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US5016333A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for manufacturing piezoelectric polymer transducers
Assignee: Umist Ventures Ltd
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Filing: 1989-12-18
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Granted: 1991-05-21
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Expires: 2009-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A piezoelectric transducer of piezoelectric plastic material comprises a body and activated transducer film formed integrally. Electrodes are formed on opposite sides of the film, and a backing material supports the film on one side. The transducer may be formed by molding, applying the electrodes and activating the film by means of a corona discharge.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter A. Payne
- 👤 Mark Nicholls
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:54
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/01; H10N30/09; H10N30/098; H04; H04R; H04R17/00; H04R17/005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S310/00; Y10S310/80; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric transducer comprising the steps of: forming a transducer assembly in a mold having inner and outer mold parts, the transducer assembly comprising a transducer film and a body integral with the film, the transducer film and body being made of piezoelectric plastic materials; removing the inner mold part from the transducer assembly exposing a first opposite side of the transducer film; forming a first electrode on the first opposite side, the transducer film being supported by the outer mold part during the step of forming the first electrode; placing backing material within the body; removing the outer mold part from the transducer assembly to expose a second opposite side of the transducer film; forming a second electrode on the second opposite side, the backing material supporting the transducer film during the step of forming the second electrode; and activating the piezoelectric film.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric transducer comprising the steps of: forming a transducer assembly in a mold having inner and outer mold parts, the transducer assembly comprising a transducer film and a body integral with the film, the transducer film and body being made of piezoelectric plastic materials; removing the inner mold part from the transducer assembly exposing a first opposite side of the transducer film; forming a first electrode on the first opposite side, the transducer film being supported by the outer mold part during the step of forming the first electrode; placing backing material within the body; removing the outer mold part from the transducer assembly to expose a second opposite side of the transducer film; forming a second electrode on the second opposite side, the backing material supporting the transducer film during the step of forming the second electrode; and activating the piezoelectric film.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric transducer comprising the steps of: forming a transducer assembly in a mold having inner and outer mold parts, the transducer assembly comprising a transducer film and a body integral with the film, the transducer film and body being made of piezoelectric plastic materials; removing the inner mold part from the transducer assembly exposing a first opposite side of the transducer film; forming a first electrode on the first opposite side, the transducer film being supported by the outer mold part during the step of forming the first electrode; placing backing material within the body; removing the outer mold part from the transducer assembly to expose a second opposite side of the transducer film; and forming a second electrode on the second opposite side, the backing material supporting the transducer film during the step of forming the second electrode.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric transducer comprising the steps of: forming a transducer assembly in a mold having inner and outer mold parts, the transducer assembly comprising a transducer film and a body integral with the film, the transducer film and body being made of piezoelectric plastic materials; removing the inner mold part from the transducer assembly exposing a first opposite side of the transducer film; forming a first electrode on the first opposite side, the transducer film being supported by the outer mold part during the step of forming the first electrode; placing backing material within the body; removing the outer mold part from the transducer assembly to expose a second opposite side of the transducer film; and forming a second electrode on the second opposite side, the backing material supporting the transducer film during the step of forming the second electrode.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein in the step of forming a transducer assembly, the transducer film formed had a thickness of less than about 40 μm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the film has a thickness of less than about 25 μm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the film formed has a thickness of about 3 μm.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein in the step of forming a transducer assembly, the film and body are integrally molded of the same piezoelectric plastics material.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein in the step of forming a transducer assembly, the piezoelectric plastic materials are selected from the group consisting of polyvinyldifluoride, copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the mold parts are used in the activation of the piezoelectric film.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein in the step of forming a transducer assembly, the transducer film formed is curved.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein at least one of the electrodes is embedded in the transducer film.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein both of the electrodes are embedded in the transducer film.
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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) | 1994-05-20 | 1994-11-19 | 1995-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-20 | 1998-11-19 | 1999-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-20 | 2002-11-19 | 2003-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |