Motion amplification using piezoelectric element
AssigneeAdaptivenergy, LLC
InventorDavid D. Wright
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A motion amplifier (22) comprises piezoelectric diaphragm (30) and drive electronics (26) for applying a drive signal to the piezoelectric diaphragm. The motion amplifier preferably comprises (in addition to the piezoelectric diaphragm) a reaction mass (34) connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm; a reacted mass (40) connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm; and, a reacted mass spring (50, 270) for resiliently carrying the reacted mass. Motion or displacement of the piezoelectric diaphragm (30) is amplified to produce a greater displacement or motion of an actuator region or surface (46) of the reacted mass (40).
Claims44
A motion amplifier comprising:
- a piezoelectric diaphragm;
- a reaction mass connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm;
- a reacted mass connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm;
- a reacted mass spring for resiliently carrying the reacted mass;
- wherein a periphery of the piezoelectric diaphragm is held and carried by the reacted mass;
- wherein the reacted mass comprises a reacted mass cup which defines a reacted mass cavity, and wherein the reaction mass is suspended from the piezoelectric diaphragm in the reacted mass cavity.
A motion amplifier comprising:
- a piezoelectric diaphragm;
- a reaction mass connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm;
- a reacted mass connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm;
- a reacted mass spring for resiliently carrying the reacted mass;
- wherein the reacted mass spring comprises a corrugated diaphragm;
- wherein the reacted mass comprises a reacted mass cup which defines a reacted mass cavity, and wherein the reaction mass is suspended from the piezoelectric diaphragm in the reacted mass cavity.
A motion amplifier comprising:
- a piezoelectric diaphragm;
- a reaction mass connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm;
- a reacted mass connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm;
- a reacted mass spring for resiliently carrying the reacted mass;
- a bellows assembly, and wherein the bellows assembly comprises a sidewall for at least partially comprising the reacted mass spring;
- wherein the reacted mass comprises a reacted mass cup which defines a reacted mass cavity, and wherein the reaction mass is suspended from the piezoelectric diaphragm in the reacted mass cavity.
A motion amplifier comprising:
- a piezoelectric diaphragm;
- a reaction mass connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm;
- a reacted mass connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm;
- a reacted mass spring for resiliently carrying the reacted mass;
- an amplifier base connected to at least one of the reacted mass and the reacted mass spring;
- means for resiliently mounting the amplifier base relative to the outside world;
- wherein the reacted mass comprises a reacted mass cup which defines a reacted mass cavity, and wherein the reaction mass is suspended from the piezoelectric diaphragm in the reacted mass cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.