Patent ID: 8508098

Claim:
A micro-electro-mechanical system device for actuating a gimbaled element, the device comprising: (a) an electromagnetic actuator for actuating a first angular degree of freedom (DOF) of rotation about the vertical axis; and (b) an electrostatic actuator for actuating a second angular DOF of rotation about the horizontal axis, wherein said horizontal axis and said vertical axis are orthogonal and coplanar, wherein the horizontal axis comprises an internal axis driven electrostatically and the vertical axis comprises an external axis driven electromagnetically, and wherein said electromagnetic actuator has a symmetric structure, which is symmetric with respect to the horizontal plane, thereby to define a plane of symmetry, and with respect to the vertical z axis, thereby to define an axis of symmetry, and which is operative for actuating forces produced by said electromagnetic actuator, to create only a rotational movement of said first DOF about said vertical axis, wherein the electromagnetic actuator's symmetric structure includes two pairs of magnet-assemblies, each individual pair from among said pairs comprising two magnets arranged symmetrically about the vertical axis and engaging top and bottom ends thereof.