Abstract:
The invention relates to a sensor (SE) comprising two shear-mode piezoelectric transducers (TR1, TR2), wherein each piezoelectric transducer comprises a bottom surface (BS) and a top surface (TS), wherein the top surfaces of the piezoelectric transducers are rigidly connected to each other, and wherein the bottom surfaces are configured to be attached to an object (OB) to be measured.
Abstract:
A pressure control valve comprising: a passageway (210) having a portion defining an opening (220) for the flow of liquid and/or gas (215) therethrough; an obstructing member (230) displaceable relative to the opening for obstructing the opening by differing amounts thereby to regulate a volumetric flow rate of liquid and/or gas through the opening; a piezo actuator (250); and a linkage mechanism (400) adapted to amplify a magnitude of a dimensional change in the piezo actuator and to use the amplified dimensional change to displace the obstructing member relative to the opening, wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a frame (500) attached to a wall and fixed at a first end (510) in relation to the passageway, a movable portion (508) of the frame moveable in a first direction whilst being substantially restrained in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the piezo actuator extending between the wall and the moveable portion such that an expansion of the piezo actuator results in movement of the moveable portion in the first direction by an amount greater than the expansion of the piezo actuator, the moveable portion connected to the obstructing member.