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:
Jan. 29, 2008
David L. Churchill, Burlington, VT (US);
Steven W. Arms, Williston, VT (US);
Michael J. Hamel, Essex Junction, VT (US);
James Marc Leas, South Burlington, VT (US);
David L. Churchill, Burlington, VT (US);
Steven W. Arms, Williston, VT (US);
Michael J. Hamel, Essex Junction, VT (US);
James Marc Leas, South Burlington, VT (US);
Microstrain, Inc., Williston, VT (US);
Abstract
In one embodiment a device comprises a composite structure that includes a piezoelectric flexure and a length-constraining element. The length-constraining element provides the piezoelectric flexure with a bowed shape. The piezoelectric flexure has a first stable bowed position and a second stable bowed position. The length-constraining element is one from the group consisting of a planar sheet and a columnar rod. In another embodiment a device comprises a piezoelectric flexure having a bowl shape. The piezoelectric flexure has a first stable bowl-shaped position and a second stable bowl-shaped position.