Linear motor having piezo actuators
AssigneeViking Technologies, L.C.
InventorsMark Oudshoorn, Jeff Moler, R. Glenn Akhavein, Mark Woozley, John Blatt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for moving a member including a first clamp assembled to a fixed surface for selectively clamping the member and a second clamp moveable with respect to the first clamp for selectively clamping the member. A piezo actuator is disposed between the first and second clamps for moving the member in response to expansion of the actuator. Resilient means bias the second clamp toward the first clamp.
Claims7
An apparatus for moving a member comprising:
- a first clamp assembled to a fixed surface for selectively clamping the member;
- a second clamp moveable with respect to the first clamp for selectively clamping the member;
- and
- a piezo actuator disposed between the first and second clamps for moving the member in response to expansion of the actuator.
An apparatus for moving a member comprising:
- a first clamp assembled to a fixed surface for selectively clamping the member;
- a second clamp moveable with respect to the first clamp for selectively clamping the member;
- a piezo actuator disposed between the first and second clamps for moving the member in response to expansion of the actuator;
- and
- resilient means for biasing the second clamp toward the first clamp.
A method for moving a member with an apparatus having a fixed first clamp, a moveable second clamp, and a piezo actuator disposed between the first and second clamps comprising the steps of:
- closing the first and second clamps to clamp the member;
- opening the first clamp to release the member;
- expanding the piezo actuator to move the second clamp and member a direction away from the first clamp;
- closing the first clamp to clamp the member;
- opening the second clamp to release the member;
- and
- contracting the piezo actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.