Abstract:
A microactuator (10) providing an output force and displacement in response to an increase in thermal energy is disposed. The microactuator (10) may have a substantially straight expansion member (20, 22) with a first and a second end. The first end may be coupled to a base (12, 16) and a second end may be coupled to a shuttle (24). The expansion member is capable of elongating in a elongation direction. Elongation of the expansion member may urge the shuttle to translate in an output direction substantially different than the elongation direction. In certain embodiments, multiple expansion members are arrayed along one side of the shuttle to drive the shuttle against a surface. Alternatively, expansion members may be disposed on both sides of the shuttle to provide balanced output force. If desired, multiple microactuators may be linked together to multiply the output displacement and/or output force.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a microelectromechanical element comprising a cold beam and at least a first beam pair comprising a first beam member and a second beam member, the beam pair being coupled to said cold beam by a free end tether and configured to elongate when heated to a greater temperature than a temperature of said cold beam thereby causing the assembly to deflect in a first direction determined by a movement plane. The first beam member and the second beam member of the beam pair are arranged to determine a beam plane such that the beam plane is at an angle α from the movement plane where α≠Kπ and K is an integer. Various embodiments further relate to microelectromechanical element capable of performing unidirectional in-plane deflection, unidirectional out-of-plane deflection and bi-directional inplane deflection, as well as a latching relay using a combination of a unidirectional out-of-plane element with a bi-directional in-plane element.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a design and microfabrication method for microgrippers that are capable of grasping micro and nano objects of a large range of sizes and two-axis force sensing capabilities. Gripping motion is produced by one or more electrothermal actuators. Integrated force sensors along x and y directions enable the measurement of gripping forces as well as the forces applied at the end of microgripper arms along the normal direction, both with a resolution down to nanoNewton. The microfabrication method enables monolithic integration of the actuators and the force sensors.
Abstract:
A micrometer sized multi-directional thermal actuator capable of repeatable and rapid displacement in a substantially horizontal direction, a substantially vertical direction, and/or a combination thereof. The multi-directional thermal actuator constructed on a surface of a substrate includes three or more beams each cantilevered from one or more anchors at a first end to extend generally parallel to the surface of the substrate. A member mechanically and electrically couples the distal ends of the beams. Application of current to a circuit comprising combinations of any two or more of the beams displaces the member in one of three or more non-parallel radial directions, respectively.
Abstract:
An apparatus (1) that is capable of a first stable configuration and a second stable configuration is disclosed. The bistable mechanism (10) has a leg (30, 32) that is coupled on one end by a base member (22, 24) and on the other end by a shuttle (20). The leg (30, 32) stores potential energy as it is deflected. The potential energy stored in the leg (30, 32) has a maximum potential energy position with a low potential energy position on either side of the maximum. An apparatus and method are also disclosed for a latching mechanism (910) and the associated method. The latching mechanism (910) is comprised of a grasping member (932), a lock slider (928), and a detent slider (916). These three members (916, 928, 932) operate together to induce a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration by actuating the lock slider (928) in a single direction.
Abstract:
A micrometer sized, single-stage, vertical thermal actuator capable of repeatable and rapid movement of a micrometer-sized optical device off the surface of a substrate. The vertical thermal actuator is constructed on a surface of a substrate. At least one hot arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end located above the surface. A cold arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end. The cold arm is located above the hot arm relative to the surface. A member mechanically and electrically couples the free ends of the hot and cold arms such that the member moves away from the substrate when current is applied to at least the hot arm. The hot arm can optionally include a grounding tab to minimize thermal expansion of the cold arm.
Abstract:
A micromachined multi-layered microbellows-style actuator capable of delivering larger deflections. Anchor structures (420, 430, 440, 450) are disclosed that improve the strength of the microbellows membrane (150). Thermopneumatic actuators having a resistive heater chip are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A micrometer sized multi-directional thermal actuator capable of repeatable and rapid displacement in a substantially horizontal direction, a substantially vertical direction, and/or a combination thereof. The multi-directional thermal actuator constructed on a surface of a substrate includes three or more beams each cantilevered from one or more anchors at a first end to extend generally parallel to the surface of the substrate. A member mechanically and electrically couples the distal ends of the beams. Application of current to a circuit comprising combinations of any two or more of the beams displaces the member in one of three or more non-parallel radial directions, respectively.