Electrical to mechanical energy converter
US7872397B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N30/304
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An energy conversion apparatus having a pair of flexible beams that are supported at first ends thereof from a base. The beams each include at least one piezoelectric material layer. Second ends of each of the beams are operatively coupled to rigid links. The rigid links are in turn operatively coupled to a working element that may form, in one application, a drive member for a motor, or in a second application form a valve element for an electronic fuel injection system, or in a third application form a piston for a fluid pump. The working element is free to move linearly in a path generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of the flexible beams. As electrical signals are applied to and removed from the piezoelectric material layer(s) of each flexible beam, the beams flex repeatedly and uniformly over their full lengths. This causes a linear movement of the working element that can be used to help form a rotational motor output or a linearly moving fluid control element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.