Abstract: A piezoelectric element that is high in piezoelectric performance and large in displacement and is reliable is provided. The piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric material containing BaTi2O5 as the principal constituent material and an inner electrode that applies voltage to the piezoelectric material. In this piezoelectric element, an electrode material (a mixture of Ru and RuO2) excellent in lattice matching with the piezoelectric material BaTi2O5 is used as the principal constituent material of the inner electrode.

Abstract: A resonator element includes: a base part; plural vibrating arms extended from the base part, each having a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposed to each other and a first side surface and a second side surface connecting the first principal surface and the second principal surface and opposed to each other, the first side surface of at least one vibrating arm of the plural vibrating arms having a first step part provided from the first principal surface side and a second step part provided from the second principal surface side; a first electrode provided on the second side surface of the vibrating arm; a second electrode provided in a position opposed to the first electrode of the first step part; and a third electrode provided in a position opposed to the first electrode of the second step part.

Abstract: A piezoelectric multilayer component has a base body with a stack of piezoceramic layers and electrode layers arranged one on top of the other in an alternating manner. Neighboring layers of the stack are braced against one another such that stresses run perpendicular to the stacking direction.

Abstract: A multilayer electroactive polymer actuator and a method of manufacturing the same. The multilayer electroactive polymer actuator is divided into an actuating area and a non-actuating area. A plurality of driving electrodes, each formed on a side of the respective polymer layer to correspond to the actuating area. A plurality of extension electrodes connected to the driving electrodes and a common electrode for vertically connecting the extension electrodes are formed to correspond to the non-actuating area. A via hole is formed through the plurality of non-actuating layers and has a diameter which increases in a stepwise manner upwards. The common electrode is formed in the via hole. The driving electrode includes an alloy of aluminum and copper. The extension electrode is formed of material having a small reactivity with respect to laser as compared to the reactivity of the polymer layer.

Abstract: An electronic component includes an electronic component body, first and second outer electrodes, and first and second inner electrodes. The first outer electrode includes a first conductive layer that does not include silver and a second conductive layer that is deposited on the first conductive layer so as to be positioned at an outermost layer and that includes silver. The second conductive layer includes a first contact portion in contact with a first main surface and is not in contact with first and second side surfaces. A first inner conductor is provided on a virtual straight or substantially straight line connecting a second inner electrode closest to the first contact portion and the first contact portion in the shortest distance. The first inner conductor is connected only to the first outer electrode or is connected to none of the first and second outer electrodes.

Abstract: A semiconductor actuator includes a substrate base, a bending structure which is connected to the substrate base and can be deflected at least partially relative to the substrate base. The bending structure has semiconductor compounds on the basis of nitrides of main group III elements and at least two electrical supply contacts which impress an electrical current in or for applying an electrical voltage to the bending structure. At least two of the supply contacts are disposed at a spacing from each other respectively on the bending structure and/or integrated in the latter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric transformer having a pinwheel-type electrode. The piezoelectric transformer of the present invention includes a body, an upper electrodes and a lower electrode. The body is formed in a circular planar shape and is made of a piezoelectric material. The upper electrodes are formed to be adjacent to one of first and second planes corresponding to upper and lower surfaces of the body, formed in the same planar shape as that of the body, and formed to be separated in the shape of a pinwheel. In the upper electrodes, input voltage is applied to some of separate electrodes, and output voltage is obtained from the remaining electrodes. The lower electrode is adjacent to a plane opposite the plane on which the upper electrode is formed, the lower electrode being formed in the same planar shape as that of the body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor, which drives a driven member using an elliptical vibration produced by synthesizing a longitudinal vibrational mode and a flexural vibrational mode as a drive force, is configured as follows. Namely, the ultrasonic motor includes a piezoelectric device, and a feed member feeding the piezoelectric device. An extensional axis of the feed member is set to an axis different from main vibrational axes of the longitudinal vibrational mode and the flexural vibrational mode.

Abstract: The piezoelectric vibrator includes the piezoelectric bar having a plurality of piezoelectric plates alternately stacked and a plurality of vibration sectors divided vertically and horizontally with respect to the direction in which the piezoelectric plates are stacked. Electrode terminals are formed on each of surface regions of the piezoelectric plate, divided in a longitudinal direction thereof, and jump terminals corresponding to electrode terminals are formed on a surface of an adjacent one of the piezoelectric plates. On side surfaces of the piezoelectric plates, a plurality of side electrodes are formed, connecting the electrode terminals and the corresponding jump terminals to power the vibration sectors, by which a pair of the vibration sectors diagonally disposed from each other are simultaneously powered. The piezoelectric vibrator is small and easily manufactured and mass-produced with a simple structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers, transducers and devices that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting an electroactive polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be used to do mechanical work. Similarly, when the electroactive polymer deflects, an electric field is produced in the polymer. This electric field may be used to produce electrical energy. An active area is a portion of a polymer having sufficient electrostatic force to enable deflection of the portion and/or sufficient deflection to enable a change in electrostatic force. The present invention relates to transducers and devices including multiple active areas. The invention also relates to methods for actuating one or more active areas.

