Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
An encapsulated piezoelectric solid state motor stack having a plurality of disks interleaved with electrodes, comprising: first means for encapsulating the stack; second means for encasing the combination of said first means and the stack; and third means sandwiched between said first and second means for reducing friction between said combination and said second means induced by an axial displacement produced between first and second end surfaces of the stack when the electrodes are biased by a source of electrical potential.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
An encapsulated piezoelectric solid state motor stack having a plurality of disks interleaved with electrodes, comprising: first means for encapsulating the stack; second means for encasing the combination of said first means and the stack; and third means sandwiched between said first and second means for reducing friction between said combination and said second means induced by an axial displacement produced between first and second end surfaces of the stack when the electrodes are biased by a source of electrical potential.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An encapsulated piezoelectric solid state motor stack according to claim 1, wherein said first means comprises an elastomer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An encapsulated piezoelectric solid state motor stack according to claim 2, wherein said first elastomer comprises silicone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
An encapsulated piezoelectric solid state motor stack according to claim 1, wherein said second means comprises: an elastomer surrounding said combination and said third means; and a protective housing including a diaphragm, wherein said housing cylindrically encases said combination and said third means and one end thereof, said diaphragm being attached to said housing for encasing the other end of said combination.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An encapsulated piezoelectric solid state motor stack according to claim 4, wherein said elastomer comprises silicone and aluminum oxide to enhance the thermal conductivity of said silicone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An encapsulated piezoelectric solid state motor stack according to claim 1, wherein said third means comprises a grease.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An encapsulated piezoelectric solid state motor stack according to claim 6, wherein said grease comprises silicone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
An encapsulated piezoelectric solid state motor stack according to claim 2, wherein said second means comprises: a metal housing; and a second elastomer comprising silicone and aluminum oxide to enhance the thermal conductivity of said silicone.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for encapsulating and protecting a piezoelectric solid state motor stack having a plurality of disks interleaved with a first and second plurality of electrodes, the first and second plurality of electrodes being interconnected with first and second bus bars, respectively, to thereby produce an axial displacement between first and second end surfaces of the stack when the electrodes are biased by the source of electrical potential, the apparatus comprising: (a) first means for substantially encapsulating a first combination of the stack, electrodes and bus bars, said first means being in direct contact with exposed surface areas of said first combination to prevent arc-over when the electrodes are biased by the source of electrical potential; (b) second means for encasing a second combination of said first means and said first combination, said second means comprising: (i) an elastomer surrounding said second combination; and (ii) a protective housing for cylindrically encasing said second combination and said elastomer; and (c) third means located between said first and second means for reducing friction between said second combination and said second means induced by the axial displacement produced between the first and second end surfaces of the stack when the electrodes are biased by the source of electrical potential.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for encapsulating and protecting a piezoelectric solid state motor stack having a plurality of disks interleaved with a first and second plurality of electrodes, the first and second plurality of electrodes being interconnected with first and second bus bars, respectively, to thereby produce an axial displacement between first and second end surfaces of the stack when the electrodes are biased by the source of electrical potential, the apparatus comprising: (a) first means for substantially encapsulating a first combination of the stack, electrodes and bus bars, said first means being in direct contact with exposed surface areas of said first combination to prevent arc-over when the electrodes are biased by the source of electrical potential; (b) second means for encasing a second combination of said first means and said first combination, said second means comprising: (i) an elastomer surrounding said second combination; and (ii) a protective housing for cylindrically encasing said second combination and said elastomer; and (c) third means located between said first and second means for reducing friction between said second combination and said second means induced by the axial displacement produced between the first and second end surfaces of the stack when the electrodes are biased by the source of electrical potential.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first means comprises an elastomer substantially encapsulating, and in direct contact with the stack to prevent arc-over when the electrodes are biased by a source of electrical potential.