Patent abstracts

Citation

(2011), "Patent abstracts", Assembly Automation, Vol. 31 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2011.03331daa.012

Patent abstracts

Article Type: Patent abstracts From: Assembly Automation, Volume 31, Issue 4

Title: Molecular-scale beam pump assemblies and uses thereofInventor: Pinkerton Joseph F.Publication number: US 2010300562 (A1)Publication date: December 2, 2010

Abstract

Nanomechanical, nanoelectromechanical, and other molecular-scale pump assembly are described. In certain embodiments, the pump assembly includes a cavity. The cavity includes a plurality of nanofilaments, a surface proximate at least one of the nanofilaments, a fluid flow path, and an opening. Molecules of a fluid that flows from the opening through the cavity along the fluid flow path collide with the surface or one or more of the nanofilaments such that the molecules are accelerated along the fluid flow path. A molecular-scale pump assembly includes a plate defining a plurality of openings, and a plurality of cantilevered molecular-scale beams positioned over each opening. In certain embodiment, molecules of a fluid are accelerated through the opening by asymmetric oscillation.

Title: Bidirectional movement assemblyApplicant(s): Koninkl Philips Electronics NV (NL); Rijken Antonius Maria (NL); Cuppen Martinus Antonius Maria (NL) +Publication number: WO 2011030255 (A1)Publication date: March 17, 2011

Abstract

The present invention relates to motor-assisted movement as well as to mobile X-ray systems comprising at least one bidirectional wheel. Positioning heavy objects in particular confined spaces with high precision may be a cumbersome and tedious task. Consequently, a motor-assisted movement assembly as well as an X-ray system comprising at least one bidirectional wheel is presented. According to the present invention, a motor-assisted movement assembly (comprising at least one bidirectional wheel and a motor arrangement associated with the at least one bidirectional wheel is provided. The motor-assisted movement assembly is adapted to move on a surface, wherein the at least one bidirectional wheel is adapted to roll in at least a first direction and in at least a second direction, with the first direction and the second direction being non-parallel. The motor-assisted movement assembly is adapted to detect an indication of a desired movement of the motor-assisted movement assembly relative to the surface and the motor arrangement is adapted to assist the movement of the motor-assisted movement assembly relative to the surface in accordance with the indication.

Title: Micro-devices for biomedical applications and method of use of samePublication number: US 2010256518 (A1)Publication date: October 7, 2010Inventor: Yu Chris C. (US) and Yu He (US)

Abstract

Micro-devices for biological applications are disclosed herein. The types of micro-devices include, but are not limited to, micro-mechanical, micro-chemical, micro-chemical-mechanical, micro-electro-mechanical, micro-electro-chemical-mechanical, micro-bio-electro-chemical-mechanical, micro-optical, micro-acoustical, micro-biological, micro-electromechanical, micro-electromagnetic mechanical, micro-acoustic-mechanical and micro-superconducting mechanical devices, and various combinations thereof. Such devices can range from a single material with desired properties to a complex unit with multiple materials and sub-unit or units integrated onto it capable of carrying out multiple functions. Such devices are designed to carry out a range of functions in biological applications including but not limited to scanning and testing for diseased cells and organs, treating diseases, and preventing diseases in live biological systems. One of such applications using the said micro-device is to carry out cleaning functions for medical purposes, in which micro-devices are employed to “clean” various organs in the human body, including arteries and veins, to remove unwanted deposits to prevent strokes and heart attacks. Another application is to perform micro-surgical functions in a non-invasive manner with a high degree of precision and a minimum degree of damage to healthy cells and organs. Another application using the said micro-device is to selectively remove or destroy cancer cells through novel approaches including targeted attachment of desired micro-shields to healthy cells, or targeted attachment of micro-injectors to unhealthy or cancer cells. Yet another application employing the said micro-device includes one or a combination of performing drug delivery, cutting, removing, polishing, transporting, jointing, diagnosing, sensing, and measuring functions at the cellular structure level or organ level for medical purposes.

Title: Three-dimensional magnetic structure for microassemblyApplicant(s): Seagate Technology LLC (US)Publication number: US 2010219156 (A1)Publication date: September 2, 2010

Abstract

Micro-structures and methods for creating complex, three-dimensional magnetic micro-components and their application for batch-level microassembly. Included is a method for making complex, three-dimensional magnetic structures by depositing a first photoimageable magnet/polymer material on a substrate and patterning to form at least one first active magnetic area and at least one first sacrificial area, then depositing a second photoimageable magnet/polymer material and patterning to form at least one second active magnetic area and at least one second sacrificial area, and then removing the first sacrificial area and the second sacrificial area. Also included is a micro-structure self-assembly method, the method including providing a substrate having at least one magnetic receptor site, and engaging a three-dimensional magnetic micro-structure having a magnetic micro-component with the substrate by aligning the magnetic micro-component with the magnetic receptor site.

Title: Mems-based micro- and nano-grippers with two-axis force sensorsInventor: Sun Yu (CA) and Kim Keekyoung (CA)Publication number: US 2010207411 (A1)Publication date: August 19, 2010

Abstract

The present invention relates to a design and microfabrication method for microgrippers that are capable of grasping micro- and nano-objects of a large range of sizes and two-axis force sensing capabilities. Gripping motion is produced by one or more electrothermal actuators. Integrated force sensors along x- and y-directions enable the measurement of gripping forces as well as the forces applied at the end of microgripper arms along the normal direction, both with a resolution down to nanoNewton. The microfabrication method enables monolithic integration of the actuators and the force sensors.

Title: High-precision adjustable-speed linear micro-displacement work tablePublication number: CN 101860256 (A)Applicant(s): Univ Dalian TechPublication date: October 13, 2010

Abstract

The invention discloses a high-precision adjustable-speed linear micro-displacement work table, belonging to the technical field of ultra-precise manufacture and detection, and in particular relating to a micro-displacement work table which realizes the high precision and the speed adjustment through the inverse piezoelectric effect and the friction micro-drive technology. The work table is provided with a micro-drive unit, a bearing plate, a guiding device and a basal body. The micro-drive unit is formed by combining a first piezoelectric ceramic drive, a second piezoelectric ceramic drive, a third piezoelectric ceramic drive, a first adjusting sheet, a second adjusting sheet, a third adjusting sheet, a plane triple flexible structure and a friction contact angle, wherein the first piezoelectric ceramic drive, the second piezoelectric ceramic drive and the third piezoelectric ceramic drive are parallel to each other and are coplanarly arranged; and a left ellipse flexible structure, a right ellipse flexible structure and a single-steady state flexible structure in the plane triple flexible structure and a four-footed flexible support beam are centrally and symmetrically arranged. Through the composite motion of the piezoelectric drive and the plane triple flexible structure, the invention realizes the micro-displacement technology with high precision, large stroke (theoretically maximum stroke without limitation), large load, adjustable step pitch and response frequency, and high-electro-mechanical transformation efficiency, and can meet different use requirements in fields of precise manufacture, detection, and micro-operation.

Title: Sensors for scanning probe microscopy, method for three-dimensional measurement and method for manufacturing such sensorsApplicant(s): AMG Technology Ltd (BG); Stavrov Vladimir (BG)Publication number: WO 2011038470 (A1)Publication date: April 7, 2011

Abstract

The sensors for SPM consist of a body, microcantilever and probe member, having a common flat surface in which at least one functionalization element shaped as trench and/or opening is formed with a heterogeneous probe element assembled in it, such as carbon nanotube (CNT) or other type nano-sized tubes, fibers, micro-crystals, etc. including such with a complex shape and specially functionalized. In a sensor embodiment, piezoresistors are used for transdusing the bending oscillation of the microcantilever and probe member in electrical signal. The three-dimensional measurement method allows using common scanning microscopy system, in a particular point of the scanning grid to perform measurement in all three directions without translating/rotating the system and/or the sample or change the sensor, by controlled periodic actuation of sensor with microcantilever and probe member with individual oscillation characteristics of bending without torsion in each direction of measurement, which characteristics are discernible from one another upon measurement and the number of the probe elements used is sufficient to ensure measurement in each of the three directions. The invention includes also a method for manufacturing the described sensor.

Title: Flexible microgripper through topological optimizationApplicant: Univ Dalian TechPublication number: CN101717063 (A)Publication date: June 2, 2010

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible microgripper through topological optimization, which belongs to a microactuators in the technical field of the micro-electro mechanical systems and is a flexible electrothermally driven microgripper. The flexible microgripper consists of a shift amplifying section and a driving section and is an integral structure with the eudipleural gripper body. The shift amplifying section M is designed by using the topological optimization method and comprises left- and right-triangular components and a flexible rod, wherein the left- and right-triangular components randomly hollow triangle structures. The driving section comprises a V-shaped beam array, left-and right-driving fixed rods and left and right electrodes. The microgripper has the advantages of unique and novel structure, large output shift, rapid response, simple control, convenient integration and is effective and energy saving without applying drive in the process of gripping objects, thereby the microgripper is quite suitable for gripping minute objects for micro-assembly, micro-operation and the like.