US4227111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible piezoelectric composite transducers
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1979-03-28
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Granted: 1980-10-07
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Expires: 1999-03-28
Abstract
Abstract A flexible, low-density piezoelectric transducer utilizing a PZT-polymer composite that is formed with the two phases three-dimensionally interpenetrant. The ceramic PZT microstructure, which is produced by a replication process that in one embodiment reproduces the structure of a coral species, is filled with silicone rubber and thereafter its transverse connectivity is broken by a light shearing deformation to give it flexibility.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie E. Cross
- 👤 Robert E. Newnham
- 👤 Doyle P. Skinner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:12
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/80; H10N30/85; H10N30/852; H10N30/01; H10N30/09; H10N30/092; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
34 words
A transducer comprising in combination a piezoelectric ceramic formed with a multiplicity of three-dimensionally interconnected cavities; an elastomer within said cavities; and an electrode attached to a pair of opposite surfaces of said ceramic.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
34 words
A transducer comprising in combination a piezoelectric ceramic formed with a multiplicity of three-dimensionally interconnected cavities; an elastomer within said cavities; and an electrode attached to a pair of opposite surfaces of said ceramic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a transducer as defined in claim 1 wherein said piezoelectric ceramic is lead zirconate titanate and said elastomer is silicone rubber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A transducer comprising in combination a composite structure consisting of a piezoelectric cellular ceramic having three-dimensionally communicating cavities that are filled with silicone rubber, said structure being partially crushed so as to impart flexibility thereto; and an electrode attached to a pair of opposite surfaces of said structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A transducer comprising in combination a composite structure consisting of a piezoelectric cellular ceramic having three-dimensionally communicating cavities that are filled with silicone rubber, said structure being partially crushed so as to impart flexibility thereto; and an electrode attached to a pair of opposite surfaces of said structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A transducer comprising in combination a piezoelectric ceramic formed with intercommunicating cavities; a polymer filling said cavities and an electrode attached to a pair of opposite surfaces of said ceramic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A transducer comprising in combination a piezoelectric ceramic formed with intercommunicating cavities; a polymer filling said cavities and an electrode attached to a pair of opposite surfaces of said ceramic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
In a transducer as defined in claim 4 wherein said piezoelectric ceramic is lead zirconate titanate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
In an arrangement as defined in claim 4 wherein said polymer is silicone rubber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
In an arrangement as defined in claim 4 wherein said ceramic has a structure that is a replication of that of the coral species goniopora.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A composite piezoelectric transducer comprising in combination a ceramic structure made of PZT, said structure containing voids that are in communication with each other in three dimensions; an elastomer filling said voids; and a pair of electrodes secured to opposite surfaces of said ceramic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A composite piezoelectric transducer comprising in combination a ceramic structure made of PZT, said structure containing voids that are in communication with each other in three dimensions; an elastomer filling said voids; and a pair of electrodes secured to opposite surfaces of said ceramic.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of fabricating a piezoelectric transducer comprising the steps of procuring a material that contains a multiplicity of communicating cavities throughout its bulk and shaping said material to a preselected geometry; filling said cavities with wax and allowing said wax to harden; removing said material so as to leave a wax negative of its structure; filling the voids in said wax negative with PZT slip and polymerizing said slip, said wax being eliminated by said polymerizing operation; filling the porosity of the ceramic PZT with a polymer; and applying an electric voltage across the ceramic PZT-polymer composite for a preselected period of time.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of fabricating a piezoelectric transducer comprising the steps of procuring a material that contains a multiplicity of communicating cavities throughout its bulk and shaping said material to a preselected geometry; filling said cavities with wax and allowing said wax to harden; removing said material so as to leave a wax negative of its structure; filling the voids in said wax negative with PZT slip and polymerizing said slip, said wax being eliminated by said polymerizing operation; filling the porosity of the ceramic PZT with a polymer; and applying an electric voltage across the ceramic PZT-polymer composite for a preselected period of time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a method as defined in claim 9 the further step of crushing said composite so as to reduce its height dimension to 80% of the original value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
In a method as defined in claim 9 wherein said material is a species of coral.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of making a piezoelectric transducer that includes the steps of replicating the structure of a natural substance that has a multiplicity of communicating cavities, the reproduction resulting from said replication being made of ceramic PZT; filling said cavities with silicone rubber so as to form a composite substance; and applying a DC voltage across a pair of opposite surfaces of said composite for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of making a piezoelectric transducer that includes the steps of replicating the structure of a natural substance that has a multiplicity of communicating cavities, the reproduction resulting from said replication being made of ceramic PZT; filling said cavities with silicone rubber so as to form a composite substance; and applying a DC voltage across a pair of opposite surfaces of said composite for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
In a method as defined in claim 12 the additional step of fracturing the transverse connectivity of said ceramic so as to reduce the height dimension thereof by a preselected percentage thereby to impart flexibility to said composite.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a method as defined in claim 12 wherein the substance that is replicated is a species of coral and wherein said replication is achieved by the so-called lost-wax process.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-10-07 | 1984-04-07 | 1984-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-07 | 1988-04-07 | 1988-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-07 | 1992-04-07 | 1992-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |