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Snap-action ferroelectric transducer

  • US 5,831,371 A
  • Filed: 04/24/1997
  • Issued: 11/03/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A piezoelectric actuator comprising:

  • a piezoelectric bender element having first and second opposing major faces;

    a snap action device for exerting a reaction force in opposition to longitudinal deformation of said piezoelectric bender element and having a predetermined first reaction force magnitude that must be exceeded to cause the snap action,wherein said piezoelectric bender element is mounted on said snap-action devices;

    and wherein said piezoelectric bender element comprises piezoelectric means for applying a longitudinal force to said snap-action device in excess of said first reaction force magnitude;

    and wherein said piezoelectric means for applying a longitudinal force to said snap-action device comprises a piezoelectric ceramic layer;

    and wherein said piezoelectric bender element further comprises means, including a pair of electrodes on opposing major faces of said piezoelectric ceramic layer, for applying an electric field to said piezoelectric ceramic layer to enable said piezoelectric bender element to generate said longitudinal force in excess of said first reaction force magnitude.

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