The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 21, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 15, 1998
Cormac G O'Neill, Walnut Creek, CA (US);
Kinetic Ceramics, Inc., Hayward, CA (US);
Abstract
A piezoelectric positioner. First and second piezoelectric stacks are mounted on a rigid frame. A T-lever defining a yoke and a lever arm is disposed so that the yoke overlies the piezoelectric stacks. A compression element is position so as to hold in compression both stacks in-between the frame and the yoke. A programmable voltage source is programmed to provide elongating voltages alternatingly to the first and the second stacks to cause the stacks to alternatingly expand against compressive forces produced by the compression element so as to cause the yoke to rock back and forth and to cause the T-lever arm to swing back and forth. A tool beam is flexibly connected to the T-lever arm. A tool beam restraint restrains movement of the tool beam to back and forth motion in a single direction. In a preferred embodiment a tool is mounted on the tool beam.