Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100038996 | Semi-resonant driving systems and methods thereof - A driving system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a structure and a vibration system. The structure has at least one point to frictional couple to and drive a movable element in one of at least two directions. The structure also has at least two bending modes which each have a different resonant frequency. The vibration system applies two or more vibration signals which are at a vibration frequency to each of the bending modes of the structure. The vibration frequency is substantially the same as one of the resonant frequencies. At the vibration frequency one of the bending modes of the structure is vibrating substantially at resonance and the other of the bending modes of the structure is vibrating at partial resonance. The vibration system adjusts a phase shift between the two or more applied vibration signals to control which one of the at least two directions the moveable element is moved. | 02-18-2010 |
20100039715 | Reduced-voltage, linear motor systems and methods thereof - A linear motor system includes an element with a threaded passage, a threaded shaft, and a driving system. The threaded shaft has an axis of rotation which extends through and is at least partially engaged with at least a portion of the threaded passage. The driving system comprises at least two members operatively connected to the element. Each of the two members comprises two or more piezoelectric layers and electrodes which are coupled to opposing surfaces of each of the piezoelectric layers. The members are configured to expand and contract in a direction along the axis of rotation. The driving system is configured to subject the element to vibrations causing the threaded shaft to simultaneously rotate and translate in the direction along the axis of rotation through the element and apply an axial force in the direction along the axis of rotation. | 02-18-2010 |
20100289381 | AUTOMATED DRIVE FREQUENCY CONTROL FOR RESONANT ACTUATOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREOF - An actuator system includes an actuator device comprising at least one piezoelectric member, a driving system, and an actuator controller. The driving system drives the at least one piezoelectric member at a driving frequency. The actuator controller monitors at least one parameter of the actuator device and the direct driving system to determine an operational mechanical resonant frequency of the actuator device based on the at least one parameter. The actuator controller adjusts the driving frequency based at least in part on the determined operational mechanical resonant frequency. | 11-18-2010 |
20110141584 | LENS ACTUATOR MODULE - A lens actuator module includes a lens assembly with an optical centerline and a clear aperture, a bearing guide integrated adjacent to the clear aperture with the centerline of motion substantially parallel to the optical centerline, a linear actuator with a preloaded frictional contact point that moves the lens along the centerline. The preload force is perpendicular to the optical centerline, constant and generated in-line with the contact point such that the preload force produces substantially zero additional friction in the bearing guide irrespective of the location along the optical centerline. | 06-16-2011 |
20110241851 | HAPTIC ACTUATOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREOF - A haptic actuator system and a method of making the same include an ultrasonically vibrating motor body. A shaft is coupled to the vibrating motor body, the shaft arranged to rotate in at least one direction in response to the vibrating motor body. At least one unbalanced mass is coupled to and is moveable with the shaft to generate human-detectable vibrations in response to a motion of the shaft. | 10-06-2011 |
20130002411 | HAPTIC ACTUATOR APPARATUSES AND METHODS THEREOF - A haptic actuator apparatus and a method of making the same include an ultrasonically vibrating motor and its housing. The housing includes a guide structure coupled to the ultrasonically vibrating motor and at least one spring. The guide structure defines at least one path of motion of the ultrasonically vibrating motor. The at least one spring delimits the at least one path and generates human-detectable vibrations in response to an impact with the ultrasonically vibrating motor. | 01-03-2013 |
20140055004 | ROTARY MOTOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREOF - A rotary motor and a method of making the same include a vibrating motor body which has two orthogonal first bending modes and is substantially enclosed within a housing. A shaft is frictionally coupled to the vibrating motor body and is arranged to rotate in at least one direction about a rotation axis in response to the vibrating motor body. The shaft is frictionally coupled the vibrating motor body by a force substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis. One or more bearings support the shaft, are connected to the housing, and define the axis of rotation of the shaft. | 02-27-2014 |