초록 ▼

Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric flexure device in which the piezoelectric element(s) thereof comprises a flexible piezoelectric layer (e.g. a suitably polarized polymeric film) which is tightly wound about an axis to produce a plurality of substantially concentric layers of piezoelectric materia

Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric flexure device in which the piezoelectric element(s) thereof comprises a flexible piezoelectric layer (e.g. a suitably polarized polymeric film) which is tightly wound about an axis to produce a plurality of substantially concentric layers of piezoelectric material. Positioned between adjacent piezoelectric layers are conductive layers which function as electrodes for either applying an electric field across the piezoelectric layers to cause the device to flex, or for detecting the electrical potential produced in the device as a result of subjecting the piezoelectric element to a mechanical stress. Owing to the wound nature of the piezoelectric element, the device is relatively simple to manufacture and the conductive layers are less apt to crack or break during the manufacturing process. Also disclosed herein are techniques for producing such piezoelectric flexure devices.

대표청구항 ▼

In a piezoelectric flexure device comprising a piezoelectric element having means coupled thereto for causing the device to flex in response to subjecting the piezoelectric element to an electric field, the improvement wherein said piezoelectric element comprises a light-weight flexible, elongated m

In a piezoelectric flexure device comprising a piezoelectric element having means coupled thereto for causing the device to flex in response to subjecting the piezoelectric element to an electric field, the improvement wherein said piezoelectric element comprises a light-weight flexible, elongated mandrel having a generally rectangular cross section with rounded corners, a flexible piezoelectric film which is wound about said mandrel to form a plurality of generally concentric piezoelectric layers free from sharp bends or folds, and electrode means positioned between adjacent concentric layers for producing an electric field across each of said layers upon being connected to a voltage source.