US3779400A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Micromanipulator system
Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc
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Filing: 1972-02-14
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1992-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A system for manipulating tools or samples over very small distances uses orthogonally-oriented linear electromechanical transducers connected to a tool by means of a bendable linkage to control the position of the tool. A control stick is connected to three linear potentiometers, and when it is moved by an operator in a desired direction, the potentiometers are positioned to generate signals to control their associated electromechanical transducers such that the tool or the sample moves in the desired direction, also.
Inventors
- 👤 W Brockman
- 👤 M Greer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:30
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A micromanipulator system for controlling the motion of a tool comprising: first, second and third electromechanical transducers mounted for independent motion along three orthogonal axes; each transducer including a movable portion, a fixed portion, a permanent magnet on one portion, and a conductive coil on the other portion; means for mounting the movable portion of said transducer for movement along a straight line; a rigid tool support holding said tool; laterally bendable coupling means connecting the movable portion of each transducer means with said tool support, whereby said tool support may be moved along any orthogonal axis independently of the others; hand-operated lever means remote from said tool and adapted to be moved by an operator; means for mounting said lever means while permitting independent three-axis motion thereof; first, second and third electrical control channels associated respectively with said first, second and third transducers for generating electrical control signals representative of a desired position for said tool and for coupling said control signals to said respective transducers to control the motion of said tool; first, second and third variable impedance means associated respectively with said first, second and third channels and positioned in orthogonallyoriented directions corresponding to the desired direction of motion of said transducers, said first, second and third channels including said impEdance means respectively for generating said control signals; and linkage mechanism interconnecting said lever with said first, second and third impedance means for adjusting said electrical signals fed to said transducers in response to the movement of said lever.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
A micromanipulator system for controlling the motion of a tool comprising: first, second and third electromechanical transducers mounted for independent motion along three orthogonal axes; each transducer including a movable portion, a fixed portion, a permanent magnet on one portion, and a conductive coil on the other portion; means for mounting the movable portion of said transducer for movement along a straight line; a rigid tool support holding said tool; laterally bendable coupling means connecting the movable portion of each transducer means with said tool support, whereby said tool support may be moved along any orthogonal axis independently of the others; hand-operated lever means remote from said tool and adapted to be moved by an operator; means for mounting said lever means while permitting independent three-axis motion thereof; first, second and third electrical control channels associated respectively with said first, second and third transducers for generating electrical control signals representative of a desired position for said tool and for coupling said control signals to said respective transducers to control the motion of said tool; first, second and third variable impedance means associated respectively with said first, second and third channels and positioned in orthogonallyoriented directions corresponding to the desired direction of motion of said transducers, said first, second and third channels including said impEdance means respectively for generating said control signals; and linkage mechanism interconnecting said lever with said first, second and third impedance means for adjusting said electrical signals fed to said transducers in response to the movement of said lever.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
286 words
A micromanipulator system for controlling the motion of a tool relative to a specimen comprising: first, second and third electromechanical transducers mounted for independent motion along three orthogonal axes; each transducer including a movable portion, a fixed portion, a permanent magnet on one portion, and a conductive coil on the other portion; means for mounting the movable portion of said transducer for movement along a straight line; a rigid tool support holding said tool; a support for said specimen; laterally bendable coupling means connected to the movable portion of said first and second transducer means with said tool support, whereby said tool support may be movable along either of said first and second orthogonal axes independently of the other; means connecting the movable portion of said third transducer means to said support for said specimen; hand-operated lever means remote from said tool and adapted to be moved by an operator; means for mounting said lever means while permitting independent three-axis motion thereof; first, second and third electrical control channels associated respectively with said first, second and third transducers for generating electrical control signals representative of a desired position for said tool and for coupling said control signals to said respective transducers to control the motion of said tool; first, second and third variable impedance means associated respectively with said first, second and third channels and positioned in orthogonally-oriented directions corresponding to the desired direction of motion of said transducers, said first, second and third channels including said impedance means respectively for generating said control signals; and linkage mechanism interconnecting said lever with said first, second and third impedance means for adjusting said electrical signals fed to said transducers in response to the movement of said lever.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
286 words
A micromanipulator system for controlling the motion of a tool relative to a specimen comprising: first, second and third electromechanical transducers mounted for independent motion along three orthogonal axes; each transducer including a movable portion, a fixed portion, a permanent magnet on one portion, and a conductive coil on the other portion; means for mounting the movable portion of said transducer for movement along a straight line; a rigid tool support holding said tool; a support for said specimen; laterally bendable coupling means connected to the movable portion of said first and second transducer means with said tool support, whereby said tool support may be movable along either of said first and second orthogonal axes independently of the other; means connecting the movable portion of said third transducer means to said support for said specimen; hand-operated lever means remote from said tool and adapted to be moved by an operator; means for mounting said lever means while permitting independent three-axis motion thereof; first, second and third electrical control channels associated respectively with said first, second and third transducers for generating electrical control signals representative of a desired position for said tool and for coupling said control signals to said respective transducers to control the motion of said tool; first, second and third variable impedance means associated respectively with said first, second and third channels and positioned in orthogonally-oriented directions corresponding to the desired direction of motion of said transducers, said first, second and third channels including said impedance means respectively for generating said control signals; and linkage mechanism interconnecting said lever with said first, second and third impedance means for adjusting said electrical signals fed to said transducers in response to the movement of said lever.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3449754A
Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |