Motor mounting for piezoelectric transducer

• US 6,140,745 A
• Filed: 10/15/1999
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Face International Corp.
• Original Assignee: Face International Corp.
• Inventors: Bryant, Timothy D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dougherty, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US09/419,338
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 310/348, 310/353, 310/354, 310/355
• US Class Current: 310/353
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/02 producing linear motion, e.g. actuators; Linear positioners ; Linear motors
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/2041 Beam type
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/88 Mounts; Supports; Enclosures; Casings

Abstract

A piezoelectric motor has a piezoelectric transducer disposed within a motor housing. The piezoelectric transducer is constructed of one or more piezoelectric elements, the opposite ends of which are loosely secured within recesses in the interior walls of the motor housing. Electric contact plates disposed on opposite major surfaces of each piezoelectric element hold the center portions of the piezoelectric elements in fixed relationship to each other and provide a means of conducting electical energy to the respective faces of the piezoelectric elements. A moveable piston member is attached to one of the contact plates. When an alternating voltage potential is applied across the major surfaces of the piezoelectric elements, the center portions of each of the piezoelectric elements, as well as the piston attached thereto, reciprocates within the motor housing while the ends of each of the piezoelectric elements remain secured within the recesses in the interior walls of the housing.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

A piezoelectric element, said piezoelectric element having first and second major surface facing in opposite directions from each other;

A first electrical contact plate being disposed adjacent said first major surface;

A second electrical contact plate being disposed adjacent said second major surface;

A housing having first and second interior sides substantially facing each other;

A first recess in said first interior side of said housing;

A second recess in said second interior side of said housing;

A first end of said piezoelectric element being disposed within said first recess;

A second end of said piezoelectric element being disposed within said second recess;

Said housing comprising a moveable piston member, said piston member being moveable with respect to said first and second sides of said housing;

And said moveable piston member being mechanically secured to said first electrical contact.