Multi-segmented high deformation piezoelectric array
First Claim
1. A flextensional transducer comprising:
- a deformable member having first and second ends, said deformable member comprising;
a first electroactive member;
wherein said first electroactive member has opposing first and second major faces;
and wherein said first electroactive member has opposing first and second minor surfaces, said first minor surface of said first electroactive member being substantially concave;
said first electroactive member comprising a first electrode disposed on said first major face of said first electroactive member;
and said first electroactive member comprising a second electrode disposed on said second major face of said first electroactive member;
a second electroactive member;
wherein said second electroactive member has first and second opposing major faces;
and wherein said second electroactive member has first and second opposing minor surfaces, said second minor surface of said second electroactive member being substantially convex;
said second electroactive member comprising a third electrode disposed on said first major face of said second electroactive member;
and said second electroactive member comprising a fourth electrode disposed on said fourth major face of said second electroactive member;
wherein said first minor surface of said first electroactive member is engaged with said second minor surface of said second electroactive member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-segmented flextensional transducer includes a plurality of electroplated electroactive members which deform in concert when energized by an electrical field. Each electroactive member has a convex surface at one end and a concave surface at its opposite end. The electroactive members are arranged end-to-end such that the convex face of each intermediate electroactive member engages the concave face of an adjacent electroactive member, thus forming a cooperative array or "train" of electroactive members. The opposite ends of the train of -electroactive members is received by a frame which holds the end electroactive members in fixed relative position. The electroactive members are high deformation flextensional piezoelectric elements. When energized, each electroactive member individually deforms, and the entire array deforms in concert an amount significantly exceeding that of the individual electroactive members.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A flextensional transducer comprising:
a deformable member having first and second ends, said deformable member comprising; a first electroactive member; wherein said first electroactive member has opposing first and second major faces; and wherein said first electroactive member has opposing first and second minor surfaces, said first minor surface of said first electroactive member being substantially concave; said first electroactive member comprising a first electrode disposed on said first major face of said first electroactive member; and said first electroactive member comprising a second electrode disposed on said second major face of said first electroactive member; a second electroactive member; wherein said second electroactive member has first and second opposing major faces; and wherein said second electroactive member has first and second opposing minor surfaces, said second minor surface of said second electroactive member being substantially convex; said second electroactive member comprising a third electrode disposed on said first major face of said second electroactive member; and said second electroactive member comprising a fourth electrode disposed on said fourth major face of said second electroactive member; wherein said first minor surface of said first electroactive member is engaged with said second minor surface of said second electroactive member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Specification