Piezoelectric actuator having minimal displacement drift with temperature and high durability
First Claim
1. A piezoelectric bending actuator comprising:
- a first piezoelectric layer adapted to bend in response to an applied voltage;
a second piezoelectric layer adapted to flatten in response to an applied voltage, the second piezoelectric layer mounted adjacent the first piezoelectric layer, the first and second piezoelectric layers moving opposite to each other in response to a change in temperature such that the piezoelectric bending actuator is stable over a range of temperatures.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A piezoelectric bending actuator that is insensitive to temperature changes. The actuator includes a pair of piezoelectric layers. One of the layers bends in response to an applied voltage and the other piezoelectric layer flattens in response to an applied voltage. The piezoelectric layers are mounted adjacent to each other. The piezoelectric layers move opposite to each other in response to a change in temperature such that the piezoelectric bending actuator is stable over a range of temperatures. The piezoelectric layers are held in compression between a ring and a retainer. Compressing the piezoelectric layers allows the bending actuator to have a high stroke with improved durability because the discs are kept in compression.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A piezoelectric bending actuator comprising:
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a first piezoelectric layer adapted to bend in response to an applied voltage;
a second piezoelectric layer adapted to flatten in response to an applied voltage, the second piezoelectric layer mounted adjacent the first piezoelectric layer, the first and second piezoelectric layers moving opposite to each other in response to a change in temperature such that the piezoelectric bending actuator is stable over a range of temperatures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An actuator comprising:
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a first piezoelectric layer having a top side and a bottom side, the first piezoelectric layer having a first polarity;
a second piezoelectric layer having a top side and a bottom side, the top side of the second piezoelectric layer adjacent the bottom side of the first piezoelectric layer, the second piezoelectric layer having a second polarity, the second piezoelectric layer polarity being opposite that of the first piezoelectric layer, the first and the second piezoelectric layers having opposite temperature responses such that such that the piezoelectric bending actuator is stable over a range of temperatures. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A piezoelectric actuator comprising:
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at least one first piezoelectric disc adapted to bend in response to an applied voltage;
at least one second piezoelectric disc adapted to flatten in response to the applied voltage, the second piezoelectric disc mounted adjacent the first piezoelectric disc;
the first and second piezoelectric discs moving between a first position and a second position in response to the applied voltage, the difference between the first and second positions defining a displacement, the piezoelectric discs reacting to changes in temperature such that the displacement is insensitive to temperature changes; and
a housing, the first and second piezoelectric discs mounted in the housing. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. An actuator comprising:
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a first dome shaped piezoelectric disc having a first concave surface and a first convex surface, the first piezoelectric disc adapted to bend in response to an applied voltage;
a second dome shaped piezoelectric disc having a second concave surface and a second convex surface, the second piezoelectric disc adapted to flatten in response to an applied voltage; and
the first and second convex surfaces mounted adjacent each other. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An actuator comprising:
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a first dome shaped piezoelectric disc having a first concave surface and a first convex surface;
a second dome shaped piezoelectric disc having a second concave surface and a second convex surface, the first and second convex surfaces mounted facing each other;
a third dome shaped piezoelectric disc having a third concave surface and a third convex surface;
a fourth dome shaped piezoelectric disc having a fourth concave surface and a fourth convex surface;
the third and fourth concave surfaces mounted facing each other; and
the second concave surface mounted adjacent the third convex surface. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 39, 40)
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31. A piezoelectric bending actuator comprising:
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a ring;
a retainer; and
a plurality of piezoelectric discs held in compression between the ring and the retainer, the mounting of the discs in compression preventing operation of the discs in a state of tension. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification