Actuator for two angular degrees of freedom
AssigneeAlfmeier Prazision AG Baugruppen und Systemlosungen
InventorAndrei Szilagyi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for two degree of freedom positioning a moveable structure relative to a support structure is provided. The apparatus includes a moveable structure, a support structure, a compliant support disposed between the moveable structure and the support structure. The compliant support biases the moveable structure away from the support structure. In addition, three shape memory alloy actuators are provided between the structures and symmetrically arranged about the compliant support. The shape memory alloy actuators are selectively activated to provide two degrees of freedom of movement for the moveable structure relative to the support structure.
Claims18
An apparatus for positioning a moveable structure relative to a support structure, comprising:
- a moveable structure;
- a support structure;
- a compliant support disposed between the moveable structure and the support structure, the compliant support including a socket on the moveable structure, a ball moveably attached to the support structure via an integral stem, and a spring disposed about the stem for urging the ball away from the support structure, the stem extending through an opening in the support structure, the compliant support biasing the moveable structure away from the support structure;
- and
- only three shape memory alloy actuators, the three shape memory alloy actuators symmetrically arranged about the compliant support wherein each shape memory alloy actuator is attached to the moveable structure and the support structure whereby selectively activating the three shape memory alloy actuators provides two degrees of freedom of movement for the moveable structure relative to the support structure.
An apparatus for positioning a mirror, comprising:
- a mirror mounted to a moveable structure;
- a support structure;
- a compliant support disposed between the mirror and the support structure, the compliant support including a socket on the moveable structure, a ball moveably attached to the support structure via an integral stem, and a spring disposed about the stem for urging the ball away from the support structure, the stem extending through an opening in the support structure the compliant support biasing the moveable structure away from the support structure;
- and
- only three linear shape memory alloy actuators, each shape memory alloy actuator connected to the mirror and the support structure and being disposed about the compliant support such that selective activation of individual linear shape memory alloy actuators produces two degrees of freedom for the movement of the mirror.
An apparatus for positioning a moveable structure relative to a support structure, comprising:
- a moveable structure;
- a support structure;
- a compliant support disposed between the moveable structure and the support structure, the compliant support including a socket on the moveable structure, a ball moveably attached to the support structure via an integral stem, and a spring disposed about the stem for urging the ball away from the support structure, the stem extending through an opening in the support structure, the compliant support biasing the moveable structure away from the support structure;
- only three shape memory alloy actuators, the three shape memory alloy actuators symmetrically arranged about the compliant support wherein each shape memory alloy actuator is attached to the moveable structure and the support structure whereby selectively activating the three shape memory alloy actuators provides two degrees of freedom of movement for the moveable structure relative to the support structure;
- and
- a control circuit connected to each shape memory allow actuator for selectively powering the shape memory alloy actuators.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.