Metal-electroactive ceramic composite transducer
US5729077A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 15, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H57/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A metal-ceramic device includes an electroactive ceramic substrate having a pair of opposed planar surfaces and a thickness aspect. Conductive electrodes sandwich the ceramic substrate and a first sheet metal cap having a concave shape, a substantially unchanging thickness and a rim is joined to a first planar surface of the ceramic substrate. A second sheet metal cap having a concave shape, a substantially unchanging thickness and a rim is bonded to a second planar surface of the ceramic substrate, the second planar surface opposed to the first planar surface. In an actuator embodiment, a potential is applied across the conductive electrodes to cause an expansion of the ceramic substrate in the thickness dimension and a concomitant contraction in its planar dimensions. The contraction causes a flexure of the sheet metal caps, which flexures are used for actuation purposes. In a sensor embodiment, the sheet metal caps are subjected to a displacement by an instrumentality, and a resulting change in voltage across the ceramic substrate is sensed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.