Abstract: Disclosed is electromechanical actuator for ultrasonic motor in the shape of an n-sided regular polygon plate with n being equal to or greater than five. The polygon plate has two larger main surfaces and at least five smaller side surfaces connecting the main surfaces with each other. Two electrodes are arranged on one of the main surfaces and are electrically isolated from each other by a linear isolation area. One electrode is arranged on the other of the main surfaces. The polygon plate comprises an electromechanical material that undergoes a deformation when electric voltage is applied to the electrodes. The material of the electromechanical actuator comprises a single or polycrystalline piezoelectric ceramic with piezoelectric charge constant d31 differing from piezoelectric charge constant d32 both in sign and in value. The piezoelectric charge constants d31 and d32 define a first and second main deformation direction of the actuator perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A vibration driving device that achieves low cost and high accuracy while reducing driving load. A drive unit has a vibrator with a projection and generates driving force by vibrating the vibrator. A first unit has a contact portion with which the projection is in pressure contact in a first direction. A second unit rotates relative to the first unit around a rotation axis parallel to the first direction by the driving force. Three or more support members are between the first and second units in the first direction to support the first and second units rotatably. The support members are positioned such that, during relative rotation of the first and second units, a contact point at which the projection contacts the contact portion is always located in at least one of triangular areas formed by connecting any three support members with straight lines when viewed in the first direction.

Abstract: A see-through display device includes an image generation unit configured to emit a virtual image light, a light combining unit configured to combine the virtual image light with an actual image light, and a driving unit including a deformation unit and a bridge unit disposed between the deformation unit and the image generation unit, and configured to control a distance between the image generation unit and the light combining unit through the deformation unit and the bridge unit.

Abstract: A pressure sensing device, a display panel and a method of manufacturing the same, and a display device are provided. The pressure sensing device includes a columnar electrode assembly having at least one columnar electrode and at least one columnar insulating layer that are alternately stacked in an axial direction of a columnar electrode, and an annular electrode assembly that is disposed around the columnar electrode assembly. The annular electrode assembly includes at least one annular electrode and at least one annular insulating layer that are alternately stacked in the axial direction of the columnar electrode. The annular electrode assembly and the columnar electrode assembly are insulated from each other, and are configured to form a capacitor. At least one of the at least one annular insulating layer and the at least one columnar insulating layer is an elastic insulating layer.

Abstract: A crystal vibrator that includes a crystal substrate having a front surface and a rear surface, including a vibration portion in a region including a center of the crystal substrate, and a first peripheral portion that surrounds a periphery of the vibration portion and that has a smaller thickness than the vibration portion. Drive electrodes are formed on both surfaces of the vibration portion of the crystal substrate. In at least one of the front surface and the rear surface of the crystal substrate, a step is provided between the vibration portion and the first peripheral portion, and a first peripheral edge portion of the vibration portion and a second peripheral edge portion of the first peripheral portion are in a curved surface shape.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer element includes a plurality of electrostatic capacitance type ultrasound cells each having a lower electrode portion and a membrane including an upper electrode portion that are oriented and disposed via a cavity circular in plan view, and a thickness of the cavity monotonously decreases in a curved manner toward an outer circumferential portion from a center portion of the cavity.

Abstract: A movable side mounting portion transmits extension and contraction of a polymer actuator to an electric prosthetic hand. The polymer actuator deforms elastically in accordance with voltage application and returns to its original shape in accordance with stoppage of voltage application. A rear end of the polymer actuator is fixed and a front end of the polymer actuator is movable. When one of a pair of electrodes of the polymer actuator is electrically connected to the fixed side mounting portion, the fixed end is fastened by a bolt to the fixed side mounting portion. Also, when the other electrode is electrically connected to the movable side mounting portion, the movable end is fastened by a bolt to the movable side mounting portion.

Abstract: A micromachined structure, comprises a substrate and a cavity in the substrate. The micromachined structure comprises a membrane layer disposed over the substrate and spanning the cavity.

Abstract: A tubular clip for securing a sleeve to the body of a piezoelectric actuator in an actuator assembly. In use, the wall of the clip has a plurality of corrugations. The pitch of the corrugations is variable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the clip. The clip is configurable into an unfitted configuration and into a fitted configuration and in the fitted configuration the minimum transverse internal separation of the clip walls is less than in the unfitted configuration.

Abstract: When a rotating shaft member (140) rotates, a centrifugal force operates to a pressing member (152jk) (j=1 to J; k=1 to 6) which is fixed to the rotating shaft member (140). When the centrifugal force operates to the pressing member (152jk), the end portion of the second bar-like member (157), which is connected to a first bar-like member (156) on the other end portion, moves closer to a pressure transmitting member (130), and a contact member (158) connected to said end portion of the second bar-like member (157) presses the pressure transmitting member (130). When the pressure transmitting member (130) is pressed in this manner, the pressing force is applied to a piezoelectric element of an individual power generating section (122jp) which abuts on the R direction side of the pressing position of the pressure transmitting member (130). When the pressing force is applied to the piezoelectric element in this manner, the piezoelectric element continuously generates voltages.

Abstract: An acoustic wave device includes: a piezoelectric thin film resonator including: a substrate; a lower electrode formed on the substrate; at least two piezoelectric films formed on the lower electrode; an insulating film sandwiched by the at least two piezoelectric films; and an upper electrode formed on the at least two piezoelectric films, wherein an area of the insulating film within a resonance region, in which the lower electrode and the upper electrode face each other across the at least two piezoelectric films, is different from an area of the resonance region.

Abstract: An actuator, which can include piezoelectric material, is provided in the form of a single-layer or multi-layer flat plate. At least one layer has two electrodes spaced from each other by means of a separating area and arranged opposite each other both on the upper face of the at least one layer and on the lower face of the at least one layer. The electrodes of the upper face are arranged at an offset from the electrodes of the lower face. A motor is also provided to include the actuator and a movable element to be driven by means of the actuator.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite piezoelectric body includes: forming a composite piezoelectric body by filling a non-conductive polymer between a plurality of piezoelectric materials arranged in an array state at predetermined intervals, and polishing one surface of the composite piezoelectric body, from which surface at least the piezoelectric materials and the polymer are exposed, by using an abrasive film in which an abrasive particle is applied to a base film.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromechanical transducer and the method for manufacturing the same, which can detect or control deformation and vibration of a structure and flow of fluids by applying controlling forces. The electromechanical transducer of the present invention comprises a base substrate to which initial stress is applied; an electro-active material layer attached on the base substrate; and electrodes installed on the top and bottom side of the electro-active material layer for actuating the electro-active material layer, the base substrate and the electro-active material layer which is deformed when initial stress is removed from the base substrate so that the base substrate and the electro-active material layer have curvatures.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ionic ring comprising a number of piezoelectric elements, a piezoelectric device including the ionic ring, and a piezoelectric generator including the ionic ring and host devices incorporating the piezoelectric generator. The piezoelectric generator can be used to generate energy on a portable electronic device in response to mechanical deformation. The generated energy can be used instead of a battery of the portable electronic device or can be used to charge the battery.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a thickness shear mode (TSM) gas and organic vapor sensor having a visco-elastic polymer coating and a fundamental frequency greater than 20 MHz. The method begins by providing a piezoelectric crystal and milling a central region of the crystal. Milling the crystal creates a central oscillating region of reduced thickness surrounded by a thicker outer region. Two electrodes are then deposited in the oscillating region of the crystal—one on each side of the crystal. The oscillating region on both sides of the crystal and the electrodes are then coated with a polymer coating.

Abstract: A device for detecting a selvage of a material web or the selvage position in one measuring direction. The device comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor, with the ultrasonic sensor comprising a transmitter element and a receiver element. The external contour of at least one of the transmitter elements and/or of the receiver elements comprises at least one arc segment side and at least one flattened side.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer includes a ring oscillator. The ring oscillator includes: a first cushioning material; a pair of first and second annular members that are laminated in an axial direction thereof with the first cushioning material therebetween, each of the annular members having first and second ends in a circumferential direction thereof, and a notch portion formed between the first and second end; a first connecting portion that connects the first end of the first annular member and the second end of the second annular member; and a second connecting portion that connects the second end of the first annular member and the first end of the second annular member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining phase sensitivity of an accelerometer based on an analysis of the harmonic components of the interference signal, which can estimate phase lags of an accelerometer through an analysis of the interference signal obtained using a single photo-detector when the accelerometer moves in sinusoidal motion with an initial phase of vibration. The method comprises the steps of obtaining an interference signal in a time domain generated from a signal reflected by an accelerometer and a fixed mirror using a single photo-detector; transforming the interference signal in the time domain into a signal in a frequency domain including a plurality of harmonic signals by Fourier transform; and determining the phase sensitivity of the accelerometer using initial phase of vibration displacement of the accelerometer, which is included in the interference signal in the frequency domain.

Abstract: A control mechanism for an electrical appliance comprises a deformable or elastic control panel, for example, embodied as a frame of an electric cooking hob. Several piezo sensor elements are arranged under the control panel. The piezo sensor elements are arranged on the rear side of a printed circuit board, the opposite front side of said printed circuit board being arranged or fastened to the underside of the control panel in a planar manner. By determining the difference of the signals of the sensor elements arranged next to each other, it is possible to accomplish an extremely good and safe evaluation of a location where a finger is placed with light pressure on the control panel.

Abstract: A method for processing a ring type piezoelectric device comprises: providing a ring type piezoelectric embryo; printing at least a pair of electrodes to divide the ring type piezoelectric embryo into a plurality of equal sections; and immersing the divided ring type piezoelectric embryo into high temperature silicon oil with high voltage for polarization so as to make the polarization of the ring type piezoelectric device perpendicular to a cross-section thereof.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a piezoresonator body (3) having opposing first and second surfaces and opposing third and fourth surfaces. The device also includes at least one common electrode (8) disposed on the second surface (15) and electrodes (4a, 4b) disposed on the first surface (14) in pairs along a first longitudinal axis. The device further includes contact elements (5) disposed on the third (16) and the fourth (17) surfaces at contact locations along the first longitudinal axis and aligned between each pair of excitation electrodes. In the device, the piezoelectric body has a first order natural resonance frequency (v1) along a second longitudinal axis and an even order natural resonance frequency (v2) along the first longitudinal axis, where a percent difference between v1 and v2 is greater than 0% and less than or equal to 20%.

Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrating device comprises a metallic containing member, a piezoelectric member and a heat dissipating and conducting member. The piezoelectric member is provided within the metallic containing member, and the heat dissipating and conducting member includes a plurality of the heat dissipating and conducting fins. Each the heat dissipating and conducting fin has a first heat conduction connecting end and a second heat conduction connecting end, wherein the first heat conduction connecting end is provided on an external surface of the piezoelectric member, and the second heat conduction connecting end is connected with an inner wall surface of the metallic containing member.

Abstract: The composite substrate is a substrate used to manufacture an acoustic wave device, and includes a support substrate, a piezoelectric substrate, and a adhesive layer with which the support substrate and the piezoelectric substrate are bonded to each other. In the composite substrate, assuming that a surface of the piezoelectric substrate that is bonded to the support substrate is defined as a first surface and a surface at the side opposite to the first surface is defined as a second surface, the piezoelectric substrate is formed such that the first surface is inside the second surface when the first surface is projected onto the second surface in a direction perpendicular to the second surface. In other words, the composite substrate has an outer peripheral surface that is formed such that the circumference thereof increases toward the top surface of the piezoelectric substrate.

Abstract: The present invention comprises systems, apparatuses, and methods for harvesting ambient mechanical energy at a lower frequency and transforming the harvested energy into electrical energy at a higher frequency. Transforming the energy from relatively lower input frequency energy to relatively higher output frequency energy can help realize greater efficiencies found at higher frequencies. Because the input plane of the ambient mechanical energy is not always predictable, some embodiments of the present invention comprise both in-plane and out-of-plane energy harvesters that produce an electrical output in multiple planes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of adjusting the resonance frequency of a vibrating element, comprising measuring the resonance frequency of the vibrating element, determining, using abacuses and as a function of the resonance frequency measured, a dimension and a position of at least one area of modified thickness to be formed on the vibrating element so that the resonance frequency thereof corresponds to a setpoint frequency, and forming on the vibrating element, an area of modified thickness of the determined dimension and position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device is configured to transmit ultrasonic waves and includes a substrate, a diaphragm, a piezoelectric member and a control unit. The substrate has an opening. The diaphragm covers the opening of the substrate. The piezoelectric member is coupled to the diaphragm, and includes a first piezoelectric part and a second piezoelectric part. The control unit controls a voltage applied to the first piezoelectric part to be a vibration voltage and controls a voltage applied to the second piezoelectric part to be a constant voltage when the ultrasonic device transmits the ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce a standing wave of vibrations along a longitudinal axis having a node and an anti-node at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to a method of assembling the transducer for the ultrasonic surgical instrument. In various embodiments, the method comprises selecting piezoelectric elements and arranging the piezoelectric elements relative to the node to minimize the difference in magnitude between the currents drawn by the piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: There is provided a piezoelectric film-attached substrate, including a piezoelectric film having a specific thickness, wherein a reflection spectrum shows a relation between a light obtained in such a way that the surface of the piezoelectric film is irradiated with an irradiation light having a specific wavelength and the irradiation light is reflected on the surface of the piezoelectric film, and a light obtained in such a way that the irradiation light is transmitted through the piezoelectric film and is reflected on the surface of the lower electrode, which is the reflection spectrum at least at one point on a center part and an outer peripheral part of the piezoelectric film, and such a reflection spectrum has at least one of the maximum value and the minimum value respectively, wherein the reflectance at least in one maximum value is 0.4 or more.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEM) filter is disclosed which has a plurality of lattice networks formed on a substrate and electrically connected together in parallel. Each lattice network has a series resonant frequency and a shunt resonant frequency provided by one or more contour-mode resonators in the lattice network. Different types of contour-mode resonators including single input, single output resonators, differential resonators, balun resonators, and ring resonators can be used in MEM filter. The MEM filter can have a center frequency in the range of 10 MHz-10 GHz, with a filter bandwidth of up to about 1% when all of the lattice networks have the same series resonant frequency and the same shunt resonant frequency. The filter bandwidth can be increased up to about 5% by using unique series and shunt resonant frequencies for the lattice networks.

Abstract: A piezoelectric drive type MEMS element includes: a first substrate including, in a portion thereof, a movable part which is driven by a piezoelectric drive section to be displaced in a convex shape, a movable electrode being provided on a surface of the movable part; and a second substrate which is bonded to the first substrate and supports a fixed electrode facing the movable electrode via a prescribed gap, wherein the piezoelectric drive section includes a piezoelectric film provided on a region of the first substrate which forms the movable part as a portion of the movable part, and a pair of electrodes disposed so as to sandwich the piezoelectric film.

Abstract: An actuator manufacturing method includes alternately stacking a plurality of dielectric elastomer layers and a plurality of conductive rubber layers along the direction of thickness to form a sheet, and wrapping the sheet formed about a core to form a rolled sheet. When the sheet formed in the step of alternately stacking is wrapped about the core, the sheet is formed by the dielectric elastomer layers and the conductive rubber layers. Therefore, even if the dielectric elastomer layers in the sheet are made to be thin, the thickness of the entire sheet is prevented from being excessively thin.

Abstract: A piezoelectric thin-film resonator includes a substrate, a lower electrode provided on the substrate, a piezoelectric film provided on the substrate and the lower electrode, an upper electrode provided on the piezoelectric film, and an additional pattern, a cavity being formed between the lower electrode and the substrate in a resonance portion in which the lower electrode and the upper electrode face each other through the piezoelectric film, the additional pattern being provided in a position that is on the lower electrode and includes an interface between the resonance portion and a non-resonance portion.

Abstract: A tubular actuator including a flexible tube or roll, operable to shift between first and second configurations so as to define a stroke, and utilizing active material activation to produce, modify, and/or retain the stroke.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayer polymeric actuator includes the following steps: arranging a rotating winding core; winding a dielectric film of polymeric material around the winding core; during winding, applying a conductive material on the dielectric film exposed face, in which the application occurs intermittently according to a pre-established sequence, and according to a first and a second geometrical application pattern mutually alternated at each winding turn, so as to form a roll; radially cutting the roll at the ends of a circumferentially localized zone; and connecting a conductive material layers having the first geometrical application pattern one to the other and the conductive material layers having the second geometrical application pattern one to the other.

Abstract: An electronic array probe for ultrasonic imaging includes an array of transmitting and/or receiving electroacoustic transducers arranged in concentric bands in which the transducers are tangent to one other in both radial and circumferential directions. In order to minimize the number of transducers required without compromising dynamic range, a transducer arrangement geometry is provided so that the number of transducers having the same focusing delay is minimal or null.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer is configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducer includes a vibrating member and a piezoelectric member coupled to the vibrating member. The piezoelectric member includes a first piezoelectric part configured and arranged to be deformed by applied voltage to vibrate the vibrating member or configured and arranged to be deformed by vibration of the vibrating member to produce a potential difference, and a second piezoelectric part configured and arranged to be deformed by applied voltage to statically deflect the vibrating member.

Abstract: A fluid conveyance device includes a substrate, and a disk-shaped piezoelectric element arranged in a bendable manner on the substrate. A plurality of substantially circular concentric segment electrodes are provided on the piezoelectric element, and are provided with voltages with phases that are shifted. A wavy ring deformation is thus produced on the piezoelectric element. A pocket produced between the piezoelectric element and the substrate is moved in a radial direction so as to convey a fluid from an outer substantially circular portion to a central portion and to discharge the fluid from the central portion.

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: Provided is an annular vibration wave actuator capable of distributing a contact surface pressure at a contacting portion over the entire contacting face and capable of reducing sliding in the direction orthogonal to the driving direction, thus improving durability.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a vibrating body for a vibration wave drive device using a vibrator in which an electromechanical energy conversion element is joined to a vibrating body having a plurality of protruding portions, the method including a first step and a second step. In the first step, an elastic material having a plurality of protruding portions is produced. In the second step, a pressure in a direction opposite to a protruding direction of the protruding portions of the elastic material is applied to press at least parts of the protruding portions to reduce slits between the protruding portions adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A fluid conveyance device includes a substrate, and a disk-shaped piezoelectric element arranged in a bendable manner on the substrate. A plurality of substantially circular concentric segment electrodes are provided on the piezoelectric element, and are provided with voltages with phases that are shifted. A wavy ring deformation is thus produced on the piezoelectric element. A pocket produced between the piezoelectric element and the substrate is moved in a radial direction so as to convey a fluid from an outer substantially circular portion to a central portion and to discharge the fluid from the central portion.

Abstract: A piezoelectric linear motor for providing enhanced displacement using a dome-shaped piezoelectric ceramic is provided. The piezoelectric linear motor includes a dome-shaped piezoelectric ceramic (100) processed such that different electrodes are formed on opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric ceramic. A vibration shaft (200) is fixed to a first surface of the piezoelectric ceramic so that the vibration shaft moves in conjunction with displacement of the piezoelectric ceramic. A movable element (300) is linearly driven through friction with the vibration shaft while coming into contact with the vibration shaft. The movable element moves in a movement direction of the vibration shaft if the inertial force of the movable element is less than the frictional force between the movable element and the vibration shaft when the vibration shaft moves. According to the present invention, the piezoelectric ceramic is formed in a dome shape, so that movement displacement is enhanced.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic linear drive unit comprising a driving element as an ultrasonic oscillator with two generators for ultrasonic vibrations and a driven element that forms a frictional contact with the driving element, and an electrical excitation source for the driving element. According to the invention, the ultrasonic oscillator is designed as a hollow thin-walled piezoelectric cylinder, the height H of which is identical to or smaller than the mean diameter D thereof. The generators for ultrasonic vibrations are symmetrically disposed on both sides relative to the sectional plane S that extends through the center of the height of the ultrasonic oscillator, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L thereof. The cylinder surface of the driving element is in contact with the driven element, and the electrical excitation source is connected to the ultrasonic linear drive unit in such a way that the drive unit excites only the first or the second generator for ultrasonic vibrations.

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: Piezoelectric motor that provides high speed and bi-directional operation. A first rotor is disposed about a first shaft, and a second rotor separate from the first rotor is disposed about the first shaft and a second shaft. Each of the rotors and shafts are centered on a common axis. An annular shaped first piezoelement is centered on the axis and fixed to the housing. First and second annular piezoelements are disposed within the first rotor, configured to motivate rotation of the second shaft in a first rotation direction when stimulated with a first exciter voltage. The third and fourth piezoelement are disposed within the second rotor, configured to motivate rotation of the second shaft in a second direction (opposed from the first direction) when stimulated with an exciter voltage.

Abstract: An example ultrasound device, such as a transducer array, includes a plurality of ultrasound transducers, each ultrasound transducer having a first electrode, a second electrode, a thin piezoelectric film located between the electrodes, and a substrate supporting the plurality of ultrasound transducers. In some examples, the electrode separation is less than 10 microns, facilitating lower voltage operation than conventional ultrasound transducers.

Abstract: A method includes applying a lip, comprised of a first material, along at least a portion of an actuator of an electronic device, and applying a coating, comprised of an elastic material, to cover a part of the actuator, the coating disposed to facilitate actuation of the actuator.

Abstract: The invention as disclosed is a strain sensor that locates and quantifies the strain energy from a structure. The strain sensor has a lead zirconate titanate wafer with a circular shape such that the shape does not directionally restrict the signal of the sensor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sonication in connection with preparing a cellular sample containing DNA or RNA for performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or for other reasons where it is important to break down the cell walls and other cellular structures to release cellular contents including DNA. The same methods and apparatus may be used to release DNA or RNA from virus for PCR or other uses. A novel apparatus which is capable of releasing cellular contents or releasing the DNA or RNA of virus without the aid of beads or chemicals is described herein. The apparatus is designed to deliver high levels of sonic energy through optimizing the geometry the apparatus and optimizing the force created by a piezoelectric transducer. The apparatus is capable of processing samples which are contained within fluid in a short amount of time between 30 seconds and two and one half minutes. The apparatus is small and can be field deployable or used in a standard molecular biology laboratory.