Patent · US Expired

Compliant push/pull connector microstructure

US6650806B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by

7References

55Claims

0Family size

Assignee

MEMX, Inc. · US

Inventors

Murray Steven Rodgers · Albuquerque, US
Samuel Lee Miller · Albuquerque, US
Stephen Barnes · Albuquerque, US

Key dates

Filing date	Mar 14, 2002
Grant date	Nov 18, 2003
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Mar 29, 2022

Classification

Technology area (CPC G)Physics
CPC primaryG02B6/3594
WIPO fieldOptics
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A microelectromechanical system is disclosed that has a connector (444) between an elongate coupling/tether (400) and an elevation structure (382) that is movably interconnected with an appropriate substrate (380). A first free end (392) of the elevation structure (382) moves at least generally away from or toward the substrate (380), depending upon the direction of motion of an actuator assembly (464) that is appropriately interconnected with the tether (400). Part of the connector (444) is in compression and another part of the connector (444) is in tension, regardless of whether a pulling or pushing force is being exerted on the tether (400), and thereby the connector (444), by the actuator assembly (464).

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