The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 15, 2020
Filed:
Apr. 06, 2017
Horiba Stec, Co., Ltd., Kyoto, JP;
Kim Ngoc Vu, Yorba Linda, CA (US);
HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd., Kyoto, JP;
Abstract
A mechanism for coupling motion of a piezoelectric actuator in axisymmetric devices like modulating proportional valves uses actuator extension motion to cause translation away from a mechanism mounting plane and thereby enables lifting open of a valve element instead of the usual pushing closed of the valve element. The mechanism does not contain any gears nor leadscrew threads, and in usual practice is constantly loaded, so apparent change of direction is achieved without mechanical backlash introducing hysteresis. The mechanism surrounds a piezoelectric stack actuator by contacting opposite ends of the piezoelectric stack, whereby extension motion lengthening the actuator causes a lifting portion of the mechanism to translate toward the bulk of the actuator while the proximally adjacent mounting portion of the mechanism remains at a fixed location.