Patent ID: 6329737
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: G02B,G11B,H02N

Abstract:
A rotary electrostatic microactuator comprising a substantially planar substrate, a rotatable member overlying the substrate for rotation about an axis of rotation extending perpendicular to the planar substrate, at least one comb drive assembly extending substantially radially from the axis of rotation and having first and second comb drive members, the first comb drive member being mounted on the substrate, each of the first and second comb drive members being provided with comb drive fingers, first and second spaced-apart folded springs, the at least one comb drive assembly being disposed between the first and second folded springs, each of the first and second folded springs being substantially U-shaped and having first and second beam-like spring members extending substantially radially from the axis of rotation each first spring member having a first end portion coupled to the substrate and each second spring member having a second end portion coupled to the second comb drive member for suspending the second comb drive member and the rotatable member over the substrate, the second comb drive member being movable in a direction of travel about the axis of rotation between a first position in which the comb drive fingers of the first and second comb drive members are not substantially fully interdigitated and a second position in which the comb drive fingers of the first and second comb drive members are substantially fully interdigitated whereby the first and second folded springs permit greater travel of the second comb drive member between its first and second positions so as to permit greater rotation of the rotatable member about the axis of rotation.