Patent ID: 7180221

Claim:
An apparatus for effecting relative motion between a first surface and a second surface, comprising: a low inertia member; a moveable high inertia member; a first transducer, selected from a group consisting of piezo, electrostrictive and magnetostrictive actuators; a second transducer, selected from a group consisting of piezo, electrostrictive, and magnetostrictive actuators; a means for driving the first and second transducers; said first transducer is coupled at one end to a first means for limiting motion and coupled at the other end to said low inertia member so as to impart motion thereof in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to said second surface, said second transducer is coupled at one end to a second means for limiting motion and coupled at the other end to said low inertia member so as to impart motion thereof in a direction that is approximately parallel to said second surface, low inertia member or part thereof contacting said second surface while said second transducer is actuating, contact separation achieved by quick movement of said low inertia member with reference to movement of said moveable high inertia member when said first transducer resets, said second transducer resetting while said low inertia member or part thereof is not contacting said second surface.