Metal-electroactive ceramic composite actuators
US5276657A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jan 4, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R17/08
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The metal-ceramic actuator includes an electroactive substrate having at least a pair of opposed planar surfaces and a determined thickness, with the ceramic substrate being poled in its thickness dimension. Conductive electrodes sandwich the ceramic substrate and are bonded to its planar surfaces. Metal caps, each having a concave cavity bounded by a rim, are bonded to both planar surfaces of the ceramic substrate. A potential is applied to the conductive electrodes to cause an expansion of the ceramic substrate in its thickness dimension and a concomitant contraction in its planar dimensions. The contraction creates a flexure of the metal caps, which flexures are used to actuate another instrumentality.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.