This is an introduction to the ultrasonic motor, a novel Japanese invention which uses ultrasonic vibrations (usually in a piezoelectric material) to produce a frictional driving force. It has been designed to aid electronics designers and manufacturing and automotive engineers.

This book provides a completely up-to-date survey of the many different types of ultrasonic motors currently in use. These motors, which use ultrasonic vibrations to produce a frictional driving force, have many attractive features, including simple structures which can easily be miniaturized, large power to weight ratios, high torque at low speed, high precision due to low inertia and easy electronic control, and no associated magnetic field. With such advantages, they are increasingly displacing conventional electromagnetic motors in robot actuators, camera autofocus mechanisms, and aerospace devices, to name a few examples. Written by leading experts on the subject, the book introduces the reader to the design and manufacture of the motor as well as to techniques for evaluating motor performance. It will be an invaluable guide to electrical engineering researchers, designers, and manufacturers.