Patent ID: 6691513
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: B81B,F03G,H01H

Abstract:
A thermal beam actuator array comprising:a plurality of thermal beam actuators in which each thermal beam actuator in said thermal beam actuator array comprises: a first hot arm capable of conducting an electric current from an electric current source and capable of thermally expanding when heat is generated in said first hot arm by said electric current; a second hot arm coupled to said first hot arm, wherein said second hot arm is capable of conducting said electric current from said first hot arm back to said electric current source and capable of thermally expanding when heat is generated in said second hot arm by said electric current; a cold arm coupled to said first hot arm and said second hot arm, wherein said cold arm is capable of being deflected by thermal expansion of said first hot arm and said second hot arm; and a mechanical yoke coupled to an end of each thermal beam actuator in said thermal beam actuator array.