Method and apparatus for compensating for temperature induced deformation of a piezoelectric device

A method for providing a control signal for a piezoelectric device, comprising:

• determining a desired displacement of the piezoelectric device;
• determining a value indicative of an approximate temperature of the piezoelectric device;
• transmitting a second desired position signal as a function of the desired displacement of the piezoelectric device and the value indicative of the temperature of the piezoelectric device, the second desired position signal operable to cause an electric field to be applied to the piezoelectric device, when the temperature of the piezoelectric device is below a predetermined threshold, having a magnitude generally above a normal operating range for the piezoelectric device.

A method for applying an electric field to a piezoelectric device, comprising:

• creating an electric field across the piezoelectric device having a magnitude generally within a first predetermined operating range when the temperature of the piezoelectric device is at or above a predetermined threshold;
• and
• creating an electric field across the piezoelectric device having a magnitude generally above the first predetermined operating range when the temperature of the piezoelectric device is below the predetermined threshold.

A method for applying a voltage to a piezoelectric device, comprising:

• applying a voltage within a normal operating range to the piezoelectric device when the temperature of the piezoelectric device is generally at or above a predetermined temperature;
• and
• applying an over-voltage to the piezoelectric device when the temperature of the piezoelectric device is generally below the predetermined temperature.

A method for applying a driving field to a piezoelectric device, comprising:

• applying a driving field having a magnitude within a normal operating range to the piezoelectric device when the temperature of the piezoelectric device is generally at or above a predetermined temperature;
• and
• applying a driving field having a magnitude in excess of the normal operating range to the piezoelectric device when the temperature of the piezoelectric device is generally below the predetermined temperature.