Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Roland Niefanger

Claus Zumstrull

Bernhard Döllgast

Andreas Voigt

Martin Neumaier

Stefan Kohn

Klaus Plecher

Michael Denzler

Kord Witte

In a method and device for polarizing a piezoelectric actuator according to which high-frequency pulse voltages can be used for polarizing the actuators an actuator to be polarized is mounted between two retaining elements while connected in series to a second piezoelectric actuator. The retaining elements provide the actuator () with a desired pretension. A compensating element compensates for changes in length of the actuator () so that even in the event of high-frequency pulse voltages and thus high-frequency changes in length, the pretension can be maintained within a desired range of values. Preferably, the second piezoelectric actuator has the identical design of the first actuator and is polarized with the first actuator. This enables two piezoelectric actuators to be simultaneously polarized during a polarizing process.

Method and device for polarizing a piezoelectric actuator

A method is described for improving the long-term stability of a piezoelectric actuator encased in a potting compound containing or forming hydrogen atoms. Oxygen is contained in the piezoelectric actuator's piezoelectric ceramic. Appropriate means are employed so that unsaturated bonds of the hydrogen in the potting compound will release less oxygen from the piezoelectric ceramic. One means consists in reducing the concentration of hydrogen in the potting compound, with appropriate thermal processes as a result of which the concentration of hydrogen will be reduced to below a predefined threshold being applied after the piezoelectric actuator has been encased in the potting compound. Means that form bonds with the hydrogen in the potting compound or duct oxygen thereto are provided in further embodiments.

Method for improving the long-term stability of a piezoelectric actuator and a piezoelectric actuator

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Hamburg, Germany

Roland Niefanger