Shock protectors for micro-mechanical systems
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- (a) a pedestal having a top and a bottom;
(b) a post mounted to the top of the pedestal;
(c) an optical device mounted on the post;
(d) a plurality of gimbal springs suspending the pedestal over a lower surface;
(e) a linkage arm connected to each gimbal spring, the connection occurring at a linkage-arm/gimbal-spring attachment point; and
(f) 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.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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(a) a pedestal having a top and a bottom;
(b) a post mounted to the top of the pedestal;
(c) an optical device mounted on the post;
(d) a plurality of gimbal springs suspending the pedestal over a lower surface;
(e) a linkage arm connected to each gimbal spring, the connection occurring at a linkage-arm/gimbal-spring attachment point; and
(f) 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)
(a) a post mounted to the top of the pedestal; and
(b) a mirror mounted on the post.
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12. The apparatus, according to claim 10 wherein the shock absorber is a flexible extension of the at least one linkage arm.
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13. The apparatus, according to claim 12 wherein the shock absorber extends a sufficiently long distance to ensure that it contact the lower surface prior to the gimbal spring.
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14. The apparatus, according to claim 13, further comprising a stop located below the bottom of the pedestal.
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15. The apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein the shock absorber is disposed closer to the lower surface than the at least one linkage arm.
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16. The apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein a shock absorber extends each linkage arm beyond the linkage-arm/gimbal-spring attachment point.
Specification