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:
Nov. 23, 2010
Filed:
Mar. 15, 2007
Michael P. Cooke, Kent, GB;
Christopher A. Goat, Kent, GB;
Simon R. Panteny, Kent, GB;
Gordon M. Reid, Kent, GB;
Michael P. Cooke, Kent, GB;
Christopher A. Goat, Kent, GB;
Simon R. Panteny, Kent, GB;
Gordon M. Reid, Kent, GB;
Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl, Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A piezoelectric actuator comprising a stack of piezoelectric layers formed from a piezoelectric material, a plurality of internal electrodes disposed throughout the stack to define active regions of the piezoelectric material therebetween which are responsive to a voltage applied across two or more groups of the internal electrodes in use, an insulating arrangement which at least partially covers at least one surface of the stack to define a piezoelectric/insulator interface, and two or more side electrodes to connect with the two or more groups of the internal electrodes. At least one bridging arrangement extends through the insulating arrangement and comprises a conductive material, so as to provide a connection between a side electrode and an internal electrode, wherein at least one first surface, defined by an interface between the conductive material and the insulating arrangement, and at least one second surface, defined by an internal boundary of a piezoelectric layer, are substantially continuous with one another in the vicinity of the piezoelectric/insulator interface.