Patent ID: 7579754
Filing Date: 2009-08-25
Classification: H02N

Abstract:
1. A piezoelectric actuator comprising a housing, a piezoelectric member having a first end in contact with said housing and having [a] an oppositely disposed second end, a spring member having a predetermined compressive force applied thereto and having a first end in contact with said housing and having [a] an oppositely disposed second end, a connecting member having a first end contacting said second end of said piezoelectric member and having [a] an oppositely disposed second end contacting said second end of said spring member, pivot means contacting said connecting means intermediate said first end and said second end of said connecting member permitting said connecting means to rotate about said pivot means, said piezoelectric member being electrically poled with dipoles aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said piezoelectric member, and means for applying an electric field substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said piezoelectric member, application of said electric field to said piezoelectric member causing said piezoelectric member to contract along said longitudinal axis permitting said connecting member to rotate about said pivot means allowing said spring member to release said predetermined compressive force applied thereto.