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Title: Microfabricated microengine for use as a mechanical drive and power source in the microdomain and fabrication process

Abstract

A microengine uses two synchronized linear actuators as a power source and converts oscillatory motion from the actuators into rotational motion via direct linkage connection to an output gear or wheel. The microengine provides output in the form of a continuously rotating output gear that is capable of delivering drive torque to a micromechanism. The microengine can be operated at varying speeds and its motion can be reversed. Linear actuators are synchronized in order to provide linear oscillatory motion to the linkage means in the X and Y directions according to a desired position, rotational direction and speed of said mechanical output means. The output gear has gear teeth on its outer perimeter for directly contacting a micromechanism requiring mechanical power. The gear is retained by a retaining means which allows said gear to rotate freely. The microengine is microfabricated of polysilicon on one wafer using surface micromachining batch fabrication.

Inventors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
453527
Patent Number(s):
PATENTS-US-A8257317
Application Number:
ON: DE97003806; PAN: 8-257,317; TRN: AHC29707%%97
Assignee:
US Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-76DP00789
Resource Type:
Patent Application
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 1994
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER CATEGORIES; MOTORS; MINIATURIZATION; GEARS; TORQUE; ACTUATORS; FABRICATION; DESIGN; USES; MACHINE PARTS

Citation Formats

Garcia, E J, and Sniegowski, J J. Microfabricated microengine for use as a mechanical drive and power source in the microdomain and fabrication process. United States: N. p., 1994. Web.
Garcia, E J, & Sniegowski, J J. Microfabricated microengine for use as a mechanical drive and power source in the microdomain and fabrication process. United States.
Garcia, E J, and Sniegowski, J J. 1994. "Microfabricated microengine for use as a mechanical drive and power source in the microdomain and fabrication process". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/453527.
@article{osti_453527,
title = {Microfabricated microengine for use as a mechanical drive and power source in the microdomain and fabrication process},
author = {Garcia, E J and Sniegowski, J J},
abstractNote = {A microengine uses two synchronized linear actuators as a power source and converts oscillatory motion from the actuators into rotational motion via direct linkage connection to an output gear or wheel. The microengine provides output in the form of a continuously rotating output gear that is capable of delivering drive torque to a micromechanism. The microengine can be operated at varying speeds and its motion can be reversed. Linear actuators are synchronized in order to provide linear oscillatory motion to the linkage means in the X and Y directions according to a desired position, rotational direction and speed of said mechanical output means. The output gear has gear teeth on its outer perimeter for directly contacting a micromechanism requiring mechanical power. The gear is retained by a retaining means which allows said gear to rotate freely. The microengine is microfabricated of polysilicon on one wafer using surface micromachining batch fabrication.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/453527}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1994},
month = {Sat Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1994}
}