Patent · US Expired

Electrostatic actuator and method of controlling the same

US5534740A · kind A · utility

35Cited by
7References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 27, 1993
Grant dateJul 9, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 27, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02N1/004
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An electrostatic actuator incorporates a sensor for detecting both position and the state of distribution of charges and is efficiently driven in high-speed operation. A first member has a plurality of driving electrodes thereon, each having the shape of a strip, a second member is placed in contact with the first member, and a control means is provided for changing the voltages applied to the driving electrodes to produce relative movement of the first member and the second member. Detecting electrodes are arranged on the first member at predetermined phases, independently of the driving electrodes, and a detecting unit detects the position of the second member and the state of charges induced on the second member, through the detection of electric signals induced in the detecting electrodes by the charges distributed on the second member.

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