Ultra-precision positioning assembly

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002

OSTI ID:874535

Montesanti, Richard C ^[1]; Locke, Stanley F ^[2]; Thompson, Samuel L ^[3]

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1. San Francisco, CA
2. Livermore, CA
3. Pleasanton, CA

An apparatus and method is disclosed for ultra-precision positioning. A slide base provides a foundational support. A slide plate moves with respect to the slide base along a first geometric axis. Either a ball-screw or a piezoelectric actuator working separate or in conjunction displaces the slide plate with respect to the slide base along the first geometric axis. A linking device directs a primary force vector into a center-line of the ball-screw. The linking device consists of a first link which directs a first portion of the primary force vector to an apex point, located along the center-line of the ball-screw, and a second link for directing a second portion of the primary force vector to the apex point. A set of rails, oriented substantially parallel to the center-line of the ball-screw, direct movement of the slide plate with respect to the slide base along the first geometric axis and are positioned such that the apex point falls within a geometric plane formed by the rails. The slide base, the slide plate, the ball-screw, and the linking device together form a slide assembly. Multiple slide assemblies can be distributed about a platform. In such a configuration, the platform may be raised and lowered, or tipped and tilted by jointly or independently displacing the slide plates.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: The Regents of the University of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6408526
• OSTI ID: 874535
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ultra-precision
positioning
assembly
apparatus
method
disclosed
slide
base
provides
foundational
support
plate
moves
geometric
axis
ball-screw
piezoelectric
actuator
separate
conjunction
displaces
linking
device
directs
primary
force
vector
center-line
consists
link
portion
apex
located
directing
set
rails
oriented
substantially
parallel
direct
movement
positioned
falls
plane
formed
form
multiple
assemblies
distributed
platform
configuration
raised
lowered
tipped
tilted
jointly
independently
displacing
plates
substantially parallel
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