US PATENT SUBCLASS 310 / 311
.~ Piezoelectric elements and devices

Current as of: June, 1999
Click HD for Main Headings
Click for All Classes

Internet Version by PATENTEC © 1999      Terms of Use


310 /   HD   ELECTRICAL GENERATOR OR MOTOR STRUCTURE

300  DF  NON-DYNAMOELECTRIC {4}
311.~ Piezoelectric elements and devices {17}
312  DF  .~.~> Adding or subtracting mass
313 R  DF  .~.~> Surface acoustic wave devices {2}
314  DF  .~.~> Electrical systems {5}
320  DF  .~.~> Piezoelectric slab having different resonant frequencies at different areas
321  DF  .~.~> Combined with resonant structure {4}
326  DF  .~.~> Combined with damping structure {1}
328  DF  .~.~> With mechanical energy coupling means {6}
340  DF  .~.~> Encapsulated or coated
341  DF  .~.~> With temperature modifier and/or gas or vapor atmosphere control {3}
345  DF  .~.~> Supported by elastic material
346  DF  .~.~> With temperature compensating structure {1}
348  DF  .~.~> With mounting or support means {3}
357  DF  .~.~> Orientation of piezoelectric polarization {1}
360  DF  .~.~> Rotation of crystal axis (e.g., cut angle) {2}
363  DF  .~.~> Electrode materials {1}
365  DF  .~.~> Electrode arrangement {1}
367  DF  .~.~> Piezoelectric element shape {4}

DEFINITION

Classification: 310/311

Piezoelectric elements and devices:

(under subclass 300) Subject matter which includes a shaped body of a material which exhibits an electrostatic polarization when subjected to mechanical stress or which exhibits a mechanical stress tending to produce deflection, expansion, or contraction when subjected to electrical stress, the body being so shaped relative to the electromechanical properties of the material as to render the body useful for the conversion of energy between the electrical and mechanical states, and combinations of such bodies with means which utilize or which contribute to the utilization of such bodies for the conversion of energy between the electrical and mechanical states.

(1) Note. In the titles and definitions of the subclasses indented hereunder, the term "piezoelectric element" is used to denote the shaped body, per se, and the term "piezoelectric device" is used to denote the combination of such a shaped body and means which utilizes or which contributes to the utilization of such bodies for the conversion of energy between the electrical and mechanical states.

(2) Note. This and the indented subclasses include piezoelectric materials in combination with electrodes for the piezoelectric materials, such devices in combination with ancillary devices (such as holders or ovens) and piezoelectric motors or generators. Piezoelectric crystals in combination with an art device are classified with the art device.

(3) Note. This and the indented subclasses include patents relating to methods for using piezoelectric devices where such methods are not otherwise classified. Such methods are classified in the subclass providing for the apparatus required to perform the method.

(4) Note. Neither this nor the indented subclasses include mere piezoelectric materials, nor the method of or apparatus for making piezoelectric materials or piezoelectric devices.

For the excluded subject matter, see the search notes below. Piezoelectric materials per se, when shaped to claimed configurations, where the configuration is disclosed as being significant to the piezoelectric property of the crystal (e.g., plate, AT cut) are classified in indented subclasses 357+.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

26, for magnetostrictive transducers which may have similar circuitry or structure as that used with piezoelectric devices. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

29, Metal Working,

25.35, for methods of making piezoelectric devices.

73, Measuring and Testing,

170.08, and 170.09 for fluid flow direction measuring utilizing a piezoelectric sensor and subclass 170.33 for a piezoelectric probe for oceanos:graphic measuring.

178, Telegraphy,

70, and 71.11 for repeaters which use piezoelectric elements.

235, Registers,

924, for registers which use a ferroelectric element.

250, Radiant Energy,

370, and 492 for a radiant energy source which may be combined with a piezoelectric element.

252, Compositions, 62.9, and the classes specified in the notes thereto, for piezoelectric compositions.

307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,

400,.

313, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices,

508, for the combination of a piezoelectric element and a luminescent solid or liquid.

318, Electricity: Motive Power Systems,

118, for magnetostrictive motor systems which may be similar to piezoelectric motor systems.

322, Electricity: Single Generator Systems,

2, for the miscellaneous generator systems having a nonmagnetic generator (other than a piezoelectric generator).

324, Electricity: Measuring and Testing,

727, for processes and means for subjecting a piezoelectric element to an electric test, as for the purpose of predicting its frequency drift, or determining the polarity of charge produced by mechanical stress, or of determining its activity. Search subclasses 76.39+ for frequency meters, per se. Search subclass 109 for electricity sensing, measuring, or testing using a piezoelectric element. 330, Amplifiers,

5.5, for parametric amplifiers which may use piezoelectric material.

359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,

230+, for light control by a piezoelectric opaque element.

361, Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices,

271+, for capacitors, per se, which may be similar in material or structure to a piezoelectric element.

363, Electric Power Conversion Systems, appropriate subclasses for such systems which utilize piezoelectric devices.

365, Static Information Storage and Retrieval,

145, for ferroelectric storage systems. Note the polarization of the ferroelectric element is usually changed as a function of the stored information.

374, Thermal Measuring and Testing,

117+, for temperature measuring using a vibratory effect.

427, Coating Processes, 100, for piezoelectric materials produced by coating methods.