US 12,607,825 B1Granted

Actuator and method for precise positioning

AssigneeBAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc.

InventorsJordan S. Wachs, Joseph H. Ho

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Abstract

Actuator systems and methods are provided. The actuator enables small positional changes to be made between a base and a moveable element. The actuator includes prime movers that apply a force to change a dimension of a body or stem of the actuator in a first direction, which changes a dimension of the stem in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction due to the Poisson effect. The prime movers can be coupled to opposite sides of the actuator stem by a pair of arms that form a hoop about the actuator stem. Alternatively, the prime movers can couple a hoop formed by a pair of arms to the actuator stem. A base of the stem can be mounted to the platform, while the moveable element can be mounted to an actuation platform of the stem on a side of the stem opposite the base.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system, comprising:

a supported element;
a support structure;
at least one actuator, wherein the at least one actuator includes:
a stem;
a base, wherein the base is joined to a first end of the stem and to the support structure;
an actuation platform, wherein the actuation platform is joined to a second end of the stem and to the supported element, and wherein at least portions of the stem, the base, and the actuation platform are disposed along a first axis;
a prime mover;
and
first and second actuator arms, wherein at least portions of the first and second actuator arms and at least portions of the stem are disposed in a first plane, wherein the first axis is orthogonal to the first plane, wherein the prime mover is interconnected to the first and second actuator arms and is operable to apply a force to the stem along a first direction that is parallel to a second axis, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis, wherein, in response to the applied force, the stem changes a dimension along a second direction that is parallel to the first axis, and wherein a distance between the base and the actuation platform along the first axis is changed.

6 more elements

An actuator, comprising:

a stem;
a base, wherein the base is joined to a first end of the stem;
an actuation platform, wherein the actuation platform is joined to a second end of the stem, wherein the first end of the stem is opposite the second end of the stem, and wherein the stem, the base, and the actuation platform are disposed along a first axis;
a first actuator arm, wherein the first actuator arm is disposed on a first side of the stem;
a second actuator arm, wherein the second actuator arm is disposed on a second side of the stem, and wherein the first side of the stem is opposite the second side of the stem;
and
a first prime mover, wherein a first end of the first actuator arm and a first end of the second actuator arm are joined to a third end of the stem by at least the first prime mover;
wherein a second end of the first actuator arm and a second end of the second actuator arm are joined to a fourth end of the stem,
wherein at least a portion of each of the first actuator arm, the second actuator arm, the first prime mover, the third end of the stem, and the fourth end of the stem are disposed in a first plane that is perpendicular to the first axis,
wherein the first prime mover is operable to selectively apply at least one of a compressive force or a tensile force to opposite ends of the stem, and wherein, in response to the force applied by the first prime mover, a distance between the base and the actuation platform along the first axis is changed.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 19/045,277Filed 4 Feb 2025 · continuation
Priority: 9 Jul 2021
Granted: 21 Apr 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

G02B 7/183
For mirrors: specially adapted for very large mirrors, e.g. for astronomy, or solar concentrators
G02B 7/1827
Comprising means for aligning the optical axis: motorised alignment
G02B
Optical elements, systems or apparatus