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55 results about "Flexure bearing" patented technology

A flexure bearing is a category of flexure which is engineered to be compliant in one or more angular degrees of freedom. Flexure bearings are often part of compliant mechanisms. Flexure bearings serve much of the same function as conventional bearings or hinges in applications which require angular compliance. However, flexures require no lubrication and exhibit very low or no friction.

Micromachined 3-axis accelerometer with a single proof-mass

This document discusses, among other things, an inertial measurement system including a device layer including a single proof-mass 3-axis accelerometer, a cap wafer bonded to a first surface of the device layer, and a via wafer bonded to a second surface of the device layer, wherein the cap wafer and the via wafer are configured to encapsulate the single proof-mass 3-axis accelerometer. The single proof-mass 3-axis accelerometer can be suspended about a single, central anchor, and can include separate x, y, and z-axis flexure bearings, wherein the x and y-axis flexure bearings are symmetrical about the single, central anchor and the z-axis flexure is not symmetrical about the single, central anchor.
Owner:QST CORP

Densifier for simultaneous conditioning of two cryogenic liquids

A densifier is provided which in one embodiment can simultaneously densify two cryogenic liquids at different temperatures. The densifier has an oscillatory power source for generating oscillatory power and a two stage pulse tube refrigerator. The oscillatory power source can be a thermoacoustic heat engine or a mechanical oscillatory power source such as a linear flexure bearing compressor. The first stage densifies a first cryogenic liquid to a first cryogenic temperature, and the second stage densifies a second cryogenic liquid to a second, lower cryogenic temperature. A densified propellant management system also is provided which has a densifier for simultaneously densifying two cryogenic liquids at different temperatures, and a cryogenic temperature probe for measuring the temperature gradient in a cryogenic liquid.
Owner:SIERRA LOBO

Aerial digital camera and method of controlling the same

An aerial digital camera comprises a housing 15, a lens, a frame 45, an image sensor 35 mounted on the frame, at least three flexure bearings 51 connecting the frame and the housing, the flexure bearings allowing a displacement of the frame relative to the housing in a displacement direction 67 parallel to a light receiving surface of the image sensor, a spring 69 providing a biasing force between the housing and the frame oriented in the displacement direction; and an actuator 71 for displacing the frame relative to the housing against the biasing force of the spring.
Owner:TRIMBLE GERMANY

Aerial digital camera and method of controlling the same

An aerial digital camera comprises a housing 15, a lens, a frame 45, an image sensor 35 mounted on the frame, at least three flexure bearings 51 connecting the frame and the housing, the flexure bearings allowing a displacement of the frame relative to the housing in a displacement direction 67 parallel to a light receiving surface of the image sensor, a spring 69 providing a biasing force between the housing and the frame oriented in the displacement direction; and an actuator 71 for displacing the frame relative to the housing against the biasing force of the spring.
Owner:TRIMBLE GERMANY

Rotary flexure bearing

This rotary flexure bearing is a monolithic structure with inner and outer hubs connected by unique rotary compound flexure stages. These rotary compound flexure stages provide the angular compliance required for bearing rotation as well as compliance for flexure foreshortening while holding a constant axis of rotation with great precision over the entire range of motion. This design offers large angular displacement, low operating stress, low operating torque, and high stiffness in the five noncompliant degrees of freedom. The rotary flexure bearing described herein has applications in precision mechanics, particularly opto-mechanics. Specific applications include but are not limited to wafer and reticle alignment stages used in microlithography systems, mirror pointing and scanning mechanisms used in tactical and spaceborne systems, as well as flip-in mechanisms used in multiple field of view optical systems.
Owner:VALOIS MICHAEL

Densifier for simultaneous conditioning of two cryogenic liquids

A densifier is provided which in one embodiment can simultaneously densify two cryogenic liquids at different temperatures. The densifier has an oscillatory power source for generating oscillatory power and a two stage pulse tube refrigerator. The oscillatory power source can be a thermoacoustic heat engine or a mechanical oscillatory power source such as a linear flexure bearing compressor. The first stage densifies a first cryogenic liquid to a first cryogenic temperature, and the second stage densifies a second cryogenic liquid to a second, lower cryogenic temperature. A densified propellant management system also is provided which has a densifier for simultaneously densifying two cryogenic liquids at different temperatures, and a cryogenic temperature probe for measuring the temperature gradient in a cryogenic liquid.
Owner:SIERRA LOBO

Two-beam interferometer for fourier transform spectroscopy with double pivot scanning mechanism

A two-beam interferometer for Fourier Transform spectroscopy has a double pivot scanning mechanism. The interferometer has two rigid pendulums that are each rotatable to swing around an associated one of distinct axes of rotation. A linkage links the two rigid pendulums to each other and constrains their rotation relative to each other. The interferometer has bearings, which may be flexure bearings, for rotatably mounting the two pendulums to swing around an associated one of the distinct axes of rotation and a first and a second bearing linking the linkage to an associated one of the pendulums. The two rigid pendulums, the linkage and the bearings can be a monolithic structure.
Owner:ABB INC

Compliant gripper with integrated position and grasping/interaction force sensing for microassembly

A compliant gripper with integrated position and force sensors dedicated to automated micro-assembly tasks. The gripper possesses a larger gripping range with a bidirectional drive, and is capable of detecting grasping force and environmental interaction forces in horizontal and vertical axes. The gripper has a compliant rotary flexure bearing. The gripper further has a compliant mechanism with two-stage stiffness designed to provide force sensing with dual sensitivities in two measuring ranges to accommodate the grasping of objects with different sizes. The dual-sensitivity, dual-range force sensor provides finer and coarser force sensing in a small and large ranges, respectively. Analytical models are derived to predict the grasping range, force sensing sensitivities, and force measuring ranges. These models are verified by conducting finite-element analysis simulations.
Owner:UNIVERSITY OF MACAU

Compliant gripper with integrated position and grasping/interaction force sensing for microassembly

A compliant gripper with integrated position and force sensors dedicated to automated micro-assembly tasks. The gripper possesses a larger gripping range with a bidirectional drive, and is capable of detecting grasping force and environmental interaction forces in horizontal and vertical axes. The gripper has a compliant rotary flexure bearing. The gripper further has a compliant mechanism with two-stage stiffness designed to provide force sensing with dual sensitivities in two measuring ranges to accommodate the grasping of objects with different sizes. The dual-sensitivity, dual-range force sensor provides finer and coarser force sensing in a small and large ranges, respectively. Analytical models are derived to predict the grasping range, force sensing sensitivities, and force measuring ranges. These models are verified by conducting finite-element analysis simulations.
Owner:UNIVERSITY OF MACAU

Extensometer assembly for use in material testing systems

An extensometer assembly for use in association with a material testing system. The extensometer assembly has a pair of extensometers each of which includes a first arm and a second arm. The arms are pivotally coupled together through a connector, such as a flexure bearing. The extensometers may be positioned on opposing sides of a specimen to be tested. A pair of clips extending between opposing first arms and opposing second arms, respectively, retains the extensometers engaged to the specimen on opposing sides of the specimen.
Owner:PSYLOTECH

Monolithic rotational flexure bearing and methods of manufacture

According to one aspect, a monolithically formed rotational flexure bearing is provided. In one example, the rotational flexure bearing includes a stationary portion, a rotating portion, and at least one flexure element. The stationary portion, rotating portion, and at the at least one flexure element are monolithically formed. The rotating portion is coupled to the stationary portion through the at least one flexure element, thereby allowing relative rotation of the rotating portion with respect to the stationary portion. The stationary portion may include a center axis portion along a rotational axis of the flexure bearing and opposing fixed plates on either end, the rotating portion positioned between the opposing fixed plates. The flexure elements may extend from the center axis portion to the rotating portion. The flexure bearing may include between 2 or more flexure elements.
Owner:CALIFORNIA INST OF TECH +1

Stiffness compensation in opto-mechanical mechanisms

An optical scanning or positioning mechanism has a head on which optical components are mounted and an actuator coupled to the head to cause the head to move when the actuator is actuated. There are one or more sets of flexure bearings mounted in the mechanism. The flexure bearings have a restoring torque when moved from a rest position. The bearings are coupled to the head to allow the head to move when actuated by the actuator. One or more magnets are mounted in the mechanism in a location other than in the actuator to compensate for the flexure bearings restoring torque.
Owner:ABB INC

Flexible bearing for compliant mechanisms

A flexure bearing having a first sleeve and a second sleeve is provided. Each sleeve includes a first pillar having a first end attached to the sleeve and a second end projecting outwardly from the sleeve and a second pillar having a first end attached to the sleeve and a second end projecting outwardly from the sleeve parallel to and diametrically opposed to the first pillar. The flexure bearing has a plurality of blind holes and a plurality of compression springs, each compression spring having a first spring end fit into one of the blind holes of a pillar of the first sleeve and a second spring end fit into a corresponding blind hole of an adjacent pillar of the second sleeve when the second sleeve is interconnected to the first sleeve.
Owner:PRINCE MOHAMMAD BIN FAHD UNIV

Modular elements employing latches with flexure bearings

Modular elements employing latches with flexure bearings are disclosed. A modular element may include a chassis body supporting electronic components. The body is in communication with a latch and a control member of the modular element. The modular element is removable from or secured to an enclosure using the latch. The latch may engage the enclosure and may remain engaged by being secured by interfacing with a catch of an arm of the control member. By connecting the arm to the control body with a flexure bearing, the flexure bearing may urge the catch into a detent of the latch to secure the latch and keep the modular element secured to the enclosure. The latch may be disengaged from the control member by removing the catch from the detent. In this manner, the modular element is efficiently secured and removed from the enclosure.
Owner:INT BUSINESS MASCH CORP

Deformation-based micro surface texturing system

ActiveUS8905748B2Efficiently and economically fabricatingWithout reducing original thicknessLayered productsConfectioneryWork rollMechanical engineering
A compact deformation-based micro-texturing apparatus and method employ flexure bearing houses for rotatably supporting opposite ends of each of a first (e.g. upper) roll and a second (e.g. lower) roll to provide a working roll gap between the rolls, wherein at least one of the rolls has one or more micro surface features to plastically deform a surface of a workpiece deformed by rolling action in the roll gap. An electrical current may be passed through the workpiece to assist micro deformation. A roll gap adjusting device is operably associated with the first and second flexure bearing houses for adjusting the roll gap dimension to the final depth of the micro surface features to be imparted to the surface of the workpiece by the rolling action.
Owner:NORTHWESTERN UNIV

Device for focusing a microscope objective on a sample

A device for focusing a microscope objective on a sample accurately with a high spatial resolution. The device has a positioning unit having a main body, an objective holder movably supported on the main body and adapted to hold the microscope objective, and an actuator for moving the objective holder along the optical axis of the microscope objective. The objective holder holds the microscope objective only at a front portion of the microscope objective facing the sample. The positioning unit includes one or more lever arms, each of which coupled at its one end via a first flexure bearing to the main body and at its other end via a second flexure bearing to the objective holder. The main body of the positioning unit is attached to a stage that carries the sample.
Owner:LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH

Compact flexure bearing spring for springing multiple bodies

A flexure bearing “planar” spring that can spring multiple, independently reciprocating bodies, such as springing each body to a third body or springing a first body to a second body and springing the second body to a third body. A primary arm set of primary spring arms are separated from each other by openings and extend inwardly from a peripheral frame along a non-radial primary path progressing inwardly toward a central axis and angularly about the central axis. A secondary arm set of at least one secondary spring arm extends along a non-radial secondary path progressing radially and angularly about the central axis. Each secondary arm is interposed in an opening between the primary arms allowing the primary arms and the secondary arms to pass by each other through the openings without interfering with each other.
Owner:SUNPOWER

Compressor cooler and its assembly procedure

A cryogenic refrigerator and more particularly, the cryogenic refrigerator compressor assembly procedure and to a mechanism for supporting piston for use in such a cryogenic refrigerator is described. Embodiments of the present invention solve the above-mentioned drawbacks by avoiding the radial movements of the piston. The assembly procedure of a cooler compressor comprises coating at least one piston by a material, placing each piston in the cylinder, raising the temperature up until a predetermined temperature so as the piston and / or its coat expands to occupy all the cylinder, fixing each piston in the cylinder in this position until the temperature returns to ambient temperature. Another object of this invention is the cooler compressor piston spring having two flexure bearings separated by a gap connected together by a first and an outer ring.
Owner:THALES NEDERLAND BV

Linear flexure bearing

This compound linear flexure bearing incorporates a simple but unique flexure arrangement which inherently allows stable long travel operation. The flexure arrangement passively constrains all degrees of freedom except translation along the bearing axis while also compensating for flexure foreshortening. This design permits large displacement, low operating stress, low operating force, and high stiffness in the five noncompliant degrees of freedom. The linear flexure bearing described herein has applications in precision mechanics, particularly opto-mechanics. Specific applications include but are not limited to wafer and reticle positioning stages used in microlithography systems, optic translation and scanning mechanisms used in tactical and spaceborne systems, as well as flip-in mechanisms used in multiple field of view optical systems.
Owner:VALOIS MICHAEL

Modular elements employing latches with flexure bearings

Modular elements employing latches with flexure bearings are disclosed. A modular element may include a chassis body supporting electronic components. The body is in communication with a latch and a control member of the modular element. The modular element is removable from or secured to an enclosure using the latch. The latch may engage the enclosure and may remain engaged by being secured by interfacing with a catch of an arm of the control member. By connecting the arm to the control body with a flexure bearing, the flexure bearing may urge the catch into a detent of the latch to secure the latch and keep the modular element secured to the enclosure. The latch may be disengaged from the control member by removing the catch from the detent. In this manner, the modular element is efficiently secured and removed from the enclosure.
Owner:IBM CORP

High bandwidth linear flexure bearing

A system and a method are disclosed for a high bandwidth linear flexure bearing, which may be particularly useful in high end accelerometers and high-precision linear servo mechanisms. Certain embodiments may apply to sensors that measure motion in one dimension. Such embodiments may substantially improve the off-axis performance of the sensors providing ultra-repeatability while maintaining linearity of motion and linearity in spring rate Some embodiments use spring flexures and flex-couplers to support the sensor stage and connect it to the reference base. Several embodiments are disclosed that may fit the needs of specific applications in the area of high-end servos and accelerometers.
Owner:RAYTHEON CO

Timepiece oscillator with flexure bearings having a long angular stroke

A mechanical timepiece oscillator includes, between a support and an inertial element, a flexure bearing with flexible strips crossed in projection, including, superposed, an upper level that includes, between an upper support and an upper inertial element, an upper primary strip in a first direction and an upper secondary strip in a second direction, and a lower level that includes, between a lower support and a lower inertial element, a lower primary strip in the first direction and a lower secondary strip in the second direction. The upper level and lower level include, between the support and the upper or respectively lower support, a translational table with an elastic connection along one or two axes of freedom in the oscillation plane, of lower stiffness than that of each flexible strip.
Owner:THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD

Rotating resonator with flexure bearing maintained by a detached lever escapement

Timepiece regulator comprising a detached lever escapement mechanism, and a resonator with a quality factor Q including an inertia element including an impulse pin cooperating with a fork of the lever, subjected to the return force of two flexible strips attached to the plate, defining a virtual pivot having a main axis (DP), the lever pivoting about a secondary axis (DS), and the lift angle (β) of the resonator, during which the impulse pin is in contact with the fork, is less than 10°, and the ratio IB / IA between the inertia IB of the inertia element with respect to the main axis (DP) and the inertia IA of the lever with respect to the secondary axis (DS) is greater than 2Q·α2 / (0.1·π·β2), where α is the lift angle of the lever corresponding to the maximum angular travel of the fork.
Owner:ETA SA MFG HORLOGERE SUISSE

Timepiece resonator comprising at least one flexure bearing

ActiveUS20200192291A1StiffenLimit anticlastic curvatureFrequency stabilisation mechanismTransverse axisEngineering
Timepiece resonator (100) comprising an inertia element (4; 5) suspended from a flexible strip (2) deformable in a plane XY parallel to a longitudinal direction Y, and whose transverse extension along a transverse axis X, in projection onto the plane XY, is variable and of positive value on at least one side of the neutral axis (FN) of said strip (2), which includes, at a distance from its embedments, at least one rib (3) extending substantially along an axis Z perpendicular to the plane XY, each having at least one generatrix which is farther from the neutral axis (FN) than the external surfaces of the sections (6) of the strip (2) located outside the ribs (3), and the longitudinal extension (LN) of each rib (3) of the strip (2), along the longitudinal axis Y, is less than one fifth of the length L of the strip (2) between its embedments.
Owner:ETA SA MFG HORLOGERE SUISSE

Deformation-based micro surface texturing system

ActiveUS20120164384A1Minimal material wasteLow costLayered productsConfectioneryPower flowWork roll
A compact deformation-based micro-texturing apparatus and method employ flexure bearing houses for rotatably supporting opposite ends of each of a first (e.g. upper) roll and a second (e.g. lower) roll to provide a working roll gap between the rolls, wherein at least one of the rolls has one or more micro surface features to plastically deform a surface of a workpiece deformed by rolling action in the roll gap. An electrical current may be passed through the workpiece to assist micro deformation. A roll gap adjusting device is operably associated with the first and second flexure bearing houses for adjusting the roll gap dimension to the final depth of the micro surface features to be imparted to the surface of the workpiece by the rolling action.
Owner:NORTHWESTERN UNIV

Method for making a flexure bearing mechanism for a mechanical timepiece oscillator

A method for making a flexure bearing for an oscillator with an inertial element oscillating in a plane supported by flexible strips fixed to a stationary support returning it to a rest position includes: forming the bearing with basic strips in superposed levels, each having an aspect ratio of less than 10; breaking down the number of basic levels into a plurality of sub-units, each including one or two strips joining a basic support and a basic inertial element, which are made by etching substrates; assembling the sub-units by joining their basic inertial elements; and fixing the basic supports to the support, directly or via translational tables along one or two in-plane translational degrees of freedom, of lower translational stiffness than that of the sub-unit.
Owner:THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD
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