Patent · US Expired

Piezoelectric actuator, and valve apparatus having actuator

US4471256A · kind A · utility

49Cited by
10References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 14, 1983
Grant dateSep 11, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 14, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02M2200/21
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A piezoelectric actuator comprising a tubular casing and an elongated piezoelectric member disposed in the casing. The piezoelectric member has axially spaced ends, one of which abuts the shoulder of the casing. The piezoelectric member expands and contracts in response to an applied voltage, another end effecting a pumping operation. The piezoelectric member forms first and second longitudinal surfaces extending along substantially the entire length of axis. The piezoelectric member is formed as a lamination of a plurality of piezoelectric plates, to each of which is applied an electrode element on one of lateral surfaces. The electrode elements protrude on the first or second surfaces, alternately. First and second electrode members are located at the first and second surfaces, respectively. The first surface may be a surface of an opening which extends through the piezoelectric member, and the second surface may be a surface of an outer cylindrical surface of the piezoelectric member. Since the outer cylindrical surface is kept in contact with the inner surface of the casing, no flashover occurs between the surfaces. The second surface also may be a surface of another opening wh…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.