Single motor, multi-axis stage

An actuator system for moving a platform, comprising:

• a motor which rotates a rotational element;
• a transmission system which engages the motor and selectively engages the platform;
• a first lock which engages the transmission system such that the transmission system moves the platform according to a rotation of the rotational element;
• a second lock which engages the transmission system such that the transmission system moves the platform moves according to the rotation of the rotational element;
• and
• a rotation lock that selectively engages the transmission system,
• wherein:
• when the first lock engages the transmission system and the second lock does not engage the transmission system, the transmission system moves the platform in a first direction according to the rotation of the rotational element,
• when the first lock does not engage the transmission system and the second lock engages the transmission system, the transmission system moves the platform in a second direction other than the first direction according to the rotation of the rotational element, and
• when the rotation lock is not engaged to the transmission system, the platform rotates about a third direction according to the rotation of the rotational element.

A movable stage system, comprising:

• a platform;
• a motor which rotates a rotational element;
• a transmission system engaged with the motor and selectively engaged with the platform;
• a first lock which engages the transmission system such that the transmission system moves the platform according to a rotation of the rotational element;
• a second lock which engages the transmission system such that the transmission system moves the platform moves according to the rotation of the rotational element;
• a rotation lock that selectively engages the transmission system;
• and
• a controller which controls the motor, the first and second locks, and the rotation lock such that,
• when the controller controls the first lock to engage the transmission system and the second lock to not engage the transmission system, the transmission system moves the platform in a first direction according to the rotation of the rotational element,
• when the controller controls the first lock to not engage the transmission system and the second lock to engage the transmission system, the transmission system moves the platform in a second direction other than the first direction according to the rotation of the rotational element, and
• when the controller controls the rotation lock to not engage the transmission system, the platform rotates about a third direction according to the rotation of the rotational element.

An actuator system for moving a platform, comprising:

• a motor which rotates a rotational element;
• rails to support the platform;
• a transmission system which engages the motor and selectively engages the platform using the rails, the transmission system comprising first through fourth guides to support the rails;
• a first lock which is actuated to connect the first guide and a first one of the rails such that the transmission system moves the platform according to a rotation of the rotational element;
• and
• a second lock which is actuated to connect the second guide and a second one of the rails such that the transmission system moves the platform moves according to the rotation of the rotational element,
• wherein:
• when the first lock is actuated and the second lock is not actuated, the first rail moves with the first guide, and the second guide and one of the third and fourth guides allows the platform to move with the first guide according to the rotation of the rotational element, and
• when the second lock is actuated and the first lock is not actuated, the second rail moves with the second guide, and the first guide and one of the third and fourth guides allows the platform to move with the second guide according to the rotation of the rotational element.