Method of manufacturing a multi-layered piezoelectric actuator
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsKurtis C. Kelley, Jerry P. Maushard, L. Glenn Waterfield
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method of manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator. The method includes a pre-cure step in which the adhesive is heated to a temperature below the melting point of the adhesive. A stack is formed having a piezoelectric layer and at least one supporting layer with the pre-cured adhesive therebetween. The stack is then cured to form a bonded laminate. The temperature at which the pre-cure occurs allows for the pre-stress in the piezoelectric layer to be modified without changing the material of the supporting layer.
Claims17
A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator, comprising:
- applying a first adhesive to at least one of a first surface of a piezoelectric layer and a first surface of a first supporting layer, the piezoelectric layer and the first supporting layer each having at least first and second surfaces;
- heating the at least one layer having the applied adhesive to a first temperature to modify an activation temperature of the applied adhesive, cooling the at least one layer having the applied adhesive to a first ambient temperature, assembling the piezoelectric and first supporting layers into a stack, the applied adhesive being disposed between the piezoelectric layer and the first supporting layer;
- heating the stack to a second temperature lower than an unmodified activation temperature of the adhesive to activate the adhesive;
- and cooling the stack to a second ambient temperature.
A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator, comprising:
- pre-heating an adhesive to modify an activation temperature of the adhesive;
- assembling a stack comprised of a piezoelectric layer and a first supporting layer, the adhesive disposed there between;
- heating the stack above the modified activation temperature of the adhesive, but below an unmodified activation temperature of the adhesive;
- and cooling the stack to a final ambient temperature.
A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator, comprising selecting a first adhesive layer, a piezoelectric layer, and a first supporting layer;
- pre-heating the adhesive layer to modify an activation temperature of the adhesive layer;
- assembling a stack comprised of the piezoelectric layer and the first supporting layer with the first adhesive layer disposed there between;
- and curing the stack to form a bonded laminate, wherein curing occurs at at least the modified activation temperature but below an unmodified activation temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.