IP Library Granted Patent US 8,395,301
Granted Patent B1
US 8,395,301 · App. 12/962,834 · Granted Mar 12, 2013

High power single crystal piezoelectric transformer

Inventors: Kenji Uchino (State College, PA); Yuan Zhuang (State College, PA); Seyit O Ural (State College, PA); Ahmed Amin (North Attleboro, MA)
Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,395,301
App. No.
12/962,834
Granted
Mar 12, 2013
Kind
B1
Abstract

A piezoelectric transformer includes a single crystal relaxor ferroelectric element poled along a [0 1 1] direction and selected from the group consisting of PZN-PT, PMN-PZT, PZN-PT and PMN-PT. The element has two opposed surfaces substantially perpendicular to the [0 1 1] direction with an input electrode and an output electrode positioned on one surface. The output electrode is isolated from electrical communication with the input electrode. A ground electrode is positioned on the second, opposed surface. Input electrical energy results in piezoelectric change in the element that is mechanically coupled through the element to generate piezoelectric output energy.

Claims (21)

1. A piezoelectric transformer comprising:

a single crystal relaxor ferroelectric element poled along a [0 1 1] direction and selected from the group consisting of PZN-PT, PMN-PZT, PZN-PT and PMN-PT, said element having two opposed surfaces substantially perpendicular to the [0 1 1] direction;

an input electrode positioned on a first one of said element two opposed surfaces;

an output electrode positioned on a first one of said element two opposed surfaces, said output electrode being electrically isolated from said input electrode; and

a ground electrode positioned on a second one of said element two opposed surfaces.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said single crystal relaxor ferroelectric element is hard doped with a material selected from manganese, iron and indium.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said single crystal relaxor ferroelectric element is hard doped with manganese.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said single crystal relaxor ferroelectric element is made from PMN-PT.

5. A piezoelectric transformer comprising:

at least two single crystal relaxor ferroelectric element poled along a [0 1 1] direction and selected from the group consisting of PZN-PT, PMN-PZT, PZN-PT and PMN-PT, each said element having two opposed surfaces substantially perpendicular to the [0 1 1] direction;

an input electrode positioned on a first one of said element two opposed surfaces;

an output electrode positioned on a first one of said element two opposed surfaces, said output electrode being electrically isolated from said input electrode; and

at least one ground electrode positioned on a second one of said element two opposed surfaces;

wherein said at least two single crystal relaxor ferroelectric elements are stacked with opposing pole directions, said adjacent stacked elements sharing a selected one of said ground electrode and both said input electrode and said output electrode.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said single crystal relaxor ferroelectric element is hard doped with a material selected from manganese, iron and indium.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said single crystal relaxor ferroelectric element is hard doped with manganese.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said single crystal relaxor ferroelectric element is made from PMN-PT.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said at least one ground electrode comprises:

an input ground electrode for use as ground with said input electrodes; and

an output ground electrode for use as ground with said output electrodes.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said input ground electrode is electrically isolated from said output ground electrode.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 6, 2011
From: UCHINO, KENJI; ZHUANG, YUAN; URAL, SEYIT ONURHAN
To: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 027330/0163 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Dec 20, 2010
From: AMIN, AHMED
To: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE
Reel/Frame 025593/0227 →