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US 8,089,197 B2Granted
Method for operating a piezoelectric element
AssigneeEpcos AG
InventorsFranz Rinner, Alenko Lic
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for operating a piezoelectric element is disclosed. A first voltage is applied to a piezoelectric element and produces a first deflection of the piezoelectric element with a travel. An electrical discharge of the piezoelectric element after the application of the first voltage results in a first contraction of the piezoelectric element by a first compression. After the first contraction, a second voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element, whose polarity is opposite that of the first voltage and causes a further contraction of the piezoelectric element by a second compression. Repeated application of the first voltage after the electrical discharge of the applied second voltage results in a deflection of the piezoelectric element with the same travel.
Claims20
A method for operating a piezoelectric element, the method comprising:
- applying a first voltage to the piezoelectric element to produce a first deflection of the piezoelectric element with a travel, wherein an electrical discharge of the piezoelectric element after applying the first voltage results in a first contraction of the piezoelectric element;
- after the first contraction, applying a second voltage to the piezoelectric element to cause a further contraction of the piezoelectric element, the second voltage having a polarity opposite that of the first voltage;
- and
- re-applying the first voltage after electrical discharge of the applied second voltage, wherein a deflection of the piezoelectric element has the same travel;
- wherein the piezoelectric element has a first dimension after the electrical discharge of the first voltage, and has a smaller second dimension after the electrical discharge of the second voltage;
- wherein the piezoelectric element has a third dimension after the further contraction, the third dimension being less than the first dimension and the second dimension;
- and
- wherein the second voltage has a lower absolute maximum value than the first voltage.
5 more elements
A method for operating a piezoelectric element, the method comprising:
- applying a first voltage to the piezoelectric element to produce a first deflection of the piezoelectric element with a travel, wherein an electrical discharge of the piezoelectric element after applying the first voltage results in a first contraction of the piezoelectric element;
- after the first contraction, applying a second voltage to the piezoelectric element to cause a further contraction of the piezoelectric element, the second voltage having a polarity opposite that of the first voltage;
- and
- re-applying the first voltage after electrical discharge of the applied second voltage, wherein a deflection of the piezoelectric element has the same travel;
- wherein the piezoelectric element has a first dimension after the electrical discharge of the first voltage, and has a smaller second dimension after the electrical discharge of the second voltage;
- wherein the piezoelectric element has a third dimension after the further contraction, the third dimension being less than the first dimension and the second dimension;
- and
- wherein applying the first voltage comprises applying the first voltage to the piezoelectric element for longer than a duration of the applying the second voltage.
5 more elements
A method for operating a piezoelectric element, the method comprising:
- applying a first voltage to the piezoelectric element to produce a first deflection of the piezoelectric element with a travel, wherein an electrical discharge of the piezoelectric element after applying the first voltage results in a first contraction of the piezoelectric element, wherein applying the first voltage comprises applying the first voltage to the piezoelectric element for a duration of 0.5 to 2 ms;
- after the first contraction, applying a second voltage to the piezoelectric element to cause a further contraction of the piezoelectric element, the second voltage having a polarity opposite that of the first voltage;
- and
- re-applying the first voltage after electrical discharge of the applied second voltage, wherein a deflection of the piezoelectric element has the same travel.
1 more element
A method for operating a piezoelectric element, the method comprising:
- applying a first voltage to the piezoelectric element to produce a first deflection of the piezoelectric element with a travel, wherein an electrical discharge of the piezoelectric element after applying the first voltage results in a first contraction of the piezoelectric element;
- after the first contraction, applying a second voltage to the piezoelectric element to cause a further contraction of the piezoelectric element, the second voltage having a polarity opposite that of the first voltage;
- and
- re-applying the first voltage after electrical discharge of the applied second voltage, wherein a deflection of the piezoelectric element has the same travel;
- wherein the method further comprises applying a first current pulse to the piezoelectric element when the first voltage is applied and applying a second current pulse to the piezoelectric element when the second voltage is applied, wherein the first current pulse is positive and is a maximum of 20 A and wherein the first current pulse has a duration of approximately 0.2 to 0.5 ms.
2 more elements
A method for operating a piezoelectric element, the method comprising:
- applying a first voltage to the piezoelectric element to produce a first deflection of the piezoelectric element with a travel, wherein an electrical discharge of the piezoelectric element after applying the first voltage results in a first contraction of the piezoelectric element;
- after the first contraction, applying a second voltage to the piezoelectric element to cause a further contraction of the piezoelectric element, the second voltage having a polarity opposite that of the first voltage;
- and
- re-applying the first voltage after electrical discharge of the applied second voltage, wherein a deflection of the piezoelectric element has the same travel;
- wherein the method further comprises applying a first current pulse to the piezoelectric element when the first voltage is applied and applying a second current pulse to the piezoelectric element when the second voltage is applied, wherein the second current pulse is negative and is a maximum of −15 A and wherein the second current pulse has a duration of approximately 0.01 to 0.1 ms.
2 more elements
A method for operating a piezoelectric element, the method comprising:
- applying a first voltage to the piezoelectric element to produce a first deflection of the piezoelectric element with a travel, wherein the travel is in a range between 40 and 80 μm and wherein an electrical discharge of the piezoelectric element after applying the first voltage results in a first contraction of the piezoelectric element;
- after the first contraction, applying a second voltage to the piezoelectric element to cause a further contraction of the piezoelectric element, the second voltage having a polarity opposite that of the first voltage;
- and
- re-applying the first voltage after electrical discharge of the applied second voltage, wherein a deflection of the piezoelectric element has the same travel.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.