Abstract: A method for producing a piezoelectric actuator has the following steps: providing a plurality of piezoelectric material layers (2) which can be assembled into a stack; applying electrode layers (3) each having a recess (4, 4?) to the plurality of piezoelectric material layers, such that an alternating sequence of piezoelectric material layers and electrode layers is formed in the stack, wherein electrode layers with a recess (4) in a first recess zone and electrode layers with a recess (4?) in a second recess zone which differs from the first recess zone are alternatingly formed in the stack; and providing a stress-relieving material (5) in the first and second recesses, the stress-relieving material exhibiting electrically insulating properties after the stack is sintered, and preventing the individual material layers from adhering to one another.

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 dual spiral transducer and method of manufacture of same is disclosed. In one aspect, the transducer comprises a central rod, a first spiral piezoelectric electrode wrapped around a circumference of the rod, the electrode being advanced around the rod at a determined angle determined based on a length of a single complete turn around the rod and a diameter of the rod and a second spiral piezoelectric electrode wrapped around the circumference of the rod, the second spiral electrode being electrically isolated, and offset, from the first spiral electrode by a known distance. A second set of spiral electrodes can be integrated into the structure so that both transmission and reception of signals is feasible.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator is provided, including a vibration plate, a piezoelectric layer, a plurality of individual electrodes arranged in two arrays, first and second common electrodes which have first and second facing portions facing parts of the individual electrodes and first and second connecting portions connecting the first and second facing portions respectively, and first and second wiring portions which are arranged on the vibration plate and which are connected to the first and second common electrodes respectively via first and second connecting wirings, wherein one of the first connecting wirings connects the first connecting portion and one of the first wiring portion while striding over the second connecting portion.

Abstract: A tubular elastomer actuator with a shape in a cross-sectional view which shape exposes at most one single axis of symmetry of a specific length, e.g., an oval shape. The actuator could be made from a sheet made from a plurality of plate shaped elements which are laminated together and rolled. Each plate shaped element may have a corrugation that gives the element an anisotropic structure, and contains an electrode on only one surface. The actuator displacement is the result of shrinkage displacement of the plate shaped elements upon the application of electrical field across their thickness.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating robust films across a patterned underlying layer's edges or steps are disclosed. The novel methods diminish the negative effects of electrode steps or edges on the integrity of a membrane. Thus, the methods are particularly applicable to membrane release technology. The height of the step or edge is eliminated or reduced to increase the mechanical integrity of the film.

Abstract: A piezoelectric vibration device includes a single piezoelectric substrate, at least three electrode pairs formed on the single piezoelectric substrate, and two external connection terminal pairs, wherein the three electrode pairs are connected to the two external connection terminal pairs so that two different vibration modes individually appear at the two external connection terminal pairs.

Abstract: A vibrating gyroscope according to this invention includes a ring-shaped vibrating body 11 having a uniform plane, a leg portion 15 flexibly supporting the ring-shaped vibrating body and having a fixed end, a fixed potential electrode 16, and a plurality of electrodes 13a, 13b, . . . , 13h formed on the plane with a piezoelectric film sandwiched between an upper-layer metallic film and a lower-layer metallic film in a thickness direction thereof. In this case, in a representative example shown in FIG. 1, when one of driving electrodes 13a for exciting a primary vibration of the ring-shaped vibrating body 11 in a vibration mode of cos N? is set as a reference driving electrode, the plurality of remaining electrodes 13b, . . . , 13h are disposed at specific positions. Such disposition allows this vibrating gyroscope to detect a uniaxial to triaxial angular velocity by adopting a secondary vibration detector inclusive of an out-of-plane vibration mode.

Abstract: A multilayer piezoelectric actuator having external electrodes formed on external surfaces of a multilayer piezoelectric body in which a plurality of internal electrodes and a plurality of piezoelectric layers are stacked on top of one another. Each of the external electrodes includes a base electrode and a stress-absorbing electrode member formed on the base electrode. The stress-absorbing electrode member includes an elastic structure that elastically deforms when subject to an external force and fixed portions that are fixed to the base electrode. The fixed portions have a shape that extends parallel to edge portions of the internal electrodes, and each of the fixed portions has a width dimension that does not reach an adjacent internal electrode in the stacking direction.

Abstract: A meandering oscillator includes a plurality of oscillating plates bent and coupled in predetermined directions and piezoelectric actuators each including a lower electrode, a piezoelectric body, and an upper electrode stacked on the oscillating plate in this order, and wherein the piezoelectric actuators are alternately arranged on the oscillating plates. Thus, even when an element is made smaller, electrodes can be easily arranged. As a result, the productivity can be improved.

Abstract: A multilayered piezoelectric element is manufactured as follows. First and second internal electrode regions including power supply extracting portions are separately formed in a plurality of piezoelectric members. A shrink matching region is separately formed between the extracting portions of the first and second internal electrode regions. The multilayered piezoelectric element is manufactured by stacking and sintering the plurality of piezoelectric members into a rectangular shape.

Abstract: There is provided a piezoelectric actuator including: a substrate that is supported by a support portion; a piezoelectric element that includes a lower electrode formed on the substrate, a piezoelectric layer formed on the lower substrate, and an upper electrode formed on the piezoelectric layer; and a driving circuit that applies a voltage to the piezoelectric element. The upper electrode has a first upper electrode that is positioned on an outer peripheral side of the piezoelectric layer and at least one second upper electrode that is positioned on a center side of the piezoelectric layer, and a voltage applied to the first upper electrode is lower than a voltage applied to the second upper electrode.

Abstract: A tubular piezoelectric transducer comprising a tube of piezoelectric material and having a plurality of external electrodes for inducing in a first end of the tube at least one movement of a plurality of possible movements; at least two spokes attached to and extending radially inwardly of the tube for movement with the first end; a hub at an inner end of the at least two spokes and being located on the longitudinal axis of the tube, the hub being attached to the at least two spokes for movement therewith; the hub being for receiving therein a probe for movement of the probe with the hub. A phaco-probe incorporating the transducer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stacked-type piezoelectric device includes a stack of piezoelectric layers, plural conductive layers, a first contact hole, a second contact hole, and plural insulating portions. The piezoelectric layers are disposed between the conductive layers. The first and second contact holes penetrate the piezoelectric layers and the conductive layers, and each of first and second contact holes is filled with a conductive material. Every insulating portion is formed at one conductive layer. Two adjacent insulating portions are respectively formed at the outer rims of the first and second contact holes, to electrically isolate the conductive layer (in which the insulating portion is formed) from the conductive material in the contact hole.

Abstract: An elastic wave device has a structure that prevents cracks from being formed in a piezoelectric substrate in flip-chip bonding using a bump, that minimizes the contact resistance in a contact portion where wiring patterns are electrically connected to each other, and that improves the insertion loss.

Abstract: A multiple-layer component includes at least two metal layers, at least one dielectric layer among the at least two metal layers, and a contact element that includes a porous body that electrically connects the at least two metal layers. The at least one dielectric layer includes dielectric layers made from ceramic material that are sintered.

Abstract: A multi-layer piezoelectric element that has high durability with capability to operable continuously under higher voltage and higher pressure over a long period of time, a method for manufacturing the same, an injection apparatus and a fuel injection system are provided.

Abstract: An electronic component includes an electronic component body, first and second outer electrodes, and first and second inner electrodes. The first outer electrode includes a first conductive layer that does not include silver and a second conductive layer that is deposited on the first conductive layer so as to be positioned at an outermost layer and that includes silver. The second conductive layer includes a first contact portion in contact with a first main surface and is not in contact with first and second side surfaces. A first inner conductor is provided on a virtual straight or substantially straight line connecting a second inner electrode closest to the first contact portion and the first contact portion in the shortest distance. The first inner conductor is connected only to the first outer electrode or is connected to none of the first and second outer electrodes.

Abstract: To provide a multi-layer piezoelectric element that is improved to mitigate the decrease in the amount of displacement under such harsh operating conditions, the multi-layer piezoelectric element, the multi-layer piezoelectric element comprising: a stacked body comprising a plurality of piezoelectric material layers and a plurality of internal electrodes, the stacked body being formed by stacking the plurality of internal electrodes and the piezoelectric layers alternately on each other; and an external electrode formed on a side face of the stacked body, wherein the external electrode comprises a base portion and a first protrusion protruding from the base portion toward an outside.

Abstract: Embodiments are described that generally relate to the storage and release of a gas using piezoelectric materials.

Abstract: A multi-layer piezoelectric element that has high durability with capability to operable continuously under higher voltage and higher pressure over a long period of time, a method for manufacturing the same, an injection apparatus and a fuel injection system are provided. The multi-layer piezoelectric element, comprising: a multi-layer structure comprising a plurality of internal electrode layers and a plurality of piezoelectric material layers, the plurality of piezoelectric material layers being stacked with each one of the plurality of internal electrode layers intervened between each two of the plurality of piezoelectric material layers, wherein a cross-sectional area of a cross section of the multi-layer structure parallel to the plurality of internal electrode layers is smaller in both end portions in a stacked direction than in a middle portion in the stacked direction.

Abstract: A flexural vibration piece includes: a base portion; a vibrating arm extending from the base portion and having a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and side surfaces connecting the first surface and second surface, wherein a laminated structure including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer disposed between the first electrode and second electrode, is formed on each of the first surface and second surface, the piezoelectric layer formed on the first surface side and the piezoelectric layer formed on the second surface side have mutually opposite polarization directions, and the first electrode formed on the first surface side and the first electrode formed on the second surface side are connected to each other.

Abstract: An actuator device is disclosed. The actuator device comprises a stack of piezoelectric-ferroelectric active layers separated by surface electrodes. At least a few of the surface electrodes are independently addressable such that at least two active layers are biasable by different voltages. In an embodiment of the invention, at least a few of the voltages induce a nonlinear ferroelectric effect.

Abstract: There is disclosed for use with a piezoelectric stack, first and second side electrodes, each side electrode having two serpentine shape members positioned in a common plane, where the two serpentine shape members of an electrode have alternately spaced conductive fingers which project outward toward each other. The conductive fingers are adapted to be electrically coupled to the ends of alternate ones of internal electrode layers of the piezoelectric stack. The undersides of the conductive fingers which contact the ends of the internal electrodes are provided with a solder material to provide good electrical contact by applying the soldered finger to the internal electrode and applying heat to reflow the solder. The serpentine shape of the side electrodes here disclosed provides high flexibility which can absorb displacement of the internal electrodes as they move up, down, in and out as the piezoelectric layers of the stack expand and contract.

Abstract: An acoustic cavity of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) architecture is defined on a piezoelectric substrate by two acoustic reflectors are formed on a piezoelectric substrate. The surface acoustic wave architecture may include at least one alpha interdigitated transducer (IDT) at least three beta IDTs which are placed in acoustic series within the acoustic cavity. The alpha IDT is electrically coupled to a first interface. The beta IDTs are coupled in electrical and acoustic series and are associated with a second interface. At least three beta IDTs are adjacent one another. An additional reflector or an alpha IDT may be placed between two of the beta IDTs.

Abstract: A piezoceramic multilayer actuator has at least one outer electrode which can expand and provides at least two current paths between a supply potential connecting area of the outer electrode and a respective inner electrode, with which the outer electrode makes contact, of a piezo-stack of the multilayer actuator.

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: In a method for producing a multilayer encapsulation (1) of a piezo actuator (5) such that the piezo actuator (5) is protected towards the outside without having to use an additional enveloping housing-type structure, in order to produce the multilayer encapsulation (1), an electrically insulating elastic layer (10) is first applied to the surface of the piezo actuator (5), whereupon a metallic layer is applied to the electrically insulating elastic layer (10) so as to planarly cover the same.

Abstract: An ultra small antenna made of a piezoelectric material is provided. The wavelength of radio signals propagating through the piezoelectric material is shortened because of its high dielectric constant and a resonance between the radio signal and the modes of its mechanical waves at various frequencies results in high amplitude signals in the transmission and reception mode.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator assembly comprising at least a stack of interior piezoelectric wafers which, in one embodiment, each include first and second spaced-apart strips of conductive material defining first and second wrap-around electrodes. The interior wafers are stacked in an alternating relationship wherein the first electrodes and the second electrodes are disposed in an opposed relationship. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an end piezoelectric wafer located at each end of the stack of interior wafers and includes a wrap-around electrode in contact with the interior wafers. A conductive end plate is coupled to each of the end piezoelectric wafers. A terminal wire is coupled to each conductive end plate.

Abstract: To provide high reliable surface mounting oscillator that solder does not leak out by heat from the oscillator. The base print board with a terminal on the first surface and a concave on the second surface which is the opposite side of the first surface, the metal strut fixed to the concave, the sub print board has piezoelectric vibrator supported by the metal strut, the base print board, the cover which covers the metal strut and the sub print board.

Abstract: A unit comprising a quartz crystal resonator vibratable in a flexural mode and having a base portion including a length less than 0.5 mm, and first and second vibrational arms connected to the base portion, at least one groove being formed in each of two of opposite main surfaces of each of the first and second vibrational arms, and an electrode being disposed on a surface of the at least one groove formed in each of the two of the opposite main surfaces of each of the first and second vibrational arms so that the electrode disposed on the surface of the at least one groove formed in each of the two of the opposite main surfaces of the first vibrational arm has an electrical polarity opposite to an electrical polarity of the electrode disposed on the surface of the at least one groove formed in each of the two of the opposite main surfaces of the second vibrational arm.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an acoustic wave device includes forming a first sealing portion on a substrate having an acoustic wave element thereon so that a functional region, in which an acoustic wave oscillates, of the acoustic wave element acts as a first non-covered portion and a cutting region for individuating acts as a second non-covered portion, forming a second sealing portion on the first sealing portion so as to cover the first non-covered portion and the second non-covered portion, and cutting off the substrate and the second sealing portion so that the second non-covered portion is divided.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-layer piezoelectric element in which the amount of the positional displacement can be suppressed even when continuous driving is performed for a long time under high electrical field and high pressure, and which may have a good durability. The laminated piezoelectric element comprises a stacked body in which piezoelectric layers and metal layers are stacked alternately one on another. The metal layers comprise internal electrodes and a low-rigidity metal layer which has rigidity lower than those of the piezoelectric layer and the internal electrode. The low-rigidity metal layer comprises a plurality of metal parts isolated from each other via voids, and a covering layer which covers at least a part of the metal parts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to voltage transformers, comprising multi-layer structures of piezoelectric ceramics, so-called piezoelectric transformers. The present invention further relates to switched mode power supplies, comprising such a piezoelectric transformer as part of a piezoelectric converter. The piezoelectric transformer according to the invention comprises a primary-side electrode arrangement (102) that can be connected to the primary-side voltage, a secondary-side electrode arrangement (104) on which the secondary-side voltage can be tapped, and an auxiliary electrode arrangement (106) for creating an auxiliary electrode voltage proportional to the secondary-side voltage, wherein the auxiliary electrode arrangement (106) is formed by at least two plane electrodes located opposite one another.

Abstract: A piezoceramic surface actuator having a plurality of piezoceramic plates (3) separated from one another by in each case a positive or negative electrode (2a, 2b), wherein the positive and negative electrodes (2a, 2b) alternate and are constructed integrally with the piezoceramic plates (3), and having collector electrode surfaces (4a, 4b) for the positive and negative electrodes (2a, 2b), which are connected to the associated positive or negative electrodes (2a, 2b) in a conducting manner and are arranged on two exterior sides of the surface actuator that are opposite from one another, is plate-shaped and has a much greater width of the piezoceramic plates (3), defined by the distance between the opposite collector electrode surfaces (4a, 4b), than the thickness of the surface actuator.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator comprising a stack of piezoelectric layers formed from a piezoelectric material, a plurality of internal electrodes disposed throughout the stack to define active regions of the piezoelectric material therebetween which are responsive to a voltage applied across two or more groups of the internal electrodes in use, an insulating arrangement which at least partially covers at least one surface of the stack to define a piezoelectric/insulator interface, and two or more side electrodes to connect with the two or more groups of the internal electrodes.

Abstract: A multi-layer piezoelectric element having high durability of which amount of displacement is suppressed from varying even when operated continuously over a long period of time with a higher electric field under a high pressure is provided. The multi-layer piezoelectric element which has a multi-layer structure, the multi-layer structure comprising a plurality of piezoelectric material layers and a plurality of metal layers that are stacked alternately, wherein the piezoelectric material layer is constituted from a plurality of piezoelectric crystal grains, the plurality of metal layers comprise internal electrodes and low-rigidity metal layer that has rigidity lower than those of the internal electrodes and the piezoelectric material layer, and wherein the low-rigidity metal layer has a plurality of metal parts that are separated from each other, and an end of the metal part infiltrates between the piezoelectric crystal grains.

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: A multi-layer piezoelectric element of high durability wherein external electrodes do not peel off the surface of a stack even when operated continuously over a long period of time under a high electric field and a high pressure, a method for manufacturing the same and an injection apparatus using the same are provided. The multi-layer piezoelectric element comprises a stack 10 consisting of a plurality of piezoelectric layers 1 and a plurality of metal layers 2 which are stacked alternately one on another and external electrodes (covering member) 4 that cover at least a part of the side faces of the stack 10, wherein at least one metal layer 2a among the plurality of metal layers 2 is a porous metal layer 2a which has more voids than the metal layers 2b that adjoin the metal layer 2a on both sides thereof in the stacking direction, and a part of the external electrodes 4 infiltrates between two piezoelectric layers 1, 1 which adjoin the porous metal layer 2a in the stacking direction.