Capillary actuator deployment
First Claim
1. A device comprising an actuator, the actuator comprising:
- an outer frame;
a fixed frame attached to the outer frame;
a moveable frame disposed parallel to the fixed frame;
a motion control flexure coupling the moveable frame to the outer frame;
a hydrophilic moving plate;
an element coupled to the moveable frame for movement relative to the fixed and outer frames and movement about a central axis of the element;
wherein the moveable frame and the fixed frame are spaced a selected distance apart for substantially rectilinear movement relative to each other; and
a cured liquid adhesive attached to the hydrophilic moving plate that cooperates with the hydrophilic moving plate to space the movable frame and the fixed frame apart at the selected distance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for making an actuator includes forming a substantially planar actuator device of an electrically conductive material, the device incorporating an outer frame, a fixed frame attached to the outer frame, a moveable frame disposed parallel to the fixed frame, a motion control flexure coupling the moveable frame to the outer frame for coplanar, rectilinear movement relative to the outer frame and the fixed frame, an actuator incorporating a plurality of interdigitated teeth, a fixed portion of which is attached to the fixed frame and a moving portion of which is attached to the moveable frame, moving the moveable frame to a deployed position that is coplanar with, parallel to and spaced a selected distance apart from the fixed frame, and fixing the moveable frame at the deployed position for substantially rectilinear, perpendicular movement relative to the fixed frame.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device comprising an actuator, the actuator comprising:
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an outer frame; a fixed frame attached to the outer frame; a moveable frame disposed parallel to the fixed frame; a motion control flexure coupling the moveable frame to the outer frame; a hydrophilic moving plate; an element coupled to the moveable frame for movement relative to the fixed and outer frames and movement about a central axis of the element; wherein the moveable frame and the fixed frame are spaced a selected distance apart for substantially rectilinear movement relative to each other; and a cured liquid adhesive attached to the hydrophilic moving plate that cooperates with the hydrophilic moving plate to space the movable frame and the fixed frame apart at the selected distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for making a device, the method comprising:
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forming a substantially planar actuator, the actuator comprising; an outer frame; a fixed frame attached to the outer frame; and a moveable frame disposed parallel to the fixed frame; coupling the moveable frame to the outer frame to provide coplanar, rectilinear movement relative to the outer frame and the fixed frame; coupling an element to the moveable frame for coplanar, rectilinear movement relative to the fixed and outer frames and coplanar, rotational movement about a central axis of the element; and separating, with a capillary force of a liquid adhesive, the fixed frame and the moveable frame so that the fixed frame and the movable frame are spaced apart by a selected distance. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method, comprising:
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moving a structure with an actuator, the actuator having; an outer frame, a fixed frame attached to the outer frame, a moveable frame disposed parallel to the fixed frame; a motion control flexure coupling the moveable frame to the outer frame; a hydrophilic moving plate; wherein the moveable frame and the fixed frame are initially spaced a selected distance apart for substantially rectilinear movement relative to each other; and a cured liquid adhesive attached to the hydrophilic moving plate that cooperates with the hydrophilic moving plate to initially space the movable frame and the fixed frame apart at the selected distance; and wherein the moving the structure with the actuator comprises; moving the structure with the moveable frame in a rectilinear motion relative to the fixed and outer frames, and moving the structure with the moveable frame in a rotational movement about a central axis of the structure. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification