Patent ID: 7154362

Claim:
An actuator device comprising: a spine member having a length; a first plate and a second plate, the first plate fixed to the spine member at a first location along the length of the spine member and the second plate fixed to the spine member at a second location along the length of the spine member, wherein the second location is spaced from the first location; and a first actuator positioned between the first plate and the second plate for selectively creating a push and/or pull force between the first plate and the second plate to change the orientation of the first plate relative to the second plate, the first actuator includes a first array of electrostatically actuated unit cells, wherein at least some of the electrostatically actuated unit cells are actuated from an expanded state to a closed state in response to an applied electric potential, and wherein at least some of the electrostatically actuated unit cells include: a first flexible member having a first electrode; and a second flexible member having a second electrode, wherein the first flexible member is attached to the second flexible member at selected spaced locations, wherein the first flexible member is pulled toward the second flexible member when the electric potential is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode.