Title:
HIGH-EFFICIENCY, LARGE STROKE ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATOR
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO1998045886
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
An actuator having two frames, each frame including a distal end member, a proximal pivot end member or proximal end pivot point, and at least two elongated side members connected between the distal end member and the proximal pivot end member of that frame. A flexure is disposed between an end of the pivot end member of the first frame and an end of the pivot end member of the second frame. A first longitudinal span member is disposed between the distal end member of the second frame and the pivot end member of the first frame, and a second longitudinal span member is disposed between the distal end member of the first frame and the pivot end member of the second frame. At least one of the first and second longitudinal span members is an expansive element having a longitudinal axis along which dimensional strain can be induced in response to an applied stimulus. This expansive element extends in a state of compression between the corresponding distal and proximal pivot end members, with the longitudinal axis of the element in a plane parallel to side members of the first and second frames. The one or both of the longitudinal span members that are expansive elements can be, e.g., a magnetostrictive element, an electrostrictive element, or a piezoelectric element. The actuator provides many of the characteristics required to achieve optimal mass efficiency for a given set of actuator materials; and further provides advantages of high bandwidth, linearity, and large stroke performance advantages. As a result, the actuator can be adapted to many applications and can accommodate a range of engineering constraints.
Inventors:
HALL STEVEN R
PRECHTL ERIC F
PRECHTL ERIC F
Application Number:
PCT/US1998/003732
Publication Date:
January 21, 1999
Filing Date:
February 26, 1998
Export Citation:
Assignee:
MASSACHUSETTS INST TECHNOLOGY (US)
International Classes:
B64C27/00; B64C27/615; H01L41/09; (IPC1-7): H01L41/00
Other References:
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 009, no. 230 (E - 343) 17 September 1985 (1985-09-17)
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