Patent ID: 8446076

Claim:
A piezoelectric assembly, comprising: a first electrode for electrical communication to a current or voltage source, the first electrode having a contact surface; a second electrode for electrical communication to a reference source, the second electrode being spaced apart from the first electrode such that an electric field is generated between the first and second electrodes when an electrical signal is received at the first electrode from the current or voltage source; a piezoelectric material in electrical communication with each one of the first and second electrodes and between the first and second electrodes, the piezoelectric material being disposed in the generated electric field when the first electrode receives the electrical signal, wherein the piezoelectric material has an unactuated state and an actuated state, wherein the piezoelectric material is disposed in the unactuated state in the absence of the generated electric field, and wherein the piezoelectric material becomes displaced and disposed in the actuated state in the presence of the generated electric field; a signal electrical connector in electrical communication with the first electrode and configured to be connected to the current or voltage source so as to provide electrical communication between the first electrode and the current or voltage source, wherein the first electrode is disc-shaped and the signal electrical connector has a hoop shaped contact portion and a plurality of extensions extending radially inwardly from the hoop shaped contact portion; and a reference electrical connector in electrical communication with the second electrode and configured to be connected to the reference source so as to provide electrical communication between the second electrode and the reference source.