Ultra-precision positioning assembly

Patent · 31 December 2001

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
• 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

/33/269/
actuator
apex
apparatus
assemblies
assembly
axis
ball-screw
base
center-line
configuration
conjunction
consists
device
direct
directing
directs
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displaces
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distributed
falls
force
form
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foundational
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independently
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link
linking
located
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method
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multiple
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platform
portion
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primary
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rails
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slide
substantially
substantially parallel
support
tilted
tipped
ultra-precision
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