Patent ID: 7067958

Claim:
Electromechanical actuator, comprising: a first set of at least one actuator element; a second set of at least one actuator element; and an actuator backing mechanically supporting the actuator elements of the first and second sets; the actuator backing being ferromechanically inactive, the actuator backing being free from mechanically induced polarization of the material due to ferroelastic deformation; the at least one actuator element of the first set comprising electromechanically active material and electrodes arranged such that the at least one actuator element of the first set upon application of suitable voltage signals to the electrodes present shape changes causing a tip of the at least one actuator element of the first set to move in two dimensions relative to the actuator backing; and the actuator elements of the first and second sets are mechanically attached to the actuator backing by an irreversible joint.