US4456394A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Piezoelectric printer and asymmetric piezoelectric actuator used therein
Assignee: PIEZOELECTRIC PRODUCTS INC A CORP OF MASS
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Filing: 1982-03-31
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Granted: 1984-06-26
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Expires: 2002-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A piezoelectric printer including: a frame; a plurality of printer units mounted on the frame; each unit including an asymmetric piezoelectric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion, the actuating portion being moveable in an actuating direction; the bender being tapered in its lateral dimension and being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; first and second metal reinforcing layers externally mounted on said bender, the first on the side of the actuating direction, the second on the opposite side; and a printing element driven by the actuating portion; means for applying an actuating voltage to the bender in the poling direction for actuating the bender to drive the printing element to the printing position and guide means attached to the frame for guiding the printing elements; the printer units are arranged in sets of stacked arrays, which may be overlapped and may include holes in each of the inferior printer units for receiving printer elements from superior printing units.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry H. Kolm
- 👤 Eric A. Kolm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:07
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/22; B41J2/23; B41J2/27; B41J2/295; H; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/20; H10N30/204; H10N30/2041; H10N30/2042; H10N30/2043; H10N30/2047; H10N30/2048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A piezoelectric printer comprising: a frame; a plurality of printer units mounted on said frame; each unit including: an asymmetric piezoelectric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion moveable in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; and a printing element driven by said actuating portion; means for applying an actuating voltage to both of said members in the poling direction for actuating said bender to drive said printing element to the printing position; and guide means attached to said frame for guiding said printing elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A piezoelectric printer comprising: a frame; a plurality of printer units mounted on said frame; each unit including: an asymmetric piezoelectric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion moveable in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; and a printing element driven by said actuating portion; means for applying an actuating voltage to both of said members in the poling direction for actuating said bender to drive said printing element to the printing position; and guide means attached to said frame for guiding said printing elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The printer of claim 1 in which said said piezoelectric benders of printer units are arranged in sets of stacked arrays, each set including at least two said units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The printer of claim 2 in which said said piezoelectric benders of printer units are staggered in said sets of stacked arrays, each set including at least two said units.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The printer of claim 2 in which said said piezoelectric benders of printer units in each set are disposed in overlapping relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The printer of claim 4 in which said printer units overlap longitudinally at said actuating portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The printer of claim 2 in which said said piezoelectric benders of printer units overlap laterally.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The printer of claim 2 in which said piezoelectric members are all formed from a single piezoelectric component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The printer of claim 7 in which said piezoelectric component is circular.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The printer of claim 4 in which each of the inferior printer units includes one or more holes for receiving the printer element of one or more superior printer units.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The printer of claim 1 in which said bender includes a plurality of piezoelectric members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The printer of claim 1 further including first and second metal reinforcing layers externally mounted on said bender, the first on the side of the actuating direction, the second on the opposite side.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
137 words
A piezoelectric printer comprising: a frame; a plurality of printer units mounted on said frame; each unit including: an asymmetric piezoelectric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion moveable in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; and a printing element driven by said actuating portion; first and second metal reinforcing layers externally mounted on said bender, the first on the side of the actuating direction, the second on the opposite side; means for applying an actuating voltage to both of said members in the poling direction for actuating said bender to drive said printing element to the printing position; and guide means attached to said frame for guiding said printing elements.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
137 words
A piezoelectric printer comprising: a frame; a plurality of printer units mounted on said frame; each unit including: an asymmetric piezoelectric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion moveable in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; and a printing element driven by said actuating portion; first and second metal reinforcing layers externally mounted on said bender, the first on the side of the actuating direction, the second on the opposite side; means for applying an actuating voltage to both of said members in the poling direction for actuating said bender to drive said printing element to the printing position; and guide means attached to said frame for guiding said printing elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
101 words
A piezoelectric printer comprising: a frame; a plurality of printer units mounted on said frame, each unit including: an asymmetric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion; said actuating portion being movable in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; a printing element driven by said actuating portion; means for applying an actuating voltage to both of said members in the poling direction for actuating said bender to drive said printing element in the printing direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
101 words
A piezoelectric printer comprising: a frame; a plurality of printer units mounted on said frame, each unit including: an asymmetric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion; said actuating portion being movable in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; a printing element driven by said actuating portion; means for applying an actuating voltage to both of said members in the poling direction for actuating said bender to drive said printing element in the printing direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
128 words
A piezoelectric printer comprising: a frame; a plurality of printer units mounted on said frame, each unit including: an asymmetric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion; said actuating portion being movable in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; a printing element driven by said actuating portion; first and second metal reinforcing layers externally mounted on said bender, the first on the side of the actuating direction, the second on the opposite side; and means for applying an actuating voltage to both of said members in the poling direction for actuating said bender to drive said printing element in the printing direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
128 words
A piezoelectric printer comprising: a frame; a plurality of printer units mounted on said frame, each unit including: an asymmetric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion; said actuating portion being movable in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; a printing element driven by said actuating portion; first and second metal reinforcing layers externally mounted on said bender, the first on the side of the actuating direction, the second on the opposite side; and means for applying an actuating voltage to both of said members in the poling direction for actuating said bender to drive said printing element in the printing direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
94 words
A piezoelectric printer unit comprising: an asymmetric piezoelectric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion; said actuating portion being moveble in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; a printing element driven by said actuating portion; and means for applying an actuating voltage to both of said members in the poling direction for actuating said bender to drive said printing element in the printing direction to the printing position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
94 words
A piezoelectric printer unit comprising: an asymmetric piezoelectric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion; said actuating portion being moveble in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; a printing element driven by said actuating portion; and means for applying an actuating voltage to both of said members in the poling direction for actuating said bender to drive said printing element in the printing direction to the printing position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The piezoelectric printer unit of claim 15 further including means for guiding said printing element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The piezoelectric printer unit of claim 15 in which said multilam is generally trapezoidal in shape.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The piezoelectric printer unit of claim 15 in which said printing element is fixed to said actuating portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The piezoelectric printer unit of claim 15 in which said bender includes a plurality of piezoelectric members.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
120 words
A piezoelectric printer unit comprising: an asymmetric piezoelectric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion; said actuating portion being moveble in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; first and second metal reinforcing layers externally mounted on said bender, the first on the side of the actuating direction, the second on the opposite side; a printing element driven by said actuating portion; and means for applying an actuating voltage to both of said members in the poling direction for actuating said bender to drive said printing element in the printing direction to the printing position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
120 words
A piezoelectric printer unit comprising: an asymmetric piezoelectric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion; said actuating portion being moveble in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; first and second metal reinforcing layers externally mounted on said bender, the first on the side of the actuating direction, the second on the opposite side; a printing element driven by said actuating portion; and means for applying an actuating voltage to both of said members in the poling direction for actuating said bender to drive said printing element in the printing direction to the printing position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
70 words
A piezoelectric actuator comprising: an asymmetric piezoelectric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion; said actuating portion being moveable in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; and means for applying an actuating voltage to said bender in the poling direction for actuating said bender.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
70 words
A piezoelectric actuator comprising: an asymmetric piezoelectric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion; said actuating portion being moveable in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; and means for applying an actuating voltage to said bender in the poling direction for actuating said bender.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The piezoelectric actuator of claim 21 in which said bender is generally trapezoidal in shape.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The piezoelectric actuator of claim 21 further including first and second metal reinforcing layers externally mounted on said bender, the first on the side of the actuating direction, the second on the opposite side.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The piezoelectric actuator of claim 21 in which said means for applying a voltage includes electrodes attached to said bender.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The piezoelectric actuator of claim 22 in which said bender includes a plurality of piezoelectric members.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
96 words
A piezoelectric actuator comprising: an asymmetric piezoelectric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion; said actuating portion being moveable in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; first and second metal reinforcing layers externally mounted on said bender, the first on the side of the actuating direction, the second on the opposite side; and means for applying an actuating voltage to said bender in the poling direction for actuating said bender.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
96 words
A piezoelectric actuator comprising: an asymmetric piezoelectric bender including one or more piezoelectric members and having a mounting portion and an actuating portion; said actuating portion being moveable in an actuating direction; said bender being tapered in its lateral dimension, being larger at the mounting portion and smaller at the actuating portion; first and second metal reinforcing layers externally mounted on said bender, the first on the side of the actuating direction, the second on the opposite side; and means for applying an actuating voltage to said bender in the poling direction for actuating said bender.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-06-26 | 1987-12-26 | 1988-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-26 | 1991-12-26 | 1992-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-26 | 1995-12-26 | 1996-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |