Microelectromechanical positioning apparatus
First Claim
1. A microelectromechanical positioning apparatus comprising:
- a reference surface;
a support disposed in a fixed position relative to the reference surface;
a stage defining an XY plane and suspended from said support and over at least a portion of the reference surface; and
a first microelectromechanical actuator comprising;
spaced apart anchors disposed upon said support;
an arched beam extending between said spaced apart anchors; and
an actuator member operably coupled to said arched beam and extending outwardly therefrom for moving said stage in the XY plane upon thermal actuation of said first microelectromechanical actuator.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A microelectromechanical (MEMS) positioning apparatus is provided that can precisely microposition an object in each of the X, Y and Z directions. The MEMS positioning apparatus includes a reference surface, a support disposed in a fixed position to the reference surface, and a stage defining an XY plane that is suspended adjacent to the support and over at least a portion of the reference surface. The MEMS positioning apparatus also includes at least one and, more typically, several actuators for precisely positioning the stage and, in turn, objects carried by the stage. For example, the MEMS positioning apparatus can include first and second MEMS actuators for moving the stage in the XY plane upon actuation. In addition, the MEMS positioning apparatus can include a Z actuator, such as a thermal bimorph structure, for moving the stage in the Z direction. As such, the MEMS positioning apparatus can precisely position the stage as well as any objects carried by the stage in each of the X, Y and Z directions. As a result of the construction of the MEMS positioning apparatus, the MEMS positioning apparatus can also be fabricated in an affordable, reliable and reproducible manner without compromising the precision alignment provided by the MEMS positioning apparatus.
117 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A microelectromechanical positioning apparatus comprising:
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a reference surface; a support disposed in a fixed position relative to the reference surface; a stage defining an XY plane and suspended from said support and over at least a portion of the reference surface; and a first microelectromechanical actuator comprising; spaced apart anchors disposed upon said support; an arched beam extending between said spaced apart anchors; and an actuator member operably coupled to said arched beam and extending outwardly therefrom for moving said stage in the XY plane upon thermal actuation of said first microelectromechanical actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A microelectromechanical positioning apparatus comprising:
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a reference surface; a support disposed in a fixed position relative to the reference surface; a stage having opposed first and second major surfaces and defining an XY plane, wherein said stage is suspended from said support and over at least a portion of the reference surface such that the first major surface faces the reference surface; and
wherein the first major surface of said stage includes a recessed portion; andan actuator disposed on said stage and at least partially overlying the recessed portion of said stage such that actuation of said actuator bends said stage toward the underlying reference surface to thereby move said stage in a Z direction perpendicular to the XY plane. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A microelectromechanical positioning apparatus comprising:
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a reference surface; a support disposed in a fixed position relative to the reference surface; a stage having opposed first and second major surfaces and defining an XY plane, wherein said stage is suspended from said support and over at least a portion of the reference surface such that the first major surface faces the reference surface;
wherein said stage defines an elongate tongue portion; andan actuator disposed on said elongate tongue portion of said stage such that actuation of said actuator bends said elongate tongue portion toward the underlying reference surface to thereby move said stage in a Z direction perpendicular to the XY plane. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification