SHOCK PROTECTORS FOR MICRO-MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- (a) a pedestal having a top and a bottom;
(b) a plurality of gimbal springs suspending the pedestal over a lower surface;
(c) a linkage arm connected to each gimbal spring, the connection occurring at a linkage-arm/gimbal-spring attachment point; and
(d) a stop located below the bottom of the pedestal.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed towards shock protectors for a pedestal suspended over a lower surface by a plurality of gimbal springs. Each gimbal spring is connected to a linkage arm that attaches to an actuator. A stop located below the bottom of the pedestal prevents the gimbal springs and/or other structures from impacting the lower surface. In addition, the stop prevents excessively high strain in the gimbal springs. A shock absorber extending from at least one linkage arm serves a similar purpose when the pedestal is tilted, rather than simply displaced.
8 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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(a) a pedestal having a top and a bottom;
(b) a plurality of gimbal springs suspending the pedestal over a lower surface;
(c) a linkage arm connected to each gimbal spring, the connection occurring at a linkage-arm/gimbal-spring attachment point; and
(d) a stop located below the bottom of the pedestal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus, comprising:
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(a) a pedestal having a top and a bottom;
(b) a plurality of gimbal springs suspending the pedestal above a lower surface;
(c) a linkage arm connected to each gimbal spring, the connection occurring at a linkage-arm/gimbal-spring attachment point; and
(d) a shock absorber that extends from at least one linkage arm beyond the linkage-arm/gimbal-spring attachment point. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for increasing heat transfer from a mirror coupled to a pedestal suspended by gimbal springs over a lower surface, the method comprising:
providing a solid heat-conduction path to the lower surface, the solid heat-conduction path being located within 3 μ
m of the pedestal.- View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
Specification