| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 310330000 | Bending type | 88 |
| 20080246371 | Ultrasonic motor and electronic device using the same - Disclosed is an ultrasonic motor whose output is improved by enhancing the exciting force of a vibration caused on a vibrating body having a rectangular portion. The ultrasonic motor includes the vibrating body having a piezoelectric element, and a moving body which contacts the vibrating body. The phases of two difference vibrations caused on the vibrating body are changed to make the moving direction of the moving body or the vibrating body itself variable by selecting whether to apply a drive signal to first electrodes provided at one side of the piezoelectric element or to apply a drive signal to second electrodes provided at a portion whose polarization direction differs from that of the first electrodes. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080278035 | VIBRATION ACTUATOR - An ultrasonic actuator includes: an actuator body using a piezoelectric element and generating a plurality of vibrations of different vibration directions; a driver element provided in the actuator body and operated in accordance with the vibration of the actuator body to output a driving force in a predetermined driving direction; a case containing the actuator body; at least one support rubber provided between the actuator body and the case to elastically support the actuator body along the driving direction with respect to the case; and at least one stopper provided between the actuator body and the case which comes into contact with at least one of the actuator body and the case when the actuator body is displaced in a direction opposite the driving direction such that the displacement of the actuator body in the direction opposite the driving direction is limited. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080297005 | PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICE, PROCESS FOR DRIVING THE PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICE, AND PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR - A piezoelectric device constituted by a piezoelectric body and electrodes. The piezoelectric body is a monocrystalline piezoelectric film formed, above a substrate, of an inorganic crystalline compound containing a first ferroelectric crystal when no electric field is applied to the piezoelectric film, and having a characteristic that phase transition of at least a portion of the first ferroelectric crystal to a second ferroelectric crystal occurs when the electric field strength applied to the piezoelectric film is at or above a predetermined level E | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090026887 | PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICE, PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR, AND LIQUID DISCHARGE DEVICE - In a piezoelectric device, a first electrode, a first piezoelectric film, a second piezoelectric film, and a second electrode are formed in this order on a first electrode formed above a surface of the substrate, and an intermediate electrode is arranged between the first and second piezoelectric films. Each of the first and second piezoelectric films has a thickness of 10 micrometers or smaller, and has a first surface facing toward the substrate and a second surface opposite to the first surface. At least one of the first and second surfaces has an arithmetic average surface roughness (Ra) of 0.5 micrometers or smaller. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090066188 | PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICE, LIQUID DROPLET EJECTING HEAD USING THE SAME, AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - The piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric film that expands or contracts according to variations in voltage applied, a first electrode provided on a first side of the film, and a second electrode provided on a second side of the film. The film is formed on the second electrode by a vapor phase deposition and mainly composed of Pb | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090096325 | Actuator - Actuator comprising:
| 04-16-2009 |
| 20090206702 | ACTUATOR - An actuator includes: a substrate; a fixed electrode provided on a major surface of the substrate; a first dielectric film provided on the fixed electrode, and made of crystalline material; a movable beam opposed to the major surface, and held above the substrate with a gap thereto; a movable electrode; and a second dielectric film. The movable electrode is provided on a surface of the movable beam facing the fixed electrode, and has an alternate voltage applied between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode. The second dielectric film is provided on a surface of the movable beam facing the fixed electrode, and is made of crystalline material. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090251027 | ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE POLYMER ACTUATOR, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME - Adhesive properties between an electrically conductive polymer membrane and a solid electrolyte membrane to each other are improved, and thus the operation of an electrically conductive polymer actuator which effects a bending motion is ensured. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20100007245 | Electroactive Polymer Actuators, Applications and Methods for Fabrication Thereof - In one embodiment, an actuator device includes a first electroactive polymer layer, including an active electroactive polymer layer portion. In one embodiment, the active electroactive polymer layer portion is controllably shiftable between a substantially neutral state and a buckled state. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100007246 | Bending transducer device for generating electrical energy from deformations and circuit module - A bending transducer device for generating electrical energy includes at least one elastically deformable support structure, one piezoelectric element, and a bearing device. The piezoelectric element is configured and situated on the support structure in such a way that the piezoelectric element is deformable due to a deformation of the support structure caused by vibration, and the support structure is supported vibration-capably in at least one bearing of the bearing device, the bearing being configured as an articulated receptacle, e.g., a hinge. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100090565 | MICRO-ELECTRO-MECHANICAL DEVICE WITH A PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR - A micro-electro-mechanical device including a substrate with a main surface, a piezoelectric actuator with a first side mechanically coupled to the substrate, an elastic member with a first end mechanically coupled to the substrate, and a transfer member mechanically coupling a second side of the piezoelectric actuator to the elastic member. The piezoelectric actuator is positioned lateral to an unfixed region of the elastic member. The method includes applying a voltage to a piezoelectric actuator altering the piezoelectric actuator's dimension vertical to the main surface of the substrate; and mechanically transferring the alteration to a coupling point of an elastic member. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100133957 | PIEZO ACTUATOR WITH INCREASED DISPLACEMENT CAPACITY - The invention relates to a high-lifting capacity piezoelectric actuator ( | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100164327 | Solid State Bending Actuator Comprising an Extension Element - A solid state actuator arrangement comprising an actuator which is configured as a solid state bending actuator and which has a first and a second end section opposite each other, a fastening device for fastening the first end section of the actuator in such a manner that it can still be adjusted, and connections for applying a driver signal to the actuator for adjusting the second end section by bending the actuator between at least two positions, an extension element being fastened to the free second end section of the actuator. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100171393 | BISTABLE ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS - A bistable electroactive polymer transducer is provided for electrically actuated deformation of rigid electroactive polymer members. The polymers have glass transition temperatures (Tg) above ambient conditions and turn into rubbery elastomers above Tg and have high dielectric breakdown strength in the rubbery state. They can be electrically deformed to various rigid shapes with maximum strain greater than 100% and as high as 400%. The actuation is made bistable by cooling below Tg to preserve the deformation. The dielectric actuation mechanism includes a pair of compliant electrodes in contact with a dielectric elastomer which deforms when a voltage bias is applied between the pair of electrodes. In some of the transducers of the present invention, the dielectric elastomer is also a shape memory polymer. The deformations of such bistable electroactive polymers can be repeated rapidly for numerous cycles. The polymer transducers have such advantages as high energy and power densities, quietness, mechanical compliancy (for shock resistance and impedance matching), high efficiency, lightweight, and low cost. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100176690 | VIBRATORY ACTUATOR AND DRIVE DEVICE USING THE SAME - A vibratory actuator is provided in which a movable body can be stably driven even when a groove is formed in an abutment body by the friction between the driver element and the abutment body. An ultrasonic actuator ( | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100237744 | Actuator on the basis of geometrically anisotropic nanoparticles - In an actuator including at least one active electrode disposed in an electrolyte and comprising at least two webs of an electrically conductive material with a plurality of geometrically anisotropic nanoparticles disposed thereon and oriented uni-directionally in a preferential direction with an electrically conductive connection between the nanoparticles and the webs and a potential difference with respect to ground can be applied to the active electrode by a voltage or current source, the nanoparticles are connected in each case to two webs and the connections are material-interlocking. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100237745 | Piezoelectric Thin Film Device - A sensor or actuator includes a piezoelectric thin film device including a lower electrode, a piezoelectric thin film and an upper electrode, and a voltage detecting device connected between the lower and upper electrodes of the piezoelectric thin film device. The piezoelectric thin film is formed of an alkali niobium oxide-based perovskite material expressed by (K | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100320871 | PIEZOELECTRIC THIN FILM ELEMENT AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE PIEZOELECTRIC THIN FILM ELEMENT, PIEZOELECTRIC THIN FILM DEVICE - To provide a piezoelectric thin film element capable of improving piezoelectric characteristics and realize a piezoelectric thin film device with high performance and high reliability, comprising: a substrate; and a piezoelectric thin film formed on the substrate by a sputtering method, with perovskite oxide expressed by (Na | 12-23-2010 |
| 20110074248 | PIEZOELECTRIC MEMS ELEMENT, VOLTAGE CONTROL OSCILLATOR, COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PIEZOELECTRIC DRIVE TYPE MEMS ELEMENT - 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. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110084572 | Piezoelectric damping device - The piezoelectric damping device is a passive piezoelectric vibration suppression and damping device for reducing amplitude of vibration in structures. The piezoelectric damping device includes a magnetic layer having opposed inner and outer faces, with the inner face thereof being adapted for releasable magnetic attachment to a vibrating structure, such as a metallic pipe, for example. A piezoelectric layer is secured to the outer face of the magnetic layer. Preferably, an electrically insulating layer is sandwiched between the magnetic layer and the piezoelectric layer. The electrically insulating layer is preferably an electrically insulating adhesive. An electrical shunting circuit is in electrical communication with the piezoelectric layer, such that vibration in the piezoelectric layer caused by the vibrating structure generates electrical energy, which is then dissipated by the electrical shunting circuit, thus damping vibration in the vibrating structure. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110148255 | PIEZOELECTRIC MEMS SWITCH AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PIEZOELECTRIC MEMS SWITCH - A piezoelectric MEMS switch includes: a base substrate; a diaphragm arranged to oppose the base substrate via a gap; a first piezoelectric drive section constituted by layering a first lower electrode, a first piezoelectric body and a first upper electrode on a first surface of the diaphragm, the first surface being across the diaphragm from the gap; a second piezoelectric drive section constituted by layering a second lower electrode, a second piezoelectric body and a second upper electrode on a second surface of the diaphragm, the second surface facing the gap; a fixed electrode provided on a gap side of the base substrate; and a movable electrode which is fixed to a second piezoelectric drive section side of the diaphragm and opposes the fixed electrode in such a manner that the movable electrode makes contact with and separates from the fixed electrode according to displacement of the diaphragm. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110156537 | ACTUATOR ELEMENT, METHOD OF DRIVING ACTUATOR ELEMENT, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ACTUATOR ELEMENT, DEVICE INSPECTION METHOD AND MEMS SWITCH - An actuator element includes: a piezoelectric body; a pair of electrodes mutually opposing to each other via the piezoelectric body; a diaphragm to which the piezoelectric body sandwiched between the pair of electrodes is bonded; and a base substrate arranged to oppose a movable part including the piezoelectric body and the diaphragm, the movable part being displaced in a direction toward the base substrate by application of a drive voltage to the pair of electrodes, wherein polarization (Pr)-electric field (E) hysteresis characteristics of the piezoelectric body are biased with respect to an electric field, and by application of a voltage in an opposite direction to the drive voltage, to the pair of electrodes, the movable part is displaced in a direction away from the base substrate. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110204750 | ACTUATOR, ACTUATOR STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ACTUATOR - An actuator includes: a diaphragm having a thickness equal to or greater than 0.5 μm and equal to or less than 20 μm; a piezoelectric body layer which is provided on a first surface side of the diaphragm, and receives stress from the diaphragm; a pair of electrodes which is provided on the first surface side of the diaphragm together with the piezoelectric body layer, and is mutually opposing via the piezoelectric body layer; and a stress adjusting layer which is provided on a second surface side of the diaphragm on an opposite side to the first surface of the diaphragm, and receives stress from the diaphragm in a same direction as the stress that the piezoelectric body layer receives from the diaphragm. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20120001520 | ACTUATOR DEVICE AND INPUT APPARATUS - An actuator device includes an actuator having one end as a fixed end and the other end as a free end, and bendable when a voltage is applied; and a base member having a fixed section that fixes the fixed end of the actuator. A projecting section is provided at the base member. In a state where the actuator is bent, when a force is applied and the free end is deformed toward a direction that is reverse to the bending direction, the actuator contacts the projecting section. The projecting section is a fulcrum of the displacement and a generating load is capable of being large by the principle of material mechanics without losing the displacement amount. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120025671 | ELECTROCHEMICAL METHODS, DEVICES, AND STRUCTURES - The present invention provides devices and structures and methods of use thereof in electrochemical actuation. This invention provides electrochemical actuators, which are based, inter-alia, on an electric field-driven intercalation or alloying of high-modulus inorganic compounds, which can produce large and reversible volume changes, providing high actuation energy density, high actuation authority and large free strain. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120043856 | Piezoelectric Power Generator - A piezoelectric power generator having a first elastic body which deforms along a first direction when subject to a stress, and a power-generating element. The power-generating element includes a second elastic body and a piezoelectric element. The second elastic body includes a fixing portion and an abutting portion. The fixing portion is fixed to the first elastic body. The abutting portion is arranged on one side in a first direction with respect to the fixing portion. The abutting portion abuts against the first elastic body, but is not fixed to the first elastic body. At least one of the first elastic body and the second elastic body is provided with a slippage suppression mechanism that suppresses slipping of the abutting portion with respect to the first elastic body when the first elastic body is deformed. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043857 | ACTUATOR AND METHOD FOR DRIVING ACTUATOR - The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for driving an actuator in which unnecessary deformation is suppressed. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120104901 | PIEZO BASED INERTIA ACTUATOR FOR HIGH DEFINITION HAPTIC FEEDBACK - A haptic device includes an elongated piezo bender supported by a first holder and a second holder. The first holder and the second holder being spaced apart from each other and located at or near opposite ends of the elongated piezo bender. A mass is supported by the elongated piezo bender and positioned in between the first holder and the second holder. The mass has a non-uniform thickness in a direction along a major axis of the elongated piezo bender. An electrical driving signal generator is configured to generate a signal to create a vibration in the elongated piezo bender. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120119621 | BENDING DEVICE FOR BENDING A PIEZOELECTRIC BENDER, PIEZOELECTRIC CONVERTER FOR CONVERTING MECHANICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY, BY USING THE BENDING DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING MECHANICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - A workpiece having a bearing surface with at least one convex curvature and an opposing workpiece having an opposing bearing surface with a concave curvature essentially inverse to the convex curvature of the bearing surface are moved by a device relative to each other in such a manner that the convex curvature of the bearing surface can be guided into the concave curvature of the opposing bearing surface. To convert energy, a bending element, such as a disk bender, is located in a space between the bearing surface and the opposing bearing surface so that the movement of the workpiece and the opposing workpiece relative to each other results in the bending of the bending element. Mechanical energy can be converted into electrical energy with higher efficiency by using a disk bender. The workpieces and the bearing surfaces thereof are formed to provide overload protection. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120161579 | TUBULAR ACTUATORS UTILIZING ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTIVATION - 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. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120228999 | ACTUATOR - The present invention provides an actuator large in the amounts of displacement and generative force. The actuator includes a pair of electrode layers and an electrolyte-containing electrolyte layer interposed between the pair of electrode layers, and transforms upon application of a voltage thereto to cause ions in the electrolyte to migrate, wherein the electrolyte layer includes at least one polymer fiber layer made of polymer fibers and at least some of the polymer fibers of the polymer fiber layer are uniaxially oriented within a plane of the electrolyte layer. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20130020908 | Electro-Mechanical Device Having a Piezoelectric Actuator - Embodiments provide an electro-mechanical device. The electro-mechanical device includes a piezoelectric actuator, a first contact electrode and a second contact electrode. The first and second contact electrodes are moveable between a configuration in which they are electrically connected together and a configuration in which they are electrically isolated from each other. The piezoelectric actuator has a deflection element controllable by a first control electrode and a second control electrode. The electro-mechanical device is configured such that a voltage of one polarity applied across the first and second control electrodes causes a deflection of the deflection element which urges the first and second contact electrodes together. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130038175 | VIBRATION POWER GENERATION DEVICE - A vibration power generation device comprising: a frame section; a weight section, a flexure section; and a power generation section. The weight section is provided inside the frame section. The flexure section is joined between the frame section and the weight section, and is configured to bend in response to a vibration of the weight section. The power generation section is composed of a laminate on one surface of the flexure section. The laminate has a lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer and an upper electrode which are laminated in this order from the abovementioned one surface. The power generation section is configured to generate an alternating-current voltage in response to an oscillation of the weight section. A resonance frequency adjustment means is provided between the frame section and the weight section. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130043767 | PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR - A piezoelectric actuator that includes a fixed electrode in a base substrate, a dielectric layer on the surface of the base substrate, a lower electrode that is at least partially separated from the base substrate, a piezoelectric layer on the surface of the lower electrode, and an upper electrode on the side of the surface of the piezoelectric layer. At least a portion of the upper electrode or the lower electrode serves as a movable electrode, which can be moved by distortion of the piezoelectric layer caused by application of a piezoelectric drive voltage. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130093287 | THREE-ELECTRODE LINEAR AND BENDING POLYMERIC ACTUATOR - A polymeric actuator includes a first and a second electrode layer ( | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130140953 | ACTUATOR, ROBOT HAND, ROBOT, ELECTRIC COMPONENT CONVEYING APPARATUS, ELECTRONIC COMPONENT TESTING APPARATUS, AND PRINTER - An actuator includes a vibrating piezoelectric element and a holding section configured to hold the piezoelectric element. The holding section includes a first supporting section arranged on a vibrating surface of the piezoelectric element and arranged on one side of the piezoelectric element and a second supporting section arranged on the other side of the piezoelectric element. | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130140954 | ACTUATOR, ROBOT HAND, ROBOT, ELECTRONIC COMPONENT CARRYING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC COMPONENT INSPECTION DEVICE, AND PRINTER - An actuator includes a vibrating piezoelectric element, and a holding unit that holds the piezoelectric element, in which the holding unit is disposed on a vibrating surface of the piezoelectric element, and includes a first support unit and a second support unit that are disposed on one side of the piezoelectric element, and a third support unit and a fourth support unit that are disposed on the other side of the piezoelectric element. | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130249349 | PIEZOELECTRIC SIGNAL GENERATOR - The piezoelectric signal generator ( | 09-26-2013 |
| 20140049137 | Displacement Sensor, Displacement Detecting Device, and Operation Device - A displacement sensor having a rectangular shaped elastic member. A piezoelectric element is attached to a first main face of the elastic member. The piezoelectric element has a rectangular-shaped piezoelectric sheet and electrodes on both main faces of the piezoelectric sheet. The piezoelectric sheet is made of poly-L-lactic acid and is at least uniaxially-stretched. The piezoelectric element is attached so that the uniaxial-stretching direction of the piezoelectric sheet is 45° relative to a long-side direction of the elastic member. When the elastic member is bent along the long-side direction, the piezoelectric sheet is stretched along the long-side direction, and the piezoelectric element generates voltage of predetermined level. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140049138 | PIEZOELECTRIC THIN FILM ELEMENT - A piezoelectric thin film element that includes a substrate, a lower electrode on the substrate, a piezoelectric film on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode on the piezoelectric film. The piezoelectric film is a potassium sodium niobate film represented, as its main constituent, by the general formula (1−n)(K | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140132115 | PIEZOELECTRIC VIBRATION ELEMENT, PIEZOELECTRIC VIBRATION DEVICE, AND PORTABLE TERMINAL - A piezoelectric vibration element capable of reducing occurrence of unnecessary vibration, and a piezoelectric vibration device and a portable terminal using the same are disclosed. The piezoelectric vibration element includes a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of piezoelectric layers being stacked along a first direction, the piezoelectric vibration element having two surfaces that face each other to be at intervals in the first direction, and vibrating in bending mode in the first direction with an amplitude varying along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction according to input of an electric signal, one of the two surfaces having such a shape that a central portion thereof in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction protrudes as compared with opposite end portions thereof in the third direction. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140175948 | PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR - A piezoelectric fan includes a vibration sheet, piezoelectric elements, a reinforcing sheet bonded to at least one of principal surfaces of the piezoelectric element, a reinforcing sheet bonded to at least one of principal surfaces of the piezoelectric element, and a fixing sheet. The vibration sheet is fixed to the inside of an electronic device by the fixing sheet disposed at one end of the vibration sheet. The total thickness of the reinforcing sheets and a region of the vibration sheet adjacent to the piezoelectric elements is greater than the average thickness of a region of the vibration sheet in which the piezoelectric elements are not disposed. The piezoelectric elements are disposed symmetrically to the center plane of the thickness direction of the vibration sheet. The reinforcing sheets are disposed symmetrically to the center plane of the thickness direction of the vibration sheet. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140232243 | PIEZOELECTRIC VIBRATION ELEMENT, PIEZOELECTRIC VIBRATION DEVICE, AND PORTABLE TERMINAL - A piezoelectric vibration element capable of reducing occurrence of unnecessary vibration, and a piezoelectric vibration device and a portable terminal using the same are disclosed. The piezoelectric vibration element includes a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of piezoelectric layers being stacked along a first direction, the piezoelectric vibration element having two surfaces that face each other to be at intervals in the first direction, and vibrating in bending mode in the first direction with an amplitude varying along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction according to input of an electric signal, one of the two surfaces having such a shape that a central portion thereof in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction protrudes as compared with opposite end portions thereof in the third direction. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20150035411 | Pressing Force Sensor - A pressing force sensor that includes a flat membrane piezoelectric element and a support. The flat membrane piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric sheet having a piezoelectric constant d14. A first electrode is formed on a first main surface of the piezoelectric sheet and a second electrode is formed on a second main surface thereof. Long directions of the first electrode and the second electrode and a uniaxial stretching direction of the piezoelectric sheet form an angle of 45°. An opening portion having an elliptical section is formed on the support. The flat membrane piezoelectric element abuts the opening portion of the support. The support and the flat membrane piezoelectric element are disposed such that the opening portion is included within an area of the second electrode. | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150084483 | EAP TRANSDUCERS WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE - The present invention provides electroactive polymer (“EAP”) transducers having improved properties. This improvement is achieved without decreasing film thickness, or by using high dielectric constant and high field, so that this approach does not adversely affect the reliability and physical properties of the resultant dielectric films. Mobile electrically active additives are added to the electrode formulation which significantly improve the performance of electroactive polymer transducers. Such additives do not need to be ionic. These electrically active additives can enable higher performance devices, smaller devices using less active area, lower voltage/power operation, and combinations of these enhancements. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150091414 | PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICE AND AN APPARATUS - A piezoelectric device comprises at least one element comprising at least one sheet of piezoelectric material. The element is mounted on a circuit board comprising at least one conductive layer having at least one opening. The element is located on the opening and supported by edges of the opening in such a manner that the opening extends laterally beyond the area of the sheet of piezoelectric material. The element is sandwiched between an overlay and the circuit board in such a manner that vibrations of the sheet of piezoelectric material are sufficient to cause vibration of the overlay. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20160043299 | DEVICE USING A PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - An inkjet printing head | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160072412 | ENERGY HARVESTING WITH A MICRO-ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SYSTEM (MEMS) - Apparatuses and method are described to create an energy harvesting microstructure, referred to herein as a transduction micro-electro mechanical system (T-MEMS). A T-MEMS includes a substrate, a first buckled membrane, the first buckled membrane has a buckling axis and is connected to the substrate. The first buckled membrane further includes a transduction material, a first conductor, the first conductor is applied to a first area of the transduction material; and a second conductor, the second conductor is applied to a second area of the transduction material, wherein electrical charge is harvested from the transduction material when the first buckled membrane is translated along the buckling axis. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160126450 | DIAPHRAGM ACTUATOR AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A DIAPHRAGM ACTUATOR - A diaphragm actuator has a first frame part and a second frame part, between which at least two diaphragm layers are disposed in a stacked manner and formed as electro-active polymer layers. Furthermore, a method for producing a diaphragm actuator is described. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160145414 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING COMPOSITE MATERIAL POLARIZABLE UNDER THE ACTION OF A WEAK ELECTRIC FIELD - The present invention relates to a composite ( | 05-26-2016 |
| 310331000 | Plural elements | 38 |
| 20080252175 | Dithering mechanism for eliminating zero-rate bias in a gyroscope - Dithering mechanism and method for eliminating the effects of zero-rate bias in a rate sensor or gyroscope. Both continuously moving and indexing embodiments are disclosed. The mechanism includes a first part mounted in a fixed position centered about a dither axis perpendicular to the input axis of the gyroscope, a second part disposed coaxially of the first part and affixed to the sensing element of the gyroscope, and a plurality of piezoelectrically driven quartz flexure beams extending radially between the first and second parts for dithering the second part about the dither axis. In some embodiments, the dithering mechanism is formed separately from and affixed to the sensing element of the gyroscope, and in others it is formed integrally with the sensing element. In the indexing embodiments, radial arms and fixed stops limit movement of the mechanism between two fixed positions, and drive signals and holding potentials are applied alternately to dither the mechanism between the two positions and to hold it alternately in those positions during successive data acquisition periods. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080252176 | ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER TORSIONAL DEVICE - The present invention relates to mechanical-electrical power conversion systems. The systems comprise one or more electroactive polymers 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 converted into rotation of a power shaft included in a motor. Repeated deflection of the polymer may then produce continuous rotation of the power shaft. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20090001855 | ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER TRANSDUCERS FOR SENSORY FEEDBACK APPLICATIONS - Electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications are disclosed. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090189487 | ACTUATOR AND ELECTRONIC HARDWARE USING THE SAME - An actuator includes a first beam, a first fixed part, a second beam, a first connective part, and a first fixed electrode. The first beam extends from a first fixed end to a first connective end, and the first fixed part connects the first fixed end and the substrate and supports the first beam above a main surface of the substrate with a gap. The second beam extends from a second connective end to a first action end and is provided in parallel to the first beam, and has a first division part divided by a first slit extending from the first action end toward the second connective end. The first connective part connects the first connective end and the second connective end and holds the second beam above the main surface of the substrate with a gap. The first fixed electrode is provided on the main surface of the substrate being configured to be opposed to a part of the first division part on a side of the first action end. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090315431 | ELECTRICAL GENERATORS FOR LOW-FREQUENCY AND TIME-VARYING ROCKING AND ROTARY MOTION - A method for generating electrical energy from a first motion having a low and/or variable frequency is provided. The method including: transferring the first motion to a first device; and intermittently transferring the first motion from the first device to a second device operating at a frequency which is higher and/or more constant that the first motion. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100127601 | Linear Vibrator - Disclosed herein is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing, a first piezo element, a second piezo element, and a mass. The first piezo element and the second piezo element are inside the housing. The mass is movably mounted inside the housing. The mass is configured to move inside the housing in response to a displacement of at least one of the first piezo element and the second piezo element. The mass is simultaneously in direct contact with the first piezo element and the second piezo element. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100156242 | Electromechanical actuating drive - An electromechanical actuating drive, in particular a piezoelectric microstepper motor, has two piezoelectric bending transducers having in each case an effective direction not oriented parallel to one another. Said bending transducers act on a drive ring in order, via the latter, to rotate a shaft. The bending transducers are articulated via a sliding coupling or a shear-flexible structure, thereby minimizing mutual obstruction of the bending transducers during the displacement movement. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100270890 | PIEZO ACTUATOR - A transducer mechanism has a stacked piezo electric actuators driving arms rotating in different directions and having a structure such that the arms remain generally parallel to each other. A flexible member may be attached to the arms to obtain an extended stroke in a direction perpendicular to the axis of movement of the actuators. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20110187232 | VIBRATING PIECE SUBSTRATE AND TUNING-FORK VIBRATING PIECE - A vibrating piece substrate includes: a plurality of tuning-fork vibrating pieces each having a base portion, and vibration arm portions and support arm portions extending from the base portion; a frame portion; and a plurality of linking portions connecting the frame portion and the plurality of tuning-fork vibrating pieces, wherein the support arm portions extend in the same direction as the direction in which the vibration arm portions extend, and the support arm portions have a length smaller than the vibration arm portions, the tuning-fork vibrating pieces are arranged such that the vibration arm portions of adjacent tuning-fork vibrating pieces sandwich the region of a portion of the frame portion therebetween, measurement pads are formed in the region of the frame portion sandwiched between the vibration arm portions, and wiring lines are formed in the linking portions to provide electric conduction between the tuning-fork vibrating pieces and the measurement pads. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110285247 | ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER TRANSDUCERS FOR SENSORY FEEDBACK APPLICATIONS - Electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications are disclosed. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20120032559 | ACTUATOR AND ACTUATOR STRUCTURE - An actuator includes a first bending portion having a first electrode layer, a first electrolyte layer on a first surface of the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer in contact with the first electrolyte layer; and a second bending portion having the first electrode layer, a second electrolyte layer on a second surface of the first electrode layer, the second surface facing the first surface, and a third electrode layer in contact with the second electrolyte layer, in which the first surface of the first electrode layer includes a region where the first electrolyte layer is not arranged, the second surface of the first electrode layer includes a region where the second electrolyte layer is not arranged, the first bending portion is adjacent to the second bending portion, and the bending direction of the first bending portion is opposite to the bending direction of the second bending portion. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120080980 | ELECTROACTIVE ELASTOMER ACTUATOR AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF - Described is an electroactive elastomer actuator having at least one first band-shaped electroactive elastomer coating and at least one first and one second surface electrode, which are separated by the at least one first electroactive elastomer coating. At least one second electroactive elastomer coating is applied to a surface of the second surface electrode facing away from the electroactive elastomer coating, which forms a band-shaped coating material jointly with the first and second surface electrodes and the first elastomer coating located between the two surface electrodes. The band-shaped coating material is wound around a flat coil form while forming at least two coating material layers. A surface of the first surface electrode facing away from the first elastomer coating makes surface contact with the second electroactive elastomer coating. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120206014 | PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCERS USING MICRO-DOME ARRAYS - An ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer device includes a transducer array consisting of an array of vibrating elements, and a base to which the array of vibrating elements in the transducer array are attached. The base include integrated electrical interconnects for carrying driving signals and sensed signals between the vibrating elements and an external control circuit. The base can be an ASIC wafer that includes integrated circuitry for controlling the driving and processing the sensed signals. The interconnects and control circuits in the base fit substantially within an area below the array of multiple vibrating elements. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120229000 | PHASED ARRAY BUCKLING ACTUATOR - A harmonic buckling actuator is comprised of numerous buckling units engaged to a rotational track/gear. Each buckling unit includes two input translational actuators. One end of each input actuator is constrained to rotate about a rotational joint that is rigidly attached to a common ground. The other end of each input actuator is constrained to move with the other actuator of the same buckling unit along a single output axis via another rotational joint that is the output of the buckling unit. The inactivated, unforced configuration of each buckling unit is such that the input actuators are nearly collinear with the line segment connecting the unit's grounded rotational joints. This line segment is parallel to the output axis of the track/gear. The buckling units are arrayed around the track/gear such that their outputs are spatially phased within the groves of the track/gear. Harmonic activation of the buckling units generates torque on the track/gear about its output axis. The hollow section of the track/gear encompasses a gear reducer such as a planetary gear box, cyclo-drive, or harmonic drive. The track/gear is coupled to the slow speed shaft of the reducer. The buckling unit supports are rigidly coupled to each other and to the gear box of the reducer. The high speed shaft is the output shaft of the entire harmonic buckling actuator. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20130342078 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MAKING A MULTI-LAYERED PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR - A method and apparatus for a layered piezoelectric actuator comprising: a first conductive layer and second conductive layer disposed on a first piezoelectric layer. The apparatus further comprising a third conductive layer and fourth conductive layer disposed on a second piezoelectric layer. Further, adhesive is disposed between the second conductive layer and third conductive layer, wherein the conductive layers further comprise a bending area and non-bending area. The non-bending area comprises the mounting area and connection area The connection area further comprises the connection points, opening to access the connection point of adjacent layer and overlap area, providing the stability/robustness of stack during the fabrication, adhering and exploitation of the bending actuator. The conductive layers in non-bending areas have offset conductive stripes without electrical activation of piezoelectric material in non-bending area | 12-26-2013 |
| 20150008795 | PIEZOELECTRIC POWER GENERATOR - A piezoelectric power generator can be used regardless of the size of the parts, and can position the mass center of a mass at the center by disposing the free ends of cantilevers opposite each other when connecting a plurality of cantilevers in series. The piezoelectric power generator is a morph structure cantilever piezoelectric power generator having at least two cantilevers disposed with their free ends opposite to each other, and a mass that is one body provided for bending of the cantilevers. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20160013394 | MULTI-CELL TRANSDUCER | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160133822 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMIC-TUNING - A compliant apparatus for nano-manufacture, including a stage for supporting the objects to be nano-manufactured. The stage includes at least one flexural beam and at least one actuator coupled to the flexural beam; and the actuator is configured to generate and apply axial loads onto the flexural beam, such that a natural frequency of the flexural beam is shifted in response to the generated axial loads, so as to allow trade-offs between the natural frequency and a stroke of the stage for nano-manufacturing the objects. | 05-12-2016 |
| 310332000 | Multimorph | 20 |
| 20080246372 | Device and Method for Influencing Vibration of a Planar Element - The invention is a device for influencing the vibration of a planar element having two opposite surfaces and a neutral fiber plane running between the two surfaces including at least one actuator and at least one sensor which each are provided with transducer materials and are connected to at least one electronic component or an electronic module. The at least one actuator and at least one sensor are completely integrated in the planar element to be spaced from the two surfaces as well as from the neutral fiber plane. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080252177 | Indexing dithering mechanism and method - Dithering mechanism and method for eliminating the effects of zero-rate bias in a rate sensor or gyroscope. Both continuously moving and indexing embodiments are disclosed. The mechanism includes a first part mounted in a fixed position centered about a dither axis perpendicular to the input axis of the gyroscope, a second part disposed coaxially of the first part and affixed to the sensing element of the gyroscope, and a plurality of piezoelectrically driven quartz flexure beams extending radially between the first and second parts for dithering the second part about the dither axis. In some embodiments, the dithering mechanism is formed separately from and affixed to the sensing element of the gyroscope, and in others it is formed integrally with the sensing element. In the indexing embodiments, radial arms and fixed stops limit movement of the mechanism between two fixed positions, and drive signals and holding potentials are applied alternately to dither the mechanism between the two positions and to hold it alternately in those positions during successive data acquisition periods. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20090051251 | PIEZOELECTRIC DRIVEN MEMS APPARATUS AND PORTABLE TERMINAL - A piezoelectric driven MEMS apparatus includes: a substrate; a support part provided on the substrate; a fixed electrode provided on the substrate; and an actuator having a first electrode film, a piezoelectric film formed on the first electrode film, and a second electrode film formed on the piezoelectric film, a first end of the actuator being supported by the support part, a second end of the actuator being disposed so as to be opposed to the fixed electrode. The second end of the actuator is divided into a plurality of electrode parts by a plurality of slits which pass through the first electrode film, the piezoelectric film and the second electrode film, at least a part of each electrode part is linked to parts of adjacent electrode parts, and each electrode part is capable of generating bending deformation individually. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090079301 | Three-Dimensional Stack-Type Piezo Element and Piezoelectric Actuator Having Such a Stack-Type Piezo Element - A three-dimensional stack-type piezo element has at least one surface that is shaped perpendicular to layer planes of the stack, so that, at least in sections, it is not parallel to a stacking direction of the piezo element. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090174287 | DEVICE FOR FIXING A FIRST EQUIPMENT ITEM TO A SECOND EQUIPMENT ITEM, WITH ACTIVE MICROPOSITIONING - A device (D) is dedicated to fixing a first piece of equipment (E | 07-09-2009 |
| 20100019622 | ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATORS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - An electromechanical actuator comprises a bimorph element ( | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100045142 | NEGATIVE VERTICAL DEFLECTION PIEZOELECTRIC MEMS ACTUATORS AND METHOD OF FABRICATION - Co-fabricating of vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuators that achieve large positive and negative displacements through operating electric fields in excess of the coercive field includes forming a large negative displacement vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuator, forming a bottom structural dielectric layer above a substrate layer; forming a bottom electrode layer above the structural dielectric layer; forming an active piezoelectric layer above the bottom electrode layer; forming a top electrode layer above the active piezoelectric layer; forming a top structural layer above the top electrode layer, wherein the x-y neutral plane of the negative displacement vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuator is above the mid-plane of the active piezoelectric layer, wherein the negative displacement vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuator is partially released from the substrate to allow free motion of the actuator; and combining the large negative displacement vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuator and a large positive displacement vertical piezoelectric MEMS actuator on the same the substrate. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100096949 | Piezoelectric multilayer-stacked hybrid actuation/transduction system - A novel full piezoelectric multilayer stacked hybrid actuation/transduction system. The system demonstrates significantly-enhanced electromechanical performance by utilizing the cooperative contributions of the electromechanical responses of multilayer stacked negative and positive strain components. Both experimental and theoretical studies indicate that for this system, the displacement is over three times that of a same-sized conventional flextensional actuator/transducer. The system consists of at least 2 layers which include electromechanically active components. The layers are arranged such that when electric power is applied, one layer contracts in a transverse direction while the second layer expands in a transverse direction which is perpendicular to the transverse direction of the first layer. An alternate embodiment includes a third layer. In this embodiment, the outer two layers contract in parallel transverse directions while the middle layer expands in a transverse direction which is perpendicular to the transverse direction of the outer layers. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100244628 | PIEZOELECTRIC-DRIVEN MEMS ELEMENT - A piezoelectric-driven MEMS element includes a substrate, a beam, a fixed portion, a fixed electrode portion and a power source. The beam is provided with a lower electrode film, a lower piezoelectric film, a middle electrode film, an upper piezoelectric film and an upper electrode film. The fixed portion fixes one end of the beam onto the substrate so as to hold the beam with a gap above the substrate. The fixed electrode portion has a capacitive gap between the fixed electrode portion and the other end of the beam. In addition, at least one or two of the lower electrode film, the middle electrode film and the upper electrode film is thicker than the rest thereof. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20120080981 | Piezoelectric Power Generator - A piezoelectric power generator that includes a piezoelectric laminate in which a plurality of rectangular-shaped piezoelectric elements each having electrodes formed on a substrate are connected at both ends thereof to each other, and in which a portion other than connection portions is capable of vibrating. In the piezoelectric laminate, a portion of the element at the uppermost layer is a fixed portion, and a weight is mounted to the element (free end) at the lowermost layer. Each piezoelectric element is decreased in rigidity from the element at the uppermost layer toward the element at the lowermost layer. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20130249350 | PIEZOELECTRIC POWER GENERATING DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A piezoelectric power generating device is provided which is capable of extracting a large amount of power without an increase in device size, even when applied with vibration of low frequency or weak external force, and which is easy to manufacture. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130320806 | ACTUATOR AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME - Provided is a novel actuator and a method for driving the same. The present invention is an actuator comprising a first laminate comprising a first (Bi, Na, Ba) TiO | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130328447 | ACTUATOR USING ELECTRO-ACTIVE POLYMER AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE THEREWITH - An actuator using an electro-active polymer is provided. The actuator includes a vibration plate fixed to an electronic device; at least one electro-active polymer attached to the vibration plate, and activated when electric voltage is applied thereto; and at least one mass joined to at least one a combination member disposed on the vibration plate. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20140125201 | VARIABLE CAPACITOR AND SWITCH STRUCTURES IN SINGLE CRYSTAL PIEZOELECTRIC MEMS DEVICES USING BIMORPHS - A micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a substrate, one or more anchors formed on a first surface of the substrate, and a piezoelectric layer suspended over the first surface of the substrate by the one or more anchors. A first electrode may be provided on a first surface of the piezoelectric layer facing the first surface of the substrate, such that the first electrode is in contact with a first bimorph layer of the piezoelectric layer. A second electrode may be provided on a second surface of the piezoelectric layer opposite the first surface, such that the second electrode is in contact with a second bimorph layer of the piezoelectric layer. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140167562 | PIEZOELECTRIC/ELECTROSTRICTIVE CERAMICS COMPOSITION AND DISPLACEMENT GENERATING DEVICE - Provided is piezoelectric/electrostrictive body generating large electric-field-induced strain, and having high durability with respect to an electric field having a direction opposite to a polarization direction. A composition of piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramics is represented by a general formula Pb | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140319968 | PIEZOELECTRIC SOUND-GENERATING BODY AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING THE SAME - A piezoelectric drive element includes piezoelectric layers, electrode layers between the piezoelectric layers, and electrode layers as the surfaces of the laminated layers. The piezoelectric layers are arranged on the upper side and on the lower side with reference to the center in the thickness direction, and are polarized in opposite directions. The thicknesses of piezoelectric layers at the center which have the least displacement are the thickest. The thicknesses of the piezoelectric layers above and under the thickest piezoelectric layers decrease gradually in an outward direction. A piezoelectric sound-generating body is constructed by affixing the piezoelectric driving element to a support plate and supporting the piezoelectric driving element with a frame. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20150022058 | PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR, PIEZOELECTRIC VIBRATION APPARATUS, AND PORTABLE TERMINAL - A piezoelectric actuator includes a stacked body composed of internal electrodes and piezoelectric layers which are stacked on each other; and a surface electrode disposed on at least one of main surfaces of the stacked body so as to be electrically connected to the internal electrodes. The internal electrodes each includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The stacked body has an active section in which the first electrodes and the second electrodes of the internal electrodes are arranged so as to overlap each other in a stacking direction thereof, and an inactive section which is every section of the stacked body other than the active section. An internal electrode placed on a one-main-surface side of the internal electrodes is configured so that its end part situated near a boundary between the active section and the inactive section is curved toward the other main surface. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150318462 | PIEZOELECTRIC VIBRATION DEVICE FOR MOBILE TERMINAL - A piezoelectric vibration device for a mobile terminal is disclosed. A bimorph piezoelectric vibrator includes a pair of piezoelectric element layers connected to one of positive and negative poles and a middle electrode plate interposed between the piezoelectric element layers and connected to the other pole. The piezoelectric vibrator generates vibration due to up/down bending displacement by fixing both end portions thereof to an inner surface of a casing of a mobile terminal. A voltage-boosting transformer raises a power source voltage of a mobile terminal to a driving voltage. A driving chip receives the raised driving voltage from the voltage-boosting transformer and drives the piezoelectric vibrator. Weights are attached to at least one of both sides of the piezoelectric vibrator to amplify vibration. Insulation members are provided at both end portions of the piezoelectric vibrator to prevent electricity applied to the piezoelectric vibrator from leaking to the casing. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20160049576 | ACTUATOR STRUCTURE AND METHOD - An electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducer may include (a) one or more EMP layers each having a first operating characteristic; and (b) one or more EMP layers each having a second operating characteristic different from the first operating characteristic. The EMP transducer may include at least two EMP layers that are activated independently, and one or more EMP layers being configured to be a sensing layer. The sensing layer may sensitive to one or both of the operating characteristics (e.g., temperature, strain, pressure and their respective rates of change). Other operating characteristic may include resin type, modulus, film thicknesses, degrees of deformations, operating temperature ranges, a stretching ratio of the EMP layers, metallization patterns of electrodes, arrangements of active and inactive EMP layers, arrangements of irradiated EMP layers, arrangements of EMP layers acting as sensors, and arrangements of inactive layers of various degrees of stiffness. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160133824 | ACTUATOR - An actuator that includes a plate-like elastic member. When seen from a first principal surface side in a plan view, the plate-like elastic member has a shape in which the elastic member extends along a circular arc-shaped center line. The plate-like elastic member is torsionally displaced relative to the circular arc-shaped center line as a central axis. | 05-12-2016 |
