Patent ID: 6935042

Claim:
A micro-positioner comprising: a substrate having a top surface, a substantially planar bottom surface, and an aperture substantially centered through the bottom surface to the top surface; a mounting assembly for accepting and holding a media or component; a shuttle assembly, the shuttle assembly being attached to the mounting assembly; the shuttle assembly being adapted to move directionally in response to control signals; an electronic circuit coupled to the shuttle assembly; the shuttle assembly being adapted to move in response to electronic signals from the electronic circuit; the shuttle assembly further comprising a set of expansion bars springs and clamps for each direction of movement; the set of expansion bars, springs and clamps being positioned and retained on the top surface of the substrate; the expansion bars being manufactured of an expansion material adapted to expand and retract upon the application of a current directed by the electronic circuit; the set of springs being positioned between a rigid surface of the substrate and a side of each of the expansion bars, the springs being operable to apply a force to the side of the expansion bars; the springs being further operable to provide a flexible electrical interconnect, and a stabilization member for out-of-plane motion; the clamps being manufactured of an expansion material adapted to expand and retract upon the application of a current directed by the electronic circuit; the clamps being positioned to hold the expansion bars in place when the clamps are in a contracted state, when no electrical power is applied; the clamps being operable to release the expansion bars when the clamps are in an expanded state, when electrical power is applied; the mounting assembly being rigidly attached to the expansion bars; and the mounting assembly being centered over the substrate aperture when the shuttle is in a neutral location.