A nicotine delivery device (200) for generating a mist containing nicotine for inhalation by a user. The device comprises a mist generator device (201) and a driver device (202). The driver device (202) is configured to drive the mist generator device (201) at an optimum frequency to maximise the efficiency of mist generation by the mist generator device (201).

A tactile vibration generator includes a supporting block, a vibration plate, and a vibration actuator. The vibration plate includes two parts. The vibration actuator is attached to a surface of the first part and the first part is not in contact with the supporting block to reduce transferring vibration to the supporting block. The second part is fixed to the supporting block.

A nicotine delivery device (200) for generating a mist containing nicotine for inhalation by a user. The device comprises a mist generator device (201) and a driver device (202). The driver device (202) is configured to drive the mist generator device (201) at an optimum frequency to maximise the efficiency of mist generation by the mist generator device (201).

An industrial process field device includes a piezoelectric transducer, a sensor circuit, a test circuit, a controller and a communications circuit. The sensor circuit generates a sensor signal indicating a process variable based on a voltage across the piezoelectric transducer. The test circuit is configured to apply a voltage pulse having a pulse voltage to the piezoelectric transducer that induces a response signal, and capture peak positive and negative voltages of the response signal. The controller calculates a current condition value of the piezoelectric transducer based on the peak positive voltage, the peak negative voltage and the pulse voltage, and generates a diagnostic test result based on a comparison of the current condition value to a reference condition value corresponding to a properly operating piezoelectric transducer. The communications circuit communicates the process variable and the diagnostic test result to an external control unit over a process control loop.

Apparatus for controlling algae and bio-organisms in bodies of fluids, such as water. The algae control system includes a power unit and a transducer unit that includes a sonic head that radiates in multiple directions. The power unit connects to various power sources, including a mains supply connection, a solar panel array, and/or a battery. The power unit is electrically connected to the transducer unit. The sonic head includes a driver and a transducer subassembly. The driver excites the transducer assembly to emit ultrasonic waves at various frequencies with varying durations of on/off periods. Emissions at a high density of frequencies are enabled by the transducers. The frequencies include the critical structural resonant frequency for each microorganism to be controlled. The power unit and driver each include a processor in communication with each other. The processors store and execute a program for a selected application configuration.

In the system, two ultrasonic transducers, which form a pair and each have a piezoelectric ceramic plate-shaped element with a rectangular geometry, can be fastened to a surface of a component. The two ultrasonic transducers are arranged at a distance from one another such that there is no direct mechanical contact and they are arranged beside one another with a parallel orientation of their central longitudinal axes. The two elements have a different polarization along their width and are connected with the same polarity to an electrical voltage source. The two plate-shaped elements can also have an identical polarization along their width and can be connected in this case with opposite polarity to an electrical voltage source. At least one ultrasonic transducer and/or at least one further ultrasonic transducer is/are designed to detect ultrasonic waves reflected by defects and/or shear waves simultaneously emitted by the two ultrasonic transducers.

In an example, a method includes providing a pulse-width modulation (PWM) excitation signal to a piezo transducer via a transmit path. The method also includes collecting a block of samples of a current and a voltage at the piezo transducer, where the block of samples is collected in sub-blocks of samples between interrupts in a receive path. The method includes processing each sub-block of samples separately from other sub-blocks of samples. The method also includes, responsive to the sub-blocks of the block of samples being processed, analyzing the block of samples. The method includes, responsive to the analysis, modifying the PWM excitation signal.

An ultrasonic tool including a first end face and a second end face opposite the first end face. A tool lateral surface connects the first and second end face. The ultrasonic tool is elongate in a longitudinal direction of the tool, wherein at least the first end face is designed as a connection contact surface that is arranged for pressing the ultrasonic tool against a connection component, wherein the ultrasonic tool has an end region having the connection contact surface, which end region extends from the connection contact surface in the longitudinal direction of the tool over 15 mm, but at most one third of a length of the ultrasonic tool, toward the opposite end face, and wherein a pocket-shaped and/or blind-hole-like recess having a recess lateral surface and having a recess floor facing the connection contact surface is formed at the tool lateral surface in the end region.

A control console for a powered surgical tool. The console includes a transformer that supplies the drive signal to the surgical tool. A linear amplifier with active resistors selectively ties the ends of the transformer primary winding between ground and the open circuit state. Feedback voltages from the transformer windings regulate the resistances of the active resistors.

Piezoelectric sensor controllers may facilitate detection and identification of various potential fault states with parameter measurements. In an illustrative embodiment of a piezoelectric-based sensor having response-parameter-based fault diagnosis, the sensor includes a piezoelectric transducer and a controller. The controller drives the piezoelectric transducer to generate bursts of acoustic energy and, based on a response of the piezoelectric transducer to said driving, identifies a corresponding transducer state from a set of potential states including multiple transducer fault states. An illustrative embodiment of a sensing method having fault diagnosis, the method includes: driving a piezoelectric transducer to generate a burst of acoustic energy; monitoring a response of the piezoelectric transducer to said driving; identifying, based on said response, a corresponding transducer state from a set of potential states including multiple transducer fault states; and if the transducer state is a fault state, reporting that fault state.