Microelectromechanical reciprocating-tooth indexing apparatus

Patent · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:872549

Allen, James J ^[1]

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1. Albuquerque, NM

An indexing apparatus is disclosed that can be used to rotate a gear or move a rack in a precise, controllable manner. The indexing apparatus, based on a reciprocating shuttle driven by one or more actuators, can be formed either as a micromachine, or as a millimachine. The reciprocating shuttle of the indexing apparatus can be driven by a thermal, electrostatic or electromagnetic actuator, with one or more wedge-shaped drive teeth of the shuttle being moveable to engage and slide against indexing teeth on the gear or rack, thereby moving the gear or rack. The indexing apparatus can be formed by either surface micromachining processes or LIGA processes, depending on the size of the apparatus that is to be formed.

• Research Organization: SANDIA CORP
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 5959376
• OSTI ID: 872549
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/310/74/
actuator
actuators
apparatus
based
controllable
controllable manner
depending
disclosed
drive
driven
electromagnetic
electrostatic
engage
formed
gear
indexing
indexing apparatus
liga
machining process
manner
microelectromechanical
micromachine
micromachining
micromachining process
micromachining processes
millimachine
move
moveable
moving
precise
processes
rack
reciprocating
reciprocating-tooth
rotate
shuttle
size
slide
surface
surface micromachining
teeth
thermal
wedge-shaped