Patent · US Expired

Testing apparatus for a multilayer piezoelectric actuator

US5301558A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
2References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 2, 1992
Grant dateApr 12, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 2, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2203/0075
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A testing apparatus determines the piezoelectric properties associated with the performance of a multilayer ceramic actuator. The actuator has a predetermined length, L.sub.1, and a predetermined cross sectional area, A. The actuator includes an axis and a plurality of piezoelectric elements with electrodes interleaved therebetween. The testing apparatus includes a pressure regulator which controllably supplies pressurized air. A pneumatic cylinder receives the pressurized air and responsively applies axial forces to the actuator. A load cell and associated circuitry measures the applied force on the actuator and responsively produces a force signal, F.sub.n. A fiber optic sensor and associated circuitry determines the axial displacement of the actuator and produces a position signal, L.sub.n, in response to the magnitude thereof. A computer receives the force signals, F.sub.n, and the position signals, L.sub.n, and responsively determines the effective modulus of the actuator, Y.sub.eff.

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