US4400634A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bimorph transducer made from polymer material
Assignee: Thales SA
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Filing: 1980-12-09
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Granted: 1983-08-23
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Expires: 2000-12-09
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to bimorph electromechanical transducers made from polymer material. It specifically relates to a transducer comprising a plurality of superimposed dielectric sheets for forming a bimorph structure, whose deformations are controlled in linear manner by a voltage. None of the sheets is piezoelectric. The linearity of operation is obtained because at least one of the dielectric sheets carries a permanent electric charge. The invention is applicable to the construction of microphones, telephone receivers, loudspeakers, as well as to the construction of optical components, whose precise, small displacements it is desired to control.
Inventors
- 👤 Francois Micheron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:22
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R19/00; H04R19/01; H04R19/013; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/20; H10N30/204; H10N30/2041; H10N30/2042; H10N30/2047; H10N30/2048; H10N30/80; H10N30/85; H10N30/857
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A bi morph transducer, whose active areas comprise: at least two sheets joined along an interface, one of said sheets being made from a dielectric polymer material carrying an excess of electric charge, and two electrodes for creating an electrical field across the thickness of said charged material, wherein the joining of said sheets prevents them from sliding against each other, the elastic characteristics of said sheets being differentiated for causing said active areas to bend under the action of said electrical field; one of said electrodes being located at said interface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A bi morph transducer, whose active areas comprise: at least two sheets joined along an interface, one of said sheets being made from a dielectric polymer material carrying an excess of electric charge, and two electrodes for creating an electrical field across the thickness of said charged material, wherein the joining of said sheets prevents them from sliding against each other, the elastic characteristics of said sheets being differentiated for causing said active areas to bend under the action of said electrical field; one of said electrodes being located at said interface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A transducer according to claim 1, wherein the other one of said sheets is a dielectric sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A transducer according to claim 1, wherein the other one of said sheets is a conductive sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A transducer according to claim 1, wherein it comprises at least one third sheet mechanically fixed to the other sheets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A transducer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the sheets carrying an excess of electric charge is heterogeneous and is formed by a layer able to store electric charges and a layer of another material chosen for its mechanical properties, the two layers being mechanically fixed to one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A transducer according to claim 1, wherein it forms a fitted bar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A transducer according to claim 1, wherein it forms a bistable element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A transducer according to claim 1, wherein it forms a non-developable, self-supporting configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
A transducer according to claim 1, wherein it forms an undulating surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
126 words
A bimorph transducer whose active areas comprise: at least two dielectric sheets commonly joined along a first electrode; second and third electrodes surrounding respective dielectric sheets; said first, second and third electrodes for creating an electrical field across the thickness of said dielectric sheets wherein the joining of said sheets to said first electrode prevents said sheets from sliding relative to each other, the elastic characteristics of said sheets being differentiated by causing said active areas to bend under the action of said electric field; said dielectric sheets carrying an excess of electric charge; the two dielectric sheets are identical and carry identical charges, said transducer being associated with exciting means making it possible to expose it to voltages of the same amplitude but opposite phase.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
A bimorph transducer whose active areas comprise: at least two dielectric sheets commonly joined along a first electrode; second and third electrodes surrounding respective dielectric sheets; said first, second and third electrodes for creating an electrical field across the thickness of said dielectric sheets wherein the joining of said sheets to said first electrode prevents said sheets from sliding relative to each other, the elastic characteristics of said sheets being differentiated by causing said active areas to bend under the action of said electric field; said dielectric sheets carrying an excess of electric charge; the two dielectric sheets are identical and carry identical charges, said transducer being associated with exciting means making it possible to expose it to voltages of the same amplitude but opposite phase.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
129 words
A bimorph transducer whose active areas comprise: at least two dielectric sheets commonly joined along a first electrode; second and third electrodes surrounding respective dielectric sheets; said first, second and third electrodes for creating an electrical field across the thickness of said dielectric sheets wherein the joining of said sheets to said first electrode prevents said sheets from sliding relative to each other, the elastic characteristics of said sheets being differentiated for causing said active areas to bend under the action of said electrical field; said dielectric sheets carrying an excess of electric charge; the two dielectric sheets are identical and carry identical charges of the opposite sign, said transducer being associated with exciting means making it possible to expose it to voltages of the same amplitude and phase.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
129 words
A bimorph transducer whose active areas comprise: at least two dielectric sheets commonly joined along a first electrode; second and third electrodes surrounding respective dielectric sheets; said first, second and third electrodes for creating an electrical field across the thickness of said dielectric sheets wherein the joining of said sheets to said first electrode prevents said sheets from sliding relative to each other, the elastic characteristics of said sheets being differentiated for causing said active areas to bend under the action of said electrical field; said dielectric sheets carrying an excess of electric charge; the two dielectric sheets are identical and carry identical charges of the opposite sign, said transducer being associated with exciting means making it possible to expose it to voltages of the same amplitude and phase.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-22 | 1987-02-21 | 1987-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-22 | 1991-02-21 | 1991-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-22 | 1995-02-21 | 1995-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |