Patent attributes
A piezoelectric linear motor for amplifying the change in at least one dimension of a piezoelectric material is disclosed. A shaft is connected axial-movably to a piezoelectric actuator. The actuator includes a piezoelectric ceramic that expands or contracts in response to an applied voltage. The expansion or contraction of the piezoelectric ceramic is amplified by converting the displacement due to expansion/contraction into a greater displacement of a top plate to which the shaft is coupled. The greater displacement is, for instance, by causing the expansion/contraction of the piezoelectric ceramic into a convex or concave bending of a complex of which the piezoelectric ceramic is a part. In a preferred embodiment the base plate is attached to the piezoelectric ceramic, a slanted plate conically extending from the base plate, and a top plate formed at the center of the slanted plate to form an assembly that changes its curvature to amplify the displacement.
