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US Patent 5097171 - Piezo-actuator shock absorber damping force controlling system having abnormality detection function
US Patent Issued on March 17, 1992
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
October 24, 2009Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
October 24, 2009Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.AbstractA shock absorber system for controlling the damping forces of shock absorbers comprising a drive apparatus for operating a piezo-actuator which is constructed by laminating a plurality of piezoelectric elements. The drive apparatus comprises a high-voltage generation circuit for generating a high voltage and a charging and discharging circuit for applying the high voltage, generated by the high-voltage generation circuit, to the piezo-actuator and for discharging an electric charge charged in the piezo-actuator due to the application of the high voltage thereto, the charging and discharging results in expansion and contraction of the piezo-actuator. Also included in the drive apparatus is an abnormality detection circuit for detecting a charging current or a discharging current passing through a charging or discharging current passage coupled to the piezo-actuator at the time of charging or discharging by the charging and discharging circuit. The abnormality detection circuit determines an abnormality of the drive apparatus when the detected charging current or discharging current is below a predetermined value. | InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 425716 filed on 10/24/1989US Classes:310/316.01, Input circuit for simultaneous electrical and mechanical output from piezoelectric element310/317, Input circuit for mechanical output from piezoelectric element310/328With mechanical energy coupling meansField of Search310/317, Input circuit for mechanical output from piezoelectric element310/328With mechanical energy coupling meansExaminersPrimary: Budd, Mark O.Attorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent References3573781, 3819961, 3828773, 3989042, Oscillator-exciting system for ultrasonic liquid nebulizerIssued on: 11/02/1976 Inventor: Mitsui , et al.4593658, Valve operating mechanism for internal combustion and like-valved engines Issued on: 06/10/1986 Inventor: Moloney4729459, Adjustable damping force type shock absorber Issued on: 03/08/1988 Inventor: Inagaki , et al.4888514, Driving apparatus for ultrasonic motor Issued on: 12/19/1989 Inventor: Takahashi, et al.4901034, Process and circuit for exciting an ultrasonic generator and its use for atomizing a liquid Issued on: 02/13/1990 Inventor: Frank-Peter5013955Drive system of actuator having piezoelectric device for use in motor vehicle Issued on: 05/07/1991 Inventor: Hara, et al. International ClassH01L 041/08 |
