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:
Feb. 10, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 26, 1999
Seiko Instruments Inc., Chiba, JP;
Abstract
A piezoelectric actuator is formed in a manner which enhances the identifying function of markings provided thereon, and minimizes the influence on the markings when an electrode pattern on the piezoelectric actuator is shifted. The piezoelectric actuator has a piezoelectric element, an electrode pattern formed thereon, and at least one identifying marking formed on the electrode pattern, each identifying marking having a shape comprising multiple sides and being formed at a specific location of the electrode pattern for use in identifying a characteristic of the electrode pattern. In one embodiment, the piezoelectric element has a disk shape, the electrode pattern comprises a plurality of electrodes provided on an inner side of the piezoelectric element, selected electrodes being connected to each other in a desired pattern, and the identifying marking is formed on the electrode pattern proximate a peripheral edge of the piezoelectric-element and has at least three straight sides so that the area of the identifying marking is based on the length of its sides rather than a radius. Thus, shifting of the identifying marking with respect to the curved peripheral edge of the disk-shaped piezoelectric element results in reduction in area of the identifying marking on a linear basis rather than based on a squared value of a radius. In another embodiment, a plurality of identifying markings are arranged in a spaced-apart relation on the piezoelectric element.