The invention relates to a method for determining a set-point voltage for a piezoelectric actuator system to achieve a desired optical response of the piezoelectric actuator system, such as an optical power. The method is based on a mathematical model, OP(V,T,n) describing a relationship between the applied voltage and the optical response. Calibration and use of the model involves determining a transition time count value. During use, e.g. at given intervals, the model is updated based on actual values of the temperature and the transition time count value. The set-point voltage required to achieve a desired optical response is determined based on the updated model and the set-point voltage is applied to the piezoelectric actuator.

Some embodiments of the invention relate to an applicator for applying ultrasound energy to a tissue volume, comprising: an array comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducers, the transducers arranged side by side, the transducers configured to emit unfocused ultrasound energy suitable to thermally damage at least a portion of the tissue volume, each of the transducers comprising a coating thin enough so as not to substantially affect heat transfer via the coating to the tissue; and a cooling module configured to apply cooling via the transducers to prevent overheating of a surface of the tissue volume being contacted by the transducers.

The present invention relates to a pressure signal detection circuit and a pressure signal detection method in which a pyroelectric signal from a piezoelectric film is suppressed. More specifically, the pressure signal detection circuit receives input of an input signal from a piezoelectric film, differentiates the input signal for signal component analysis of the input signal, outputs the signal analysis value of the input signal based on the differential value, removes offset of the input signal by using the signal component analysis value, integrates the input signal, and outputs a pressure input signal value from which a heat input signal value is removed.

There is provided a control method for a piezoelectric driving device including a vibrating body including a piezoelectric element for driving and configured to vibrate when a driving signal is applied to the piezoelectric element for driving, a section to be driven that is driven by the vibration of the vibrating body, and a driving-signal generating section configured to generate the driving signal using a pulse signal generated based on a target pulse duty ratio. When the target pulse duty ratio is smaller than a predetermined value, the driving signal generated by the driving-signal generating section is an intermittently generated periodic signal.

A power factor improvement and power generation apparatus using a piezoelectric element may include: a first piezoelectric element having first and second electrodes, and vibrating when voltage is applied from a power line; and a second piezoelectric element having first and second electrodes, and generating electricity in accordance with vibration of the first piezoelectric element. This apparatus is possible to improve a power factor of a power line and generate power using the inherent condenser component, which a piezoelectric element has, instead of a power factor compensation condenser, and it is also possible to generate power.

Circuitry for estimating a displacement of a piezoelectric transducer in response to a drive signal applied to the piezoelectric transducer, the circuitry comprising: monitoring circuitry configured to be coupled to the piezoelectric transducer and to output a sense signal indicative of an electrical signal associated with the piezoelectric transducer as a result of the drive signal; wherein the circuitry is configured to generate a difference signal based on the drive signal and the sense signal; and wherein the circuitry further comprises processing circuitry configured to apply at least one transfer function to the difference signal to generate a signal indicative of the displacement of the piezoelectric transducer.

A current introduction terminal includes a board made of resin. The board has a first face and a second face opposite each other. The board hermetically separates environments of different air pressures from each other. A plurality of through via holes corresponding both to a plurality of metal terminals of a first surface-mount connector to be mounted on the first face and to a plurality of metal terminals of a second surface-mount connector to be mounted on the second face are formed to penetrate between the first and second faces, and then hole parts of the through via holes are filled with resin.

A piezoelectric actuator 10 includes: a piezoelectric element 11; an external electrode 12 covering partially a first surface 11a of the piezoelectric element 11 in a first direction; a wiring member 14; and a conductive joining member 20 joining the wiring member 14 to the external electrode 12, wherein the conductive joining member 20 has an air gap 70 formed between the external electrode 12 and the wiring member 14 in a region overlapping with the wiring member 14 as viewed in the first direction, and wherein the conductive joining member 20 extends to an edge 21 of the external electrode 12 or extends to the first surface 11a of the piezoelectric element 11 beyond the edge 21 of the external electrode 12.

An apparatus includes a vibration member and a first cover disposed at a rear surface of the vibration member. The apparatus also includes a first vibration apparatus disposed at a rear surface of the first cover and configured to vibrate the vibration member. The apparatus includes a first enclosure member disposed at the rear surface of the first cover and at the rear surface of the vibration member. The apparatus also includes a first rear vibration member disposed at the first enclosure member.

The invention relates to a piezoceramic sensor in a housing having a layer (3), preferably a PZT layer, made of a piezoelectric material, on both sides of which there is a respective sensor electrode (2), both sensor electrodes (2) being connected in each case to a pole (5, 6). In order that no potential difference, which would allow for the charge to be dissipated by way of the surface, is formed between the housing and the sensor electrodes (2), it is proposed according to the invention that the layer (3) protrudes beyond the sensor electrode (2) on at least one side of the layer (3), and a protective electrode (1) which encompasses the sensor electrode (2) at an insulating distance (7) is arranged on that part of the layer (3) which protrudes beyond the sensor electrode (2).