Piezoelectrical mechanical actuators for use with small actuator distances and arrays
US6204811A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02N2/062
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A piezoelectric actuator control circuit includes a first conductor attached to the free end of a piezoelectric device and a second conductor rigidly fixed at a position spaced from the piezoelectric device such that a variable capacitor is created between the first and second conductors. The variable capacitor is then used in a capacitive voltage divider to generate a drive signal which moves the piezoelectric device. Thus, the movement of the piezoelectric device can be precisely controlled. The control circuit allows for precise control of an array of such piezoelectric actuators and is particularly applicable to the use of actuators for controlling a mmWave phase array antenna.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.