US4885490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-contact positioning device
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1988-09-15
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Granted: 1989-12-05
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Expires: 2008-09-15
Abstract
Abstract The non-contact positioning device is composed of a driven body formed by a magnetic substance which is the subject of positioning, and driving means constructed with electromagnets which support the driven body without contact. The driven body is formed as a simple polyhedron. The electromagnets are arranged facing each of the multiple faces of the simple polyhedron. This non-contact positioning device is constructed to adjust the position of the simple polyhedron by controlling the supply of current to the electromagnets.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenichi Takahara
- 👤 Hiroshi Takahashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:50
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; F16C32/04; F16C32/0406; F16C32/044; F16C32/0444; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A non-contact positioning device for driving and positioning a subject fixed on a driven body which multiple axes comprising a driving body being formed in the shape of a polyhedron; a driving means disposed on at least four faces of said driving body polyhedron for suspending said driven body without contact; and driven body faces at least partially formed by said driven body opposite said driving body faces with said driven body faces having the same shape as said driving body faces, and positioning control means for adjusting a driving force of said driving means and for controlling the positioning of said driven body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A non-contact positioning device for driving and positioning a subject fixed on a driven body which multiple axes comprising a driving body being formed in the shape of a polyhedron; a driving means disposed on at least four faces of said driving body polyhedron for suspending said driven body without contact; and driven body faces at least partially formed by said driven body opposite said driving body faces with said driven body faces having the same shape as said driving body faces, and positioning control means for adjusting a driving force of said driving means and for controlling the positioning of said driven body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 1 wherein said polyhedron is a right tetrahedron.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 1 wherein said polyhedron is a right tetrahedron, and said driving means comprises eight driving units, two of which are opposed to each face of said tetrahedron.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 1 wherein said driven body is formed as a shape of a right tetrahedron, and said driving means comprises twelve driving units, three of which are opposed to each face of said tetrahedron.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 1 wherein said driven body is formed as a shape of a right tetrahedron, and said driving means comprises seven driving units, two driving units of which are opposed to each of three faces of said tetrahedron, and one driving unit of which is opposed to another face of said tetrahedron.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 1 wherein said driven body is formed as a shape of a right tetrahedron, and said driving means comprises seven driving units, one driving unit of which is opposed to each of three faces of said tetrahedron, and four driving units of which are opposed to another face of said tetrahedron.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 1 wherein said driven body is formed as a shape of a right tetrahedron, and said driving means comprises seven driving units, one driving unit of which is opposed to each of two faces of said tetrahedron, two driving units of which are opposed to another face of said tetrahedron and three driving units of which are opposed to another face of said tetrahedron.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 1 wherein said driven body is formed as a shape of a right tetrahedron, and said driving means comprises nine driving units, each three driving units of which are opposed to each of three vertex portions of said tetrahedron.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 1 wherein said driven body is constructed by an magnetic material, said driving means is comprised of an electromagnet which operates for positioning the driven body by an electromagnetic coupling.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 1 wherein said positioning control means comprising; a position detecting means for detecting the distance between said driven body and said driving means and a position adjustment system for adjusting and for controlling a signal for adjusting said driving means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 10 wherein said position adjustment system comprising; a first vector computing element connected to position sensors; plural controllers connected to said first vector computing element; a second vector computing element for distributing signals from said plural controllers; and a signal amplifier for amplifying an output signal obtained from said second vector computing element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 10 said position adjustment system comprising: a vector computing element connected to position sensors; plural calculators connected to said vector computing element; a controller connected to said plural calculators; and a signal amplifier for amplifying said output signal obtained from said vector computing element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 1 wherein said driving means includes a plurality of driving units, each of said driving units being formed as a triangular prism.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 1 wherein said driving means includes a plurality of driving units, with each of said driving units having the same shape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 14 wherein said driving units are formed as a triangular prism.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 1 wherein said driven body is formed as a shape of a hollow right tetrahedron, and said driving means comprises nine driving units, two driving units of which are opposed to each of three faces of said tetrahedron and one driving unit of which is opposed to each of three hollow side faces of said tetrahedron.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 1 wherein said driving means includes a plurality of driving units, with at least one of said driving units being located at a vertex of said polyhedron.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The non-contact positioning device according to claim 1 wherein said driving means includes a plurality of driving units, at least one of said driving units being located at a vertex of said polyhedron and arranged asymmetrically with respect to a perpendicular bisector of a face of said polyhedron.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-04 | 1993-06-05 | 1993-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-04 | 1997-06-05 | 1997-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-04 | 2001-06-05 | 2001-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |