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.

Abstract: An electronic radial ultrasonic probe comprising an electronic radial array which comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers being continuously arrayed circularly around an insertion axis as center and also for which a transmission/reception of an ultrasonic wave is controlled by electronically selecting the plurality of ultrasonic transducer, comprises: a support member equipped on the electronic radial array; a lock member featured with a cavity in which the support member is inserted and with a lock groove for locking a balloon which is mounted in a manner to cover the electronic radial array and in which an ultrasonic medium is filled; and a filler member which is constituted by an adhesive material converting from a fluid state to a solid state, and is filled in the cavity.

Abstract: By resistor attached by a piezoelectric element, measurement with high accuracy is possible by strain of the piezoelectric element. A piezoelectric actuator includes the piezoelectric element which is formed into an arbitrary shape, polarized in an arbitrary direction, and includes electrodes provided on at least two surfaces opposed in a thickness direction thereof. The piezoelectric actuator also includes a driver power supply for applying a voltage between the electrodes to generate strain in the piezoelectric element, a driver power supply for applying a voltage to generate strain in the piezoelectric element, resistors provided on the electrodes through intermediation of insulators, and a displacement detection device connected with the resistors. The electrodes of the piezoelectric element on which the resistors are provided are set at a ground potential.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer is configured to transmit or 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: An electronic radial ultrasonic probe comprising an electronic radial array which comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers being continuously arrayed circularly around an insertion axis as center and also for which a transmission/reception of an ultrasonic wave is controlled by electronically selecting the plurality of ultrasonic transducer, comprises: a support member equipped on the electronic radial array; a lock member featured with a cavity in which the support member is inserted and with a lock groove for locking a balloon which is mounted in a manner to cover the electronic radial array and in which an ultrasonic medium is filled; and a filler member which is constituted by an adhesive material converting from a fluid state to a solid state, and is filled in the cavity.

Abstract: The cylindrical piezoelectric actuator which comprised a piezoelectric element which provided electrode in each of an inner peripheral face and an outer peripheral face which was cylindrical at least, and drive power supply to drive it. And the outer side electrode of the piezoelectric element covered the substantially circumferential outer face entirety and it was connected to a ground potential, and the electrode in the internal perimeter surface connected to drive power supply.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor including a rotor, a stator including a piezoelectric material having axial polarization, the stator including at least three pairs of electrodes spaced from one another on a top end face thereof and a common electrode on a base end face thereof, and slabs affixed to the stator at spacings between the electrodes, wherein the rotor is pressed towards the slabs by a pre-load force, wherein when a positive charge is applied to a first of the electrodes and a negative charge is applied to a second of the electrodes and an electric common port is applied to the common electrode, D33 piezoelectric phenomenon is created, thereby causing the spacings between the electrodes to bend and the slabs to tilt, thus applying a frictional pushing side force against the rotor to cause the rotor to rotate.

Abstract: A transformer arrangement with a piezoelectric transformer and a carrier will be disclosed. The transformer has a body in the form of a board. The transformer operates with thickness mode vibrations. The body is rigidly connected to the carrier in at least one peripheral region in which anti-nodes of a horizontal oscillation of the body appear.

Abstract: A crystal unit includes a unit base in which a metal flange is welded to an outer circumference of a base main body, a crystal element held by supporters on the unit base, and a metal cover that is jointed to the metal flange to cover and hermetically encapsulate the crystal element. The base main body is formed of ceramic. A first metal film, to which the metal flange is joined, is formed on a surface of the outer circumference of the base main body. At least two places of the main body, second metal films are formed on an inner bottom face of the main body, and third metal films are formed on an outer bottom face of the main body. The second metal films and the third metal films are electrically connected to one another through via holes. The supporters are joined to the second metal films.

Abstract: Circularly polarized resonant structures are obtained utilizing piezoelectric resonators made of materials and orientations selected in accordance with the teaching provided herewith. Further provided are radially polarized structures. Furthermore, the utilization of such resonators and structures as sensors, for frequency control application, for signal filtering, and the like, is also disclosed.

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 expandable medical balloon having at least one static state, at least one expanded state, and at least one deflated state, the expandable medical balloon including at least one active region, the at least one active region including electroactive polymer.

Abstract: An actuator includes a spirally rolled cylindrical sheet body. The sheet body is formed by attaching an electrode on each side of a dielectric elastomer layer. When a voltage is applied to the electrodes, the sheet body is contracted along the direction of its thickness, and expanded in directions perpendicular to its thickness. The actuator is actuated by applying a voltage to the electrodes and stopping the voltage application, so that the cylindrical sheet body is extended and contracted along the direction of the axis. The material forming the dielectric elastomer layer has a low strain region, where the value of a strain based on a stress acting on the dielectric elastomer layer varies from zero to a value that is greater than and close to zero, and a high strain region, where the value of the strain is greater than that in the low strain region. The Young's modulus in the low strain region is less than the Young's modulus in the high strain region.

Abstract: A composite membrane acoustic transducer structure comprising a magnet assembly is arranged adjacent the composite membrane material. The magnet assembly is arranged to produce a flux field. A first layer of thin, elongate composite membrane material is held under tension. A second conductive layer is attached to the first layer of composite membrane material wherein the first and second layers of membrane material are arranged adjacent, generally parallel and offset from the magnet assembly. The assembly is arranged to produce the flux field through at least part of the first layer and the second layer.

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: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium. The apparatus includes: An oscillatable unit secured on a membrane; a sending/receiving unit, which excites the membrane and the oscillatable unit to oscillate and which receives oscillations of the oscillatable unit. The sending/receiving unit is a disk-shaped, piezoelectric element. The apparatus further includes a control/evaluation unit, which, on the basis of oscillations of the oscillatable unit, monitors and/or determines the process variable. The disk-shaped, piezoelectric element has segments, which are essentially polarized oppositely to one another, and at least two electrodes of opposite polarity are applied to the side of the disk-shaped, piezoelectric element facing away from the membrane.

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: The invention describes rolled electroactive polymer devices. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. A rolled electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and includes a rolled electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. Prestrain is typically applied to the polymer. In one embodiment, a rolled electroactive polymer device employs a mechanism, such as a spring, that provides a force to prestrain the polymer. Since prestrain improves mechanical/electrical energy conversion for many electroactive polymers, the mechanism thus improves performance of the rolled electroactive polymer device.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer arraying at even intervals ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and layering a plurality of acoustic matching layers on them, comprising an transducer shape forming member made of a fiber-reinforced thermosetting PPE for filling a gap formed on the side face of the ultrasonic transducer with the same material as that of the acoustic matching layer, mixing a colorant in a division member adjacent to a predefined ultrasonic transducer from among a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, and arraying the plurality thereof.

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: The invention relates to a miniaturizable motor (1) comprising a rotor (12) that is driven by a hollow cylindrical piezo oscillator (2). Said rotor is effectively connected to a frictional face (13) of the piezo oscillator while a main electrode or counter electrode (3) and excitation electrodes (4, 5, 6) are disposed on the surface of the hollow cylinder. The hollow cylindrical piezo oscillator is made of a monocrystalline material with a trigonal crystal system which is provided with three main electrical axes that are placed at a 120° angle relative to each other as well as an optical axis. Said optical axis encloses a 90° angle along with the point of intersection of the electrical axes while coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical piezo oscillator. Furthermore, the axial axis of symmetry of the respective excitation electrode intersects one of the main electrical axes while said axial axis of symmetry extends parallel to the optical axis.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer (10) includes (a) a first gas matrix piezoelectric composite (12) having a side including at least one positive pole (+) and another side including at least one negative pole (?); (b) a second gas matrix piezoelectric composite (14) having a side including at least one positive pole (+) and another side including at least one negative pole (?); and (c) a substrate (28) having a first side (22) and a second side (24), wherein the substrate is positioned between the first gas matrix piezoelectric composite and the second gas matrix piezoelectric composite. Either the first or second gas matrix piezoelectric composite may include a plurality of piezoelectric rods (15), wherein each piezoelectric rod includes at least one positive pole (16) end and at least one negative pole end (18).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include apparatus and methods for aerosolizing liquid. One embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for generating an aerosol. The apparatus includes an actuator having a first face and a second face and defining an opening therethrough, as well as a vibratory element in mechanical communication with the actuator, and a sealing member configured to isolate the vibratory element from a surrounding environment. In accordance with certain embodiments, the apparatus further comprises an aerosolization element mounted on the actuator and disposed substantially over the opening, wherein the aerosolization element defines at least one aperture therethrough. Hence, the vibratory element may be operated to vibrate to cause movement of the aerosolization element in such a manner that a liquid at the first face of the aerosolization element can be dispensed as an aerosol through the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A direct drive motor in a washing machine includes a stator having a winding portion with coils wound thereon, a rotor having a sidewall, and a rear wall with a pass through hole at a center, and fastening pass through holes around the pass through hole, an annular washer in close contact with, and fixedly secured to, the rear wall of the rotor, the annular washer having fastening pass through holes in a surface thereof in correspondence to fastening pass through holes in the rear wall of the rotor, a connector of resin having a vibration mode different from the washing shaft, fixedly secured to an inner side of the rear wall of the rotor for supporting the washing shaft, the connector having fastening pass through holes in correspondence to the fastening pass through holes around the pass through hole, bolts passed through the fastening pass through holes in the connector, the rotor, and the washer, and nuts fastened to the bolts for holding the connector, the rotor, and the washer together.

Abstract: A capacitive transducer having a significantly increased actuation force and improved response time as compared to similar prior art capacitive transducers. In the capacitive transducer of the present invention it is not necessary to balance response time and actuation force or to provide pre-strain to the transducer in a direction of actuation. Additionally, buckling in the capacitive transducer is prevented, or at least substantially reduced, in a simple manner.

Abstract: A telescoping actuator assembly includes a plurality of cylindrical actuators in a concentric arrangement. Each cylindrical actuator is at least one piezoelectric fiber composite actuator having a plurality of piezoelectric fibers extending parallel to one another and to the concentric arrangement's longitudinal axis. Each cylindrical actuator is coupled to concentrically-adjacent ones of the cylindrical actuators such that the plurality of cylindrical actuators can experience telescopic movement. An electrical energy source coupled to the cylindrical actuators applies actuation energy thereto to generate the telescopic movement.

Abstract: A slotted cylinder acoustic transducer has a crescent-shaped insert disposed between a ceramic stack assembly and s cylindrical housing shell. In some embodiments, all of the ceramic elements in the ceramic stack assembly can have the same shape.

Abstract: Actuator assemblies are formed by at least one cylinder where each cylinder is formed by at least one piezoelectric fiber composite actuator adapted to have actuation energy applied thereto.

Abstract: A rotational based actuator configured to impart linear movement. The actuator may be suitable for use in any number of applications where a disk or other feature may be rotated over a wedge to impart linear movement. The forces used to generate the rotation movement may be imparted by the wedge against an element, causing the element to move linearly with the disk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device assembly and tissue ablation transducer having a plurality of helical elements that can be operated out of phase to orient the acoustical energy beam forward or backward in the longitudinal direction. The transducers includes a cylindrical inner electrode, a cylindrical piezoelectric material disposed over the inner electrode, and a cylindrical outer electrode disposed over the cylindrical piezoelectric material. Spiral grooves are cut through at least the outer electrode separating the transducer into a plurality of functionally discrete helical transducer segments. The helical transducer segments can be operated independent from one another. An array of intertwined helical transducers arranged linearly along a helical axis are also contemplated.

Abstract: Piezoelectric actuator (51) includes a piezoelectric element (11) that performs expansion/contraction movement in accordance with the state of an electrical field, a base (21) with the piezoelectric element (11) adhered to one surface thereof, and a support member (46) for supporting the piezoelectric element (11) and the base (21), the piezoelectric element (11) and base (21) vibrating up and down in accordance with the expansion/contraction movement of the piezoelectric element (11). The base (21) is connected to the support member (46) by way of a vibration film (31) having less rigidity than the base (21). In addition, the piezoelectric element (11) and support member (46) have different outline shapes.

Abstract: In order to simultaneously realize both improvements of the acoustic performance of a bimorph piezoelectric electroacoustic transducing device and the productivity, in a bimorph piezoelectric vibrator 10 in which a disk-like first piezoelectric element 12 is bonded to a first principal surface 11a of a metal plate 11, and a disk-like second piezoelectric element 13 is bonded to a second principal surface 11b of the metal plate 11, the diameter R1 of the first piezoelectric element 12 is different from the diameter R2 of the second piezoelectric element 13. Furthermore, the diameter R2 of the second piezoelectric element 13 is made smaller than the diameter R1 of the first disk-like piezoelectric element 12, and a lead-wire soldering portion 14 is ensured on the second principal surface 11b of the metal plate 11 which is in the periphery of the second piezoelectric element 13.

Abstract: An actuator has: a piezoelectric body formed in a shape of a tube and having an inner side wall, which faces a hollow portion of the tube, and an outer side wall, which is structured at an outer side of the tube; a first electrode formed at the inner side wall of the piezoelectric body; and a second electrode formed at the outer side wall of the piezoelectric body. The actuator displaces the piezoelectric body by a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A piezoelectric unit includes a first piezoelectric member having a tubular shape, a second piezoelectric member inserted into a first opening of the first piezoelectric member, and a voltage applying member applying a driving voltage to the first and second piezoelectric members. An orifice plate includes a body through which first nozzle openings corresponding to the first piezoelectric member and second nozzle openings corresponding to the second piezoelectric member are formed. An elastic member is disposed between the first and second nozzle openings and the piezoelectric unit. A shape of the elastic member is changed in accordance with a changed shape of the piezoelectric unit for jetting ink through the first and second nozzle openings. Thus, a nozzle pitch of a printer head may be reduced.

