Piezoelectric actuator
US8358051B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 7, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 14, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/42
Abstract
A piezoelectric actuator comprises a co-fired stack of piezoelectric elements formed from a piezoelectric material and a plurality of positive internal electrodes interdigitated with a plurality of negative internal electrodes throughout the stack to define active regions of the piezoelectric material which are responsive to a voltage applied across the internal electrodes, in use. An external positive electrode connects with the positive internal electrodes and an external negative electrode connects with the negative internal electrodes. The actuator is characterized in that the stack further comprises means for deliberately creating artificial cracks within the stack at a location at which the artificial cracks do not give rise to a short circuit between the internal electrodes but serve to relieve stresses within the piezoelectric material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.