Patent · US Active

Flexure-based, tip-tilt-piston actuation micro-array

US10444492B2 · kind B2 · utility

34Cited by
0References
24Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateMar 19, 2014
Grant dateOct 15, 2019
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 7, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF41G7/224
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A flexure-based micro-array having a plurality of micro-assemblies, each comprising: an object; and at least three electrostatic actuation modules for tipping, tilting, and/or piston-actuating the object, each actuation module comprising: a base with first and second electrodes electrically isolated from each other; an electrically conductive lever arm; a first flexure bearing suspending the lever arm adjacent the first and second electrodes so that electrical activation of at least one of the first and second electrodes produces an electrostatic moment of force on the lever arm to resiliently bias the first flexure bearing and pivot the lever arm about a fulcrum; and a second flexure bearing connecting the lever arm to the object at a connection location that is different from other connection locations of the other actuation modules so that pivoting the lever arm about the fulcrum induces the second flexure bearing to pivot the object about an object pivot axis defined between two of the other connection locations while the second flexure bearing decouples the lever arm from object displacements induced by two of the other actuation modules connected to the two other connection l…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.