Abstract:
The light pressure rotator (1) is the light pressure rotator being light pressure trapped by irradiation with light and light pressure rotating about the central axis O of rotation, characterized in that a reverse torque generating section generating a torque for rotating the rotator in the direction reverse to the predetermined direction is removed from a section arranged with three blades (2) each having a first side face (3) extending in the radial direction from the central axis O of rotation, a second side face (4) facing the central axis O of rotation, a third side face (5) facing the first side face (3), a lower surface (6) intersecting the central axis O of the rotation, and an upper surface (7) facing the lower surface (6). The light pressure rotating device comprises the light pressure rotator (1), a light source (C), and an objective (condenser) lens D.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a process and an apparatus. The process, in one embodiment, includes providing a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device, the micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device including an actuator coupled to a movable feature, sacrificial material fixing the actuator and movable feature with respect to one another, and a layer of material located over the actuator, movable feature and sacrificial material. The process may further include removing only a portion of the layer of material to expose the sacrificial material, and subjecting the exposed sacrificial material to an etchant to release the movable feature.
Abstract:
A thermoelastic device comprising an expansive element is disclosed. The expansive element is formed from a material, which is preselected on the basis that it has one or more of the following properties: a resistivity between 0.1 μΩm and 10.0 μΩm; chemically inert in air; chemically inert in the chosen ink; and depositable by CVD, sputtering or other thin film deposition technique.
Abstract:
The tiltable-body apparatus including a frame member, a tiltable body, and a pair of torsion springs having a twisting longitudinal axis. The torsion springs are disposed along the twisting longitudinal axis opposingly with the tiltable body being interposed, support the tiltable body flexibly and rotatably about the twisting longitudinal axis relative to the frame member, and include a plurality of planar portions, compliant directions of which intersect each other when viewed along a direction of the twisting longitudinal axis. A center of gravity of the tiltable body is positioned on the twisting longitudinal axis of the torsion springs.
Abstract:
An embodiment of the present invention provides a step actuator, comprising a suspended membrane comprising a plurality of movable electrodes connected by plurality of spring hinges to a payload platform; and pillars connecting said membrane to a substrate, said substrate comprising a plurality of fixed electrodes; wherein said movable electrodes of said suspended membrane and said fixed electrodes from said substrate form parallel-plate electrostatic sub-actuators. Another embodiment of the present invention provides controlled operation of the step actuator over its entire range of motion, by avoiding its instability region and both digital and analog operations with enhanced stroke. It comprises a suspended membrane comprising a plurality of fixed electrodes, a plurality of movable electrodes connected by plurality of spring hinges to a medial payload platform. The fixed electrodes comprise insulator stops that keep the movable electrodes from entering the unstable region.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating a micro actuator is provided including a media stage having a media loading surface and a coil for driving the media stage, formed on the opposite surface of the media stage to the media loading surface. The method includes forming a groove on a first surface of a first substrate, forming a coil on a first surface of a second substrate, bonding the first surface of the first substrate to the first surface of the second substrate, and forming the media loading surface on a second surface of the second substrate, which is opposite the first surface of the second substrate.
Abstract:
A MEMS vertical displacement device capable of moving one or more vertically displaceable platforms relative to a base. In particular, the vertical displacement device may be capable of moving a vertically displaceable platform so that the vertically displaceable platform remains generally parallel to a base. The vertically displaceable platform may be, but is not limited to, a microlens, a micromirror, micro-grating, or other device. The vertical displacement device may also be included in optical coherence and confocal imaging systems.
Abstract:
There is provided a micro power generator enhanced in efficiency and power generation output, and having an increased temperature range for operation. The micro power generator comprises: a high-temperature heat source; a low-temperature heat source; an enclosed body containing a working substance therein, the enclosed body being deformable by means of a phase change of the working substance between a first shape wherein heat can be transferred from the high-temperature heat source and a second shape wherein heat can be transferred to the low-temperature heat source; a permanent magnet constituting the enclosed body, the permanent magnet being maintained in a first position when the enclosed body has the first shape and in a second position when the enclosed body has the second shape; and a wire in which an electric current is induced by a movement of the permanent magnet. Further, the present invention provides an apparatus for producing a reciprocating movement between two heat sources having a temperature difference therebetween.
Abstract:
The invention concerns thermoelastic designs incorporating and expansive element formed from material selected in accordance a procedure involving the derivation of an indicator of the material's potential effectiveness for each application.
Abstract:
An integrated device has a spring having at least two split parts that are not in direct electrical contact with each other. The integrated device also has a substrate and a movable part, where both parts of the spring are configured between the substrate and the movable part to support the movable part on the substrate. The two or more split parts of the spring enable two or more independent voltages to be applied to the movable part. The split spring of the invention may be used in MEMS devices for optical switches in order to provide independent voltages to the movable part(s) in those devices.