US4435667A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spiral piezoelectric rotary actuator
Assignee: PIEZOELECTRIC PRODUCTS Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1982-04-28
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Granted: 1984-03-06
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Expires: 2002-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A piezoelectric rotary actuator including: a rotatable member; a spiral member fixed at its inner end to the rotatable member; one or more piezoelectric layers attached on one or both sides of the spiral member; means for rotatably supporting the rotatable member relative to the outer portion of the spiral member; and an electrode for applying a voltage across the piezoelectric layer or layers, to bend the spiral and rotate the rotatable member.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry H. Kolm
- 👤 Eric A. Kolm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:41
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02N; H02N2/00; H02N2/10; G; G01; G01H; G01H1/00; G01H1/10; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/20; H10N30/204; H10N30/2041; H10N30/2042; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S310/00; Y10S310/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A piezoelectric rotary actuator comprising: a rotatable member; a fixed member; a spiral leaf spring attached at one end to said rotatable member and at the other end to said fixed member; a piezoelectric layer attached on one side to said spiral leaf spring; and electrode means for applying a voltage across said piezoelectric layer to bend said spiral leaf spring and rotate said rotatable member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A piezoelectric rotary actuator comprising: a rotatable member; a fixed member; a spiral leaf spring attached at one end to said rotatable member and at the other end to said fixed member; a piezoelectric layer attached on one side to said spiral leaf spring; and electrode means for applying a voltage across said piezoelectric layer to bend said spiral leaf spring and rotate said rotatable member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The rotary actuator of claim 1 in which said rotatable member is a shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rotary actuator of claim 1 in which said piezoelectric layer is made of a granular piezoceramic material in an elastomeric binder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rotary actuator of claim 3 in which said elastomeric binder is vinyl.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The rotary actuator of claim 1 in which said electrode means includes an electrode on the free side of said piezoelectric layer and said spiral leaf spring is made of electrically conducting material and constitutes a second electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The rotary actuator of claim 1 further including a second piezoelectric layer attached to the other side of said spiral leaf spring and said electrode means including a second electrode attached to the free side of said second piezoelectric layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rotary actuator of claim 1 in which said spiral leaf spring is attached at its inner end to said rotatable member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
A piezoelectric rotary actuator comprising: a rotatable member; a fixed member; a spiral leaf spring attached at its inner end to said rotatable member and at its outer end to said fixed member; first and second piezoelectric layers attached to opposite sides of said spiral leaf spring; and electrode means for applying a voltage across said piezoelectric layers to bend said spiral leaf spring and rotate said rotatable member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A piezoelectric rotary actuator comprising: a rotatable member; a fixed member; a spiral leaf spring attached at its inner end to said rotatable member and at its outer end to said fixed member; first and second piezoelectric layers attached to opposite sides of said spiral leaf spring; and electrode means for applying a voltage across said piezoelectric layers to bend said spiral leaf spring and rotate said rotatable member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The rotary actuator of claim 8 in which said rotatable member is a shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rotary actuator of claim 8 in which piezoelectric layer is made of a granular piezoceramic in an elastomeric binder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rotary actuator of claim 10 in which said elastomeric binder is vinyl.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rotary actuator of claim 8 in which said spiral leaf spring is attached at its inner end to said rotatable member.
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) | 1987-03-06 | 1987-09-05 | 1988-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-06 | 1991-09-05 | 1992-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-06 | 1995-09-05 | 1996-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |