US3832580A - High molecular weight, thin film piezoelectric transducers - Google Patents

High molecular weight, thin film piezoelectric transducers Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3832580A
US3832580A US00321072A US32107273A US3832580A US 3832580 A US3832580 A US 3832580A US 00321072 A US00321072 A US 00321072A US 32107273 A US32107273 A US 32107273A US 3832580 A US3832580 A US 3832580A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
converting
molecular weight
vibrator
converting means
thin film
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00321072A
Inventor
I Yamamuro
M Tamura
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pioneer Corp
Original Assignee
Pioneer Electronic Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pioneer Electronic Corp filed Critical Pioneer Electronic Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3832580A publication Critical patent/US3832580A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R17/00Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers
    • H04R17/005Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers using a piezoelectric polymer
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R23/00Transducers other than those covered by groups H04R9/00 - H04R21/00
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S310/00Electrical generator or motor structure
    • Y10S310/80Piezoelectric polymers, e.g. PVDF

Definitions

  • a converting means made of a thin film of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric organic compound having orientated molecules and having electrodes bonded or deposited onto both surfaces thereof.
  • This invention relates to transducers for converting electric energy into mechanical or acoustic energy or vice versa, and more particularly to an electroacoustic or electromechanical transducer or pickup using a natural or synthetic high polymer piezo-electric vibrator.
  • the conventional piezo-electric electroacoustic transducer such as piezo-electric speaker employs a vibrator such as Bimorph which is made by bonding together two piezo-electric materials such as Rochelle salt crystals, pieZo-electric ceramics so that when one expands the other contracts.
  • This vibrator is fixed at one end to a fixed surface and is engaged at the other end through a transmitting lever with a vibrating plate to drive it. Since it has a lever mechanism, the mass of its vibrating system cannot be small so that its efficiency is low and it is affected by the resonance of the lever. Further, the center of the vibrator moves arcuatelywhen it vibrates so that the vibrator is subject to strain. Also, the mechanical quality of such piezoelectric substances is high so that it is very difficult to obtain a broad band frequency characteristic.
  • This invention eliminates these disadvantages of conventional piezo-electric transducers, and provides a novel and improved transducer for converting electric energy into mechanical or acoustic energy or vice versa using a natural or synthetic high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance.
  • collagen as a main component of an animal tendon
  • silk fiber as a main component of a raw silk
  • wood cellulose may be used.
  • synthetic substances poly-ymethyl L gluatamate, poly-'y-benzyl L glutamate, etc. which have large orientation of molecules and large crystallinity may be employed.
  • these high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric materials can be employed in this invention in the form of a thin film.
  • thin films of a thickness ranging from about to about 200 microns prepared from high molecular weight polymeric piezo-electric materials having a molecular weight ranging from about 5000 to 500,000 can be employed.
  • a transducer comprising means for converting electric energy into mechanical or acoustic energy such as a square thin plane vibrator made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance.
  • Means are provided for applying the electric energy to the vibrator such as two sheets of electrodes bonded or depos-' ited onto both sides of the vibrator.
  • a source of electric energy, conductor means for connecting the energy to the electrodes, and means for fixing the vibrator in a predetermined direction that is at an angle to the direction of an orientation of molecules in the vibrator, such as at 45, are employed. Two corner ends of said vibrator are fixed directly to the stators and the other two comer ends are secured through resilient means such as springs to the stators.
  • the vibrator is fixed at both ends to the stators which are themselves spaced shorter than the diagonal length of the vibrator.
  • the transducing element is a vibrating plate, its structure may be much simpler than the conventional microphone speaker. Strong mechanical rigidity is provided, in addition to lower production costs. Further, the overall transducer may be thinner.
  • a transducer comprising means for converting mechanical energy into an electric energy such as a rectangular thin plane vibrator made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance.
  • Means for picking up the mechanical energy and for transmitting it into the vibrator, such as a needle, is secured to the center portion of the vibrator.
  • Means for conducting electric energy produced at the vibrator such as four sheets of electrodes bonded or deposited onto the front and back surfaces of both sides of the vibrator, are employed.
  • the vibrator is fixed in a predetermined direction which is at an angle to the direction of orientation of its molecules, such as at 45.
  • the vibrator is fixedly secured at both ends to the stators.
  • the converting means may be two rectangular thin plane vibrators attached perpendicularly to each other at one end with the needle being secured to the crossing point of the vibrators and angularly spaced by 45 from both vibrators, or the vibrators maybe in the form of two rectangular thin plane members, perpendicularly crossed, and bonded at their central portions to each other, with the needle secured to the crossing point of the vibrators.
  • both ends of the vibrators are fixed to the stators, age deformation thereof is extremely small and its operation is very stable.
  • Furthennore since two sets of electrodes are provided on one piezo-electric vibrator, it may be manufactured less expensively and readily and the two vibrators may have the same characteristics.
  • a transducer such as a V-shaped thin plane vibrator made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance, a vibrating means such as a conical thin vibrating plate having an apex attached to the vibrator, means for applying the electric energy to the vibrator such as two sheets of electrodes bonded or deposited onto both sides of the vibrator, means for fixing the vibrator in a predetermined direction at an angle to the direction of the orientation of molecules in the vibrator such as at 45 with a frame. Both ends of the vibrator are fixed to the frame and said vibrating plate is secured to the frame.
  • the vibrator since the vibrator is attached directly to the vibrating plate without any transmitting lever, the overall transducer such as speaker may be very thin. Further, inasmuch as the vibrating plate moves linearly, it moves accurately and reciprocally, thereby preventing the generation of strains. Due to its simple structure it may be manufactured less expensively. Moreover, since the vibrator is made of flexible piezo-electric substance, its mechanical quality Q is low, thereby providing broad band frequency characteristics.
  • a transducer such as a rectangular vibrator made of high molecular weight polymer piezoelectric substance, means for conducting energy such as a terminal, means for fixing the vibrator in a predetermined direction at an angle to the direction of orientation of molecules in the vibrator such as at 45 with a supporting wall for the vibrator at both ends thereof.
  • the vibrators including electrodes bonded or deposited onto both sides thereof and terminals are connected to the electrodes.
  • a transducer such as two rectangular vibrators made of a high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance, means for applying the electric energy to the vibrator such as two electrodes bonded or deposited onto the upper and lower sides of central portion of the vibrators and two electrodes bonded or deposited onto the rear surface of the vibrator correspondingly to the electrodes.
  • a vibrating means such as a central portion of the vibrator is employed and means for fixing the vibrator in a predetermined direction at an angle to the direction of orientation of molecules in the vibrator such as at 45.
  • the converting means may be two cylindrical vibrators made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance with the vibrating means comprising a circular vibrating plate secured to the central portion within said cylindrical vibrator.
  • the fixing means are supporting walls with both ends of said cylindrical vibrator being secured thereto.
  • the cylindrical vibrator includes a plurality of small holes thereon or is sealed and a vibrating valve is provided thereon, and a horn is provided at one opening end of cylindrical vibrator.
  • the vibrating plate accurately reciprocates and the transducer has extremely small strain. Further, it provides not only a simple structure with less expensive production but the mechanical quality Q is low similar to that previously described.
  • a transducer as defined in the previous embodiment wherein said converting means are a plurality of vibrating plates of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance and are supported by a plurality of supporting means at the respective ends, with each plate having a curvature. Electrodes are bonded or deposited onto each side of each vibrating plate which has an orientation of molecules in a direction different from the direction parallel to that of parallel supporting means.
  • the supporting means are stators disposed on the lengthwise base for supporting said vibrating plate at each end.
  • a transducer such as a tubular vibrating element disposed around the periphery of means for imparting a resiliency and tension to the vibrating element such as a tubular resilient element disposed around the periphery of the base so as to press the resilient elements to a predetermined degree.
  • the vibrating element is made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance having an orientation of molecules in a direction different from the longitudinal axis of the base, a cylindrical base, means for imparting a resiliency and tension to said vibrating element, and means for transmitting or receiving acoustic energy such as an upper and lower acoustic transmitter or receiver attached to the upper or lower end of the base, respectively, with electrodes being bonded or deposited onto both sides of the vibrating element.
  • a transducer as defined in the previous embodiment wherein said resilient element is partially provided on the base below the vibrating element or is partially provided radially from the periphery of the base with the vibrating element being a regular polygonal cylinder supported by the partial resilient element around the base.
  • This invention provides a transducer for converting an electric energy into a mechanical or acoustic energy in which the vibrator is made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance.
  • the transducer electrodes are bonded or deposited onto both sides of the vibrator. In the transducer, the direction of orientation of molecules is different from the fixed direction of the vibrator.
  • the present invention provides a simple but strong transducer which is readily and less expensively manufactured, is extremely thin as a whole, has small age deformation, operates very stably, the odd order of high harmonic wave strain is cancelled, it operates very accurately without any strain, and has low mechanical quality Q for broad frequency characteristics.
  • the transducer eliminates the division of the vibration when used for a speaker.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a transducer in accordance with this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of a transducer element with a distorted state designated by a broken line;
  • FIG. 3 is a view of the transducer according to this invention showing a principle thereof
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a transducer element shown in FIG. 3 taken as indicated by the line 44 therein showing a manner of vibration thereof;
  • FIG. 5 is a view showing a relationship between the direction of orientation of molecules and a stressed direction in the element
  • FIG. 6 is a graph showing the variations of an apparent piezo-electric modulus of the element
  • FIG. 7 is a side view of the second embodiment of this invention showing schematically a transducer element or vibrator
  • FIG. 8 is a plan view of the vibrator shown in FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the third embodiment of this invention for a 4545 system.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the fourth embodiment of this invention for another 4545 system
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a piezo-electric speaker for the purpose of explanation of its principle
  • FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a piezo-electric speaker showing a fifth embodiment of this invention.
  • FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the speaker shown in FIG. 12;
  • FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12 but illustrating the manner of vibration of the speaker
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of sixth embodiment of this invention showing an explanatory electroacoustic transducer
  • FIG. 16 is a side view of the transducer shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 17 is a graph showing the relationship of waves between an input electric signal applied to the transducer in accordance with this invention and its acoustic output produced thereby;
  • FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a seventh embodiment of this invention showing an electroacoustic transducer in which a central strap electrode is interleaved between two rectangular high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric materials;
  • FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 but showing the transducer in which the electrode is interleaved between two cylindrical materials secured fixedly, respectively;
  • FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the transducer in which a horn is mounted between the cylindrical vibrators shown in FIG. 19;
  • FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a plane transducer according to this invention.
  • FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21 but with a plurality of these transducers disposed integrally with each other;
  • FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are elevational and plan views respectively of a cylindrical transducer in accordance with this invention.
  • FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an alternate form of a plane transducer.
  • FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a modification of a cylindrical transducer.
  • reference numeral 1 designates a square, thin plate made of a high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric material, and electrodes 2 are bonded or deposited onto both sides of the thin plate 1 and are connected to a source 3 of an altemating current.
  • the thin plate 1 has an orientation of molecules in the direction designated by an arrow A, angularly spaced from a diagonal line through the square element by the amount of 45.
  • an alternating voltage is applied from the source 3 to both electrodes 2, bonded onto both sides of the thin plate 1 of piezoelectric material, a slip phenomenon occurs in the square plate 1 to distort it to a diamond shape 1' as illustrated by a broken line in FIG. 2.
  • reference numerals 4, 4 and 5, 5 designate stators for fixing the thin plate 1, suitable resilient means 6,6 being interposed between the stators 5,5 and the plate.
  • an alternating voltage is applied, similarly as described above, to the thin plate 1, the latter distorts as described in relation to FIG. 2.
  • the thin plate extends in the direction of the diagonal line extending between the stators 4,4 to which the plate is directly secured at both corners, when the plate deforms similarly as described previously in relation to FIG. 2, so that the plate vibrates as illustrated by the broken lines in FIG. 4.
  • the distance between the stators 4 and 4 is set to less than the minimum of the length of the diagonal line of the thin plate along the stators 4,4 secured therebetween the the plate 1 contracts, most bidirectional vibration of the thin plate may be obtained as designated by the broken lines in FIG. 4. If an acoustic vibration is applied to the thin plate 1 so that the alternating voltage generated in the plate by a piezo-electric effect is removed by the electrodes 2,2 this is clearly an acoustic-to-electric transducer. Further, the periphery of the thin plate 1 may be secured, at other than the points of the stators 4,4.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 which show relationship between the orientation of molecules and a strained direction in the plate, and a graph of the variations of an apparent piezo-electn'c modulus of the plate, respectively, if 0 is the angle between the orientation of molecules and the direction of the stress applied or produced as designated in FIG. 5, the apparent piezo-electric modulus d changes proportionally to sine 20, which is known per se, that is to say:
  • d A sine 26 where the symbol A represents a proportional constant equivalent to the component d of the piezo-electric tensor. Accordingly, if the thin plate is stressed in the direction of 1r/4 or 45, angularly spaced from the orientation of molecules, the efficiency of conversion may be the best. If desired, other angular spacings may be used with somewhat lower efficiency of conversion. Also, the thin plate of piezo-electric material may be of other than a square shape within the scope of this invention.
  • a transducer reversible between an electric and acoustic signal, may be obtained when the square thin plate made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric material is bent along one pair of diagonals thereof so that both comer ends of the plate along the diagonal line are secured to the stators. Due to the transducing element being a vibrating plate its structure may be much simpler than the conventional microphone, speaker, etc., strong mechanical rigidity being provided, and less expensive production is achieved. Further, the overall thickness of the transducer may be reduced to 5 mm resulting in an extremely thin acoustic equipment.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment of a transducer according to this invention used for a pickup cartridge for music performance
  • electrodes 12, 13, 14, 15 are attached to the front and back surface of both sides of vibrator 11.
  • a vibrating projection such as a needle 16 is attached to the center portion 11' .
  • the vibrator 11 is fixed at both ends to stators 17,17.
  • vibrator 11a disposed at the left of the needle 16 contracts and vibrator 11b located at the right of the needle 16 expands, and vice versa.
  • the orientation of molecules is set relative to the direction of the stress so that when the stress is applied in the direction A as above, the piezo-electricity is produced at the electrodes provided on the vibrator 11 similarly to that described in relation to FIGS. and 6.
  • FIG. 9 shows a still further embodiment of a transducer according to this invention as applied to a 45-45 system which is known per se
  • vibrators 21a and 211 are attached perpendicularly to each other. Electrodes 22, 23, 24, 25 are attached similarly to the above embodiment on both sides of the vibrators, and needle 26 is attached at the cross point of the vibrators.
  • the vibrators 21a, 21b are also fixed at the ends other than the cross point to stators 27,27. When the needle 26 is projected at the cross point as 45 spaced angularly from both vibrators, this may detect stereo signals for the 45-45 system.
  • FIG. 10 shows still another embodiment of a transducer in accordance with this invention used for a 4545 system
  • vibrators 31a, 31b and 31c, 31d similar to that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are perpendicularly crossed to be bonded at their central portions to each other so that the vibrators 31a, 31c correspond to that shown at 11a in FIG. 8 and the vibrators 31b, 31d to that shown at 11b.
  • quadrant I the area between the vibrators 3lb and 310 is termed as quadrant I, that between 31a and 31c as quadrant II, that between 3la and 31d as quadrant III and that between 3112 and 31d as quadrant IV as designated in FIG.
  • the vibrators 31a, 31d extend and those 31b, 31c contract when the crossing point P of the junction of the vibrators moves, for example, toward the quadrant I.
  • the respective ends other than the point P are fixed to stators 37, respectively.
  • Table I The respective relationships of the movement of the vibrators are shown in the following Table I:
  • This transducer is not restricted to cartridge pickups used for musical performances, but it may be used as a reversible transducer from mechanical to electric to mechanical conversion within the principle and scope of this invention.
  • FIG. 11 shows a piezoelectric speaker for the purpose of illustrating its principle
  • a vibrator 41 known per se as a Bimorph in which two piezo-electric materials such as Rochelle salt crystals, piezo-electric ceramics are bonded together, is shown in FIG. 1 1 so that when one expands the other contracts.
  • This vibrator is fixed at one end to a fixed surface 47 and is engaged at the other end through a transmitting lever 48 with a vibrating plate 49 to drive it.
  • reference numeral 50 designates a frame, and a conical thin vibrating plate 59 having an apex 59a is attached to a vibrator as will be described.
  • a rectangular thin vibrator 51 is made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance which is V-shaped and is attached at both ends to the frame 50. This vibrator 51 has electrode surfaces deposited or bonded to both sides thereof.
  • Numeral 58 designates a terminal for supplying a signal voltage to the electrodes.
  • the vibrator 51 has the orientation of molecules in a direction that is at an angle 0 from the line designated by AA' in FIG. 13, preferably 45.
  • an alternating voltage is applied to electrodes provided on both sides of the vibrator 51, it slips in a plane so that it expands or contracts along the line designated by AA (FIG. 13). Consequently, as shown in FIG. 14 illustrated by broken lines, the vibrator 51 vibrates in response to the alternate voltage applied through the terminal 58 to the electrodes in a reciprocal manner.
  • the vibrator 51 is secured in a plane between the frame 50 other than the V-shape as described previously or in other words if the angle a in FIG. 12 is zero, the vibrator may expand but cannot contract so that it responds to merely a half cycle of the alternating voltage applied to the electrodes. Accordingly, in order to obtain a desired acoustic output a suitable mechanical bias such as an angle designated in FIG. 12 should be previously provided on the vibrator 51 so it will vibrate in a sufiicient amplitude.
  • the vibrator 51 is not restricted to two sheets as shown in the drawings, multiple radial vibrators may be provided within the principle and scope of this invention, but the vibrators are preferably attached symmetrically to each other in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art.
  • the speaker since the vibrator is attached directly to the vibrating plate without any transmitting lever, the speaker may be very thinly formed which is particularly appropriate to compact acoustic equipment such as portable radios, earphones, etc., and to accurate equipment because the acting point for driving the vibrating plate by the vibrator does not move arcuately as illustrated by the broken line in FIG. 11, but moves in a linear path so that the vibrating plate rec'iprocates accurately thereby preventing the production of strains thereon. Due to its simple structure it may be manufactured less expensively and is susceptible to mass production. Further, as the vibrator is made of flexible piezo-electric substance, its mechanical quality Q is low so that it provides broad band frequency characteristics.
  • This transducer is not to be limited to a speaker application, but it may be used for a transducer for acoustic to electric or electric to acoustic conversion such as microphones or the like as is obvious to those skilled in the art.
  • FIGS. 15 and 16 which show an electroacoustic transducer as still another embodiment of this invention for a supersonic usage such as a pulse generator, transmitter and receiver of sonar
  • thin rectangular vibrator 61 is made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance.
  • Numeral 60 shows a supporting wall for the vibrator 61 at both ends thereof in its extending and contracting direction
  • 68 illustrates a terminal for supplying an electric signal voltage on the electrode surfaces deposited or bonded on both sides of the vibrator 61.
  • the vibrator 61 has the direction of orientation of molecules as designated by an angle angularly spaced from the line illustrated by A-A, preferably 45. If an alternating voltage or pulse voltage is applied to the electrodes provided on both sides of the vibrator, it may slip in a plane so that it expands or contracts along the line shown by AA'. However, since the vibrator 61 is fixed at both ends to the supporting walls 60 without any slack, it expands but does not contract. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, when an input illustrated at A is applied as an alternating voltage to the electrodes through the terminal 68, the output designated at B as a half cycle corresponding to the extension of the vibrator is provided by means of the vibration of the vibrator 61.
  • the vibrator 61 is not only a simple structure but allows less expensive production because in the manufacturing process the vibrator 61 is not pressed or bent due to its plane structure. Furthermore, since the acoustic impedance of poly-'y-methyl L glutamate is similar to that of .water, it provides a great advantage when it is used for an underwater acoustic equipment such as transmitter and receiver of a sonar.
  • This transducer may not be restricted to this usage for converting an electric signal into an acoustic signal, but it may be used for converting an acoustic signal into an electric signal within the principle and scope of this invention.
  • reference numeral 71 designates a vibrator made of high polymer piezo-electric substance
  • numerals 72, 74 illustrate electrode surfaces deposited or bonded onto upper and lower sides of central surface portion 76 of the vibrator
  • numerals 73 show back surface electrodes disposed at the rear surface of the vibrator corresponding to the electrodes 72, 74.
  • the central portion 76 of the vibrator acts as an insulator for separating the electrodes 72 and 74, and the electrodes 73 and 75.
  • the electrodes 72,73 and vibrator 71 interleaved therebetween constitute upper vibrator 71a and the electrodes 74,75 and vibrator 71 interleaved therebetween constitute lower vibrator 71b.
  • the vibrator 71 has a suitable orientation of molecules as designated by an angle 0 angularly spaced from the line shown by A-A', preferably 45. If an alternate voltage is applied to the electrodes 72,73, the upper vibrator 71a slips in a plane so that it expands or contracts along the line shown by A-A'. If an alternate voltage which is out of phase from the above alternate voltage applied to the upper electrodes74, 75
  • the central portion 76 moves reciprocally up and down in response to the alternating voltage applied to the electrodes.
  • FIG. 19 shows an electro-.
  • Reference numeral 87 designates a supporting wall for fixing upper and lower cylindrical vibrators 81a, 81b at the upper and lower ends
  • numeral 89 illustrates a circular vibrating plate which is secured to a central portion 86 within the cylindrical vibrator 81.
  • the upper and lower opening ends of the cylindrical vibrators 81a, 81b are fixed to the supporting walls 87 and the circular vibrating plate 89 is bonded to the central portion 86 within the cylinder. If the vibrators have the orientation of molecules similarly to those shown in FIG. 18, the
  • the upper and lower vibrators move reciprocally up and down when alternating voltages are applied thereto, 180 out of phase with each other so that when either side of said vibrators expands the other vibrator contracts similarly to those shown in FIG. 18.
  • the central circular vibrating plate 89 vibrates in response to the alternating signal voltage applied thereto.
  • the upper and lower cylindrical vibrators 81a, 81b are fixed to the supporting wall 87, in order that the air within the cylinder is not sealed or conversely, in order that a suitable damping action is applied to the vibrating plate 89, air holes may be provided thereon.
  • the vibration produced by the vibrating plate 89 is not utilized directly for an acoustic output, the sound generated when the air within the sealed cylinder passes through small holes bored may be used, and if a vibrating valve is provided at the hole, a peculiar flute may be obtained.
  • reference numeral 91 designates the vibrator having upper and lower cylindrical vibrators 91a and 91b, numeral 97 a supporting wall, numeral 99 the vibrating plate secured to the inner portion of vibrator 91, and numeral 98 a horn which is provided at the opening end of the cylindrical vibrator 91a, and serves to provide a speaker.
  • the invention should not be restricted to this cylindrical shape. Any shape in response to the requirement for vibrating the vibrating plate may be selected within the principle and scope of this invention. Further, if the central portion is removed and the upper and lower vibrators are connected by another insulating substance, to which the vibrating plate is fixed, a material that is difficult directly to bond to the high molecular weight polymer such as poly-y-methyl L glutamate may be used for the vibrating plate.
  • the vibrating plate moves accurately reciprocally and the transducer has extremely small strain. It provides not only a simple structure but is less expensive in production, in particular, mass production. Further, since the vibrator is made of flexible piezo-electric substance, its mechanical quality Q is very low and broad band frequency characteristic is obtained.
  • ref erence numeral 101 designates a base plate made of a stiff substance such as a rigid body
  • numeral 102 illustrates a vibrating plate made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance having electrodes bonded or deposited onto both sides thereof
  • numeral 103 designates a resilient element such as made of spongy synthetic resin or liquid for imparting a suitable resiliency and tension to the vibrating plate 102
  • numeral 104 indicates a stator for supporting the vibrating plate 102.
  • the vibrating plate 102 preferably has the direction of orientation of molecules angularly spaced by 45 (or 30 or 69) from the direction parallel to that of parallel stators 104, 104.
  • an alternating voltage is applied to the electrodes provided onto both sides of the vibrating plate 102, it slips in a plane so that it expands or contracts in a direction perpendicular to the parallel direction of the stators 104, i.e., in the direction as designated by line AA (FIG. 21). It thereby vibrates in the direction normal to the plane of the vibrating plate 102 with the resiliency of the resilient element 103.
  • an appropriate curvature is not provided on the vibrating plate 102 supported between the stators 104, 104, the plate cannot contract but may merely expand resulting in vibrating only on the half cycle of the alternating voltage applied.
  • FIG. 22 which is similar to FIG. 1 but a plurality of plates are integrally disposed in parallel relation as still another embodiment of this invention, the same elements are designated by the same reference numbers as those shown in FIG. 21.
  • the base plate 101 extends lengthwise as predetermined, and a plurality of parallel stators 104 are secured thereon, then vibrating plates 102 and resilient elements 103 are disposed therebetween so that the area of the vibrating plate may be readily expanded.
  • a multistereo acoustic effect may be obtained by independently applying various signal voltages to the respective vibrating plates.
  • FIGS. 23 and 24 which show a cylindrical transducer as still another embodiment of this invention having similar principles to that shown in FIG. 21, a resilient element 113 is provided around the periphery of a cylindrical base body 111 so that a vibrating plate 112 is attached to the outer surface of the resilient elements 113 so as to suitably press the element.
  • Acoustic transmitters or receivers 115 are attached on the upper and lower surface of the cylindri cal base body 111.
  • the vibrating plate 112 has electrodes bonded or deposited onto both sides thereof. When an alternating voltage is applied to the electrodes, the vibrating plate 112 expands or contracts due to its plane slippage so that the tubular vibrating plate 112 moves or vibrates to expand and contract outward and inward, respectively.
  • a nondirectional electroacoustic transducer in a plane.
  • FIG. 25 shows an alternative form of a plane transducer as still another embodiment of this invention
  • a resilient element 123 is supported on a base plate 121.
  • Stators 124 are similarly provided to those shown in FIG. 21.
  • a vibrating plate 122 in the form of a high molecular weight piezo-electric compound thin film having electrodes on both sides thereof is supported by the stators 124 and also by the resilient element 123 at its center portion so that the movement imparted to the plate is suitably damped by the resilient element 123.
  • a resilient element 133 is partially provided radially of the periphery of a base body 131 and a vibrating plate 132 is attached as regular po- Iygonal cylinder through the partial resilient elements 133 around the base body 131 so that the elements 133 are equidistantly spaced therearound.
  • the respective vibrating faces vibrate or move parallel or reciprocally outward and inward so that a pecular directional characteristic may be obtained such that the acoustic energy is directed toward each radially outwardly perpen' dicular direction, that is to each vibrating plane.
  • a reversible transducer for converting electric energy into acoustic energy or vice versa incorporated with solid base plate or body (or cylindrical base body), resilient element and vibrating plate with high molecular weight polymer piezoelectric substance is provided. Since the convert ing element as a vibrating plate is itself a very simple structure, the ultimate products have large mechanical strength and are less expensively manufactured. When this transducer is used for the overall speaker, the vibrating plate vibrates to expand and contract thereby with no occurrence of the division of the vibration produced by conventional conical speakers.
  • a transducer comprising:
  • converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction,
  • fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle of approximately 45 to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
  • a transducer comprising:
  • a cylindrical converting means for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of high molecular weight polymer piezoelectric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, said converting means being separated into first and second portions by a center insulating portion,
  • fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means, said converting means being fixed by said fixing means at the outer ends of said first and second portions.
  • a transducer comprising:
  • converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a pair of rectangular thin film plane vibrators that are fixed at one end and are bonded at the other end in substantially perpendicular relation to each other, and a needle is secured to said bonded ends,
  • fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
  • a transducer comprising:
  • converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from l -200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin film plane vibrator having a V-shaped configuration with its ends fixed, and a vibrating means comprising a conical thin vibrating plate is attached at its apex to the apex of said V-shaped vibrator,
  • fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
  • a transducer comprising:
  • converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin film plane vibrator fixed under tension such that said vibrator can only expand when it is stressed,
  • fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
  • a transducer comprising:
  • converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin film tubular vibrator fixed at two opposite ends thereof, and a resilient element is in engagment with one face of said vibrator along the entire unsupported length thereof between said opposite ends to support it under tension such that the vibrator expands and contracts concentrically,
  • fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
  • a transducer comprising:
  • converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin plane film fixed at opposite ends supported on one face along its center portions under tension by a resilient element,
  • fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
  • a transducer comprising:
  • converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin film in the configuration of a regular polygonal cylinder supported at the comers of said polygon under tension by equidistinctly spaced resilient elements,
  • fixing means for fixing said converting means so 5 that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.

Abstract

A transducer for converting electrical energy into mechanical or acoustic energy or vice versa using a converting means made of a thin film of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric organic compound having orientated molecules and having electrodes bonded or deposited onto both surfaces thereof. When an electric current is applied to the electrodes, the thin film is extended or contracted in a direction different from the direction of orientation of the molecules. when the angle between these two directions is 45*, the extent of the extension or contraction of the thin film is at a maximum and the best converting efficiency can be obtained.

Description

Yamamuro et al.
1 Aug. 27, 1974 HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT, THIN FILM PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCERS [75] Inventors: Isao Yamamuro; Masahiko Tamura,
both of Tokyo, Japan [73] Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation, Tokyo, Japan 22 Filed: Jan. 4, 1973 21 App1.No.:321,072
Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 793,943, Jan. 27,
1969, abandoned.
[52} US. Cl 3l0/9.5, 310/96, 310/85, 310/86, 310/82, 310/83, 179/110 A,
l79/lO0.4l P, 179/l00.l B, 252/629 [51] Int. Cl. H04r 17/00 [58] Field of Search 310/8, 8.2, 8.3, 8.5, 8.6, 310/9.1, 9.4, 9.6, 8.1, 8.7; 340/10; 179/110 A, 100.41 P, 1001 B; 317/144; 252/629 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,487,962 11/1949 Arndt, Jr. 179/110 A 2,549,872 4/1951 Willard 310/96 2,565,159 8/1951 Williams 310/96 2,640,889 6/1953 Cherry, Jr 179/110 A 2,714,642 8/1955 Kinsley 317/144 X 2,778,881 1/1957 Fryklund 179/110 A 2,802,147 8/1957 Crownover 317/144 X 2,836,738 5/1958 Crownover 310/8.5
2,900,536 8/1959 Palo 310/96 3,007,013 10/1961 Paull et a1 179/110 A 3,115,588 12/1963 Hueter 310/8.6
OTHER PUBLICATIONS Chemical Abstract, Vol. 67, 1967, section 73959n Radiation-induced Solid State Polymerization.
Review of the Electrical Properties of Wood and Cellulose, by R. T. Lin, Forest Products Journal, Vol. 17, No. 7, July 1967.
Primary ExaminerJ. D. Miller Assistant Examiner-Mark O. Budd Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & Macpeak ABSTRACT A transducer for converting electrical energy into mechanical or acoustic energy or vice versa using a converting means made of a thin film of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric organic compound having orientated molecules and having electrodes bonded or deposited onto both surfaces thereof. When an electric current is applied to the electrodes, the thin film is extended or contracted in a direction different from the direction of orientation of the molecules. when the angle between these two directions is 45, the extent of the extension or contraction of the thin film is at a maximum and the best converting efficiency can be obtained.
8 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures PA'fENIfmuczmu SHEUIUF 5 STRESSED DIRECTION ORIENTATION 0F MOLECULES FIG. 5
g IZ MQ 7 kg) PATENIEDMIBEY'QH 3.832.580 ME! 50! 5.
FIG. 24
FIG. 26
HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT, THIN FILM PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCERS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATTONS This application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending application Ser. No. 793,943, filed Jan. 27, l969, entitled TRANSDUCER, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to transducers for converting electric energy into mechanical or acoustic energy or vice versa, and more particularly to an electroacoustic or electromechanical transducer or pickup using a natural or synthetic high polymer piezo-electric vibrator.
2. Description of the Prior Art The conventional piezo-electric electroacoustic transducer such as piezo-electric speaker employs a vibrator such as Bimorph which is made by bonding together two piezo-electric materials such as Rochelle salt crystals, pieZo-electric ceramics so that when one expands the other contracts. This vibrator is fixed at one end to a fixed surface and is engaged at the other end through a transmitting lever with a vibrating plate to drive it. Since it has a lever mechanism, the mass of its vibrating system cannot be small so that its efficiency is low and it is affected by the resonance of the lever. Further, the center of the vibrator moves arcuatelywhen it vibrates so that the vibrator is subject to strain. Also, the mechanical quality of such piezoelectric substances is high so that it is very difficult to obtain a broad band frequency characteristic.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention eliminates these disadvantages of conventional piezo-electric transducers, and provides a novel and improved transducer for converting electric energy into mechanical or acoustic energy or vice versa using a natural or synthetic high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance. For natural substance, collagen as a main component of an animal tendon, silk fiber as a main component of a raw silk, and wood cellulose may be used. For synthetic substances, poly-ymethyl L gluatamate, poly-'y-benzyl L glutamate, etc. which have large orientation of molecules and large crystallinity may be employed.
Because of the flexibility and the film forming characteristics of the high molecular weight polymer piezoelectric materials used in this invention, these high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric materials can be employed in this invention in the form of a thin film. For example, thin films of a thickness ranging from about to about 200 microns prepared from high molecular weight polymeric piezo-electric materials having a molecular weight ranging from about 5000 to 500,000 can be employed.
According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a transducer comprising means for converting electric energy into mechanical or acoustic energy such as a square thin plane vibrator made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance. Means are provided for applying the electric energy to the vibrator such as two sheets of electrodes bonded or depos-' ited onto both sides of the vibrator. A source of electric energy, conductor means for connecting the energy to the electrodes, and means for fixing the vibrator in a predetermined direction that is at an angle to the direction of an orientation of molecules in the vibrator, such as at 45, are employed. Two corner ends of said vibrator are fixed directly to the stators and the other two comer ends are secured through resilient means such as springs to the stators. The vibrator is fixed at both ends to the stators which are themselves spaced shorter than the diagonal length of the vibrator. Thus, since the transducing element is a vibrating plate, its structure may be much simpler than the conventional microphone speaker. Strong mechanical rigidity is provided, in addition to lower production costs. Further, the overall transducer may be thinner.
According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a transducer comprising means for converting mechanical energy into an electric energy such as a rectangular thin plane vibrator made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance. Means for picking up the mechanical energy and for transmitting it into the vibrator, such as a needle, is secured to the center portion of the vibrator. Means for conducting electric energy produced at the vibrator, such as four sheets of electrodes bonded or deposited onto the front and back surfaces of both sides of the vibrator, are employed. The vibrator is fixed in a predetermined direction which is at an angle to the direction of orientation of its molecules, such as at 45. The vibrator is fixedly secured at both ends to the stators. The converting means may be two rectangular thin plane vibrators attached perpendicularly to each other at one end with the needle being secured to the crossing point of the vibrators and angularly spaced by 45 from both vibrators, or the vibrators maybe in the form of two rectangular thin plane members, perpendicularly crossed, and bonded at their central portions to each other, with the needle secured to the crossing point of the vibrators. Thus, since both ends of the vibrators are fixed to the stators, age deformation thereof is extremely small and its operation is very stable. Furthennore, since two sets of electrodes are provided on one piezo-electric vibrator, it may be manufactured less expensively and readily and the two vibrators may have the same characteristics.
According to a still further aspect of this invention, there is provided a transducer such as a V-shaped thin plane vibrator made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance, a vibrating means such as a conical thin vibrating plate having an apex attached to the vibrator, means for applying the electric energy to the vibrator such as two sheets of electrodes bonded or deposited onto both sides of the vibrator, means for fixing the vibrator in a predetermined direction at an angle to the direction of the orientation of molecules in the vibrator such as at 45 with a frame. Both ends of the vibrator are fixed to the frame and said vibrating plate is secured to the frame. Thus, since the vibrator is attached directly to the vibrating plate without any transmitting lever, the overall transducer such as speaker may be very thin. Further, inasmuch as the vibrating plate moves linearly, it moves accurately and reciprocally, thereby preventing the generation of strains. Due to its simple structure it may be manufactured less expensively. Moreover, since the vibrator is made of flexible piezo-electric substance, its mechanical quality Q is low, thereby providing broad band frequency characteristics.
According to still another aspect of this invention there is provided a transducer such as a rectangular vibrator made of high molecular weight polymer piezoelectric substance, means for conducting energy such as a terminal, means for fixing the vibrator in a predetermined direction at an angle to the direction of orientation of molecules in the vibrator such as at 45 with a supporting wall for the vibrator at both ends thereof. The vibrators including electrodes bonded or deposited onto both sides thereof and terminals are connected to the electrodes. Thus, since the acoustic energy is obtained merely by applying an alternate signal voltage to the vibrator, the transducer may be a very simple structure and be made less expensively. Further, since the acoustic impedance of some high polymer piezoelectric substance is similar to that of water, it provides great advantages when it is used in underwater acoustic equipment such as a transmitter and receiver of sonar.
According to still another aspect of this invention, there is provided a transducer such as two rectangular vibrators made of a high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance, means for applying the electric energy to the vibrator such as two electrodes bonded or deposited onto the upper and lower sides of central portion of the vibrators and two electrodes bonded or deposited onto the rear surface of the vibrator correspondingly to the electrodes. A vibrating means such as a central portion of the vibrator is employed and means for fixing the vibrator in a predetermined direction at an angle to the direction of orientation of molecules in the vibrator such as at 45. The converting means may be two cylindrical vibrators made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance with the vibrating means comprising a circular vibrating plate secured to the central portion within said cylindrical vibrator. The fixing means are supporting walls with both ends of said cylindrical vibrator being secured thereto. The cylindrical vibrator includes a plurality of small holes thereon or is sealed and a vibrating valve is provided thereon, and a horn is provided at one opening end of cylindrical vibrator. Thus, the vibrating plate accurately reciprocates and the transducer has extremely small strain. Further, it provides not only a simple structure with less expensive production but the mechanical quality Q is low similar to that previously described.
According to still another aspect of this invention there is provided a transducer as defined in the previous embodiment wherein said converting means are a plurality of vibrating plates of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance and are supported by a plurality of supporting means at the respective ends, with each plate having a curvature. Electrodes are bonded or deposited onto each side of each vibrating plate which has an orientation of molecules in a direction different from the direction parallel to that of parallel supporting means. The supporting means are stators disposed on the lengthwise base for supporting said vibrating plate at each end.
According to still another aspect of this invention, there is provided a transducer such as a tubular vibrating element disposed around the periphery of means for imparting a resiliency and tension to the vibrating element such as a tubular resilient element disposed around the periphery of the base so as to press the resilient elements to a predetermined degree. The vibrating element is made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance having an orientation of molecules in a direction different from the longitudinal axis of the base, a cylindrical base, means for imparting a resiliency and tension to said vibrating element, and means for transmitting or receiving acoustic energy such as an upper and lower acoustic transmitter or receiver attached to the upper or lower end of the base, respectively, with electrodes being bonded or deposited onto both sides of the vibrating element.
According to still another aspect of this invention there is provided a transducer as defined in the previous embodiment wherein said resilient element is partially provided on the base below the vibrating element or is partially provided radially from the periphery of the base with the vibrating element being a regular polygonal cylinder supported by the partial resilient element around the base.
Thus, in addition to the advantages previously described, when used for the overall speaker the vibrating plate vibrates to expand and contract, with the division of the vibration produced in the conventional conical speaker being avoided. This invention provides a transducer for converting an electric energy into a mechanical or acoustic energy in which the vibrator is made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance. The transducer electrodes are bonded or deposited onto both sides of the vibrator. In the transducer, the direction of orientation of molecules is different from the fixed direction of the vibrator.
Thus, the present invention provides a simple but strong transducer which is readily and less expensively manufactured, is extremely thin as a whole, has small age deformation, operates very stably, the odd order of high harmonic wave strain is cancelled, it operates very accurately without any strain, and has low mechanical quality Q for broad frequency characteristics. The transducer eliminates the division of the vibration when used for a speaker.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a transducer in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a transducer element with a distorted state designated by a broken line;
FIG. 3 is a view of the transducer according to this invention showing a principle thereof;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a transducer element shown in FIG. 3 taken as indicated by the line 44 therein showing a manner of vibration thereof;
FIG. 5 is a view showing a relationship between the direction of orientation of molecules and a stressed direction in the element;
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the variations of an apparent piezo-electric modulus of the element;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the second embodiment of this invention showing schematically a transducer element or vibrator;
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the vibrator shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the third embodiment of this invention for a 4545 system;
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the fourth embodiment of this invention for another 4545 system;
FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a piezo-electric speaker for the purpose of explanation of its principle;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a piezo-electric speaker showing a fifth embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the speaker shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12 but illustrating the manner of vibration of the speaker;
FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of sixth embodiment of this invention showing an explanatory electroacoustic transducer;
FIG. 16 is a side view of the transducer shown in FIG.
FIG. 17 is a graph showing the relationship of waves between an input electric signal applied to the transducer in accordance with this invention and its acoustic output produced thereby;
FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a seventh embodiment of this invention showing an electroacoustic transducer in which a central strap electrode is interleaved between two rectangular high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric materials;
FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 but showing the transducer in which the electrode is interleaved between two cylindrical materials secured fixedly, respectively;
FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the transducer in which a horn is mounted between the cylindrical vibrators shown in FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a plane transducer according to this invention;
FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21 but with a plurality of these transducers disposed integrally with each other;
FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are elevational and plan views respectively of a cylindrical transducer in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an alternate form of a plane transducer; and
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a modification of a cylindrical transducer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, particularly to FIG. 1, which shows an electroacoustic transducer in accordance with this invention, reference numeral 1 designates a square, thin plate made of a high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric material, and electrodes 2 are bonded or deposited onto both sides of the thin plate 1 and are connected to a source 3 of an altemating current.
Referring now to FIG. 2, which shows a transducer element or vibrator with a distorted state designated by a broken line, the thin plate 1 has an orientation of molecules in the direction designated by an arrow A, angularly spaced from a diagonal line through the square element by the amount of 45. When an alternating voltage is applied from the source 3 to both electrodes 2, bonded onto both sides of the thin plate 1 of piezoelectric material, a slip phenomenon occurs in the square plate 1 to distort it to a diamond shape 1' as illustrated by a broken line in FIG. 2.
Referring now to FIG. 3, which shows one of the transducers in accordance with this invention, reference numerals 4, 4 and 5, 5 designate stators for fixing the thin plate 1, suitable resilient means 6,6 being interposed between the stators 5,5 and the plate. When an alternating voltage is applied, similarly as described above, to the thin plate 1, the latter distorts as described in relation to FIG. 2. If the orientation of molecules in the thin plate exists in the direction designated by an arrow A- similarly spaced from the diagonal line in FIG. 2, the thin plate extends in the direction of the diagonal line extending between the stators 4,4 to which the plate is directly secured at both corners, when the plate deforms similarly as described previously in relation to FIG. 2, so that the plate vibrates as illustrated by the broken lines in FIG. 4. If the distance between the stators 4 and 4 is set to less than the minimum of the length of the diagonal line of the thin plate along the stators 4,4 secured therebetween the the plate 1 contracts, most bidirectional vibration of the thin plate may be obtained as designated by the broken lines in FIG. 4. If an acoustic vibration is applied to the thin plate 1 so that the alternating voltage generated in the plate by a piezo-electric effect is removed by the electrodes 2,2 this is clearly an acoustic-to-electric transducer. Further, the periphery of the thin plate 1 may be secured, at other than the points of the stators 4,4.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, which show relationship between the orientation of molecules and a strained direction in the plate, and a graph of the variations of an apparent piezo-electn'c modulus of the plate, respectively, if 0 is the angle between the orientation of molecules and the direction of the stress applied or produced as designated in FIG. 5, the apparent piezo-electric modulus d changes proportionally to sine 20, which is known per se, that is to say:
d= A sine 26 where the symbol A represents a proportional constant equivalent to the component d of the piezo-electric tensor. Accordingly, if the thin plate is stressed in the direction of 1r/4 or 45, angularly spaced from the orientation of molecules, the efficiency of conversion may be the best. If desired, other angular spacings may be used with somewhat lower efficiency of conversion. Also, the thin plate of piezo-electric material may be of other than a square shape within the scope of this invention.
Thus, a transducer, reversible between an electric and acoustic signal, may be obtained when the square thin plate made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric material is bent along one pair of diagonals thereof so that both comer ends of the plate along the diagonal line are secured to the stators. Due to the transducing element being a vibrating plate its structure may be much simpler than the conventional microphone, speaker, etc., strong mechanical rigidity being provided, and less expensive production is achieved. Further, the overall thickness of the transducer may be reduced to 5 mm resulting in an extremely thin acoustic equipment.
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, which show another embodiment of a transducer according to this invention used for a pickup cartridge for music performance, electrodes 12, 13, 14, 15 are attached to the front and back surface of both sides of vibrator 11. To the center portion 11' a vibrating projection such as a needle 16 is attached. The vibrator 11 is fixed at both ends to stators 17,17. When the needle 16 moves in the direction as designated by an arrow A in FIG. 8, vibrator 11a disposed at the left of the needle 16 (FIG. 8) contracts and vibrator 11b located at the right of the needle 16 expands, and vice versa. The orientation of molecules is set relative to the direction of the stress so that when the stress is applied in the direction A as above, the piezo-electricity is produced at the electrodes provided on the vibrator 11 similarly to that described in relation to FIGS. and 6.
When the needle 16 moves in the direction as designated by an arrow A in FIG. 8 so that a stress is applied to the vibrators 11a, 11b, plus and minus electricities are, for example, generated at the electrodes 12 and 13, respectively, whereupon minus and plus are produced at the electrodes 14 and 15, respectively. If these two vibrators 11a, 11b are connected in parallel or series with each other, the output current or voltage is varied to increase or decrease.
Referring now to FIG. 9, which shows a still further embodiment of a transducer according to this invention as applied to a 45-45 system which is known per se, vibrators 21a and 211) are attached perpendicularly to each other. Electrodes 22, 23, 24, 25 are attached similarly to the above embodiment on both sides of the vibrators, and needle 26 is attached at the cross point of the vibrators. The vibrators 21a, 21b are also fixed at the ends other than the cross point to stators 27,27. When the needle 26 is projected at the cross point as 45 spaced angularly from both vibrators, this may detect stereo signals for the 45-45 system.
Referring now to FIG. 10, which shows still another embodiment of a transducer in accordance with this invention used for a 4545 system, vibrators 31a, 31b and 31c, 31d similar to that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are perpendicularly crossed to be bonded at their central portions to each other so that the vibrators 31a, 31c correspond to that shown at 11a in FIG. 8 and the vibrators 31b, 31d to that shown at 11b. If the area between the vibrators 3lb and 310 is termed as quadrant I, that between 31a and 31c as quadrant II, that between 3la and 31d as quadrant III and that between 3112 and 31d as quadrant IV as designated in FIG. 10, the vibrators 31a, 31d extend and those 31b, 31c contract when the crossing point P of the junction of the vibrators moves, for example, toward the quadrant I. Here, the respective ends other than the point P are fixed to stators 37, respectively. The respective relationships of the movement of the vibrators are shown in the following Table I:
TABLE I Vibrators Quadrant 31a 3lb 31c 3ld I extend extend contract contract ll contract extend extend contract Ill contract contract extend extend lV extend contract contract extend stators, age deformation thereof is extremely small and its operation is quite stable. Further, inasmuch as two sets of electrodes are provided on one vibrator of piezo-electric material, it may be manufactured less expensively and readily and the vibrators may be provided to have the same characteristics as each other. The equiamplitude opposite polarity of piezo-electn'c energies are produced at the vibrators 11a and 11b or 31a and 31b or 310 and 31d. Accordingly, if these are connected electrically in series with each other for industrial use, large advantages may be effected such that the odd order of harmonic wave strain is cancelled as proved by the known Fourier expansion from the novel transducer of this invention.
This transducer is not restricted to cartridge pickups used for musical performances, but it may be used as a reversible transducer from mechanical to electric to mechanical conversion within the principle and scope of this invention.
Referring now to FIG, 11, which shows a piezoelectric speaker for the purpose of illustrating its principle, a vibrator 41, known per se as a Bimorph in which two piezo-electric materials such as Rochelle salt crystals, piezo-electric ceramics are bonded together, is shown in FIG. 1 1 so that when one expands the other contracts. This vibrator is fixed at one end to a fixed surface 47 and is engaged at the other end through a transmitting lever 48 with a vibrating plate 49 to drive it.
Referring now to FIGS. 12 to 14, which show a piezoelectric speaker as still another embodiment of this invention, reference numeral 50 designates a frame, and a conical thin vibrating plate 59 having an apex 59a is attached to a vibrator as will be described. A rectangular thin vibrator 51 is made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance which is V-shaped and is attached at both ends to the frame 50. This vibrator 51 has electrode surfaces deposited or bonded to both sides thereof. Numeral 58 designates a terminal for supplying a signal voltage to the electrodes.
Referring particularly to FIG. 13, the vibrator 51 has the orientation of molecules in a direction that is at an angle 0 from the line designated by AA' in FIG. 13, preferably 45. When an alternating voltage is applied to electrodes provided on both sides of the vibrator 51, it slips in a plane so that it expands or contracts along the line designated by AA (FIG. 13). Consequently, as shown in FIG. 14 illustrated by broken lines, the vibrator 51 vibrates in response to the alternate voltage applied through the terminal 58 to the electrodes in a reciprocal manner.
If the vibrator 51 is secured in a plane between the frame 50 other than the V-shape as described previously or in other words if the angle a in FIG. 12 is zero, the vibrator may expand but cannot contract so that it responds to merely a half cycle of the alternating voltage applied to the electrodes. Accordingly, in order to obtain a desired acoustic output a suitable mechanical bias such as an angle designated in FIG. 12 should be previously provided on the vibrator 51 so it will vibrate in a sufiicient amplitude.
In this embodiment, the relationship described in relation to FIG. 5 and 6 is also pertinent. The vibrator 51 is not restricted to two sheets as shown in the drawings, multiple radial vibrators may be provided within the principle and scope of this invention, but the vibrators are preferably attached symmetrically to each other in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art.
From the above embodiment in accordance with this invention, since the vibrator is attached directly to the vibrating plate without any transmitting lever, the speaker may be very thinly formed which is particularly appropriate to compact acoustic equipment such as portable radios, earphones, etc., and to accurate equipment because the acting point for driving the vibrating plate by the vibrator does not move arcuately as illustrated by the broken line in FIG. 11, but moves in a linear path so that the vibrating plate rec'iprocates accurately thereby preventing the production of strains thereon. Due to its simple structure it may be manufactured less expensively and is susceptible to mass production. Further, as the vibrator is made of flexible piezo-electric substance, its mechanical quality Q is low so that it provides broad band frequency characteristics.
This transducer is not to be limited to a speaker application, but it may be used for a transducer for acoustic to electric or electric to acoustic conversion such as microphones or the like as is obvious to those skilled in the art.
Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, which show an electroacoustic transducer as still another embodiment of this invention for a supersonic usage such as a pulse generator, transmitter and receiver of sonar, thin rectangular vibrator 61 is made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance. Numeral 60 shows a supporting wall for the vibrator 61 at both ends thereof in its extending and contracting direction, and 68 illustrates a terminal for supplying an electric signal voltage on the electrode surfaces deposited or bonded on both sides of the vibrator 61.
