System and means for dynamic micro-positioning and alignment of media

A micro-positioner designed for x-y motion, comprising:

• a mounting assembly;
• at least a first set of thermal actuators;
• a shuttle adapted to move in the x direction and y direction;
• at least a first set of shuttle springs;
• said shuttle movably coupled to the mounting assembly by such at least first set of shuttle springs;
• an X direction step drive subassembly coupled to the shuttle;
• a Y direction step drive subassembly coupled to the shuttle;
• at least a first and second set of bond pads coupled to each of the X direction step drive subassembly and Y direction step drive subassembly, adapted to provide electrical signals to each of the X direction step drive subassembly and Y direction step drive subassembly;
• and
• the shuttle adapted to being adjusted or aligned in the X direction by the X direction step drive subassembly and Y direction step drive subassembly.

A micro-positioner, comprising:

• a mounting assembly;
• a first set of thermal actuators;
• a shuttle adapted to move in an x-axis or y-axis direction;
• a set of retention springs used to retain the shuttle in the mounting assembly;
• a plurality of bond pads;
• an X direction step drive subassembly further comprising an x-axis right side scanning bar and an x-axis left side scanning bar adapted to hold the shuttle in plane, and align the shuttle in the X direction, a set of x-axis right side clamps, a set of x-axis left side clamps, a set of x-axis right side push/pull arms, a set of x-axis left side push/pull arms, a set of x-axis right side lever arms, and a set of x-axis left side lever arms;
• and
• a Y direction step drive subassembly further comprising a y-axis top side scanning bar and a y-axis bottom side scanning bar adapted to hold the shuttle in plane, and align the shuttle in the Y direction, a set of y-axis top side clamps, a set of y-axis bottom side clamps, a set of y-axis top side push/pull arms, a set of y-axis bottom side push/pull arms, a set of y-axis top side lever arms, a set of y-axis bottom side lever arms.

A micro-positioner, comprising:

• a shuttle assembly being adapted to move directionally;
• a scanning mechanism;
• the shuttle assembly being movable by the scanning mechanism;
• a first and second actuator;
• a first clamp controlled by the first actuator;
• the scanning mechanism being clamped with the first clamp that is controlled by the first actuator;
• a scanning bar that engages the scanning mechanism and imparts motion to it;
• the scanning bar being adapted to engage the scanning mechanism by the first actuator;
• the scanning bar being adapted to move the scanning mechanism by a second actuator;
• the scanning bar being mechanically coupled to both the first and second actuators;
• and
• the first and second actuators being controlled separately by applied electrical power.

An apparatus for aligning a media, comprising:

• a media holder being adapted to move directionally;
• a scanning mechanism;
• the media holder being contacted and moved by the scanning mechanism;
• a first and second actuator;
• a first clamp controlled by the first actuator;
• the scanning mechanism being clamped with the first clamp that is controlled by the first actuator;
• a scanning bar that engages the scanning mechanism and imparts motion to it;
• the scanning bar being adapted to engage the scanning mechanism by the first actuator;
• the scanning bar being adapted to move the scanning mechanism by a second actuator;
• the scanning bar being mechanically coupled to both the first and second actuators;
• and
• the first and second actuators being controlled separately by applied electrical power.

A micro-positioner comprising:

• a substrate having a top surface, a substantially planar bottom surface, and an aperture substantially centered through the bottom surface to the top surface;
• a mounting assembly for accepting and holding a media or component;
• a shuttle assembly, the shuttle assembly being attached to the mounting assembly;
• the shuttle assembly being adapted to move directionally in response to control signals;
• an electronic circuit coupled to the shuttle assembly;
• the shuttle assembly being adapted to move in response to electronic signals from the electronic circuit;
• the shuttle assembly further comprising a set of expansion bars springs and clamps for each direction of movement;
• the set of expansion bars, springs and clamps being positioned and retained on the top surface of the substrate;
• the expansion bars being manufactured of an expansion material adapted to expand and retract upon the application of a current directed by the electronic circuit;
• the set of springs being positioned between a rigid surface of the substrate and a side of each of the expansion bars, the springs being operable to apply a force to the side of the expansion bars;
• the springs being further operable to provide a flexible electrical interconnect, and a stabilization member for out-of-plane motion;
• the clamps being manufactured of an expansion material adapted to expand and retract upon the application of a current directed by the electronic circuit;
• the clamps being positioned to hold the expansion bars in place when the clamps are in a contracted state, when no electrical power is applied;
• the clamps being operable to release the expansion bars when the clamps are in an expanded state, when electrical power is applied;
• the mounting assembly being rigidly attached to the expansion bars;
• and
• the mounting assembly being centered over the substrate aperture when the shuttle is in a neutral location.