Abstract: The cylindrical piezoelectric actuator which comprised a piezoelectric element which provided electrode in each of an inner peripheral face and an outer peripheral face which was cylindrical at least, and drive power supply to drive it. And the outer side electrode of the piezoelectric element covered the substantially circumferential outer face entirety and it was connected to a ground potential, and the electrode in the internal perimeter surface connected to drive power supply.

Abstract: The invention concerns an actuator which includes a linear piston (2) in an active material, and an inner sliding cylinder (7, 7?) which includes an outer cylinder (5, 5?) in which the said sliding cylinder ((7, 7?) is pre-stressed, with one cylinder being in an anisotropic material with a negative or approximately zero expansion coefficient along at least one axis and a positive or approximately zero expansion coefficient on at least one other axis, and the other cylinder having a positive thermal or approximately zero expansion coefficient.

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: A thin-film piezoelectric resonator has a piezoelectric film which is formed via a space on a substrate and is supported on the substrate at least one location, an upper electrode which has a plurality of electrode layers and a connection part connecting the electrode layers to each other, each of the electrode layers being formed on the piezoelectric film, having the same width and being arranged at the same interval as the width, a lower electrode formed under the piezoelectric film, a first pad which is formed on the substrate and is electrically connected to the upper electrode, and a second pad which is formed on the substrate and is electrically connected to the lower electrode.

Abstract: A driver includes an electromechanical energy transducer deformed by applying and removing voltage, a supporting member having the electromechanical energy transducer joined thereto for transmitting movement of the electromechanical energy transducer resulting from the deformation to the supporting member, and a movable body disposed in an inner peripheral portion of the supporting member. A deformation speed of the electromechanical energy transducer when a state change occurs from a prior-to-deformation state of the electromechanical energy transducer to an after-deformation state of the electromechanical energy transducer differs from a deformation speed of the electromechanical energy transducer when state change occurs from the after-deformation state to the prior-to-the deformation state.

Abstract: A stacked piezoelectric element comprising that can suppress periodic damping on miniaturization of a vibration wave motor and improve its performance. A stacked piezoelectric element comprises piezoelectric layers and electrode layers alternately stacked to have a shape of a cylinder. The electrode layers are divided into a plurality of electrode layer regions along a circumferential surface of the shape of a cylinder.

Abstract: The piezoelectric actuator includes a piezoelectric film between two electrode layers and a diaphragm. Assuming that: each elastic coefficient of all materials is isotropic and a distortion amount of the piezoelectric film by an electric field is isotropic in all in-plane directions; a point located on a diaphragm surface and having a maximum displacement when a predetermined electric field is applied to distort the piezoelectric film, is expressed by P?MAX; and a point located on a circumference of a reference-circle having P?MAX as a center and having a minimum difference in displacement from P?MAX is expressed by P?A, the diaphragm has a shape capable of determining an axis A1 set in a straight-line joining P?MAX and P?A, the diaphragm comprises a single-crystalline-material in which a plane orthogonal to A1 and perpendicular to an axis A2 on the diaphragm surface, is a {110}-plane, and the piezoelectric film is a {100}-single-orientation film.

Abstract: Disclosed are electroactive polymer fibers, processes of preparing electroactive polymer fibers, and devices containing electroactive polymer fibers. Devices can be used as actuators and sensors, generators and transducers. Applications include inter alia artificial muscles, prosthetics and robotics.

Abstract: A circular piezoelectric apparatus includes an electrode assembly which has an independent electrode located on a perimeter side wall of the circular piezoelectric apparatus and two separated electrodes located respectively at two opposite surfaces of the circular piezoelectric apparatus, a first structure located between the two separated electrodes that has a polarized direction coincided with a first axial direction directing from one electrode of the two separated electrodes to the other electrode thereof, and a second structure surrounding the first structure about the first axial direction and having a polarized direction coincided with a radial direction of the perimeter. One of the three electrodes is electrically connected a ground electrode to provide a voltage source for supplying an input voltage and a load through at least a conductive wire, and another electrode is electrically connected to an input electrode of the voltage source through another conductive wire.

Abstract: A piezoelectric thin-film resonator includes a lower electrode formed on a substrate to define a rounded dome-shaped cavity between the lower electrode and the substrate, a piezoelectric film provided on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode provided on the piezoelectric film. A membrane region is an overlapping region of the lower electrode and the upper electrode interposing the piezoelectric film and a projected area of the cavity onto the substrate includes the membrane region.

Abstract: A micro manipulator for electrode movement, a driving method thereof, and a brain signal measuring device using the same are provided.