Patent ID: 8597428

Claim:
A linear actuator, comprising: an actuator body having a vacuum bellows portion and an actuator portion, the vacuum bellows portion and the actuator portion arranged adjacent to one another and along a longitudinal axis of the actuator body; a vacuum bellows concentrically located in the vacuum bellows portion of the actuator body, the vacuum bellows being comprised of a metallic material and configured to seal a vacuum environment communicated within the vacuum bellows from the actuator portion of the actuator body; a movable actuator shaft concentrically located substantially within the actuator body and configured to move in a linear direction along the longitudinal axis of the actuator body, an electrically conductive portion of the linear motion shaft being configured to receive and conduct electrical supply power, the electrically conductive portion concentrically located substantially within the vacuum bellows and electrically insulated from the vacuum bellows, a lift force generating portion of the linear motion shaft being concentrically located substantially within the actuator portion of the actuator body; and an electrical contact pad in electrical communication with the electrically conductive portion of the linear motion shaft and configured to electrically couple the electrical power to another surface upon activation of the movable actuator shaft.