Patent ID: 6541892
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: H02N

Abstract:
An actuator comprising:a stationary member having a first array of drive electrodes and a first array of levitator electrodes; a movable member having a second array of drive electrodes positioned with respect to said first array of drive electrodes to initiate movement of said movable member in response to variations in a voltage pattern along at least one of said first and second arrays of drive electrodes, said movable member having a second array of levitator electrodes positioned with respect to said first array of levitator electrodes to bias said movable member apart from said stationary member in response to applied voltage patterns along said first and second arrays of levitator electrodes, said movable member being spaced apart from said stationary member by a distance g, said first and second arrays of drive electrodes having first and second pitches defined by average center-to-center spacings between said drive electrodes, said first and second pitches being a maximum of eight times said distance g; and a plurality of flexures connecting said movable member to said stationary member, at least one of said flexures being continuously flexible from a first end that is fixed relative to said stationary member to a second end that is fixed relative to said movable member, each said flexure having a first end anchored to said stationary member and having a second end fixed to said movable member, wherein a direction from said first end of one of said flexures to said second end of said flexure is the same as all other said flexures.