SELF COOLING PIEZO ACTUATOR FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE APPLICATIONS

摘要

A piezoelectric actuator (10) and a method of assembling and employing a piezoelectric actuator(10). This method comprises the steps of positioning an expandable piezoelectric material (14) inside a case (12), and enclosing a vaporizable liquid (16) in the case (12). The case (12) is positioned in a high temperature environment; and the liquid (16) vaporizes, in that high temperature environment, over a given period of time. Preferably, the vaporizing liquid (16) maintains the temperature of the piezoelectric material (14) substantially constant over that period of time. Also, preferably the case (12) is provided with a pressure responsive valve (20) that opens and closes, in the high temperature environment, to expose the liquid (16) to that environment and control the vaporization of the liquid (16) to maintain the temperature of the piezoelectric material (14) substantially constant over the period of time.