Method and apparatus for high voltage gain using a magnetostrictive-piezoelectric composite
First Claim
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1. A magneto-electric transformer, for receiving an external AC electric signal of a given voltage and outputting a stepped up output voltage in response, comprising:
- a laminated composite core formed of parallel layers, includinga first magnetostrictive layer,at least one piezoelectric layer extending substantially parallel to said top magnetostrictive layer, anda second magnetostrictive layer extending substantially parallel to said piezoelectric layer,wherein said piezoelectric layer is sandwiched with a mechanical bond between said first magnetostrictive layer and said second magnetostrictive layer electric section to form the composite core of parallel layers; and
output terminals connected to said piezoelectric layer; and
a winding having input terminals to receive the external AC electric signal, constructed and arranged with respect to said composite core to generate an alternating magnetic field in said laminated composite core in response to said external AC electric signal flowing though said winding, said arrangement being such that an alternating magnetic flux flows through and induces a magnetostrictive strain in said first and second magnetostrictive layers, wherein said magnetostrictive strain induces a vibration in said first and second magnetostrictive layers at a mechanical frequency,wherein said mechanical bond is constructed and arranged such that said induced vibration of said first and second magnetostrictive layers urges a vibration of said piezoelectric layer, andwherein laminated composite core and said winding are constructed and arranged such that said urged vibration in said piezoelectric layer causes said output voltage across said output terminals, wherein said output voltage is stepped up with respect to said external AC electric signal.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus attains high voltage gain by using a composite structure of an elastic section of piezoelectric layers bonded between magnetic and electric sections of magnetostrictive layers, with a harmonic magnetic field being applied along the layers at a mechanical resonance frequency of the composite structure, through coils around the laminate carrying current, such as to produce a continuity of both magnetic and electric flux lines, and achieving a high voltage output.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A magneto-electric transformer, for receiving an external AC electric signal of a given voltage and outputting a stepped up output voltage in response, comprising:
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a laminated composite core formed of parallel layers, including a first magnetostrictive layer, at least one piezoelectric layer extending substantially parallel to said top magnetostrictive layer, and a second magnetostrictive layer extending substantially parallel to said piezoelectric layer, wherein said piezoelectric layer is sandwiched with a mechanical bond between said first magnetostrictive layer and said second magnetostrictive layer electric section to form the composite core of parallel layers; and output terminals connected to said piezoelectric layer; and a winding having input terminals to receive the external AC electric signal, constructed and arranged with respect to said composite core to generate an alternating magnetic field in said laminated composite core in response to said external AC electric signal flowing though said winding, said arrangement being such that an alternating magnetic flux flows through and induces a magnetostrictive strain in said first and second magnetostrictive layers, wherein said magnetostrictive strain induces a vibration in said first and second magnetostrictive layers at a mechanical frequency, wherein said mechanical bond is constructed and arranged such that said induced vibration of said first and second magnetostrictive layers urges a vibration of said piezoelectric layer, and wherein laminated composite core and said winding are constructed and arranged such that said urged vibration in said piezoelectric layer causes said output voltage across said output terminals, wherein said output voltage is stepped up with respect to said external AC electric signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16)
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11. A magneto-electric transformer, for receiving an external AC electric signal of a given voltage and outputting a stepped up output voltage in response, comprising:
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a core having a magnetostrictive layer and a piezoelectric layer, sandwiched with a mechanical bond; output terminals connected to said piezoelectric layer; and a winding having input terminals to receive the external AC electric signal, constructed and arranged with respect to said core to generate an AC magnetic field in said core in response to said external AC electric signal flowing though said winding, said arrangement being such that said AC magnetic flux flows through and induces a magnetostrictive strain in said magnetostrictive layer, wherein said magnetostrictive strain induces a vibration in said magnetostrictive layer at a mechanical frequency, wherein said mechanical bond is constructed and arranged such that said induced vibration of said magnetostrictive layer urges a vibration of said piezoelectric layer, and wherein core and said winding are constructed and arranged such that said urged vibration in said piezoelectric layer causes said output voltage across said output terminals, wherein said output voltage is stepped up with respect to said external AC electric signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 17)
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Specification