Patent ID: 7221247

Claim:
A microelectrical mechanical actuator, comprising: (a) a substantially planar substrate having a first conductor coupled to a source at a first electrical potential and a second conductor coupled to a source at a second electrical potential wherein the second electrical potential is less than the first electrical potential; (b) a first conductive coil having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is fixedly coupled to the substrate and is in communication with the first conductor and the second end is in communication with the second conductor so that electrical current can be selectively conducted through the first coil so as to create a first magnetic flux within the coil; and (c) a magnet located proximate the first coil and providing a second magnetic flux; (d) wherein the first magnetic flux is substantially opposed to the second magnetic flux thereby causing a repulsive magnetic force that moves the second end of the first coil relative to the substrate; and (e) wherein the first coil is substantially a conical helix when the second end of the coil is moved.