an effective electromechanical coupling factor by a primary electrode which consists of plural electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Katsu Takeda, Hiroshi Nakatsuka, Takeshi Yamaguchi, Kojiro Okuyama, Katsunori Moritoki
  • Patent number: 6833655
    Abstract: A monolithic piezoelectric transformer includes a drive portion and a power generation portion. The drive portion includes a plurality of polarized piezoelectric ceramic layers and a plurality of internal electrodes that are alternately layered on each other. The drive portion is provided with external input electrodes connected to the internal electrodes. The power generation portion includes a piezoelectric ceramic member and an output electrode. The internal electrodes are formed of a fired metal containing at least one of silver and palladium and at least one of rhodium and iridium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Matto, Toshiaki Kaji, Toshio Imanishi
  • Publication number: 20040232806
    Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer includes a rectangular plate which is mainly made of piezoelectric material and in which a dimension in a longitudinal direction is larger than that in a width direction and a thickness direction is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the width direction. A low-impedance portion acting as one of a driving portion and a generator portion and a high-impedance portion acting as the other of the driving portion and the generator portion are provided in the rectangular plate so as to be arranged in the width direction such that the piezoelectric transformer is driven in a width-extensional vibration mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakatsuka, Katsu Takeda
  • Publication number: 20040227434
    Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer includes a piezoelectric ceramic disc having one face and the other face opposite to each other in a thickness direction. A pair of low-impedance portions acting as one of a driving portion and a generator portion are disposed in the piezoelectric ceramic disc symmetrically with respect to a central axis of the piezoelectric ceramic disc, while a pair of high-impedance portions acting as the other of the driving portion and the generator portion are disposed in the piezoelectric ceramic disc symmetrically with respect to the central axis so as to be electrically separated from the low-impedance portions such that the piezoelectric transformer is driven in a radial extensional vibration mode of the piezoelectric ceramic disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Katsu Takeda, Hiroshi Nakatsuka
  • Patent number: 6812623
    Abstract: A compact and high-power piezoelectric transformer is realized by using higher order longitudinal extensional mode vibrations and increasing an effective electromechanical coupling factor by a primary electrode which consists of plural electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsu Takeda, Hiroshi Nakatsuka, Takeshi Yamaguchi, Kojiro Okuyama, Katsunori Moritoki
  • Publication number: 20040201328
    Abstract: A laminated piezoelectric transformer is provided using the longitudinal vibration modes for step-up voltage conversion applications. The input portions are polarized to deform in a longitudinal plane and are bonded to an output portion. The deformation of the input portions is mechanically coupled to the output portion, which deforms in the same longitudinal direction relative to the input portion. The output portion is polarized in the thickness direction relative its electrodes, and piezoelectrically generates a stepped-up output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Alfredo Vazquez Carazo
  • Patent number: 6803703
    Abstract: A first common electrode to be fixed at a predetermined potential is formed on a vibration plate. The first common electrode has a first proximal portion and first branch portions extended from the proximal portion. A first piezoelectric layer is laminated on each of the first branch portions. A drive electrode is laminated on each first piezoelectric layer. A second piezoelectric layer is laminated on each drive electrode. A second common electrode to be fixed at the predetermined potential has a second proximal portion and second branch portions extended from the proximal portion such that each of the second branch portions is laminated on each second piezoelectric layer. A conduction member electrically connects the first proximal portion and the second proximal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Junhua
  • Patent number: 6781290
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a single-crystal piezoelectric thin film having a crystal orientation aligned with the crystal orientation of a single-crystal Si substrate, and first and second electrode films formed on first and second sides of the single-crystal piezoelectric thin film, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kazuaki Kurihara, Motoyuki Nishizawa, Masaki Kurasawa, Keishiro Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20040145279
    Abstract: The present invention relates to piezoelectric transformer and ballast using the same transformer utilizing piezoelectric and inverse piezoelectric effects, more specifically to high-efficiency piezoelectric transformer and ballast using the same transformer which can obtain a large output current using novel electrode structure and polarization direction. According to the present invention, a piezoelectric transformer comprises a piezoelectric ceramic body having a planar form of circle or ring, first and second electrodes formed adjacent to the top and bottom surface of the piezoelectric ceramic body, the first and second electrodes having the same planar structure as the body and divided to N parts spaced a constant distance each other and the first and second electrodes being plane symmetry with the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Hee Jin Kim, Dong Soo Paik
  • Patent number: 6765305
    Abstract: A device is described for generating an electric voltage by which a body of a capacitive and/or inductive sensor capable of vibration, such as a capacitive micromechanical rotational rate sensor in particular, is induced to vibrate. In order to reduce the manufacturing cost of the sensor, a voltage generating device is provided which induces a constant mechanical deflection of the body capable of vibration, this deflection being independent of the manufacturing tolerances of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Mohaupt, Johannes Artzner, Wolfram Bauer
  • Patent number: 6759792
    Abstract: In a polarization method of the multi-layered piezoelectric body in which a plurality of piezoelectric layers and a plurality of internal electrodes are alternately laminated and adjacent piezoelectric layers are polarized in the thickness direction such that the polarized directions thereof are in opposite directions, a first polarization process in which an electric field in one direction is applied in the thickness direction to the multi-layered piezoelectric body and a polarization is uniformly performed in the thickness direction, and a secondary polarization process in which an electric field in the opposite direction is applied to the piezoelectric layers on both sides of one of the internal electrodes and the direction of polarization of only one of the piezoelectric layers on one side of the internal electrode is reversed are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., LTD
    Inventor: Mikio Nakajima
  • Patent number: 6758199
    Abstract: An ignition system employing a piezoelectric transformer having a drive side and an output side. The ignition system further includes circuit elements in electronic communication with the output side that tune output impedance in series with a breakdown gap to optimize power flow from the transformer to the breakdown gap after breakdown and a timing control circuit in electronic communication with the drive side that meters post-breakdown energy delivered to the breakdown gap by timing the duration of post-breakdown power flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Mide Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brett Masters, Brian MacLachlan, Gert Muller, Jaco Pretorius, Marthinus van Schoor
  • Patent number: 6747396
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator for an ink jet printhead, including: a block body of piezoelectric material having a bottom face through which the mechanical energy of the actuator is transferred to a receiving member, said body having an active portion adjacent to the bottom face as well as an inactive portion; a layered structure of alternating signal electrodes and common electrodes arranged in the active portion substantially in parallel with the bottom face and separated by layers of the piezoelectric material; a layered structure of alternating auxiliary electrodes and common electrodes arranged in the inactive portion, substantially in parallel with the bottom face and separated by layers of the piezoelectric material; at least one signal lead electrode formed on a first side face of said block body of piezoelectric material and interconnecting the signal electrodes; a ground lead electrode formed on a second side face opposite to the first side face and interconnecting the common electrodes; and an aux
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Oce-Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Franciscus Richard Blom
  • Patent number: 6747401
    Abstract: Augmenting surface electrodes for piezoelectric workpieces together with the method for fabrication are disclosed for improving fabrication and operation reliability of the workpieces. A piezoelectric workpiece used for energy conversion between electrical and mechanical forms in a piezoelectric system comprises a body, a number of function electrodes, and at least an augmenting surface electrode. The body of piezoelectricity is used for implementing the energy conversion. The function electrodes are each fixedly attached to the surface of the body, and are connected in the electric circuit for implementing the energy conversion. At least one of the function electrodes has a shape with a contour of at least one acute angle. At least an augmenting surface electrode has a substantially elongated shape fixedly attached to the surface of the body proximate to the acute angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Advancewave Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsiang Hsu, Wen-Hsin Hsiao, Wen-Jong Wu, Chih-Kung Lee
  • Patent number: 6744177
    Abstract: A piezoelectric flexural transducer having an elongated support body (2), that on at least one longitudinal side is provided with a piezoelectric multi-layer body (6). In the interior of the support body (2) and/or between the support body (2) and the piezoelectric multi-layer body (6) and/or between neighboring piezoelectric material layers of the piezoelectric multi-layer body (6) at least one component (24 and 32) of an electronic (23) and/or sensor (33) system is accommodated employed for the operation of the piezoelectric flexural transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignees: Festo AG & Co., Siemens AG
    Inventors: Michael Riedel, Karl Lubitz, Andreas Schmid, Martin Maichl, Markus Hoffmann, Michael Weinmann