Magnetic micro-mover
First Claim
1. A micro-mover, comprising:
- two closely spaced silicon plates, at least one of said plates including integral suspension springs that support a moving plate portion; and
means for driving said moving plate portion by planar electromagnetic actuation so as to effect a reciprocal movement of said two plates relative to each other in both an X-direction and a Y-direction, said Y-direction being substantially transverse to said X-direction.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A specially designed, forceful, compact magnetic micro-mover includes at least one etched single crystal silicon plate having integral springs and stable, low internal stress. A structure of springs which support a rectangular plate are etched in silicon. The plate is driven by planar electromagnetic actuation. The micro-mover consists of a specific etched silicon spring in combination with a planar electromagnetic moving coil actuator that is capable of generating forces greater than 50 mN, while dissipating less than 1 W peak power. The micro-mover also includes a plate suspension system that facilitates the required plate motions and resolution, while preventing changes in plate spacing from effects such as external acceleration, temperature, humidity, and aging; and includes an actuator that appropriately moves the plates in response to electrical signals, such that there is only minimal cross-talk between axes of motion.
140 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A micro-mover, comprising:
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two closely spaced silicon plates, at least one of said plates including integral suspension springs that support a moving plate portion; and means for driving said moving plate portion by planar electromagnetic actuation so as to effect a reciprocal movement of said two plates relative to each other in both an X-direction and a Y-direction, said Y-direction being substantially transverse to said X-direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A micro-mover, comprising:
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at least two etched single crystal silicon plates, at least one of said plates including a plate suspension system that facilitates relative plate motion with high resolution, while preventing changes in plate spacing due to such effects as external acceleration, temperature, humidity, and aging; and an actuator that moves said plates in response to electrical signals, while exhibiting only minimal cross-talk between respective axes of plate motion.
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24. A micro-mover, comprising:
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at least one etched single crystal silicon plate, said plate including integral suspension springs that support a moving plate portion, said suspension springs having a symmetrical double folded spring configuration, including a spring formed at each corner or on each side of said moving plate; means for driving said moving plate portion by planar electromagnetic actuation, including at least one of an X-axis multipole magnet, a Y-axis multipole magnet, and an X-axis/y-axis multipole magnet, at least one drive coil for effecting plate motion, wherein current in said drive coil reacts with a magnetic field developed by said magnet to produce a force that moves said plate against the force of said plate suspension springs, at least one torque coil for producing a correction torque to cancel unwanted torque produced by said drive coil, and a flux return plate; at least one capacitance position sensor, adapted to change capacitance with relative parallel plate motion, and for producing an output signal in accordance therewith; at least one Z-capacitor for controlling and maintaining plate spacing; one or more contact pads and associated electrical leads; and one or more covers for hermetically enclosing said micro-mover, at least one of said covers including one or more spacing posts, and a seal gasket. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification