Patent ID: 8143763

Claim:
A linear piezoelectric nano-positioner, comprising: a base; an armature configured to be translated with respect to the base along a longitudinal axis; a first bearing set disposed between the base and the armature to translatably support the armature with respect to the base; a bearing clamp coupled to the base to movably secure the armature and the first bearing set with respect to the base; a second bearing set disposed between the bearing clamp and the armature to translatably support the armature with respect to the bearing clamp and being movably secured with respect to the base by the bearing clamp; at least one bearing spring to yieldably bias at least one of the first or second bearing sets against the armature in a first bias direction; a first set of piezoelectric elements disposed between the base and the armature to translate the armature with respect to the base; a piezo clamp coupled to the base to movably secure the armature and the first set of piezoelectric elements with respect to the base; and a second set of piezoelectric elements disposed between the piezo clamp and the armature to translate the armature with respect to the base and being movably secured with respect to the base by the piezo clamp.