Back to results
US 5,394,049 AGranted
Piezoelectric actuator for optical alignment screws cross references to co-pending applications
AssigneeNew Focus, Inc.
InventorFrancis S. Luecke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to electromechanical actuators, and particularly to actuators utilizing piezoelectric elements to rotate positioning shafts associated with optical elements.
Claims19
A piezoelectric actuator for bi-directional movement of a movable stage comprising:
- a. a fixed frame element having first and second opposing faces;
- b. an elongate piezoelectric element having a first and second end portions;
- c. said first face bearing against said first end portion of said piezoelectric element;
- d. a drive pad affixed to said second end portion;
- e. said drive pad having a retention means portion;
- f. said drive pad additionally having a drive portion for frictional engagement with said movable stage;
- and,
- g. spring bias means positioned between said second face and said drive pad retention means portion to urge said drive pad against said movable stage and to bias and retain said piezoelectric actuator in position against said first face.
5 more elements
A piezoelectric operated optical stage comprising:
- a. a movable stage member adapted to support an optical element,
- b. a fixed frame element, adjacent said movable stage member, having first and second opposing faces;
- c. an elongate piezoelectric element having a first and second end portions;
- d. said first face bearing against said first end portion of said piezoelectric element;
- e. a drive pad affixed to said second end portion;
- f. a bias spring retention means portion of said drive pad;
- g. a drive portion of said drive pad for frictional engagement with said movable stage;
- h. bias spring means positioned between said second face and said bias spring retention means portion to urge said drive pad against said movable stage and to bias and retain said piezoelectric actuator in position against said first face and said movable stage.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.