Patent US4560925A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4560925A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mirror position sensor and associated pivot suspension for improved track selection in optical data disk system
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1982-09-30
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Granted: 1985-12-24
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Expires: 2002-09-30
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a laser recording arrangement including a pivotable mirror for redirecting the laser beam in a controlled scan mode plus an associated electro-optical position monitor for monitoring mirror orientation, these being housed in a unitary casting with a particular torsional form of pivot suspension.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey E. Niven
- 👤 Der-Chang Hsieh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:32
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K41/00; H02K41/02; H02K41/035; H02K41/0352; H02K41/0354; H02K41/0358; G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/08; G11B7/085; G11B7/08547; G11B7/09; G11B7/0925
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for automatically accommodating the single axis pivoting of rotatable load means, the apparatus being adapted to provide a "pivot-signal" whose variance corresponds to said pivoting, and including: magnetic pivot motor means adapted to controllably pivot the load means; and housing means adapted to mount the load means; said load means being mounted on a prescribed flexure-strip pivot suspension means, adapted to function as a torsion bar flexure; this flexure-strip being formed of a thin flat sheet of flexible metal stock relieved relatively centrally to provide a center-plate joined to an outer ring portion by a pair of like thin opposed land portions, said motor means including a magnetic circuit surrounding a "core zone", said suspension means being disposed in this "core-zone".
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for automatically accommodating the single axis pivoting of rotatable load means, the apparatus being adapted to provide a "pivot-signal" whose variance corresponds to said pivoting, and including: magnetic pivot motor means adapted to controllably pivot the load means; and housing means adapted to mount the load means; said load means being mounted on a prescribed flexure-strip pivot suspension means, adapted to function as a torsion bar flexure; this flexure-strip being formed of a thin flat sheet of flexible metal stock relieved relatively centrally to provide a center-plate joined to an outer ring portion by a pair of like thin opposed land portions, said motor means including a magnetic circuit surrounding a "core zone", said suspension means being disposed in this "core-zone".
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the flexure sheet is formed and mounted to provide "single-axis rotation", with relatively high flexibility in one pivot direction and relatively high stiffness in all other directions, especially orthogonal to the pivot-direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination as recited in claim 2 wherein the flexure-strip is formed as a torsion bar suspension from a copper alloy sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination as recited in claim 3 wherein the torsion bar is cut-out from standard thin Be-Cu sheet stock.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination as recited in claim 4 wherein the bar is etched from a prescribed melt of Be-Cu sheet-stock having a uniform thickness of from about one mil to a few mils.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination as recited in claim 3 wherein the strip also carries magnetic-core means adapted to cooperate with the magnetic circuit means to enhance magnetic pivoting forces.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of providing apparatus for automatically monitoring the pivoting position of rotatable load means, the method being adapted to provide a "pivot-signal" whose variance corresponds to said pivoting, this method including: providing magnetic motor means adapted to controllably pivot the load means; mounting the load means in a unitary housing means; and suspending said load means being mounted on a prescribed flexure-strip pivot means, adapted to operate as a torsion bar flexure which is adapted to provide "single-axis rotation", with relatively high flexibility in one pivot direction and relatively high stiffness in all other directions, especially orthogonal to the pivot-direction.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of providing apparatus for automatically monitoring the pivoting position of rotatable load means, the method being adapted to provide a "pivot-signal" whose variance corresponds to said pivoting, this method including: providing magnetic motor means adapted to controllably pivot the load means; mounting the load means in a unitary housing means; and suspending said load means being mounted on a prescribed flexure-strip pivot means, adapted to operate as a torsion bar flexure which is adapted to provide "single-axis rotation", with relatively high flexibility in one pivot direction and relatively high stiffness in all other directions, especially orthogonal to the pivot-direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the flexure is formed of a thin sheet of flexible metal stock relieved relatively centrally to provide a center-plate joined to an outer ring portion by a pair of like thin opposed land portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
Improved pivot means for mounting and driving a prescribed, relatively low-mass load so as to be rotated very precisely in small angular increments, and including suspension means and magnetic motor means including circuit means surrounding said suspension means; the suspension means comprising a flexure strip formed to present a flat, metal mounting plate between a pair of torsion-strip arms and adapted to provide "single-axis rotation", with relatively high flexibility in one pivot direction and relatively high stiffness in all other directions, especially orthogonal to the pivot-direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
Improved pivot means for mounting and driving a prescribed, relatively low-mass load so as to be rotated very precisely in small angular increments, and including suspension means and magnetic motor means including circuit means surrounding said suspension means; the suspension means comprising a flexure strip formed to present a flat, metal mounting plate between a pair of torsion-strip arms and adapted to provide "single-axis rotation", with relatively high flexibility in one pivot direction and relatively high stiffness in all other directions, especially orthogonal to the pivot-direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination as recited in claim 9 wherein the flexure strip is formed of a thin sheet of flexible metal stock relieved relatively centrally to provide a center-plate joined to an outer ring portion by a pair of like thin opposed land portions; and wherein the so-mounted center-plate and load is adapted to be pivoted by the magnetic motor means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as recited in claim 10 wherein a magnetic-core means is mounted on the center-plate between a pair of magnet poles, this core means made large enough to effect a satisfactory level of motive-flux.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination as recited in claim 11 wherein an associated pivot-motor coil is mounted on this center-plate and adapted to coact with the flux from the poles to rotate the plate and mirror means attached thereto, in accordance with prescribed position control current.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of providing pivot means for mounting and driving a prescribed, relatively low-mass load so as to be rotated very precisely in small angular increments, the method comprising: providing magnetic motor means; forming a flexure strip by selecting flat thin spring-stock and cutting-out central portions to form a prescribed plate-section suspended on opposing thin arm sections; the plate-section being pivotable as a "twistable-blade" on the arm sections; mounting the load on this plate-section; and disposing the plate-section centrally of said motor means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of providing pivot means for mounting and driving a prescribed, relatively low-mass load so as to be rotated very precisely in small angular increments, the method comprising: providing magnetic motor means; forming a flexure strip by selecting flat thin spring-stock and cutting-out central portions to form a prescribed plate-section suspended on opposing thin arm sections; the plate-section being pivotable as a "twistable-blade" on the arm sections; mounting the load on this plate-section; and disposing the plate-section centrally of said motor means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said strip is so formed by etching-out Be-Cu shim stock, up to a few mils thick.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of providing pivot means for mounting and driving a prescribed, relatively low-mass load so as to be rotated very precisely in small angular increments, the method comprising: selecting a prescribed thin plate of flexible metal; relieving inner portions of the plate to form a twistable "center-blade section" suspended between a pair of thin "torsion-arm sections" connecting this blade to the remaining "outer-section" of the plate so as to be "unidirectionally pivotable", with very high flexibility in one pivot-direction yet very high stiffness in all other directions; and mounting the so-formed plate on support means and surrounding it with magnetic circuit means adapted to controllably induce the prescribed pivoting.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of providing pivot means for mounting and driving a prescribed, relatively low-mass load so as to be rotated very precisely in small angular increments, the method comprising: selecting a prescribed thin plate of flexible metal; relieving inner portions of the plate to form a twistable "center-blade section" suspended between a pair of thin "torsion-arm sections" connecting this blade to the remaining "outer-section" of the plate so as to be "unidirectionally pivotable", with very high flexibility in one pivot-direction yet very high stiffness in all other directions; and mounting the so-formed plate on support means and surrounding it with magnetic circuit means adapted to controllably induce the prescribed pivoting.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as recited in claim 14 wherein the metal comprises thin sheet metal with high tensile strength and high yield strength on the order of one hundred thousand psi or more, and with thickness selected to determine high spring stiffness in all directions save the pivoting direction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 16 wherein the metal comprises Be-Cu, phosphor bronze, stainless steel or the like and is hardened, then etched-out.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 17 wherein the metal comprises Be-Cu stock about one to a few mils thick.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-23 | 1989-06-24 | 1989-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-23 | 1993-06-24 | 1993-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-23 | 1997-06-24 | 1997-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |