More Than Two Patents (Class 310/366)
  • Patent number: 7173602
    Abstract: A first electrode layer 12, a first piezoelectric film layer 13, a second electrode layer 14, a second piezoelectric film layer 15, and a third electrode layer 16 are layered in that order on a substrate 11; these are constrained so as pot to expand or contract in a thickness direction and a piezoelectric transducer is constructed thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hasegawa, Tatsuya Shimoda
  • Patent number: 7170218
    Abstract: The electronic apparatus comprises a display portion and a quartz crystal oscillator at least, and said electronic apparatus comprises at least two quartz crystal oscillators. Also, each of two quartz crystal oscillators of the at least two oscillators comprises a quartz crystal oscillating circuit having an amplification circuit and a feedback circuit. The feedback circuit is constructed by a flexural mode, quartz crystal tuning fork resonator or a width-extensional mode quartz crystal resonator or a thickness shear mode quartz crystal resonator and for example, the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator comprising tuning fork tines and tuning fork base that are formed integrally, is shown with novel shape and electrode construction. Also, the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator, capable of vibrating in a fundamental mode and having a high frequency stability can be provided with a small series resistance and a high quality factor, even when the tuning fork resonator is miniaturized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Piedek Technical Laboratory
    Inventor: Hirofumi Kawashima
  • Patent number: 7170217
    Abstract: A stack-type piezoelectric device is provided in a configuration wherein an inactive layer is placed between an active layer with internal electrodes therein and a piezoelectric layer with terminal electrodes therein, and wherein the internal electrodes and the terminal electrodes can be securely electrically connected through through holes (THs) formed in the inactive layer. In a stack-type piezoelectric device 1, an inactive layer 14 placed between an active layer 6 with anodic electrodes 2 and cathodic electrodes 4 as internal electrodes and a piezoelectric layer 9 with terminal electrodes 7, 8 is comprised of a stack of a plurality of piezoelectric layers 13 in each of which THs 11, 12 are formed. This permits each piezoelectric layer 13 to be formed in such a thickness that an electroconductive member 23 can be securely placed in each TH 11, 12, and the inactive layer 14 can be constructed of a stack of a plurality of such piezoelectric layers 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7157837
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator including two or more piezoelectric layers each of which is formed of a piezoelectric material and which are stacked on each other; three or more electrode layers which are stacked alternately with the piezoelectric layers; and one or more active portions each of which includes respective portions of the piezoelectric layers that are sandwiched by the electrode layers in a direction of stacking of the piezoelectric layers. Each active portion is expanded and contracted when an electric voltage is applied to the electrode layers. The piezoelectric layers include one or more first piezoelectric layers each having a first thickness, and one or more second piezoelectric layers each having a second thickness greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masatomo Kojima
  • Patent number: 7152290
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator and a liquid ejecting head. In particular, a substrate, which is to be a vibration plate actuated by a piezoelectric element is prepared. A plurality of chip regions are defined on the substrate. A first common electrode of the piezoelectric element is formed on the substrate. A first piezoelectric layer of the piezoelectric element is formed on the first common electrode. A drive electrode of the piezoelectric element is formed on the first piezoelectric layer. A second piezoelectric layer of the piezoelectric element is formed on the drive electrode. A second common electrode of the piezoelectric element is formed on the second piezoelectric layer. Then, the substrate is cut so as to divide the chip regions from one another. In the aforementioned aspects of the invention, the first and second common electrodes as well as the drive electrode are formed so as not to extend beyond the outline of each of the chip regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Chang Junhua, Takahiro Katakura, Motonori Okumura
  • Patent number: 7148608
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multi-layer acoustic transducer with reduced total electrical impedance. The method is based on the bonding of two piezoelectric ceramic layers with confronting metallized surfaces to a thin electrical conductor, then electrically connecting the top and bottom surfaces to form a wrap-around electrode while a center conductor forms a second electrode. The total electrical impedance of a two-layer ceramic stack comprised of piezoelectric layers connected in this manner is one-fourth that of a solid ceramic element of the same size. This provides for better matching of the acoustic stack impedance to that of the electrical cable, increased penetration depth for imaging within the body, and improved acoustic element sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles E. Baumgartner, Robert S. Lewandowski, George Sogoian
  • Patent number: 7148611
    Abstract: A multifunction sensor based on a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) device can be used to obtain measurements of a liquid's corrosivity, viscosity, and conductance. A front electrode and a back electrode can be used to excite vibrations in a piezoelectric substrate. Vibrations in the piezoelectric substrate cause an electrical signal that can be measured as a voltage differential between the front and back electrodes. The signal amplitude is an indication of the liquid's viscosity. The signal frequency is an indication of corrosivity because corrosion can change the sensor's fundamental frequency over time. A third electrode, a runner, can be placed near the front electrode. A voltage difference between the runner and the front electrode can cause a current to flow between them and through the liquid. The voltage difference and the current indicate the liquid's conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: James Z T Liu
  • Patent number: 7148607
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe for use in an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus for a living body comprises an array transducer made up of a plurality of layered transducer elements. A specified structure (face-to-face structure) is created across two adjacent transducer elements. In each transducer element, a first vertical electrode layer for ground is connected with a top electrode layer and an inner electrode layer, and a second vertical electrode layer for signal is connected with a bottom electrode layer and an inner electrode layer. When creating the specified structure, steps including formation of slits in a layered assembly and filling of the slits or the like are repeated. By finally forming a plurality of separating slits, the layered assembly is divided into a plurality of transducer elements. On the other hand, each transducer element is compounded in the horizontal direction. The compounding is performed at any stage of before, during or after formation of the specified structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Aloka Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shohei Sato
  • Patent number: 7126261
    Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive device 10 includes a stationary portion 11; a thin-plate portion 12 supported by the stationary portion; and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element 14 including a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers arranged alternatingly In layers. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive device 10 is manufactured by the steps of forming a piezoelectric/electrostrictive laminate by alternatingly laminating laminar electrodes and piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers on a plane of a thin-plate member adapted to form the thin-plate portion 12, and cutting the thin-plate member and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive laminate. The cutting step is performed by advancing a wire member (wire saw) reciprocating in a direction parallel to the direction of lamination of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive laminate while holding the wire member substantially parallel to the direction of lamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Shibata, Koji Ikeda, Masashi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7126255
    Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive film-type device is provided which includes a ceramic substrate having a thin diaphragm portion and a peripheral thick portion, a lower electrode, an auxiliary electrode, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film, and an upper electrode. The lower electrode, the auxiliary electrode, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive film, and the upper electrode are layered in that order on the ceramic substrate. The upper electrode has a length of 30 to 70% relative to the length of the thin diaphragm portion, and preferably has a width of 70% or more relative to the width of the thin diaphragm portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Yamaguchi, Takatoshi Nehagi, Kunihiko Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 7119476
    Abstract: Detection electrodes 82D and 82E are formed at positions that include an antinode of a flexural oscillation mode. The strain of flexural oscillation reaches a maximum and the effects on the phase difference in the longitudinal oscillation mode can be cancelled out. The detection electrodes 82D and 82E are formed at the positions of drive electrodes 82B and 82C used to excite the flexural oscillation mode. A phase difference in the flexural oscillation mode opposite in sign relative to the longitudinal oscillation mode is created making it is easy to classify based on the phase difference between a frequency at which the longitudinal oscillation mode is dominant and a frequency at which the flexural oscillation mode is dominant. Thus, reliable control can be achieved based on the oscillation behaviors at each frequency ensuring a satisfactory drive force based on oscillation in the longitudinal oscillation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Reiko Nagahama
  • Patent number: 7116040
    Abstract: An electronic component of an embodiment of the present invention comprises a first piezoelectric thin film resonator and a second piezoelectric thin film resonator. The first piezoelectric thin film resonator and second piezoelectric thin film resonator are a piezoelectric thin film resonator that has a structure in which a piezoelectric thin film is interposed between a lower electrode and an upper electrode, that is constituted in an area where the lower electrode, piezoelectric thin film, and upper electrode overlap each other, and that obtains a signal with a predetermined resonance frequency by bulk waves propagating inside the piezoelectric thin film. The interval between a part of a periphery of the first piezoelectric thin film resonator and a part of a periphery of the second piezoelectric thin film resonator that face each other is not constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Inoue
  • Patent number: 7105988
    Abstract: A piezoelectric device is formed of a supporting substrate with first and second conductive traces on a first surface. A piezoelectric material layer is laminated to the supporting substrate with a first surface of the piezoelectric material layer electrically connected to the second conductive trace and a second surface of the piezoelectric material layer electrically conducted to the first conductive trace. A protective coating is applied over the piezoelectric material layer so that at least a portion of the first and second conductive traces are exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Vibration-X di Bianchini Emanulee e C. Sas
    Inventor: Emanuele Bianchini
  • Patent number: 7102272
    Abstract: A SAW device includes a SAW element having an IDT and a conductive pad connected to the IDT provided on a piezoelectric substrate, and an external terminal. The SAW device also includes an insulating layer having an exciting portion protective opening defining a space for protecting a SAW-exciting portion including the IDT and a conductive opening. The external terminal is connected to the conductive pad through a wiring extending in the conductive opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Koshido
  • Patent number: 7102275
    Abstract: Provided is a stack-type piezoelectric device capable of preventing variations in a response time of an active part corresponding to each individual electrode from occurring depending upon locations of individual electrodes. In a stack-type piezoelectric device 1, a voltage is almost simultaneously applied through electroconductive members in a plurality of through holes formed in each of piezoelectric layers 3, 5 and along an extending direction of relay electrodes 6, to portions opposed to individual electrodes 2 arrayed in each row direction, in each of common electrodes 4, 4 adjacent in the thickness direction. Therefore, it is feasible to prevent the variations in the response time of the active part corresponding to each individual electrode 2 from occurring depending upon the locations of the individual electrodes 2 arranged in a matrix, whereby the stack-type piezoelectric device 1 can be appropriately driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7102273
    Abstract: First internal electrode layers and second internal electrode layers are alternately laminated in a substrate while sandwiching piezoelectric layers therebetween. The first internal electrode layers are exposed to at least a first end face of the substrate, and the second internal electrode layers are exposed to at least a second end face of the substrate which is opposite to the first end face. A first external electrode layer is formed on the first end face and a third end face connecting the first end face and the second end face. The first external electrode layer is electrically connected to the first internal electrode layers. A second external electrode layer is formed on at least the second end face and the third end face. The second external electrode layer is electrically connected to the second internal electrode layers, and is electrically independent from the first external electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Munehide Kanaya, Tsuyoshi Kitahara, Noriaki Okazawa
  • Patent number: 7098577
    Abstract: A piezoelectric switch for tunable electronic components comprises piezoelectric layers, metal electrodes alternated with the layers and contact pads. Cross voltages are applied to the electrodes, in order to obtain an S-shaped deformation of the switch and allow contact between the contact pads. Additionally, a further electrode can be provided on a substrate where the switch is fabricated, to allow an additional electrostatic effect during movement of the piezoelectric layers to obtain contact between the contact pads. The overall dimensions of the switch are very small and the required actuation voltage is very low, when compared to existing switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventor: Sarabjit Mehta
  • Patent number: 7096547
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a ceramic device using a mixture with a photosensitive resin includes: providing a ceramic substrate, forming a lower electrode on the substrate using a mixture of a photosensitive resin and metal, masking and exposing the lower electrode to pattern the lower electrode, forming a piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer on the lower electrode using a mixture of photosensitive resin and piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic, masking and exposing the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer to pattern the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer, forming an upper electrode on the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer using the mixture of photosensitive resin and metal, and exposing the upper electrode to pattern the upper electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Kyeong Yun, Dong Hoon Kim, Sung June Park
  • Patent number: 7093489
    Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator 2 that generates an electric charge according to a stress and a weight 1 provided on the piezoelectric vibrator 2 are included. The piezoelectric vibrator 2 has multiple pairs of sensing electrodes 3a and 3b, and 4a and 4b, and the sensing electrodes 3a and 3b, and 4a and 4b are respectively connected in parallel so that capacitances Cd1 and Cd2 made of the sensing electrodes may be connected in parallel. It is thus possible to double the charge sensitivity with keeping the voltage sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Media Devices Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tanaka, Masanori Yachi
  • Patent number: 7095161
    Abstract: To make a substantial mounting area smaller. A piezoelectric resonator has a piezoelectric resonator element accommodated in a package. The piezoelectric resonator element includes a pair of connection electrodes which are connected to excitation electrodes. The respective connection electrodes are joined to mount electrodes formed in the package. The piezoelectric resonator includes four external electrodes at the outer surface of the bottom of the package. The external electrodes disposed along the shorter latus of the package on one side in the lengthwise direction thereof are electrically connected with the mount electrodes to which the respective connection electrodes of the piezoelectric resonator element are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Unno, Katsuhiko Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 7095162
    Abstract: A piezoelectric blade anchoring structure includes piezoelectric blades mounting onto a circuit board. The piezoelectric blade has electric contacts to connect electrically with conductive members located on the circuit board. A protection plate is provided to keep the conductive member in contact with the electric contact in normal conditions to avoid gaps from occurring between the piezoelectric blades and the conductive members and resulting in breaking off, and prevent oxidation and damage so that the piezoelectric blades and the circuit board can maintain a desired electric connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Wen Chou, Ying-Nan Cheng
  • Patent number: 7084555
    Abstract: A multi-electrode piezoelectric diaphragm structure includes a diaphragm, piezoelectric material located on the diaphragm, which is defined as having a first area, and a second area. The first area of the piezoelectric is poled in a first direction, and the second area of the piezoelectric is poled in a second direction. The poled first direction is in a Z-axis of the piezoelectric and the poled second direction is in a Radial axis of the piezoelectric. A first electrode is positioned in the first area, on the first surface, of the piezoelectric. A second electrode is positioned in the second area, on the first surface, of the piezoelectric. A third electrode is located on a second surface of the piezoelectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: John R. Bachellerie, Steven A. Buhler, John S. Fitch, Meng H. Lean, Karl A. Littau
  • Patent number: 7071600
    Abstract: Provided is a stack-type piezoelectric device capable of preventing cracks from being made in a portion between adjacent individual electrodes and a relay common electrode in a piezoelectric layer with individual electrodes formed therein, because of a polarization process or the like. In a stack-type piezoelectric device 1, each piezoelectric layer 3 with individual electrodes 2 formed therein also has relay common electrodes 6 formed so as to be electrically connected to each of common electrodes 4, 4 adjacent in a stack direction. For this reason, for example, where a voltage is applied between individual electrodes 2 and common electrodes 4 to effect a polarization process, electric fields are generated not only in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric layer 3, but also between adjacent individual electrodes 2 and relay common electrode 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7071599
    Abstract: A laminate-type piezoelectric device includes: a piezoelectric layer (2); and an internal electrode layer (3) which is laminated on the piezoelectric layer (2), has a lower surface flat along a surface of the piezoelectric layer (2) and has an edge sidewall in its tip portion having an inclined surface (3A) making an acute angle with respect to the surface of the underlying piezoelectric layer (2). The piezoelectric layers (2) and the internal electrode layers (3) are alternately laminated on each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Namerikawa, Kazuyoshi Shibata, Masaki Iwamoto
  • 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: 7061164
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crystal oscillator that is provided with a crystal element; a main surface electrode configured of a first underlayer formed on each of two main surfaces of the crystal element and a first surface layer of Au superimposed over the first underlayer; an end surface electrode having a second underlayer formed on the crystal element to extend over the main surface electrode and a second surface layer of Au superimposed to cover the second underlayer; a supporter for holding the crystal element in the horizontal direction, bonded to the end surface electrode by a eutectic alloy comprising at least Au; and a base on which the supporter stands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiko Iwasaki, Shigeru Obara, Genwa Koki, Masaaki Nakahara
  • Patent number: 7061166
    Abstract: A laminated structure in which interconnections can be easily formed for electrodes and in which the damage of an insulating layer attributed to stress is relieved. The laminated structure includes a laminated piece having a first electrode layer provided with a first insulating region, a piezoelectric material layer, and a second electrode layer provided with a second insulating region at a position different from that of the first insulating region, a first interconnection line electrically connected to the first electrode layer while passing through the second insulating region provided in the second electrode layer, and a second interconnection line electrically connected to the second electrode layer while passing through the first insulating region provided in the first electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Kuniyasu
  • Patent number: 7061165
    Abstract: An electromechanical transducer with at least one piezoelectric element with a first surface on which a first electrode is applied, and at least one contact flag, through which the piezoelectric element is electrically connected. The electrical connection of the piezoelectric element is of very high contact reliability, in that the contact flag directly contacts the first electrode and exhibits at least one depression, into which an adhesive is placed, by which the contact flag is connected with the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Endress & Hauser GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sergej Lopatin, Dietmar Birgel, Karl-Peter Hauptvogel
  • Patent number: 7053532
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present application, a piezoelectric diaphragm structure includes a diaphragm, with a piezoelectric material located on the diaphragm. The piezoelectric material is being poled in a radial direction to the piezoelectric material, wherein the poling direction is in-plane with the piezoelectric material. An inter-digitated electrode grid is positioned on a first surface of the piezoelectric material, the inter-digitated electrode grid including a plurality of electrodes configured to selectively receive positive and negative voltage. The application of the positive and negative voltages generate electric fields in the piezoelectric material, at least a portion of which are in-plane with the piezoelectric material, resulting in an actuation of the piezoelectric material, causing a length change of the piezoelectric material in the Radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Meng H. Lean, Steven A. Buhler, John S. Fitch, Karl A. Littau
  • Patent number: 7053534
    Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric vibration gyro-sensor utilizing Coriolis force that includes a tuning fork type vibrator in which two rectangular-columnar arms and a base to support the lower end of the arms are integrated; drive electrodes formed on two rectangular-columnar arms; and IDT electrodes of a surface acoustic wave element formed on two arms. Two pairs of the drive electrodes are provided on each rectangular-columnar arm, in which each of the pairs of drive electrodes face each other, and each pair of the drive electrodes are arranged in parallel on the rectangular-columnar arm at a given distance. The IDT electrodes of the surface acoustic wave element are provided between the drive electrodes at the lower end of the rectangular-columnar arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Epson Toyocom Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiro Tomikawa, Yoshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7042143
    Abstract: In piezoceramic multilayer actuators, the head region and the foot region consist of inactive, that is to say electrode-free, piezoceramic layers. Due to the arrangement of the metallic electrodes and the layers of the piezoceramic materials, the shrinkage of the piezoceramic material, in particular in the passive head region and foot region, is influenced during the sintering process and can cause the formation of cracks. Different expansion behavior of the active and of the passive region during operation also lead to stresses which favor crack formation, in particular at the boundary between both regions. According to the invention, it is therefore proposed that a transition region (11), whose shrinkage and expansion behavior lies between the shrinkage and expansion behavior of the active region (10) and the shrinkage and expansion behavior of an inactive region (8, 9) which are electrode free, adjoins the active region (10) up to the inactive head region (8) and up to the inactive foot region (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: CeramTec Ag Innovative Ceramic Engineering
    Inventors: Reiner Bindig, Jürgen Schmidt, Matthias Simmerl, Günter Helke, Hans-Jürgen Schreiner
  • Patent number: 7042136
    Abstract: To provide a piezoelectric thin-film element small in leak current between electrode metal films and its manufacturing method are presented, the piezoelectric thin-film element includes at least one unit laminated body composed of a piezoelectric thin-film having a mutually facing first surface and second surface, a first electrode metal film on the first surface, and a second electrode metal film on the second surface, in which an electrode separation surface composed of a piezoelectric thin-film surface parallel to the first surface is provided between the first electrode metal film and second electrode metal film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kita, Hirokazu Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 7042139
    Abstract: In a method for producing a piezostack the asymmetry of the electrically inactive zones (2, 2.1, 2.2) in a piezostack (5) having electrically inactive zones (2, 2.1. 2.2) on a plurality of sides thereof is determined, and the electrically inactive zone with an oversize is then reduced until the asymmetry reaches an acceptable proportion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Willibald Schürz
  • Patent number: 7042142
    Abstract: A multilayer piezoelectric element has at least one first piezoelectric layer and at least one second piezoelectric layer. First internal electrodes are separately arranged on each first layer, and second internal electrodes are arranged on each second layer. The first and second layers are laminated alternately so that the first and second internal electrodes overlap in one-to-one correspondence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Sasaki, Shinya Syoji, Kazushi Tachimoto
  • Patent number: 7038359
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making high-frequency piezoelectric resonators so that constants of the resonator can be measured precisely. A cavity is formed at a central section of an AT-cut crystal substrate. Two grooves are formed at predetermined distances from the left and right of the cavity, and two more grooves are formed at predetermined distances outward from these two grooves. Two more grooves perpendicular to the first set of grooves are formed. A pair of main electrodes and a pair of secondary electrodes shorted to ground and surrounding the main electrodes are disposed at roughly the center of the crystal substrate. One main electrode and one secondary electrode are used as inputs and the other main electrode and secondary electrode are used as outputs, with these two terminal pairs being used to measure and adjust a frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Toyo Communication Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Iwata
  • Patent number: 7030538
    Abstract: A low loss, small scale piezoelectric transformer, suited for a cold cathode tube load, and having a high effective coupling factor, is provided using a piezoelectric plate having a single polarization direction. Controlling the dimensions of the third electrode portion 15a constituting the high impedance portion makes it possible easily to adjust the capacitance of the electrostatic capacitor formed between the first electrode portion 12 and the third electrode portion in accordance with the load. Also, the second electrode portion 13 and the fourth electrode portion 15b constituting the low impedance portion are substantially equal in area and the third electrode portion and the fourth electrode portion are formed in one piece, so that energy propagation efficiency can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakatsuka, Katsu Takeda, Katsunori Moritoki, Hiroshi Fukushima, Yusuke Adachi
  • Patent number: 7026745
    Abstract: An actuator comprises a laminate of interleaved layers of electrode plates and piezoelectric material; wherein an upper region (in use) of electrode plates is adapted when energized to effect deflections in up and down directions; a lower region of electrode plates is adapted when energized to effect deflections in up and down directions; and one or more further regions of electrode plates are adapted when energized to effect deflections in left and right directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Polatis Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Nicholas Dames
  • Patent number: 7015629
    Abstract: An additional contacting (30) for a piezoelectric component (10) is formed as a multilayer structure, wherein the piezoelectric component (10) is formed by a stack (16) of alternatingly arranged piezoelectric ceramic layers (11) and electrode layers (12, 13). The additional contacting (30) has a series of connecting elements (31) for connecting a metallization (15) of the electric component (10) to an electrical connecting element (19). In order to minimize mechanical loads during dynamic operation of the piezoelectric component (10), the additional contacting (30) is configured as an individual, structured component (32), especially in the form of a structured foil. Said structured foil (32) advantageously has a current conduction path (33) which is common to the connecting elements (31) and a contacting zone formed in the area of static base plate (17), wherein the additional contacting (30) is connected to the electrical connecting element in the area of said contacting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl Lubitz, Carsten Schuh, Thorsten Steinkopff, Andreas Wolff
  • Patent number: 7012353
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making high-frequency piezoelectric resonators so that constants of the resonator can be measured precisely. A cavity is formed at a central section of an AT-cut crystal substrate. Two grooves are formed at predetermined distances from the left and right of the cavity, and two more grooves are formed at predetermined distances outward from these two grooves. Two more grooves perpendicular to the first set of grooves are formed. A pair of main electrodes and a pair of secondary electrodes shorted to ground and surrounding the main electrodes are disposed at roughly the center of the crystal substrate. One main electrode and one secondary electrode are used as inputs and the other main electrode and secondary electrode are used as outputs, with these two terminal pairs being used to measure and adjust a frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Toyo Communication Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Iwata
  • Patent number: 7009327
    Abstract: First internal electrode layers and second internal electrode layers are alternately laminated in a substrate while sandwiching piezoelectric material layer therebetween. The first internal electrode layers are exposed to a first end face of the substrate, and the second internal electrode layers are exposed to a second end face of the substrate which is opposite to the first end face. A first external electrode layer is formed on the first end face and a third end face connecting the first end face and the second end face. A second external electrode layer is formed on the second end face and the third end face. The second external electrode layer is electrically independent from the first external electrode layer. The first external electrode layer and the first internal electrode layers are to be divided by slits extending from the first end face to form a plurality of piezoelectric elements arrayed in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Okazawa, Munehide Kanaya, Tsuyoshi Kitahara
  • Patent number: 7006334
    Abstract: An actuator comprises first and second structures each with a piezoelectric layer sandwiched between a main electrode layer and an opposed electrode layer, which structures are formed on two substrates, respectively. A first main electrode layer and a first opposed electrode layer are provided with layer two projections, and a second opposed electrode layer is provided with one layer projection. Connection wiring is arranged for establishing connection, with the above two structures bonded to each other, between the layer projection of the first main electrode layer and the second main electrode layer, and between the layer projection of the first opposed electrode layer and the layer projection of the second opposed electrode layer. Thus, it is possible to provide an actuator which may assure highly accurate position control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 7002284
    Abstract: A thin film micromechanical resonator (resonator) having improved drive efficiency, a resonator gyro having improved sensitivity in detecting an angular velocity, and a navigation system and an automobile using the resonator gyro. The resonator includes a tuning fork structure made of a non-piezoelectric material, and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed respectively at the inner side and the outer side of the tuning fork arm. On the first and second electrodes, a first piezo film and a second piezo film are provided respectively, and a third electrode and a fourth are respectively provided electrode thereon. When an alternating voltage is applied to the third and fourth electrodes at the opposite phases each other, the tuning fork resonates in the direction perpendicular to the center line. The resonator gyro detects, at the sensing section which is formed of another electrodes and another piezo film, the Coriolis force generated in proportion to angular velocity given to the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Ouchi, Toshiyuki Nozoe, Koji Nomura, Hirofumi Tajika
  • 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: 6987347
    Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator component includes an energy-trapped piezoelectric resonator utilizing a third order harmonic wave of thickness longitudinal vibration and including a piezoelectric substrate having first and second major surfaces and polarized in a direction of thickness between the first and second major surfaces, and first and second vibrating electrodes opposed to each other with the piezoelectric substrate interposed therebetween, and first and second casing substrates respectively laminated on the first and second major surfaces of the piezoelectric resonator so that cavities are arranged so as not to interfere with vibration of a vibration section where the first and second vibrating electrodes face each other through the piezoelectric substrate. The first and second vibrating electrodes are dimensioned so that the difference between the peak values of the phases of S0 and S1 modes of the fundamental wave of the thickness longitudinal vibration falls within a range of about ±5 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Yoshio, Kenichi Kotani, Mitsuhiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 6987346
    Abstract: An energy trap type piezoelectric resonator component includes a piezoelectric resonator using a third overtone of a thickness longitudinal vibration. The piezoelectric resonator includes a piezoelectric substrate, and first and second vibrating electrodes, having an elliptical shape, and respectively arranged on portions of first and second major surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate such that the first and second vibrating electrodes face each other with the piezoelectric substrate interposed therebetween. A flattening ratio “a/b” of a minor axis diameter “b” to a major axis diameter “a” of the elliptical shape is within a range of from about 1.2 to about 1.45. The resonator is thus compact, effectively controls the fundamental wave of the thickness longitudinal vibration as a spurious wave, is relatively free from area restraints of the electrode and dimensional constraints, and meets a variety of frequency requirements in a wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yamada, Masakazu Yoshio, Kenichi Kotani
  • Patent number: 6984923
    Abstract: A composite transducer array comprises a piezoelectric polymer composite panel, a continuous electrode coupled to a first surface of the composite panel, and a plurality of electrically-isolated electrode segments coupled to a second surface of the composite panel. Each electrode segment is shaped as an angular segment of a circular ring. The electrode segments are arranged to define an array of concentric circular rings of electrode segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Walsh, Kim C. Benjamin, Stephen E. Forsythe
  • Patent number: 6967432
    Abstract: A piezoelectric shear resonator has a substantially rectangular-column piezoelectric element that excites a shear-vibration mode and that has opposing substantially rectangular shear strain surfaces. The shear strain surfaces each have an aspect ratio at which the electromechanical coupling factor reaches substantially a maximum value. When the vertical dimension of the shear strain surfaces is D and the horizontal dimension thereof is Le, the aspect ratio Le/D is expressed by Le/D={?·(S44E/S33E)1/2+?}±0.3, where S44E and S33E are elastic compliances, ?=0.27·n+0.45, ?=1.09·n+0.31, and n is a positive integer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Mitani, Hiroaki Kaida
  • Patent number: 6963155
    Abstract: A film acoustic wave device having similar properties are obtained by changing at least one of the length and/or the width of upper electrodes; the distance between the upper electrodes; the length and/or the width of connecting patterns; the areas of bonding pads; and the pattern shape for the film acoustic wave device such as the area of capacitor electrodes electrically connected to the bonding pads. Property variations of the film acoustic wave devices caused from the positioning at a wafer is compensated for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shusou Wadaka, Koichiro Misu, Tsutomu Nagatsuka, Tomonori Kimura, Shumpei Kameyama
  • Patent number: 6963257
    Abstract: A duplexer comprising a transmit resonator device and a receive resonator device for filtering transmit and receive signals. The resonator device has a first BAW resonator for generating an acoustic wave signal from an input electric signal, a first acoustic delay for delaying the acoustic wave signal, and an intermediate BAW resonator for receiving the delayed acoustic wave signal at one end and converting the delayed acoustic wave signal to an electric signal. Through electrical coupling, the electric signal also appears at another end of the intermediate BAW resonator for generating a further acoustic wave signal at the other end. The resonator further comprises a second delay for delaying the further acoustic wave signal, and a second BAW resonator for producing an output electric signal from the delayed further acoustic wave signal. The duplexer can be used in a transceiver in a mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignees: Nokia Corporation, Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Juha Ellä, Robert Aigner
  • 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