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:
Nov. 06, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 18, 1998
Michael J. Triller, Hermosa Beach, CA (US);
Christopher W. Felts, Lakewood, CA (US);
Kathleen M. Doherty, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US);
Lisa R. Hill, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US);
Craig A. Lavinsky, Manhattan Beach, CA (US);
TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, CA (US);
Abstract
A singly or doubly encapsulated actuator/sensor package in which a ceramic actuator/sensor (,) may be first encapsulated in a primary encapsulating material (,) and is encapsulated in a fiber-reinforced composite material (,). A combination of the material and ply angles (&thgr;) of the fiber-reinforced composite material (,) are used to control selection of a composite coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the stiffness or compliance of the package with respect to a selected axis. By optimal selection of the material and the ply angle, based upon a suitable actuation strength figure of merit, a CTE of zero or a CTE matching that of an underlying structural member (,) is obtained, while simultaneously maximizing the actuation strength in a selected actuation direction. Application of the invention to precision structures permits the underlying structures to be designed with very low stiffness, because precise, thermally stable, pointing or shaping actuation forces may be obtained in a thermally stable manner.