US4879467A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the translatory manipulation of an element such as an axle
Assignee: University of Lorraine
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Filing: 1987-12-22
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Granted: 1989-11-07
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Expires: 2007-12-22
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an apparatus for translatory manipulation of an element, such as an axle. Apparatus characterized in that it comprises a displacement device (2) for each direction in space in which the axle (1) is to be manipulated, each displacement device (2) comprising two blades (3) prestressed in opposition, constituted by an alloy which is pseudoelastic or has shape memory, disposed on opposite sides of heating and/or cooling means (4) giving rise to a thermal gradient between the two blades (3) and thus their martensitic transformation causing their deformation.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean F. Muller
- 👤 Francois G. Tollitte
- 👤 Gabriel Krier
- 👤 Serge Dominiak
- 👤 Andre Eberhardt
- 👤 Marcel Berveiller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/02; H01J37/20; B; B25; B25J; B25J7/00; B25J9/00; B25J9/10; B25J9/1085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
Apparatus for translatory manipulation, of an element (1), such as an axle, characterized in that it comprises a displacement device (2) for each direction in space in which the axle (1) is to be manipulated, each displacement device (2) comprising two blades (3) prestressed in opposition, constituted by an alloy that is pseudoelastic or has shape memory, disposed on opposite sides of heating and/or cooling means (4) giving rise to a thermal gradient between the two blades (3) and thus their martensitic transformation causing their deformation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus for translatory manipulation, of an element (1), such as an axle, characterized in that it comprises a displacement device (2) for each direction in space in which the axle (1) is to be manipulated, each displacement device (2) comprising two blades (3) prestressed in opposition, constituted by an alloy that is pseudoelastic or has shape memory, disposed on opposite sides of heating and/or cooling means (4) giving rise to a thermal gradient between the two blades (3) and thus their martensitic transformation causing their deformation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating and/or cooling means (4) is in the form of a Peltier effect cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 2 characterized in that each displacement device (2) is in the form of a support (8) on which are fixedly mounted the Peltier effect cell (4) as well as the two blades (3), each in direct contact with one of the two surfaces of the cell (4), the two blades (3) being prestressed oppositely and maintained in prestressed opposed relation by a recessed and articulated blade (9) securing them to each other, and being mounted in symmetric opposition on opposite sides of the support (8).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the recessed and articulated blade (9) of a displacement device (2) is provided with an element (10), itself provided with a recess (11) in which slides the axle (1), and disposed in a plane perpendicular to that of the blade (9).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that it is principally constituted by a housing (5) enclosing two displacement devices (2) permitting manipulation of the axle (1) in a plane (x, y), the two devices (2) being situated one above the other at an angle (α) of 90° and the axle (1) being maintained in the two recesses (11).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that it is principally constituted by a housing (5) enclosing three displacement devices (2) permitting manipulation of the axle (1) in three directions of space (x, y, z), two devices (2) permitting the manipulation of the axle (1) in the plane (x, y) and being located one above the other at an angle (α) of 90°, the axle (1) being maintained in the two recesses (11), and the third device (2) permitting the manipulation of the axle (1) along the axis (z).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that for the application to the field of spectrometry, it comprises also a specimen holder (24) located outside the housing (5), in the form of a support casing, and connected fixedly and removably to one of the ends (1') of the axle (1), the side of the support casing (5) opposite the specimen holder (24) being connected to a spectrometer introduction rod (12) of the specimens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that supplemental heating and/or cooling means (4) is disposed between the specimen holder (24) and the end (1') of the axle (1), so as to heat and/or cool the specimen holder (24).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the specimen holder (24) is fixed to a rod (13), at its end (13') located outside the support casing (5) and whose other end (13") is inserted in the interior of the support casing (5), in a support (14) of which one of the surfaces is secured to the heating and/or cooling means (4) in the form of a Peltier effect cell, itself connected to the end (1') of the axle (1) by a connecting support (15) in which is inserted said end (1') of the axle (1).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the support (14) is of copper, the ceramic surfaces of the Peltier effect cell (4) serving as electrical insulation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the specimen holder (24) is in the form of a heating filament.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the support casing (5) is connected to the direct introduction rod (12) by means of a sealed glass-metal passage (16) provided with metallic tubes (17) permitting the passage of electrical contacts to the metallic rods (18) of the direct introduction rod (12).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the axle (1) is guided, during its manipulation, by one or more guide means (6 and/or 7).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that each guide means (6) is in the form of a parallelogram linkage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that each guide means (6) is in the form of a ball joint.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that each guide means (7) is in the form of a slideway either with a dovetail or with balls.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
Manipulation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is principally constituted by a housing (5) enclosing a displacement device (2) permitting manipulation of the axle (1) along an axis (x).
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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) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-05-08 | 1993-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-06 | 1997-05-08 | 1997-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-06 | 2001-05-08 | 2001-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |