Patent ID: 7045932

Claim:
Electromechanical translation apparatus comprising a support ( 10 ), first and second clamp assemblies ( 11 A, 11 B) fixedly secured to the support ( 10 ) at spaced apart locations, an extension actuator assembly ( 13 ) between the first and second clamp assemblies, and first and second movable members ( 12 A, 12 B) each having one end connected to a respective one of the opposite ends of the extension actuator assembly, the movable members ( 12 A, 12 B) extending through the clamp assemblies ( 11 A, 11 B), respectively, wherein each clamp assembly comprises pressure means ( 18 , 29 ) and clamp actuator means ( 21 / 1 , 21 / 2 ) acting in opposition, the pressure means for applying, when the actuator means is de-energized, clamping force to releasably clamp the associated movable member to the clamp assembly, and the clamp actuator means, when energized, acting against the pressure means to release the movable member, and control means for selectively actuating the extension actuator and the clamp actuators so as to impart stepwise motion of the movable members relative to the support.