In FIG. 15, the vibrator 61 has the direction of orientation of molecules as designated by an angle angularly spaced from the line illustrated by A-A, preferably 45. If an alternating voltage or pulse voltage is applied to the electrodes provided on both sides of the vibrator, it may slip in a plane so that it expands or contracts along the line shown by AA'. However, since the vibrator 61 is fixed at both ends to the supporting walls 60 without any slack, it expands but does not contract. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, when an input illustrated at A is applied as an alternating voltage to the electrodes through the terminal 68, the output designated at B as a half cycle corresponding to the extension of the vibrator is provided by means of the vibration of the vibrator 61.
In this embodiment a similar relationship described with respect to FIGS. and 6 may be also pertinent.
From the above embodiment according to this invention, inasmuch as an acoustic pulse signal output may be obtained merely by applying an alternate signal voltage to the vibrator 61 as a transducer, the vibrator 61 is not only a simple structure but allows less expensive production because in the manufacturing process the vibrator 61 is not pressed or bent due to its plane structure. Furthermore, since the acoustic impedance of poly-'y-methyl L glutamate is similar to that of .water, it provides a great advantage when it is used for an underwater acoustic equipment such as transmitter and receiver of a sonar.
This transducer may not be restricted to this usage for converting an electric signal into an acoustic signal, but it may be used for converting an acoustic signal into an electric signal within the principle and scope of this invention.
Referring now to FIG. 18, which shows an electroacoustic transducer in which a central strap electrode is interleaved between two rectangular high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric materials, reference numeral 71 designates a vibrator made of high polymer piezo-electric substance, numerals 72, 74 illustrate electrode surfaces deposited or bonded onto upper and lower sides of central surface portion 76 of the vibrator, and numerals 73, show back surface electrodes disposed at the rear surface of the vibrator corresponding to the electrodes 72, 74. The central portion 76 of the vibrator acts as an insulator for separating the electrodes 72 and 74, and the electrodes 73 and 75. The electrodes 72,73 and vibrator 71 interleaved therebetween constitute upper vibrator 71a and the electrodes 74,75 and vibrator 71 interleaved therebetween constitute lower vibrator 71b.
Here, the vibrator 71 has a suitable orientation of molecules as designated by an angle 0 angularly spaced from the line shown by A-A', preferably 45. If an alternate voltage is applied to the electrodes 72,73, the upper vibrator 71a slips in a plane so that it expands or contracts along the line shown by A-A'. If an alternate voltage which is out of phase from the above alternate voltage applied to the upper electrodes74, 75
so that when the upper vibrator 71a expands the lower vibrator 71b contracts, the central portion 76 moves reciprocally up and down in response to the alternating voltage applied to the electrodes.
Referring now to FIG. 19, which shows an electro-.
acoustic transducer in which the electrode is interleaved between two cylindrical materials and fixedly secured thereto. Reference numeral 87 designates a supporting wall for fixing upper and lower cylindrical vibrators 81a, 81b at the upper and lower ends, numeral 89 illustrates a circular vibrating plate which is secured to a central portion 86 within the cylindrical vibrator 81. As described previously the upper and lower opening ends of the cylindrical vibrators 81a, 81b are fixed to the supporting walls 87 and the circular vibrating plate 89 is bonded to the central portion 86 within the cylinder. If the vibrators have the orientation of molecules similarly to those shown in FIG. 18, the
upper and lower vibrators move reciprocally up and down when alternating voltages are applied thereto, 180 out of phase with each other so that when either side of said vibrators expands the other vibrator contracts similarly to those shown in FIG. 18. Thus, the central circular vibrating plate 89 vibrates in response to the alternating signal voltage applied thereto. Though the upper and lower cylindrical vibrators 81a, 81b are fixed to the supporting wall 87, in order that the air within the cylinder is not sealed or conversely, in order that a suitable damping action is applied to the vibrating plate 89, air holes may be provided thereon. Further, where the vibration produced by the vibrating plate 89 is not utilized directly for an acoustic output, the sound generated when the air within the sealed cylinder passes through small holes bored may be used, and if a vibrating valve is provided at the hole, a peculiar flute may be obtained.
Referring now to FIG. 20, which shows a transducer in which a horn is mounted on the supporting wall of the cylindrical vibrators, reference numeral 91 designates the vibrator having upper and lower cylindrical vibrators 91a and 91b, numeral 97 a supporting wall, numeral 99 the vibrating plate secured to the inner portion of vibrator 91, and numeral 98 a horn which is provided at the opening end of the cylindrical vibrator 91a, and serves to provide a speaker.
In this embodiment, a similar relationship described in relation to FIGS. and 6 may also be pertinent.
Though this is described as a cylindrical vibrator, the invention should not be restricted to this cylindrical shape. Any shape in response to the requirement for vibrating the vibrating plate may be selected within the principle and scope of this invention. Further, if the central portion is removed and the upper and lower vibrators are connected by another insulating substance, to which the vibrating plate is fixed, a material that is difficult directly to bond to the high molecular weight polymer such as poly-y-methyl L glutamate may be used for the vibrating plate.
From the above embodiment according to this invention, the vibrating plate moves accurately reciprocally and the transducer has extremely small strain. It provides not only a simple structure but is less expensive in production, in particular, mass production. Further, since the vibrator is made of flexible piezo-electric substance, its mechanical quality Q is very low and broad band frequency characteristic is obtained.
Referring now to FIG. 21, which shows a plane transducer as still another embodiment of this invention, ref erence numeral 101 designates a base plate made of a stiff substance such as a rigid body, numeral 102 illustrates a vibrating plate made of high molecular weight polymer piezo-electric substance having electrodes bonded or deposited onto both sides thereof, numeral 103 designates a resilient element such as made of spongy synthetic resin or liquid for imparting a suitable resiliency and tension to the vibrating plate 102 and numeral 104 indicates a stator for supporting the vibrating plate 102. The vibrating plate 102 preferably has the direction of orientation of molecules angularly spaced by 45 (or 30 or 69) from the direction parallel to that of parallel stators 104, 104. When an alternating voltage is applied to the electrodes provided onto both sides of the vibrating plate 102, it slips in a plane so that it expands or contracts in a direction perpendicular to the parallel direction of the stators 104, i.e., in the direction as designated by line AA (FIG. 21). It thereby vibrates in the direction normal to the plane of the vibrating plate 102 with the resiliency of the resilient element 103. In this case if an appropriate curvature is not provided on the vibrating plate 102 supported between the stators 104, 104, the plate cannot contract but may merely expand resulting in vibrating only on the half cycle of the alternating voltage applied.
Referring now to FIG. 22, which is similar to FIG. 1 but a plurality of plates are integrally disposed in parallel relation as still another embodiment of this invention, the same elements are designated by the same reference numbers as those shown in FIG. 21. The base plate 101 extends lengthwise as predetermined, and a plurality of parallel stators 104 are secured thereon, then vibrating plates 102 and resilient elements 103 are disposed therebetween so that the area of the vibrating plate may be readily expanded. A multistereo acoustic effect may be obtained by independently applying various signal voltages to the respective vibrating plates.
Referring now to FIGS. 23 and 24, which show a cylindrical transducer as still another embodiment of this invention having similar principles to that shown in FIG. 21, a resilient element 113 is provided around the periphery of a cylindrical base body 111 so that a vibrating plate 112 is attached to the outer surface of the resilient elements 113 so as to suitably press the element. Acoustic transmitters or receivers 115 are attached on the upper and lower surface of the cylindri cal base body 111. The vibrating plate 112 has electrodes bonded or deposited onto both sides thereof. When an alternating voltage is applied to the electrodes, the vibrating plate 112 expands or contracts due to its plane slippage so that the tubular vibrating plate 112 moves or vibrates to expand and contract outward and inward, respectively. By using this arrangement, there may thus be provided a nondirectional electroacoustic transducer in a plane.
Referring now to FIG. 25, which shows an alternative form of a plane transducer as still another embodiment of this invention, a resilient element 123 is supported on a base plate 121. Stators 124 are similarly provided to those shown in FIG. 21. A vibrating plate 122 in the form of a high molecular weight piezo-electric compound thin film having electrodes on both sides thereof is supported by the stators 124 and also by the resilient element 123 at its center portion so that the movement imparted to the plate is suitably damped by the resilient element 123.
Referring now to FIG. 26, which shows a modification of a cylindrical transducer as still another embodiment of this invention, a resilient element 133 is partially provided radially of the periphery of a base body 131 and a vibrating plate 132 is attached as regular po- Iygonal cylinder through the partial resilient elements 133 around the base body 131 so that the elements 133 are equidistantly spaced therearound. The respective vibrating faces vibrate or move parallel or reciprocally outward and inward so that a pecular directional characteristic may be obtained such that the acoustic energy is directed toward each radially outwardly perpen' dicular direction, that is to each vibrating plane.
From the aforementioned embodiments, a reversible transducer for converting electric energy into acoustic energy or vice versa incorporated with solid base plate or body (or cylindrical base body), resilient element and vibrating plate with high molecular weight polymer piezoelectric substance is provided. Since the convert ing element as a vibrating plate is itself a very simple structure, the ultimate products have large mechanical strength and are less expensively manufactured. When this transducer is used for the overall speaker, the vibrating plate vibrates to expand and contract thereby with no occurrence of the division of the vibration produced by conventional conical speakers.
It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials and arrangements of parts which have been described herein and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.
It will further be understood that the Abstract of the Disclosure set forth above is intended to provide a non'legal technical statement of the contents of the disclosure in compliance with the Rules of Practice of the United States Patent Office, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention described and claimed therein.
What is claimed is:
1. A transducer comprising:
a. converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction,
b. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and
c. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle of approximately 45 to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
2. A transducer comprising:
a. a cylindrical converting means for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of high molecular weight polymer piezoelectric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, said converting means being separated into first and second portions by a center insulating portion,
b. a thin vibrator film secured at said center portion to said converting means,
c. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and
d. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means, said converting means being fixed by said fixing means at the outer ends of said first and second portions.
3. A transducer comprising:
a. converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a pair of rectangular thin film plane vibrators that are fixed at one end and are bonded at the other end in substantially perpendicular relation to each other, and a needle is secured to said bonded ends,
b. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and
c. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
4. A transducer comprising:
a. converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from l -200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin film plane vibrator having a V-shaped configuration with its ends fixed, and a vibrating means comprising a conical thin vibrating plate is attached at its apex to the apex of said V-shaped vibrator,
b. electrode means disposed on'both surfaces of said converting means, and
c. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
5. A transducer comprising:
a. converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin film plane vibrator fixed under tension such that said vibrator can only expand when it is stressed,
b. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and
c. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
6. A transducer comprising:
a. converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin film tubular vibrator fixed at two opposite ends thereof, and a resilient element is in engagment with one face of said vibrator along the entire unsupported length thereof between said opposite ends to support it under tension such that the vibrator expands and contracts concentrically,
b. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and
c. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
7. A transducer comprising:
a. converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin plane film fixed at opposite ends supported on one face along its center portions under tension by a resilient element,
b. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and
c. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
8. A transducer comprising:
a. converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin film in the configuration of a regular polygonal cylinder supported at the comers of said polygon under tension by equidistinctly spaced resilient elements,
b. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and
c. fixing means for fixing said converting means so 5 that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,832,580 Dated August 27 N74 Inventor(s) Isao Yama'muro et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:
IN THE HEADING;
The claimed Priority Date was omitted. Should read:
, --Jai1ua.ry 25, 1968 Japan. Q 4033/68-- Signed and sealed this 19th day of November 1974.
(ISEAL) Attest:
McCOY M. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner of'Patents FORM Pea-1050 (10-69) v: u.s. covzn'unzuirnmnuc OFFICE: nus o-sss-su.
USCOMM-DC 608764 69

Claims (8)

1. A transducer comprising: a. converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, b. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and c. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second dIrection at an angle of approximately 45* to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
2. A transducer comprising: a. a cylindrical converting means for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of high molecular weight polymer piezoelectric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500, 000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, said converting means being separated into first and second portions by a center insulating portion, b. a thin vibrator film secured at said center portion to said converting means, c. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and d. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means, said converting means being fixed by said fixing means at the outer ends of said first and second portions.
3. A transducer comprising: a. converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a pair of rectangular thin film plane vibrators that are fixed at one end and are bonded at the other end in substantially perpendicular relation to each other, and a needle is secured to said bonded ends, b. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and c. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
4. A transducer comprising: a. converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin film plane vibrator having a V-shaped configuration with its ends fixed, and a vibrating means comprising a conical thin vibrating plate is attached at its apex to the apex of said V-shaped vibrator, b. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and c. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
5. A transducer comprising: a. converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin film plane vibrator fixed under tension such that said vibrator can only expand when it is stressed, b. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and c. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
6. A transducer comprising: a. converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin film tubular vibrator fixed at two opposite ends thereof, and a resilient element is in engagment with one face of said vibrator along the entirE unsupported length thereof between said opposite ends to support it under tension such that the vibrator expands and contracts concentrically, b. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and c. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
7. A transducer comprising: a. converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin plane film fixed at opposite ends supported on one face along its center portions under tension by a resilient element, b. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and c. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
8. A transducer comprising: a. converting means for converting electric energy into mechanical energy or vice versa which is a thin film of from 10-200 microns of a high molecular weight polymer piezo electric material with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 having its molecules oriented in a first direction, which comprises a thin film in the configuration of a regular polygonal cylinder supported at the corners of said polygon under tension by equidistinctly spaced resilient elements, b. electrode means disposed on both surfaces of said converting means, and c. fixing means for fixing said converting means so that it will be stressed in a second direction at an angle to said first direction when an electric current is supplied to said electrode means.
US00321072A 1968-01-25 1973-01-04 High molecular weight, thin film piezoelectric transducers Expired - Lifetime US3832580A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP403368 1968-01-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3832580A true US3832580A (en) 1974-08-27

Family

ID=11573635

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00321072A Expired - Lifetime US3832580A (en) 1968-01-25 1973-01-04 High molecular weight, thin film piezoelectric transducers

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3832580A (en)
CH (1) CH518668A (en)
DE (2) DE1967130C2 (en)
FR (1) FR2000770A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1260387A (en)
NL (1) NL6901191A (en)

Cited By (96)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2506708A1 (en) * 1974-02-18 1975-08-21 Pioneer Electronic Corp PIEZOELECTRIC, ELECTROACOUSTIC TRANSMITTER
US3935485A (en) * 1973-09-17 1976-01-27 Kureha Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Piezoelectric key board switch
US3940637A (en) * 1973-10-15 1976-02-24 Toray Industries, Inc. Polymeric piezoelectric key actuated device
US3947644A (en) * 1971-08-20 1976-03-30 Kureha Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Piezoelectric-type electroacoustic transducer
US3969927A (en) * 1973-08-08 1976-07-20 Kureha Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vibration measuring and the apparatus therefor
US3973150A (en) * 1974-02-18 1976-08-03 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Rectangular, oriented polymer, piezoelectric diaphragm
DE2553414A1 (en) * 1974-11-27 1976-08-12 Pioneer Electronic Corp PIEZOELECTRIC, ELECTROACOUSTIC CONVERTER
US3978353A (en) * 1974-05-10 1976-08-31 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Piezoelectric acoustic speaker system
US3982143A (en) * 1974-02-18 1976-09-21 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Piezoelectric diaphragm electro-acoustic transducer
US3997804A (en) * 1974-02-18 1976-12-14 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Mounting for flexible diaphragm piezoelectric transducer
US4008408A (en) * 1974-02-28 1977-02-15 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Piezoelectric electro-acoustic transducer
US4028566A (en) * 1975-03-03 1977-06-07 U.S. Philips Corporation Electroacoustic conversion device having a diaphragm comprising at least one of a piezoelectric polymer material
US4045695A (en) * 1974-07-15 1977-08-30 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Piezoelectric electro-acoustic transducer
US4048526A (en) * 1975-08-08 1977-09-13 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Kinetic sensor employing polymeric piezoelectric material
US4051395A (en) * 1975-08-08 1977-09-27 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Weight actuated piezoelectric polymeric transducer
US4056742A (en) * 1976-04-30 1977-11-01 Tibbetts Industries, Inc. Transducer having piezoelectric film arranged with alternating curvatures
US4093884A (en) * 1972-09-08 1978-06-06 Agence Nationale De Valorisation De La Recherche (Anvar) Thin structures having a piezoelectric effect, devices equipped with such structures and in their methods of manufacture
US4128489A (en) * 1975-12-29 1978-12-05 Mitsubishi Petrochemical Company Limited Piezo-electric material
US4170185A (en) * 1978-01-09 1979-10-09 Lectret S.A. Preventing marine fouling
US4186323A (en) * 1976-09-21 1980-01-29 International Standard Electric Corporation Piezoelectric high polymer, multilayer electro-acoustic transducers
US4216403A (en) * 1977-07-27 1980-08-05 Hans List Monoaxially oriented piezoelectric polymer transducer for measurement of mechanical values on bodies
US4236235A (en) * 1978-08-24 1980-11-25 The Boeing Company Integrating hydrophone sensing elements
US4282532A (en) * 1979-06-04 1981-08-04 Xerox Corporation Ink jet method and apparatus using a thin film piezoelectric excitor for drop generation
US4283461A (en) * 1979-05-31 1981-08-11 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Piezoelectric polymer antifouling coating
US4284921A (en) * 1977-11-17 1981-08-18 Thomson-Csf Polymeric piezoelectric transducer with thermoformed protuberances
US4295010A (en) * 1980-02-22 1981-10-13 Lectret S.A. Plural piezoelectric polymer film acoustic transducer
US4296417A (en) * 1979-06-04 1981-10-20 Xerox Corporation Ink jet method and apparatus using a thin film piezoelectric excitor for drop generation with spherical and cylindrical fluid chambers
US4297394A (en) * 1979-05-31 1981-10-27 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Piezoelectric polymer antifouling coating and method of use and application
US4316115A (en) * 1979-12-03 1982-02-16 Raytheon Company Polymeric piezoelectric microprobe with damper
US4322877A (en) * 1978-09-20 1982-04-06 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Method of making piezoelectric polymeric acoustic transducer
US4356424A (en) * 1980-11-24 1982-10-26 Eastman Kodak Company Pseudo-AC method of nonuniformly poling a body of polymeric piezoelectric material and flexure elements produced thereby
US4389445A (en) * 1978-07-10 1983-06-21 Kureha Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Data recording sheet
US4406967A (en) * 1980-08-23 1983-09-27 Kureha Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ultrasonic probe
US4453044A (en) * 1982-02-09 1984-06-05 Lectret S.A. Electro-acoustic transducer with plural piezoelectric film
US4469920A (en) * 1982-02-09 1984-09-04 Lectret S.A. Piezoelectric film device for conversion between digital electric signals and analog acoustic signals
US4536450A (en) * 1980-03-12 1985-08-20 University Patents, Inc. Nonlinear optical materials and processes employing diacetylenes
US4558249A (en) * 1980-03-10 1985-12-10 Reinhard Lerch Stretched piezopolymer transducer with unsupported areas
US4578613A (en) * 1977-04-07 1986-03-25 U.S. Philips Corporation Diaphragm comprising at least one foil of a piezoelectric polymer material
US4615962A (en) * 1979-06-25 1986-10-07 University Patents, Inc. Diacetylenes having liquid crystal phases
US4628907A (en) * 1984-03-22 1986-12-16 Epley John M Direct contact hearing aid apparatus
US4654546A (en) * 1984-11-20 1987-03-31 Kari Kirjavainen Electromechanical film and procedure for manufacturing same
US4877988A (en) * 1982-03-01 1989-10-31 Battelle Memorial Institute Piezoelectric and pyroelectric polymers
FR2651633A1 (en) * 1989-09-01 1991-03-08 Thomson Consumer Electronics Electroacoustic transducer element and devices, with piezoelectric polymer bimorph, especially for producing a loudspeaker with a linear-type radiation diagram
US5065194A (en) * 1990-05-29 1991-11-12 Eastman Kodak Company Piezo film cleaner
US5185549A (en) * 1988-12-21 1993-02-09 Steven L. Sullivan Dipole horn piezoelectric electro-acoustic transducer design
DE4209374A1 (en) * 1992-03-23 1993-09-30 Siemens Ag Air ultrasonic transducer
US5321332A (en) * 1992-11-12 1994-06-14 The Whitaker Corporation Wideband ultrasonic transducer
US5493916A (en) * 1991-06-25 1996-02-27 Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation--AGL Consultancy Pty Ltd. Mode suppression in fluid flow measurement
US5592359A (en) * 1994-07-13 1997-01-07 Undersea Transducer Technology, Inc. Transducer
US5828766A (en) * 1994-12-15 1998-10-27 Anthony Gallo Acoustics, Inc. Acoustic speaker system
US5889354A (en) * 1994-08-29 1999-03-30 Oceaneering International Inc. Piezoelectric unit cell
WO2001006579A2 (en) * 1999-07-20 2001-01-25 Sri International Pre-strained electroactive polymers
US6239535B1 (en) * 1998-03-31 2001-05-29 Measurement Specialties Inc. Omni-directional ultrasonic transducer apparatus having controlled frequency response
US20010026165A1 (en) * 2000-02-09 2001-10-04 Sri International Monolithic electroactive polymers
WO2001087005A2 (en) * 2000-05-09 2001-11-15 Measurement Specialties, Inc. Cylindrical transducer apparatus
US6400065B1 (en) * 1998-03-31 2002-06-04 Measurement Specialties, Inc. Omni-directional ultrasonic transducer apparatus and staking method
US20020153807A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2002-10-24 Clemson University Electroactive apparatus and methods
US6504286B1 (en) * 1997-12-30 2003-01-07 Remon Medical Technologies Ltd. Piezoelectric transducer
US6543110B1 (en) 1997-02-07 2003-04-08 Sri International Electroactive polymer fabrication
US6545384B1 (en) 1997-02-07 2003-04-08 Sri International Electroactive polymer devices
US6583533B2 (en) * 1997-02-07 2003-06-24 Sri International Electroactive polymer electrodes
US20030173874A1 (en) * 2002-03-15 2003-09-18 Usa As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Electro-active device using radial electric field piezo-diaphragm for sonic applications
US6628040B2 (en) 2000-02-23 2003-09-30 Sri International Electroactive polymer thermal electric generators
US20030210811A1 (en) * 2002-05-10 2003-11-13 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Elastomeric actuator devices for magnetic resonance imaging
US20030214199A1 (en) * 1997-02-07 2003-11-20 Sri International, A California Corporation Electroactive polymer devices for controlling fluid flow
US20030218403A1 (en) * 2002-05-10 2003-11-27 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Dielectric elastomer actuated systems and methods
US6657365B1 (en) * 2000-05-31 2003-12-02 Westerngeco, L.L.C. Hybrid piezo-film continuous line and discrete element arrays
US20040008853A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2004-01-15 Sri International, A California Corporation Electroactive polymer devices for moving fluid
US6768246B2 (en) 2000-02-23 2004-07-27 Sri International Biologically powered electroactive polymer generators
US6781284B1 (en) 1997-02-07 2004-08-24 Sri International Electroactive polymer transducers and actuators
US6812624B1 (en) 1999-07-20 2004-11-02 Sri International Electroactive polymers
US20040217671A1 (en) * 2001-05-22 2004-11-04 Sri International, A California Corporation Rolled electroactive polymers
US6911764B2 (en) * 2000-02-09 2005-06-28 Sri International Energy efficient electroactive polymers and electroactive polymer devices
US7015624B1 (en) * 1999-10-22 2006-03-21 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Non-uniform thickness electroactive device
US7034432B1 (en) * 1997-02-07 2006-04-25 Sri International Electroactive polymer generators
US20060149329A1 (en) * 2004-11-24 2006-07-06 Abraham Penner Implantable medical device with integrated acoustic
US20070049977A1 (en) * 2005-08-26 2007-03-01 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Broadband acoustic sensor for an implantable medical device
US20080021509A1 (en) * 2006-07-21 2008-01-24 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Ultrasonic transducer for a metallic cavity implated medical device
US20080021289A1 (en) * 2005-08-26 2008-01-24 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Acoustic communication transducer in implantable medical device header
US20080245985A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2008-10-09 Sri International Electroactive polymer devices for controlling fluid flow
US20080312720A1 (en) * 2007-06-14 2008-12-18 Tran Binh C Multi-element acoustic recharging system
US7522962B1 (en) 2004-12-03 2009-04-21 Remon Medical Technologies, Ltd Implantable medical device with integrated acoustic transducer
US7912548B2 (en) 2006-07-21 2011-03-22 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Resonant structures for implantable devices
US7948148B2 (en) 1997-12-30 2011-05-24 Remon Medical Technologies Ltd. Piezoelectric transducer
US20110196514A1 (en) * 2010-02-10 2011-08-11 Chengyu Cao Adaptive control for uncertain nonlinear multi-input multi-output systems
US20140079255A1 (en) * 2011-05-17 2014-03-20 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Plane-Type Speaker and AV Apparatus
US8825161B1 (en) 2007-05-17 2014-09-02 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Acoustic transducer for an implantable medical device
US20150076629A1 (en) * 2013-09-17 2015-03-19 Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. Microphone
US9195058B2 (en) 2011-03-22 2015-11-24 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Electroactive polymer actuator lenticular system
US9231186B2 (en) 2009-04-11 2016-01-05 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Electro-switchable polymer film assembly and use thereof
US9425383B2 (en) 2007-06-29 2016-08-23 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Method of manufacturing electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications
US9553254B2 (en) 2011-03-01 2017-01-24 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Automated manufacturing processes for producing deformable polymer devices and films
US9590193B2 (en) 2012-10-24 2017-03-07 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Polymer diode
EP2302950A3 (en) * 2009-09-29 2017-04-19 NEC Corporation Acoustic transducer
US9761790B2 (en) 2012-06-18 2017-09-12 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Stretch frame for stretching process
US9876160B2 (en) 2012-03-21 2018-01-23 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Roll-to-roll manufacturing processes for producing self-healing electroactive polymer devices

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4926890B1 (en) * 1970-12-04 1974-07-12
FR2145099A5 (en) * 1971-07-08 1973-02-16 Inst Francais Du Petrole
JPS5123439B2 (en) * 1971-11-05 1976-07-16
DE2911917C2 (en) * 1979-03-27 1983-08-11 Sennheiser Electronic Kg, 3002 Wedemark Electroacoustic transducer based on the piezoelectric principle
JPS5675686A (en) * 1979-11-26 1981-06-22 Kureha Chem Ind Co Ltd Ultrasonic video device
US4486869A (en) * 1981-02-25 1984-12-04 The Secretary Of State For Defence In Her Britannic Majesty's Government Of The United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland Underwater acoustic devices
GB2156521B (en) * 1984-03-27 1987-09-09 Nat Res Dev Finding the direction of a sound
DE3437488A1 (en) * 1984-10-12 1986-04-17 Richard Wolf Gmbh, 7134 Knittlingen SOUND TRANSMITTER
KR940006950B1 (en) * 1989-05-02 1994-07-30 후지꾸라 가부시끼가이샤 Piezoelectric acceleration sensor and Piezoelectric acceleration sensor device
EP0557780A1 (en) * 1992-02-25 1993-09-01 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Ultrasonic transducer with piezoelectric polymer foil
WO2009144964A1 (en) 2008-05-29 2009-12-03 株式会社村田製作所 Piezoelectric speaker, speaker device and tactile feedback device
DE102015103295A1 (en) * 2015-03-06 2016-09-08 Atlas Elektronik Gmbh Sound transducer for transmitting and / or receiving underwater acoustic signals, transducer, sonar and watercraft

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2487962A (en) * 1947-08-29 1949-11-15 Brush Dev Co Electromechanical transducer
US2549872A (en) * 1948-03-26 1951-04-24 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Focusing ultrasonic radiator
US2565159A (en) * 1949-04-21 1951-08-21 Brush Dev Co Focused electromechanical device
US2640889A (en) * 1949-05-17 1953-06-02 Zenith Radio Corp Piezoelectric transducer
US2714642A (en) * 1952-07-10 1955-08-02 Bell Telephone Labor Inc High speed relay of electromechanical transducer material
US2778881A (en) * 1951-08-03 1957-01-22 Gulton Ind Inc Microphone
US2802147A (en) * 1954-08-30 1957-08-06 Electric Machinery Mfg Co Electrostrictive capacitive relay flasher circuit
US2836738A (en) * 1956-05-02 1958-05-27 Joseph W Crownover Prestressed piezo crystal
US2900536A (en) * 1954-11-18 1959-08-18 Astatic Corp Design of electro-mechanical transducer elements
US3007013A (en) * 1959-04-22 1961-10-31 Astatic Corp Microphone construction
US3115588A (en) * 1958-02-05 1963-12-24 Raytheon Co Electroacoustical apparatus

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2487962A (en) * 1947-08-29 1949-11-15 Brush Dev Co Electromechanical transducer
US2549872A (en) * 1948-03-26 1951-04-24 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Focusing ultrasonic radiator
US2565159A (en) * 1949-04-21 1951-08-21 Brush Dev Co Focused electromechanical device
US2640889A (en) * 1949-05-17 1953-06-02 Zenith Radio Corp Piezoelectric transducer
US2778881A (en) * 1951-08-03 1957-01-22 Gulton Ind Inc Microphone
US2714642A (en) * 1952-07-10 1955-08-02 Bell Telephone Labor Inc High speed relay of electromechanical transducer material
US2802147A (en) * 1954-08-30 1957-08-06 Electric Machinery Mfg Co Electrostrictive capacitive relay flasher circuit
US2900536A (en) * 1954-11-18 1959-08-18 Astatic Corp Design of electro-mechanical transducer elements
US2836738A (en) * 1956-05-02 1958-05-27 Joseph W Crownover Prestressed piezo crystal
US3115588A (en) * 1958-02-05 1963-12-24 Raytheon Co Electroacoustical apparatus
US3007013A (en) * 1959-04-22 1961-10-31 Astatic Corp Microphone construction

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Chemical Abstract, Vol. 67, 1967, section 73959n Radiation-induced Solid State Polymerization . *
Review of the Electrical Properties of Wood and Cellulose, by R. T. Lin, Forest Products Journal, Vol. 17, No. 7, July 1967. *

Cited By (162)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3947644A (en) * 1971-08-20 1976-03-30 Kureha Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Piezoelectric-type electroacoustic transducer
US4093884A (en) * 1972-09-08 1978-06-06 Agence Nationale De Valorisation De La Recherche (Anvar) Thin structures having a piezoelectric effect, devices equipped with such structures and in their methods of manufacture
US3969927A (en) * 1973-08-08 1976-07-20 Kureha Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vibration measuring and the apparatus therefor
US3935485A (en) * 1973-09-17 1976-01-27 Kureha Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Piezoelectric key board switch
US3940637A (en) * 1973-10-15 1976-02-24 Toray Industries, Inc. Polymeric piezoelectric key actuated device
DE2506708A1 (en) * 1974-02-18 1975-08-21 Pioneer Electronic Corp PIEZOELECTRIC, ELECTROACOUSTIC TRANSMITTER
US3976897A (en) * 1974-02-18 1976-08-24 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Piezoelectric electro-acoustic diaphragm transducer with composite resilient backing
US3982143A (en) * 1974-02-18 1976-09-21 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Piezoelectric diaphragm electro-acoustic transducer
US3997804A (en) * 1974-02-18 1976-12-14 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Mounting for flexible diaphragm piezoelectric transducer
US3973150A (en) * 1974-02-18 1976-08-03 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Rectangular, oriented polymer, piezoelectric diaphragm
US4088915A (en) * 1974-02-28 1978-05-09 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Curved polymeric piezoelectric electro-acoustic transducer
US4008408A (en) * 1974-02-28 1977-02-15 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Piezoelectric electro-acoustic transducer
US3978353A (en) * 1974-05-10 1976-08-31 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Piezoelectric acoustic speaker system
US4045695A (en) * 1974-07-15 1977-08-30 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Piezoelectric electro-acoustic transducer
DE2553414A1 (en) * 1974-11-27 1976-08-12 Pioneer Electronic Corp PIEZOELECTRIC, ELECTROACOUSTIC CONVERTER
US4024355A (en) * 1974-11-27 1977-05-17 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Piezoelectric electro-acoustic transducer with non-uniform backing
US4028566A (en) * 1975-03-03 1977-06-07 U.S. Philips Corporation Electroacoustic conversion device having a diaphragm comprising at least one of a piezoelectric polymer material
US4048526A (en) * 1975-08-08 1977-09-13 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Kinetic sensor employing polymeric piezoelectric material
US4051395A (en) * 1975-08-08 1977-09-27 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Weight actuated piezoelectric polymeric transducer
US4128489A (en) * 1975-12-29 1978-12-05 Mitsubishi Petrochemical Company Limited Piezo-electric material
US4056742A (en) * 1976-04-30 1977-11-01 Tibbetts Industries, Inc. Transducer having piezoelectric film arranged with alternating curvatures
US4186323A (en) * 1976-09-21 1980-01-29 International Standard Electric Corporation Piezoelectric high polymer, multilayer electro-acoustic transducers
US4578613A (en) * 1977-04-07 1986-03-25 U.S. Philips Corporation Diaphragm comprising at least one foil of a piezoelectric polymer material
US4216403A (en) * 1977-07-27 1980-08-05 Hans List Monoaxially oriented piezoelectric polymer transducer for measurement of mechanical values on bodies
US4413202A (en) * 1977-07-27 1983-11-01 Hans List Transducer with a flexible sensor element for measurement of mechanical values
US4284921A (en) * 1977-11-17 1981-08-18 Thomson-Csf Polymeric piezoelectric transducer with thermoformed protuberances
US4170185A (en) * 1978-01-09 1979-10-09 Lectret S.A. Preventing marine fouling
US4389445A (en) * 1978-07-10 1983-06-21 Kureha Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Data recording sheet
US4236235A (en) * 1978-08-24 1980-11-25 The Boeing Company Integrating hydrophone sensing elements
US4322877A (en) * 1978-09-20 1982-04-06 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Method of making piezoelectric polymeric acoustic transducer
US4297394A (en) * 1979-05-31 1981-10-27 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Piezoelectric polymer antifouling coating and method of use and application
US4283461A (en) * 1979-05-31 1981-08-11 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Piezoelectric polymer antifouling coating
US4282532A (en) * 1979-06-04 1981-08-04 Xerox Corporation Ink jet method and apparatus using a thin film piezoelectric excitor for drop generation
US4296417A (en) * 1979-06-04 1981-10-20 Xerox Corporation Ink jet method and apparatus using a thin film piezoelectric excitor for drop generation with spherical and cylindrical fluid chambers
US4615962A (en) * 1979-06-25 1986-10-07 University Patents, Inc. Diacetylenes having liquid crystal phases
US4316115A (en) * 1979-12-03 1982-02-16 Raytheon Company Polymeric piezoelectric microprobe with damper
DE3102151A1 (en) * 1980-02-22 1981-12-17 Lectret S.A., 1217 Meyrin, Genève ACOUSTIC CONVERTER
US4295010A (en) * 1980-02-22 1981-10-13 Lectret S.A. Plural piezoelectric polymer film acoustic transducer
US4558249A (en) * 1980-03-10 1985-12-10 Reinhard Lerch Stretched piezopolymer transducer with unsupported areas
US4536450A (en) * 1980-03-12 1985-08-20 University Patents, Inc. Nonlinear optical materials and processes employing diacetylenes
US4406967A (en) * 1980-08-23 1983-09-27 Kureha Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ultrasonic probe
US4356424A (en) * 1980-11-24 1982-10-26 Eastman Kodak Company Pseudo-AC method of nonuniformly poling a body of polymeric piezoelectric material and flexure elements produced thereby
US4469920A (en) * 1982-02-09 1984-09-04 Lectret S.A. Piezoelectric film device for conversion between digital electric signals and analog acoustic signals
US4453044A (en) * 1982-02-09 1984-06-05 Lectret S.A. Electro-acoustic transducer with plural piezoelectric film
US4877988A (en) * 1982-03-01 1989-10-31 Battelle Memorial Institute Piezoelectric and pyroelectric polymers
US4628907A (en) * 1984-03-22 1986-12-16 Epley John M Direct contact hearing aid apparatus
US4654546A (en) * 1984-11-20 1987-03-31 Kari Kirjavainen Electromechanical film and procedure for manufacturing same
US5185549A (en) * 1988-12-21 1993-02-09 Steven L. Sullivan Dipole horn piezoelectric electro-acoustic transducer design
FR2651633A1 (en) * 1989-09-01 1991-03-08 Thomson Consumer Electronics Electroacoustic transducer element and devices, with piezoelectric polymer bimorph, especially for producing a loudspeaker with a linear-type radiation diagram
US5065194A (en) * 1990-05-29 1991-11-12 Eastman Kodak Company Piezo film cleaner
US5493916A (en) * 1991-06-25 1996-02-27 Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation--AGL Consultancy Pty Ltd. Mode suppression in fluid flow measurement
DE4209374A1 (en) * 1992-03-23 1993-09-30 Siemens Ag Air ultrasonic transducer
US5321332A (en) * 1992-11-12 1994-06-14 The Whitaker Corporation Wideband ultrasonic transducer
US5592359A (en) * 1994-07-13 1997-01-07 Undersea Transducer Technology, Inc. Transducer
US5889354A (en) * 1994-08-29 1999-03-30 Oceaneering International Inc. Piezoelectric unit cell
US5828766A (en) * 1994-12-15 1998-10-27 Anthony Gallo Acoustics, Inc. Acoustic speaker system
US6545384B1 (en) 1997-02-07 2003-04-08 Sri International Electroactive polymer devices
US6543110B1 (en) 1997-02-07 2003-04-08 Sri International Electroactive polymer fabrication
US6583533B2 (en) * 1997-02-07 2003-06-24 Sri International Electroactive polymer electrodes
US20030214199A1 (en) * 1997-02-07 2003-11-20 Sri International, A California Corporation Electroactive polymer devices for controlling fluid flow
US7320457B2 (en) 1997-02-07 2008-01-22 Sri International Electroactive polymer devices for controlling fluid flow
US7034432B1 (en) * 1997-02-07 2006-04-25 Sri International Electroactive polymer generators
US6781284B1 (en) 1997-02-07 2004-08-24 Sri International Electroactive polymer transducers and actuators
US8277441B2 (en) 1997-12-30 2012-10-02 Remon Medical Technologies, Ltd. Piezoelectric transducer
US7948148B2 (en) 1997-12-30 2011-05-24 Remon Medical Technologies Ltd. Piezoelectric transducer
US6504286B1 (en) * 1997-12-30 2003-01-07 Remon Medical Technologies Ltd. Piezoelectric transducer
US8647328B2 (en) 1997-12-30 2014-02-11 Remon Medical Technologies, Ltd. Reflected acoustic wave modulation
US6400065B1 (en) * 1998-03-31 2002-06-04 Measurement Specialties, Inc. Omni-directional ultrasonic transducer apparatus and staking method
US6239535B1 (en) * 1998-03-31 2001-05-29 Measurement Specialties Inc. Omni-directional ultrasonic transducer apparatus having controlled frequency response
US6812624B1 (en) 1999-07-20 2004-11-02 Sri International Electroactive polymers
US7911115B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2011-03-22 Sri International Monolithic electroactive polymers
US7468575B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2008-12-23 Sri International Electroactive polymer electrodes
US8981621B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2015-03-17 Ronald E. Pelrine Electroactive polymer manufacturing
US20090200501A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2009-08-13 Sri International Electroactive polymer devices for controlling fluid flow
WO2001006579A2 (en) * 1999-07-20 2001-01-25 Sri International Pre-strained electroactive polymers
US20080245985A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2008-10-09 Sri International Electroactive polymer devices for controlling fluid flow
US20080191585A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2008-08-14 Sri International Electroactive polymer electrodes
US20040008853A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2004-01-15 Sri International, A California Corporation Electroactive polymer devices for moving fluid
US20100026143A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2010-02-04 Sri International Monolithic electroactive polymers
US7394182B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2008-07-01 Sri International Electroactive polymer devices for moving fluid
US20080136052A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2008-06-12 Sri International Electroactive polymer manufacturing
US7368862B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2008-05-06 Sri International Electroactive polymer generators
US8508109B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2013-08-13 Sri International Electroactive polymer manufacturing
US7703742B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2010-04-27 Sri International Electroactive polymer devices for controlling fluid flow
US7362032B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2008-04-22 Sri International Electroactive polymer devices for moving fluid
US20100176322A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2010-07-15 Sri International Electroactive polymer devices for controlling fluid flow
US7537197B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2009-05-26 Sri International Electroactive polymer devices for controlling fluid flow
US7923064B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2011-04-12 Sri International Electroactive polymer manufacturing
US20060113880A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2006-06-01 Sri International, A California Corporation Electroactive polymers
US20060113878A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2006-06-01 Sri International Electroactive polymers
US7064472B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2006-06-20 Sri International Electroactive polymer devices for moving fluid
US7971850B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2011-07-05 Sri International Electroactive polymer devices for controlling fluid flow
US20060158065A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2006-07-20 Sri International A California Corporation Electroactive polymer devices for moving fluid
US20060238066A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2006-10-26 Sri International Electroactive polymer generators
US20060238079A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2006-10-26 Sri International, A California Corporation Electroactive polymers
US20110155307A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2011-06-30 Sri International Electroactive polymer manufacturing
US7199501B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2007-04-03 Sri International Electroactive polymers
US7224106B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2007-05-29 Sri International Electroactive polymers
WO2001006579A3 (en) * 1999-07-20 2002-01-31 Stanford Res Inst Int Pre-strained electroactive polymers
US20070164641A1 (en) * 1999-07-20 2007-07-19 Sri International Electroactive polymer devices for moving fluid
US7259503B2 (en) 1999-07-20 2007-08-21 Sri International Electroactive polymers
US7015624B1 (en) * 1999-10-22 2006-03-21 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Non-uniform thickness electroactive device
US6911764B2 (en) * 2000-02-09 2005-06-28 Sri International Energy efficient electroactive polymers and electroactive polymer devices
US6664718B2 (en) * 2000-02-09 2003-12-16 Sri International Monolithic electroactive polymers
US20010026165A1 (en) * 2000-02-09 2001-10-04 Sri International Monolithic electroactive polymers
US20040124738A1 (en) * 2000-02-23 2004-07-01 Sri International, A California Corporation Electroactive polymer thermal electric generators
US6768246B2 (en) 2000-02-23 2004-07-27 Sri International Biologically powered electroactive polymer generators
US6628040B2 (en) 2000-02-23 2003-09-30 Sri International Electroactive polymer thermal electric generators
US6411014B1 (en) * 2000-05-09 2002-06-25 Measurement Specialties, Inc. Cylindrical transducer apparatus
US20020089262A1 (en) * 2000-05-09 2002-07-11 Minoru Topa Cylindrical transducer apparatus
WO2001087005A2 (en) * 2000-05-09 2001-11-15 Measurement Specialties, Inc. Cylindrical transducer apparatus
WO2001087005A3 (en) * 2000-05-09 2002-03-07 Measurement Spec Inc Cylindrical transducer apparatus
US6657365B1 (en) * 2000-05-31 2003-12-02 Westerngeco, L.L.C. Hybrid piezo-film continuous line and discrete element arrays
US6847155B2 (en) * 2001-04-24 2005-01-25 Clemson University Electroactive apparatus and methods
US20020153807A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2002-10-24 Clemson University Electroactive apparatus and methods
US20090184606A1 (en) * 2001-05-22 2009-07-23 Sri International Rolled electroactive polymers
US8093783B2 (en) 2001-05-22 2012-01-10 Sri International Electroactive polymer device
US20040217671A1 (en) * 2001-05-22 2004-11-04 Sri International, A California Corporation Rolled electroactive polymers
US8042264B2 (en) 2001-05-22 2011-10-25 Sri International Method of fabricating an electroactive polymer transducer
US7233097B2 (en) * 2001-05-22 2007-06-19 Sri International Rolled electroactive polymers
US20110025170A1 (en) * 2001-05-22 2011-02-03 Sri International Electroactive polymer device
US20100263181A1 (en) * 2001-05-22 2010-10-21 Sri International Rolled electroactive polymers
US7761981B2 (en) 2001-05-22 2010-07-27 Sri International Methods for fabricating an electroactive polymer device
US20080022517A1 (en) * 2001-05-22 2008-01-31 Sri International Rolled electroactive polymers
US20030173874A1 (en) * 2002-03-15 2003-09-18 Usa As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Electro-active device using radial electric field piezo-diaphragm for sonic applications
US6919669B2 (en) 2002-03-15 2005-07-19 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Electro-active device using radial electric field piezo-diaphragm for sonic applications
US7362889B2 (en) 2002-05-10 2008-04-22 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Elastomeric actuator devices for magnetic resonance imaging
US20030210811A1 (en) * 2002-05-10 2003-11-13 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Elastomeric actuator devices for magnetic resonance imaging
US20030218403A1 (en) * 2002-05-10 2003-11-27 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Dielectric elastomer actuated systems and methods
US7411331B2 (en) 2002-05-10 2008-08-12 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Dielectric elastomer actuated systems and methods
US7580750B2 (en) 2004-11-24 2009-08-25 Remon Medical Technologies, Ltd. Implantable medical device with integrated acoustic transducer
US8744580B2 (en) 2004-11-24 2014-06-03 Remon Medical Technologies, Ltd. Implantable medical device with integrated acoustic transducer
US20060149329A1 (en) * 2004-11-24 2006-07-06 Abraham Penner Implantable medical device with integrated acoustic
US7522962B1 (en) 2004-12-03 2009-04-21 Remon Medical Technologies, Ltd Implantable medical device with integrated acoustic transducer
US7615012B2 (en) 2005-08-26 2009-11-10 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Broadband acoustic sensor for an implantable medical device
US20080021289A1 (en) * 2005-08-26 2008-01-24 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Acoustic communication transducer in implantable medical device header
US20070049977A1 (en) * 2005-08-26 2007-03-01 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Broadband acoustic sensor for an implantable medical device
US7570998B2 (en) 2005-08-26 2009-08-04 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Acoustic communication transducer in implantable medical device header
US7949396B2 (en) 2006-07-21 2011-05-24 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Ultrasonic transducer for a metallic cavity implated medical device
US20080021509A1 (en) * 2006-07-21 2008-01-24 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Ultrasonic transducer for a metallic cavity implated medical device
US7912548B2 (en) 2006-07-21 2011-03-22 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Resonant structures for implantable devices
US8548592B2 (en) 2006-07-21 2013-10-01 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Ultrasonic transducer for a metallic cavity implanted medical device
US8825161B1 (en) 2007-05-17 2014-09-02 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Acoustic transducer for an implantable medical device
US20080312720A1 (en) * 2007-06-14 2008-12-18 Tran Binh C Multi-element acoustic recharging system
US7634318B2 (en) 2007-06-14 2009-12-15 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Multi-element acoustic recharging system
US9731141B2 (en) 2007-06-14 2017-08-15 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Multi-element acoustic recharging system
US8340778B2 (en) 2007-06-14 2012-12-25 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Multi-element acoustic recharging system
US9425383B2 (en) 2007-06-29 2016-08-23 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Method of manufacturing electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications
US9231186B2 (en) 2009-04-11 2016-01-05 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Electro-switchable polymer film assembly and use thereof
EP2302950A3 (en) * 2009-09-29 2017-04-19 NEC Corporation Acoustic transducer
US20110196514A1 (en) * 2010-02-10 2011-08-11 Chengyu Cao Adaptive control for uncertain nonlinear multi-input multi-output systems
US8712559B2 (en) 2010-02-10 2014-04-29 The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illionois Adaptive control for uncertain nonlinear multi-input multi-output systems
US9553254B2 (en) 2011-03-01 2017-01-24 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Automated manufacturing processes for producing deformable polymer devices and films
US9195058B2 (en) 2011-03-22 2015-11-24 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Electroactive polymer actuator lenticular system
US20140079255A1 (en) * 2011-05-17 2014-03-20 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Plane-Type Speaker and AV Apparatus
US9332353B2 (en) * 2011-05-17 2016-05-03 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Plane-type speaker and AV apparatus
US9363607B2 (en) * 2011-05-17 2016-06-07 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Plane-type speaker and AV apparatus
US20150131823A1 (en) * 2011-05-17 2015-05-14 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Plane-Type Speaker and AV Apparatus
US9876160B2 (en) 2012-03-21 2018-01-23 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Roll-to-roll manufacturing processes for producing self-healing electroactive polymer devices
US9761790B2 (en) 2012-06-18 2017-09-12 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Stretch frame for stretching process
US9590193B2 (en) 2012-10-24 2017-03-07 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Polymer diode
US20150076629A1 (en) * 2013-09-17 2015-03-19 Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. Microphone

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1967130C2 (en) 1982-04-01
GB1260387A (en) 1972-01-19
DE1902849B2 (en) 1977-10-20
DE1902849C3 (en) 1978-06-29
DE1902849A1 (en) 1969-09-11
NL6901191A (en) 1969-07-29
CH518668A (en) 1972-01-31
FR2000770A1 (en) 1969-09-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3832580A (en) High molecular weight, thin film piezoelectric transducers
US3548116A (en) Acoustic transducer including piezoelectric wafer solely supported by a diaphragm
US5196755A (en) Piezoelectric panel speaker
US6775388B1 (en) Ultrasonic transducers
US4885781A (en) Frequency-selective sound transducer
US3370187A (en) Electromechanical apparatus
EP0973149A2 (en) Ultrasonic transducers
US3219850A (en) Electromechanical transducers
CN103262576A (en) Oscillator device and electronic instrument
GB2057225A (en) Piezo-electric loudspeaker
WO2013099512A1 (en) Vibration device, sound generator, speaker system, and electronic device
US4295010A (en) Plural piezoelectric polymer film acoustic transducer
US4996713A (en) Electroacoustic piezoelectric transducer having a broad operating range
US2477596A (en) Electromechanical transducer device
CN103270776B (en) Oscillation device and electronic equipment
WO2013099511A1 (en) Vibration device, sound generator, speaker system, and electronic device
CN103262575A (en) Oscillator device and electronic instrument
US2911484A (en) Electro-acoustic transducer
NO150888B (en) PROCEDURE FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN ENCELLE PROTEIN
US4453044A (en) Electro-acoustic transducer with plural piezoelectric film
US3985201A (en) Infinite sound reproduction chamber
KR101809714B1 (en) Piezoelectric transducer including the piezoelectric unit and directive speaker including the transducer
KR101765000B1 (en) Piezoelectric transducer for a directive speaker and directive speaker including the transducer
US3716681A (en) Piezolectric transducer having spider-like frame structure
EP2911413B1 (en) Loudspeaker with piezoelectric elements