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:
Aug. 10, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 30, 1997
Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho, Aichi, JP;
Abstract
A piezoelectric material includes a PZT ceramic, and a noble metal component. The noble metal component is added to the PZT ceramic in an amount of 0.35 parts by volume or more with respect to 100 parts by volume of the PZT ceramic, and is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt and Au, or is an alloy of silver (Ag) and the noble metal element. A piezoelectric element includes a pair of external electrodes, at least a pair of piezoelectric layers, and a conductive layer. The piezoelectric layers are formed of the PZT ceramic, and are disposed between the external electrodes. The conductive layer is formed of the noble metal component, and is insulated from the external electrodes. The piezoelectric layers and the conductive layer are formed lamellarly, and are laminated alternately in a direction connecting the external electrodes.