Abstract: To provide a multi-layer piezoelectric device having excellent durability in which the amount of displacement does not change even when the piezoelectric actuator is subjected to continuous operation over a long period of time under a high voltage and a high pressure, the multi-layer piezoelectric device comprises a stack formed by stacking piezoelectric layers and internal electrodes alternately one on another and external electrodes formed on a first side face and on a second side face of the stack, wherein one of the adjacent internal electrodes is connected to the external electrode formed on the first side face and the other internal electrode is connected to the external electrode formed on the second side face, while content of alkali metal in a range from 5 ppm to 300 ppm is contained.

Abstract: A piezoelectric plate electric connection structure aims to receive an input voltage from a voltage source and goes through a polarization process to deliver an output voltage. It has an input electrode on a piezoelectric plate to receive input from the voltage source and an output electrode to deliver the output voltage that are located on two surfaces normal to the polarization direction. One surface has an independent electrode. Another surface has two separated electrodes. The input electrode and output electrode are respectively the independent electrode and one of the separated electrodes. The input and output electrodes are spaced by the piezoelectric plate which is dielectric and pressure-resistant. Thus discharge phenomenon can be prevented between the input electrode and the output electrode.

Abstract: A laminated structure with less breakage of an insulative layer due to stress and easy interconnection. The laminated structure includes at least a first electrode layer, a dielectric layer and a second electrode layer stacked in this order. The first electrode layer includes a first electrode material disposed such that an end surface thereof is exposed in a first side region of the laminated structure and a second electrode material having an insulating film formed on an end surface in a second side region of the laminated structure. The second electrode layer includes the first electrode material disposed such that an end surface is exposed in the second side region of the laminated structure and the second electrode material having an insulating film formed on an end surface in the first side region of the laminated structure.

Abstract: Techniques for fabricating high frequency ultrasound transducers are provided herein. In one embodiment, the fabrication includes depositing a copperclad polyimide film, a layer of epoxy on the copperclad polyimide film, and a polyvinylidene fluoride film on the epoxy. The assembly of materials are then pressed to bond the polyvinylidene fluoride film to the copperclad polyimide film and to form an assembly. The polyvinylidene fluoride film being one surface and the copperclad polyimide film being the other surface. The area behind the copperclad polyimide film surface is filled with a second epoxy, and then cured to form an epoxy plug.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element is formed by stacking piezoelectric layers and internal electrode layers. The internal electrode layers are positive and negative electrode layers. The positive electrode layers are first and second positive electrode layers. The negative electrode layers are first and second negative electrode layers. Each of the first positive and negative electrode layers includes four divided electrodes and a connecting electrode for connecting a pair of the four divided electrodes formed on diagonally opposite two areas along a first diagonal direction on a principle surface of the associated one of the piezoelectric layers. Each of the second positive and negative electrode layers includes four divided electrodes and a connecting electrode for connecting a pair of the four divided electrodes formed on diagonally opposite two areas along a second diagonal direction on a principle surface of the associated one of the piezoelectric layers.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric element, a circuit board on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, an IC component having at least a function of oscillating the piezoelectric element and connected to a bottom face of the circuit board, an insulating section covering at least a part of the IC component, a circuit connection terminal formed on a main surface of the IC component, an internal connection bump formed on the circuit connection terminal and connected to the circuit connection terminal and the bottom face of the circuit board, a functional terminal formed on a main surface of the IC component, a back surface electrode formed on a back surface of the IC component, a penetrating electrode penetrating the IC component from the main surface to the back surface and connecting the functional electrode and the back surface electrode to each other, an external connection bump connected to the back surface electrode, and a mounting terminal formed on a surface of the insulating section, an

Abstract: To provide an electromechanical conversion element, a vibration actuator, a vibration actuator driving device, a lens barrel and a camera, which facilitate the achievement of the desired drive characteristics. An electromechanical conversion element comprising: a piezoelectric body having a polarization part polarized in a certain direction; and a plurality of separately formed electrodes on a continuous region of the polarization part.

Abstract: There is realized a piezoelectric/electrostrictive device of a laminated type from which a large displacement is obtained and which is highly reliable over a long period. A laminated piezoelectric/electrostrictive device 1 has: a laminated columnar article 10 constituted by alternately laminating a plurality of piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers 14 and inner electrode layers 18, 19; and a pair of outer electrodes 28, 29 disposed on a peripheral surface of the laminated columnar article 10 to connect layers having the same polarity to each other among the inner electrode layers 18, 19. This laminated piezoelectric/electrostrictive device 1 is characterized in that interfaces 2a, 2b having a relatively low interface strength as compared with the other interfaces are disposed at a specific interval among the interfaces between layers of the laminated columnar article 10.

Abstract: A contour resonator at least includes a first vibrating substrate and a second vibrating substrate having main surfaces that face each other and are bonded. The contour resonator includes a first excitation electrode provided on a front main surface of the first vibrating substrate, a second excitation electrode provided on a back main surface of the second vibrating substrate, and a common intermediate excitation electrode provided at an interface between the first vibrating substrate and the second vibrating substrate. The first excitation electrode and the second excitation electrode are electrically connected to constitute a first terminal. The intermediate excitation electrode constitutes a second terminal. The first vibrating substrate and the second vibrating substrate perform a contour vibration in accordance with an excitation signal applied between the first terminal and the second terminal.

Abstract: It is made possible to provide a MEMS device that has a low operation voltage, a large contact pressure force, and a large separation force. A MEMS device includes: a substrate; a supporting unit that is provided on the substrate; a fixed electrode that is provided on the substrate; an actuator that includes a first electrode, a first piezoelectric film formed on the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the first piezoelectric film, one end of the actuator being fixed onto the substrate with the supporting unit, the actuator extending in a direction connecting the supporting unit and the fixed electrode, the first electrode being located to face the fixed electrode; and a stopper unit that is located above a straight line connecting the supporting unit and the fixed electrode, and is located on the substrate so as to face the first electrode.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a vibration plate which is joined to a flow passage unit to cover a pressure chamber formed in the flow passage unit, a piezoelectric layer arranged on the vibration plate, a first electrode arranged on the piezoelectric layer to face the pressure chamber, a second electrode arranged on the piezoelectric layer while being opposed to the first electrode, and a third area arranged in the remaining area of the piezoelectric layer opposed to the pressure chamber. A first portion of the piezoelectric layer interposed by the first and second electrodes is polarized in parallel to the thickness direction. A second portion of the piezoelectric layer disposed between the first and third electrodes in the plane direction, is polarized in parallel to the plane direction. Accordingly, there are provided the piezoelectric actuator having a high driving efficiency.

Abstract: A multilayer piezoelectric element has a pair of outer electrodes and a multilayer ceramic body composed of piezoelectric layers and inner electrode layers which are alternately stacked. The outer electrodes are formed on a pair of electrode connecting surfaces in the outer circumference surfaces of the multilayer ceramic body. Each outer electrode electrically connected to the inner electrode layers through connecting material is composed of a fixed part, a free part having plural expandable-openings, and a rigid part. The fixed part is electrically contacted with the connection material. A sectional area of the rigid part is rather than that of each of the fixed part and the free part in a width direction of the outer electrode. Each outer electrode has at least one part where the fixed part, the free part and the rigid part are arranged in order in the width direction.

Abstract: Piezoelectric actuators having ceramic layers and electrode layers, and being provided with an outer cover layer on each end face of the piezoelectric actuator. The ceramic layers and the outer cover layers each have a predetermined dielectric constant. Rapid switching of the actuator results in considerable electromagnetic interference, which must be reduced through complex measures involving the control unit or electric lines. The device reduces electromagnetic interference by decreasing the interfering capacitance between the actuator and the actuator housing connected to ground electrically. The outer cover layers have a lower relative dielectric constant than the ceramic layers between the outer cover layers.

Abstract: A lower electrode 4 and an auxiliary electrode 8, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film 5, and an upper electrode 6 are sequentially arranged in layers on a substrate 1. The lower electrode 4 is continuously formed in a region ranging from a first portion of the thick-walled portion 2 to a thin-walled diaphragm portion 3. The auxiliary electrode 8 is continuously formed in a region ranging from a second portion of the thick-walled portion 2 opposite the first portion to a position on the thin-walled diaphragm portion 3, the position being separated from the lower electrode 4. The upper electrode 6 is formed in such a manner as to overlie the piezoelectric/electrostrictive film 5 and the auxiliary electrode 8. Furthermore, a connection electrode 20 is provided for electrically connecting the upper electrode 6 and the auxiliary electrode 8. Thus, a plurality of paths are provided for electrically connecting the upper electrode 6 and the auxiliary electrode 8.

Abstract: Electrical interconnects are provided for CMUTs. For example, electrodes within the silicon substrate, such as the electrodes at the bottom of the void below membranes, are interconnected together within the substrate. The interconnected electrode may then be used as the grounding electrode. By providing interconnection within the substrate and below the membranes, space for vias and the associated connection between the electrodes on an exposed surface of the substrate is minimized. As another example, an electrical conductor is formed on the side of the silicon substrate rather than the top of the substrate. Conductors on the side may allow routing signals from a top surface to a bottom surface without large wire bonding pads. Alternatively, conductors on the edge provide additional space for wire bonding pads. As yet another example, polymer material used as a matching or protection layer is formed on the top surface of the CMUT with electrical traces routed within the polymer.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator element package has a base that holds a piezoelectric resonator element on which drive electrodes are formed, and a cap. Four electrode pads are formed in corners of an internal bottom surface of the base. Of the four electrode pads, the first electrode pad and second electrode pad have the different potential. The first electrode pad and third electrode pad have the same potential because of a first connecting electrode. The second electrode pad and fourth electrode pad have the same potential because of a second connecting electrode. An avoidance means is provided for avoiding electrical connection between electrode pads that have the different potential (the first electrode pad and second electrode pad) and the other electrode pads that have the same potential (the first electrode pad and third electrode pad, and the second electrode pad and fourth electrode pad).

Abstract: A piezoceramic multilayer actuator (10) has a plurality of piezoceramic layers (12), a security layer (20) and a plurality of inner electrodes (16, 18). The piezoceramic layers (12) has a piezoceramic first material sintered at a sintering temperature. The security layer (20) has a second material and is disposed between two piezoceramic layers (12). Each of the plurality of inner electrodes (16, 18) has a third material and is deposited between two piezoceramic layers (12). The degree of sintering of the second material is lower than the degree of sintering of the third material.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes: a base substrate; a lower electrode provided above the base substrate; a lower dummy electrode provided on the base substrate and electrically insulated from the lower electrode; a piezoelectric layer provided on the base substrate, the lower electrode and the lower dummy electrode; and an upper electrode provided on the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A hand portable device such as a mobile telephone 10 includes an engine assembly 12 and a cover 14, 16 for encasing the engine assembly. The device 10 further includes a closing arrangement 44, 45, 46, 50 alterable between a first condition in which it retains the cover 14, 16 on the engine assembly 12 and a second condition in which it allows at least a part 14 of the cover to be removed from the engine assembly 12, the closing arrangement including a polymer actuator 50, the configuration of which may be altered to alter the condition of the closing arrangement.

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.

Abstract: An energy trap piezoelectric resonator makes use of a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode and can effectively suppress a spurious fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode without significantly suppressing the harmonic wave that is used for the resonator. The energy trap piezoelectric resonator has a first excitation electrode disposed at an upper surface of a piezoelectric substrate polarized in a thickness direction and a second excitation electrode disposed at a lower surface, and a floating electrode disposed at least one of the upper surface and/or the lower surface of the piezoelectric substrate so as to extend towards and away from the first excitation electrode with respect to a node of an electric potential distribution based on electric charges generated by the fundamental wave that is propagated when an energy trap vibration portion where the excitation electrodes oppose each other is excited.

Abstract: Internal electrode layers (5) include a common electrode layer (3) and feed electrode layers (6) alternately placed in a stacking direction with piezoelectric layers (1) interposed between the common electrode layer (3) and the feed electrode layers (6). The common electrode layer (3) has a common electrode (3a). The feed electrode layers (6) include a first feed electrode layer (6a) and a second feed electrode layer (6b). The first feed electrode layer (6) has a pair of electrically continuous first electrodes (2, 2) disposed on two areas (A2, A4) opposed along a first-diagonal-line direction (D1) of the principal surface of the associated piezoelectric layer (1) among four areas (A1 through A4) defined by dividing the principal surface of the associated piezoelectric layer (1) into two parts in the longitudinal and transverse directions (L) and (S).

Abstract: A system and method for removing unwanted heat generated by a piezoelectric element of an ultrasound transducer. Some implementations have high thermal conductivity (HTC) material placed adjacent to the piezoelectric element. The HTC material can be thermally coupled to one or more heat sinks. Use of HTC material in conjunction with these piezoelectric element surfaces is managed to avoid degradation of propagating acoustic energy. Use of the HTC material in conjunction with heat sinks allows for creation of thermal paths away from the piezoelectric element. Active cooling of the heat sinks with water or air can further draw heat from the piezoelectric element. Further implementations form a composite matrix of thermally conductive material or interleave thermally conductive layers with piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A piezoelectric planar composite apparatus to provide health monitoring of a structure and associated methods are provided. The piezoelectric planar composite apparatus includes a piezoelectric electric material layer, multiple electrodes positioned in electrical contact with the piezoelectric material layer, and multiple sets of electrode interconnect conductors each positioned in electrical contact with a different subset of the of the electrodes and positioned to form multiple complementary electrode patterns. Each of the complementary electrode patterns is positioned to form an electric field having an electric field axis oriented along a different physical axis from that of an electric field formed by at least one other of the complementary electrode patterns. The interconnect conductors can be distributed over several electrode interconnect conductor carrying layers to enhance formation of the different complementary electrode patterns.

Abstract: A thin film piezoelectric device includes a substrate (12) having via holes (22) and a piezoelectric laminated structure (14) consisting of a lower electrode (15), a piezoelectric film (16), and an upper electrode (17) formed on the substrate (12) via an insulation layer (13). A plurality of thin film piezoelectric resonators (210, 220) are formed for the via holes (22). The piezoelectric laminated structure (14) includes diaphragms (23) located to face the via holes (22) and a support area other than those. The thin film piezoelectric resonators (210, 220) are electrically connected by the lower electrode (15). When the straight line in the substrate plane passing through the centers (1, 2) of the diaphragms (23) of the thin film piezoelectric resonators (210, 220) has the length D1 of the segment passing through the support area and the distance between the centers of the diaphragms of the thin film piezoelectric resonators (210, 220) is D0,the ratio D1/D0 is 0.1 to 0.5.

Abstract: There is provided a resonance circuit using piezoelectric vibrator such as a quartz resonator, a coil, a capacitor, or an element equivalent to them in combination. When two resonance circuits having different resonance frequencies are combined, it is possible to configure an oscillation circuit and a filter capable of freely adjusting the frequency characteristic by utilizing the phenomenon that by changing the excitation current or voltage of the respective resonance circuits independently from each other, antiresonance frequency of the entire composite resonance circuit can be changed.

Abstract: A multilayer piezoelectric element is provided with a multilayer body, a first external electrode on a side face of the multilayer body, and a second external electrode outside the first external electrode. The multilayer body consists of an alternate stack of a plurality of piezoelectric members and a plurality of internal electrodes. The first external electrode is electrically connected to predetermined internal electrodes. The second external electrode extends in a wave pattern along a stack direction of the multilayer body and is of flat plate shape. The first external electrode and the second external electrode are electrically and physically connected through a plurality of connections.

Abstract: A honeycomb-type piezoelectric/electrostrictive element includes a honeycomb structure section having a partition wall which partitions cells passing through the honeycomb structure section in an axial direction, and an electrode as an internal electrode disposed on an inner wall surface of the cell to internally cover the entire inner wall surface, wherein the partition wall is formed of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive body, and the honeycomb structure section can be deformed by applying a voltage between the electrodes disposed in the cells adjacent through the partition wall.

Abstract: The present invention is a piezoelectric actuator unit 29 having piezoelectric vibrators 33 vibrating in the lamination direction of electrode layers and piezoelectric material layers which are alternately laminated. The piezoelectric vibrators are arranged in one row in the direction of vibrator arrangement perpendicular to the lamination direction. Each of the piezoelectric vibrators includes the area on one side and the area on the other side in the direction of the vibrator width perpendicular to the lamination and vibrator arrangement directions, and either of the area on one side and the area on the other side forms active parts capable of performing piezoelectric deformation, and the other area forms inactive parts incapable of performing piezoelectric deformation, and in the adjacent piezoelectric vibrators, the arrangement of the active part and inactive part is opposite.

Abstract: An electronic device and transducer structures are described.

Abstract: An upper electrode (50) includes a first electrode section (51) formed in a circular shape and a second electrode section (52) and a third electrode section (53) formed in a fan-shaped manner outside of the first electrode section (51). The first, second, and third electrode sections (51 to 53) are electrically separated from one another via an insulating region. A lower electrode (30) includes a fourth electrode section (31) formed in a circular shape and a fifth electrode section (32) and a sixth electrode section (33) formed in a fan-shaped manner outside of the fourth electrode section (31). Similarly, the fourth, fifth, and sixth electrode sections (31 to 33) are electrically separated from one another via an insulating region.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition includes a top-layer, a bottom-layer and at least one intermediate-layer ceramic sheets stacked to each other for sintering. An alloy layer of silver and palladium is interposed between every two ceramic sheets, and a sliver layer is coated on each exposed surface of the top-layer and the bottom-layer ceramic sheets, so as to form a positive and a negative electrode circuit therein. The piezoelectric ceramic composition with the silver layer is attached to at least one surface of a metal plate to make a piezoelectric element which is used to make a piezoelectric actuator, loudspeaker or buzzer.

Abstract: An actuator using a piezoelectric element is stably operated at high speed. The actuator includes driving units provided to face a carrier stage and moving the carrier stage in an X-axis direction, piezoelectric elements provided to the driving units respectively and expanding and contracting in the X-axis direction, a carrier electrode provided on a surface of the carrier stage on a driving-unit side, and driving electrodes provided on surfaces of the driving units on a carrier stage side and electrostatically adsorbing the carrier electrode. Signals not synchronized with each other are applied to the piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric element including a monolithic piezoelectric substrate that can prevent not only migration between internal electrodes, but also deterioration resulting from a decrease in the degree of polarization even when temperature changes are repeatedly applied to the piezoelectric element. A piezoelectric element 1, in which a first external electrode 4 and a second external electrode 5 are formed on a first side face 2c and a second side face 2d, respectively, of a monolithic piezoelectric substrate 2 including first internal electrodes 3b and 3d placed at a first electric potential and second internal electrodes 3a, 3c and 3e placed at a second electric potential, which is different from the first electric potential, stacked with piezoelectric layers interposed therebetween, and exterior portions 6 and 7 for preventing migration are provided to cover a third side face 2e and a fourth side face 2f.

Abstract: A laminated piezoelectric element is applicable as a driving source of opening and closing mechanism of an injection nozzle in a fuel injecting device. A laminated piezoelectric/electrostrictive element 1 has: a columnar laminate 10 constituted by alternately laminating a plurality of piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers 14 and inner electrode layers 18, 19; and outer electrodes connected to the inner electrode layers 18, 19 every other layer. This laminated piezoelectric/electrostrictive element 1 has stepped portions A formed periodically at every laminating cycle T in a side surface of the columnar laminate 10 of the element, the side surface being parallel to an axial direction (S-direction) of the columnar laminate 10. Due to the constitution mentioned above, the electrode is not easily worn even during an expanding and contracting operation during practical use, and the element can sufficiently circulate and cool a lubricant through the casing even during practical use.

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.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave element includes a thin film electrode composed of monocrystal aluminum disposed on a piezoelectric substrate. At least one metal of Cu, Ta, W, and Ti is segregated in the thin film electrode composed of monocrystal aluminum. In this surface acoustic wave element, segregation of Cu or the like occurs in the thin film electrode. Such segregation is effective to reduce the occurrence of cracks on the piezoelectric substrate during ultrasonic wave connection for flip chip mounting. That is, because the occurrence of cracks on the piezoelectric substrate is reduced, tolerance against the ultrasonic vibration is advantageously improved in the surface acoustic wave element.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic substrate includes a multilayer composite including a first material layer including glass, a second material layer including a ceramic, disposed in contact with the first material layer, and an internal electrode including an electroconductive material, disposed in contact with at least one of the first material layer and the second material layer. The first material layer is sintered, and is firmly bonded to the second material layer by diffusing or permeating a portion of the glass in the first material layer into the second material layer. The internal electrode includes a main portion and a lead-out portion extending from the main portion to a side surface of the multilayer composite, and the internal electrode includes a ceramic powder at least in the lead-out portion.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical device includes a first piezoelectric actuator and a second piezoelectric actuator. The first piezoelectric actuator includes a first beam fixed on a substrate and a second beam extended in parallel to the first beam from a first connecting end to a first working end. A second piezoelectric actuator includes a third beam, spaced from the first beam, fixed on the substrate and a fourth beam extended in parallel to the third beam from a second connecting end to a second working end. The second working end faces the first working end in a perpendicular direction to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: In piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements, electrode layers have respective ends projecting outwardly from an end face of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer on a side surface where the laminated state of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer and the electrode layers is exposed. The distance by which the ends project outwardly from the end face is equal to or smaller than one half of the thickness of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer between the electrode layers. The distance is preferably in a range from 0.5 ?m to 2 ?m.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition has the composition formula (Pb(a-b)Meb){(Ni(1-c)/3Znc/3Nb2d/3)zTixZr(1-x-z)}O3, wherein Me represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ba, Sr and Ca; a, b, d, and x satisfy the inequalities 0.975?a?0.998, 0?b?0.05, 1<d?1.3, and 0.39?x?0.47; and c and z are located in a region surrounded by lines connecting Point A (z=0.25, c=0.1), Point B (z=0.25, c=0.85), Point C (z=0.1, c=0.6), Point D (z=0.075, c=0.5), Point E (z=0.05, c=0.2), and Point F (z=0.05, c=0.1) or located on the lines in the z-c plane. Therefore, the piezoelectric ceramic composition is effective in achieving a large piezoelectric constant, a small dielectric constant, and a high Curie point. A piezoelectric actuator contains the piezoelectric ceramic composition.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lamination-type piezoelectric element includes forming a ceramic laminated body in which ceramic layers and inner electrode layers are alternately laminated on each other. A pair of outer electrodes are respectively joined to a pair of joining faces formed on an outer circumferential face of the ceramic laminated body. A belt-shaped outer circumferential groove portion coming into contact with an outer circumferential end portion of at least some part of the inner electrode layers is formed on the outer circumferential face of the ceramic laminated body. This outer circumferential groove portion has at least one dent portion protruding from the adjoining portion. The outer circumferential groove portion has at least one of an insulating portion made of insulating material and a conductive portion made of conductive material.

Abstract: A laminated piezoelectric element (1) comprises a laminated piezoelectric element (1) piezoelectric layers (11) composed of a ceramic capable of expanding and contracting upon application of a voltage, and internal electrode layers (21a and 21b) that supply voltage to the piezoelectric layers, the internal electrode layers and piezoelectric layers being alternately provided, a first external electrode layer (31) provided on a side of the laminated piezoelectric element (1) and electrically connected with the internal electrode layers (21a and 21b), and a second external electrode layer (32) provided on a side of the laminated piezoelectric element (1) and electrically connected with the internal electrode layers (21a and 21b) via the first ecternal electrode layer wherein there are specific external electrode width relationships.

Abstract: A laminated electronic component is provided which comprises a layered body of generally rectangular shape, including alternately laminated dielectric layers 4 and internal electrode layers 3a and 3b, and external electrodes 5b formed on both ends of the layered body and are connected to the internal electrode layers 3a and 3b. Adjacent internal electrode layers 3a and 3b are exposed alternately on either ends of the layered body. The layered body includes a capacitance generation portion 6 where the adjacent internal electrode layers 3a and 3b are overlapped, and electrode extraction portions 7 where the adjacent internal electrode layers 3a and 3b are not overlapped. The internal electrode 3a and 3b have a first end that is connected to the external electrode 5b and a second end that is not connected to the external electrode 5b.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are related to an apparatus and method for providing a strain tolerant electrode, comprising: an upper layer; a lower layer; with the potential for a plurality of compliant members providing electrical communication between the upper layer and the lower layer; and wherein a surface of the upper layer is in direct contact with a surface of the lower layer to provide an electrical path between the upper layer and the lower layer.

Abstract: A multilayer electronic component comprises a plurality of matrix layers and a plurality of inner electrodes. The matrix layers and inner electrodes are alternately laminated. The plurality of inner electrodes include first electrodes and second electrodes opposing the first electrode while alternating with the matrix layers. Each matrix layer is formed with a plurality of first through hole electrodes for electrically connecting different first electrodes to each other, and a plurality of second through hole electrodes for electrically connecting different second electrodes to each other.

Abstract: A liquid delivering device including: (a) a cavity unit defining cavities for accommodating a liquid which is to be delivered to an exterior of the liquid delivering device; (b) a piezoelectric actuator unit superposed on the cavity unit, and having active portions which correspond to the respective cavities and which are selectively deformable upon application of a drive voltage thereto so as to deliver the liquid from the corresponding cavities to the exterior of the liquid delivering device; and (c) a backup plate superposed on the actuator unit such that the actuator unit is interposed between the cavity unit and the backup plate. The backup plate is jointed, at least at portions thereof corresponding to peripheries of the cavities, to the actuator unit.

Abstract: A multilayer piezoelectric element has a pair of outer electrodes and a multilayer ceramic body composed of piezoelectric layers and inner electrode layers which are alternately stacked. The outer electrodes are formed on a pair of electrode connecting surfaces in the outer circumference surfaces of the multilayer ceramic body. Each outer electrode electrically connected to the inner electrode layers through connecting material is composed of a fixed part, a free part having plural expandable-openings, and a rigid part. The fixed part is electrically contacted with the connection material. A sectional area of the rigid part is rather than that of each of the fixed part and the free part in a width direction of the outer electrode. Each outer electrode has at least one part where the fixed part, the free part and the rigid part are arranged in order in the width direction.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes individual inner-electrodes arranged between stacked ceramic sheets, individual surface-electrodes arranged in a row in a row-direction on a top surface of the stacked ceramic sheets, and connection electrodes connecting the individual inner-electrodes and the individual surface-electrodes respectively. The connection electrodes each have a size enough to cover one of the individual surface-electrodes respectively. The individual surface-electrodes and the connection electrodes are connected to each other via inner conduction electrodes filled through holes which are located at mutually different positions in a direction orthogonal to the row-direction of the individual surface-electrodes. With this, it is possible to make the contour of the piezoelectric actuator to be small, and to suppress the arching deformation or warpage of the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: A piezoelectric film resonator for a radio-frequency circuit according to an aspect of the present invention includes a substrate and a multilayer film provided on the substrate. The multilayer film has a stacked structure in which at least two piezoelectric layers and at least three electrode layers disposed with each of the piezoelectric layers therebetween are stacked. At least one of the electrode layers is an electrode layer for excitation. The electrode layer for excitation has a structure in which a plurality of unit patterns as elements of the electrode layer for excitation are disposed periodically along a direction substantially perpendicular to a stacked direction of the stacked structure.