Microfine Materials Technologies Pte Ltd.

Microfine Materials Technologies Pty Ltd

Volex (asia) Pte Ltd.

Yuexue Xia

Dian-Hua Lin

Mui Lian Jessica Toh

Chee Foo Richard Loh

Leong Chew Lim

Huilin Nelly Goh

Yu Huang

Cost effective connectors of high bending stiffness for making high-performance piezoelectric actuators and derivative devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the connector has circumferentially alternating recesses of circular cross-section which can be cost-effectively machined out with conventional machining techniques. The circular recesses can be adopted to house circular or non-circular cross-sectioned piezoelectric active elements to make cost effective 2-level (2&#xd7;) piezoelectric displacement actuators. In another embodiment, the non-circular cross-sectioned recesses in the connector include suitable wall openings to enable said recesses to be machined out cost effectively via conventional machining techniques, or via reduced use of non-conventional machining techniques. Additional stiffening mechanisms can be added to minimize the bending displacement of the base of recesses when desired. Cost effective derivative devices, such as high-performance multi-level displacement actuators and compact Langevin low-frequency underwater projectors, can be made from such connectors.

Cost-effective high-bending-stiffness connector and piezoelectric actuator made of such

This invention pertains to piezoelectric actuators made of single crystal active elements which not only exhibit uniform and superior displacement in the axial direction but also of lower cost to produce than full single crystal ring or tube actuators. Said multi-stake actuator is made up of multiple longitudinal (d33) or transverse (d3i or d32) mode piezoelectric single crystal active elements, bonded together by epoxy with the aid of shaped edge- and top and bottom washer-stiffeners which are configured to suit various application needs.

Cost-effective single crystal multi-stake actuator and method of manufacture

A connector assembly includes a connector having a housing portion, first terminals mounted therein for supplying electrical power, and a resilient locking member moveable between an outwardly disposed locked position and an inwardly disposed unlocked position, and biased towards the locked position. The assembly includes an appliance inlet having a cavity portion to receive the connector, second terminals to contact and receive electrical power from the first terminals when the connector is received in the cavity portion, and a recess disposed in the cavity. The locking member engages the recess thereby preventing the connector's removal from the appliance inlet when the connector is received therein, and disengageable from the recess thereby allowing the connector's removal from the appliance inlet by forcing to the locking member in a direction inwardly of the connector. The locking projection includes stepped portions arranged to cooperate with the appliance inlet to provide multiple locking positions.

Positive lock connector

Growing community of inventors

Singapore, Singapore

Yuexue Xia