US PATENT SUBCLASS 310 / 328
.~.~ With mechanical energy coupling means

Current as of: June, 1999
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310 /   HD   ELECTRICAL GENERATOR OR MOTOR STRUCTURE

300  DF  NON-DYNAMOELECTRIC {4}
311  DF  .~ Piezoelectric elements and devices {17}
328.~.~ With mechanical energy coupling means {6}
329  DF  .~.~.~> Including inertia type operator
330  DF  .~.~.~> Bending type {1}
333  DF  .~.~.~> Shear or torsional type
334  DF  .~.~.~> Acoustic wave type generator or receiver {3}
338  DF  .~.~.~> Force or pressure measuring type
339  DF  .~.~.~> Voltage, spark or current generator

DEFINITION

Classification: 310/328

With mechanical energy coupling means:

(under subclass 311) Subject matter having means to apply mechanical energy from an external source to the piezoelectric element to mechanically stress the element, or means to apply mechanical energy produced by the element to an external load.

(1) Note. The means of this subclass type are other than those whose only proximate function is to contribute to the proper operation of the piezoelectric element itself such as by supporting, housing, prestressing, or damping the element. The means of this subclass type may, however, perform such contributory functions in addition to its energy transferring function. In such cases, the means may be considered as having two coequal proximate functions, i.e., a contributory function and a transferring function, the transferring function being the basis for classification in this subclass. Whether or not such means renders a recited combination classifiable in this subclass may depend on the disclosed intended use of the means. For example, if a piezoelectric

element is recited in combination with a housing, the proximate function of the housing may be assumed to be contributory, i.e., to contribute to the proper operation of the piezoelectric element by protecting it from its environment, which is insufficient basis for placement in this subclass. However, it may be disclosed that the housing is additionally intended to transfer mechanical energy from the piezoelectric element to a load external to the housing (e.g., air, as in the case of certain acoustic transducers) in which case the combination is classifiable here.

(2) Note. The coupling means of this subclass type is not necessarily limited to motion transmitting members such as mechanical linkages, diaphragms, etc., but may include reaction members which cooperate with the piezoelectric element to render the element itself capable of directly applying its mechanical energy to a load or receiving mechanical energy from source. Such means may, for example, be recited as a "support" which in addition to merely fixing the element in a particular location relative to the support itself, is disclosed as a means against which forces produced by the element may react in order that the element may do work on an external load. In this case, the "support" is considered as having two proximate functions [see (1) Note above], i.e., to fixedly locate the element with respect to the support itself and to render the combination capable of applying the mechanical energy of the element to an external load.

(3) Note. Refer to the SEARCH CLASS notes of subclass 323 for the loci of similar art which may contain a piezoelectric device (which may or may not be resonant).

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

323, and 325, for similar devices which may be designed to be resonant at the driving frequency.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS 73, Measuring and Testing,

763+, for strain sensors which may use a piezoelectric element, subclasses 861.18 for flow meters which may use a piezoelectric element, subclass 290 for depth or liquid level gases which may utilize a piezoelectric element, and Digest 4 for various piezoelectric measuring and testing devices.

84, Music,

730+, for electric tone generators or pickups combined with a musical device, wherein said generator or pickup could utilize a piezoelectric element, and Digest 24 for various piezoelectric devices mechanically coupled to a musical instrument.

137, Fluid Handling,

827, 828 and 831 for fluid control devices (e.g., fluid amplifier) which may be combined with a piezoelectric element.

181, Acoustics,

.5, for seismic vibration detectors which may use a piezoelectric element.

200, Electricity: Circuit Makers and Breakers,

181, for switching which may utilize a piezoelectric element.

366, Agitating, 127, for an agitating apparatus utilizing a piezoelectric actuating means.

369, Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval,

128+, for electromechanical storage or retrieval; and subclass 144 for piezoelectric phonograph pickups.

417, Pumps,

322, for pumps which may use a piezoelectric element.