Face International Corporation

Other

Stephen E Clark

Samuel A Face, Jr

Richard P Bishop

Norvell S Rose, Jr

Bradbury R Face

Earl A Clark

Brennan C Swain

Bradley D Goldizen

A method and apparatus for manufacturing prestressed piezoelectric actuators which maximizes output, and increases the precision and efficiency with which the multi-layer actuators are made. Individual layers of the piezoelectric actuators are automatically stacked and registered with respect to each other within press members prior to bonding the layers to each other with a thermoplastic adhesive. Compressive force is applied while heat is conductively transferred from a heating element to the actuator in order to raise the temperature of each of the layers above the melting point of the thermoplastic. The temperature of the heating element is then decreased until the temperature of the actuator layers drops to below the melting point of the thermoplastic adhesive, thereby bonding the layers. Compressive force is then released, and the actuators are removed, further cooled and polarized. The temperature of the actuator may be sensed, and the pressure and the heat applied to the actuator varied in accordance with the sensed temperature.

Apparatus for manufacturing multi-layered high deformation piezoelectric actuators and sensors

A small, lightweight, efficient, quiet electric shaver is provided in which one or more piezoelectric drivers are mechanically coupled to a cutting blade. The cutting action of the blade is generated by the piezoelectric drivers which, when electrically energized, oscillate at a predetermined frequency. The piezoelectric driver is electrically energized by a regenerative drive circuit. Hair shafts, which protrude from the surface to be shaved through a perforated foil member, are sheared at their base by the oscillating action of the blade.

Piezoelectrically actuated shaver

A method for manufacturing a multi-layer piezoelectric transducer having enhanced mechanical output displacement capability resulting from an increase in the amount of 'pre-stress' applied to the electroactive (ceramic) layer by the pre-stress layer. The pre-stress layer is heated to a temperature above the temperature of the ceramic layer and bonded at an elevated temperature to the ceramic layer, such that, as the pre-stress layer subsequently cools down to ambient temperature, it applies a compressive stress to the ceramic layer. During the step of cooling the layers to ambient temperature, the temperature drop of the pre-stress layer is greater than the temperature drop of the ceramic layer, thereby increasing the amount of 'pre-stress' applied to the electroactive (ceramic) layer by the pre-stress layer.

Method of manufacturing multi-layered flextensional piezoelectric

A peristaltic piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including two or more pairs of piezoelectric deformable members that are self-actuated, a flexible hose member, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior of the flexible hose member, valves for opening and closing the ports, and a power supply is provided. The diaphragm members may include a prestressed piezoelectric element which is durable, inexpensive and lightweight as compared with diaphragm members of prior diaphragm pumps of comparable discharge capacity, and is actuated via electrical signals from an outside power source. Each pair of piezoelectric diaphragm members is actuated out of phase with the other(s) so as to allow fluid to be pumped through the flexible hose member peristaltically.

Piezoelectrically actuated peristaltic pump

A piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including a pump housing, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior of the pump housing, valves for opening and closing the ports, a pre-stressed piezoelectric diaphragm member which is self-actuated, a piston member, and a power source is provided. The diaphragm member includes a prestressed piezoelectric element which is durable, inexpensive and lightweight as compared with diaphragm members of prior diaphragm pumps of comparable discharge capacity, and is actuated via electrical signals from an outside power source. The diaphragm member drives the piston member. No exterior mechanisms are necessary for driving the diaphragm member.

Piezoelectrically actuated piston pump

A piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including a pump housing, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior of the pump housing, valving means for opening and closing the ports, two pre-stressed piezoelectric diaphragm members which are self-actuated, and energizing means is provided. The diaphragm members include a prestressed piezoelectric element which is durable, inexpensive and lightweight as compared with diaphragm members of prior diaphragm pumps of comparable discharge capacity, and is actuated via electrical signals from an outside power source. No exterior mechanical means for driving the diaphragm members is necessary. A modification is disclosed in which a central computer independently controls the phase angle of oscillation of the two diaphragm members, providing precise flow rate control.

Piezoelectrically actuated fluid pumps

Method for manufacturing multi-layered high-deformation piezoelectric

A ground fault interrupter circuit ('GFIC') device having as a switching device a flextensional electroactive transducer which, when energized, opens a supply conductor between a current source and a load. When a fault current is detected a voltage is induced in a coil; due to the condition that there is less current running through the conductor from the load than through the conductor from the power supply which both extend through the core of the coil. The voltage induced in the coil is amplified by a transistor which causes the transducer to piezoelectrically 'snap' from a first neutral position to a second neutral position thereby cutting of current from the power supply to the load.

Piezoelectrically actuated ground fault interrupter circuit apparatus

A method for manufacturing pre-stressed piezoelectric actuators using a pre-curved piece of ceramic is provided. An adhesive, preferably a polyimide, is disposed between a metal pre-stress metal layer and a pre-curved PZT ceramic. The entire composite structure is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the adhesive material and then subsequently cooled to allow the adhesive layer to set. As a result of the difference in thermal contraction rates of the materials, the pre-curved PZT ceramic is compressively stressed. This pre-stressing provides a piezoelectric actuator which is durable, and produces a higher displacement than a conventional piezoelectric actuator.

Method of manufacturing flextensional transducer using pre-curved

A piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including a pump housing, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior of the pump housing, valves for opening and closing the ports, two prestressed piezoelectric diaphragm members which are self-actuated, and a power source is provided. The diaphragm members include a prestressed piezoelectric element which is durable, inexpensive and lightweight as compared with prior diaphragm pumps of comparable discharge capacity, and is actuated via electrical signals from an outside power source. No exterior mechanical parts for driving the diaphragm members are necessary. A modification is disclosed in which a central computer independently controls the phase angle of oscillation of the two diaphragm members, providing precise flow rate control.

Automatically resetting mechanical valve is used to control unwanted discharge of liquids less dense than water, principally oil, which may be present in waste water flows. The valve is closed by the sinking of a primary flow which closes a primary orifice, and the floating of a secondary float which closes a smaller secondary orifice. The primary float is less dense than water but more dense than oil. The secondary float is less dense than both oil and water. When the primary float becomes sufficiently immersed in oil, the primary float sinks and effectively closes the primary orifice in an outlet conduit. In the event of evaporation or removal of liquid from the valve, the (smaller) secondary orifice automatically opens, thereby allowing hydrostatic pressure inside and outside of the outlet conduit to equalize. Upon reintroduction of water to the device, the primary float unseats and the valve automatically re-opens. Additionally ingress of liquid causes the secondary float to float, thus closing the secondary orifice.

Separator valve

An automatically resetting mechanical valve used to control unwanted discharge of liquids less dense than water, principally oil, which may be present in waste water flows. The valve is closed by sinking both a primary float and a secondary float, each less dense than water but more dense than the liquid whose discharge is to be stopped. The sinking primary float effectively closes an orifice in an outlet conduit upon the sinking primary float's becoming sufficiently immersed in the less dense liquid. Upon the reintroduction of water, the secondary float acts upon a lever of high mechanical advantage, which pries the primary float upward, which, in turn, allows hydraulic pressure inside and outside the conduit to equalize, thereby allowing the primary float to unseat and the valve to automatically re-open.

Automatic separator valve

An elastomeric sealing device to prevent ingress of surface fluids into holes, principally drains which are characterized by non-watertight covers or grilles with either regular or irregular topographic boundaries. The device comprises a three-part construction, including a top film, a core elastomer having minimal shear strength, and a bottom film. When in use, the device conforms to contour of adjacent hole covering device and fills existing crevices and voids, thereby providing an efficient seal. When removed from hole, device recovers neutral shape thereby being suitable for re-use on same or different hole.

Elastomeric sealing device

Partially submerged, buoyant portable marine fence has netting material attached to series of float-supported longitudinally spaced upright fence poles which extend from bottom of water to above the surface of water. Floats are attached to each pole at the low water elevation on each pole. When horizontal wind or water forces are exerted upon fence, poles pivot about detachable ballasts located at the base of each pole.

Buoyant marine fence

Open vessel separator valve has ballasted, hollow-cavitied float disposed above oil/water inlet orifice. Float having large net mass floats in water and sinks in oil. Liquid passes through spillways of sinking float into said float cavity and fills same. Sunken float applies downward force upon sealing means located thereunder, thereby closing oil/water inlet orifice. Device can be reset by draining liquid from sunken float.

Growing community of inventors

Norfolk, VA, United States of America

Stephen E Clark