XYZ positioner

Claim 2

An XY positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, pivot means connecting the other end of said first and second arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable pivot position, and control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired XY position.

Claim 3

An XY positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms, where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, a third arm, pivot means connecting said first, second and third arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein the other end of said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable pivot position, control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position.

Claim 4

An XY positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms, where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, a third arm, pivot means connecting said first, second and third arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein the other end of said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable pivot position, control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position.

Claim 5

An XYZ positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, pivot means connecting the other ends of said first and second arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable pivot position, wherein said first and second variable length arms are normally in a rolled or furled position, and wherein said variable length arms each have a sufficient section modulus to provide proper stiffness as each of said arms are either rolled or unrolled to obtain a stable XYZ position, and control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot positions.

Claim 6

An XYZ positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, pivot means connecting the other ends of said first and second arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable pivot position, wherein said first and second variable length arms are normally in a rolled or furled position, and wherein said variable length arms each have a sufficient section modulus to provide proper stiffness as each of said arms are either rolled or unrolled to obtain a stable XYZ position, and control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot positions.

Claim 7

An XYZ positioner as in claim 3 wherein said positioner includes a linear type flexible actuator connected to said pivot position to provide for Z axis motion.

Claim 8

In a fluid aspirating system, an XY positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively. pivot means connecting the other ends of said first and second arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable pivot position, wherein said first and second variable length arms are normally in a rolled or furled position, and wherein said variable length arms each have a sufficient section modulus to provide proper stiffness as each of said arms are rolled or unrolled to obtain a stable XY position, and control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position.

Claim 9

In a fluid aspirating system, an XY positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively. pivot means connecting the other ends of said first and second arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable pivot position, wherein said first and second variable length arms are normally in a rolled or furled position, and wherein said variable length arms each have a sufficient section modulus to provide proper stiffness as each of said arms are rolled or unrolled to obtain a stable XY position, and control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position.

Claim 10

An XYZ positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms are where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, pivot means connecting the other ends of said first and second arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable pivot position, control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position, said control means further including means for controlling the positioning of said pivot means in a desired Z position.

Claim 11

An XYZ positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms are where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, pivot means connecting the other ends of said first and second arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable pivot position, control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position, said control means further including means for controlling the positioning of said pivot means in a desired Z position.

Claim 12

An XYZ positioner as in claim 6 wherein said positioner includes a linear type flexible actuator connected to said pivot position.

Claim 13

An XYZ positioner as in claim 7 wherein said flexible actuator includes means for carrying fluid for dispensing as desired in said Z position.

Claim 14

An XYZ positioner as in claim 8 wherein said flexible actuator is self-lubricating.

Claim 15

In a fluid aspirating system, an XYZ positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to said first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, a third fixed length arm, pivot means connecting said first, second and third arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein the other ends of said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable probe position, control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position further including means for controlling the position of said probe position in a desired Z position, flexible cable means connected to said probe position and to said fluid aspirating system, said positioner including means for controlling the aspirating of fluid through said flexible cable means to one or more desired XY positions wherein said fluid is aspirated, as desired, in a specific XYZ position.

Claim 16

In a fluid aspirating system, an XYZ positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to said first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, a third fixed length arm, pivot means connecting said first, second and third arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein the other ends of said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable probe position, control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position further including means for controlling the position of said probe position in a desired Z position, flexible cable means connected to said probe position and to said fluid aspirating system, said positioner including means for controlling the aspirating of fluid through said flexible cable means to one or more desired XY positions wherein said fluid is aspirated, as desired, in a specific XYZ position.

Claim 17

An XYZ positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, pivot means connecting the other ends of said first and second arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable pivot position, control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position, said control means further including position actuator means for controlling the positioning of said pivot means in a desired Z position.

Claim 18

An XYZ positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, pivot means connecting the other ends of said first and second arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable pivot position, control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position, said control means further including position actuator means for controlling the positioning of said pivot means in a desired Z position.

Claim 19

An XYZ positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are at first and second turret positions, respectively, pivot means connecting the other ends of said first and second arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable position, control means for changing the length and position of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XYZ position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position.

Claim 20

An XYZ positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are at first and second turret positions, respectively, pivot means connecting the other ends of said first and second arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable position, control means for changing the length and position of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XYZ position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position.

Claim 21

An XYZ positioner comprising an X positioner and a Y positioner to provide an XY position and at least one Z axis positioner including a Z motor wherein the Z positioner is a linear type flexible actuator connected to said X positioner and said Y positioner at said XY position and wherein said Z motor is stationary and remotely located from said Z positioner, and wherein said Z positioner includes a flexible hollow tube which slides internally to said flexible actuator in an up and down fashion to that a probe can be raised or lowered, respectively, at a desired Z position.

Claim 22

An XYZ positioner comprising an X positioner and a Y positioner to provide an XY position and at least one Z axis positioner including a Z motor wherein the Z positioner is a linear type flexible actuator connected to said X positioner and said Y positioner at said XY position and wherein said Z motor is stationary and remotely located from said Z positioner, and wherein said Z positioner includes a flexible hollow tube which slides internally to said flexible actuator in an up and down fashion to that a probe can be raised or lowered, respectively, at a desired Z position.

Claim 23

An XYZ positioner as in claim 13 wherein said flexible actuator includes means for carrying fluid for dispensing or aspirating in a desired position.

Claim 24

An XYZ positioner as in claim 14 wherein said flexible actuator is self-lubricating.

Claim 25

In a fluid aspirating system, a positioner comprising a probe, an XY positioner for positioning said probe in an XY position, control means for changing the position of said probe in a desired Z direction, a flexible actuator connected to said probe and to said fluid aspirating system, said positioner including means for controlling the aspirating of fluid and controlling the Z position through said flexible actuator to one or more desired XY positions wherein said fluid is aspirated, as desired, at a specific position.

Claim 26

In a fluid aspirating system, a positioner comprising a probe, an XY positioner for positioning said probe in an XY position, control means for changing the position of said probe in a desired Z direction, a flexible actuator connected to said probe and to said fluid aspirating system, said positioner including means for controlling the aspirating of fluid and controlling the Z position through said flexible actuator to one or more desired XY positions wherein said fluid is aspirated, as desired, at a specific position.

Claim 27

A fluid aspirating system comprising a one-axis positioner wherein fluid is delivered and one-axis motion is obtained using a flexible linear actuator cable having a center portion, wherein the center portion of said cable which provides the motion also conducts the fluid, wherein said one-axis positioner includes a flexible hollow tube which slides internally to said flexible actuator in an up and down fashion so that said probe can be raised or lowered, respectively, at a desired position.

Claim 28

A fluid aspirating system comprising a one-axis positioner wherein fluid is delivered and one-axis motion is obtained using a flexible linear actuator cable having a center portion, wherein the center portion of said cable which provides the motion also conducts the fluid, wherein said one-axis positioner includes a flexible hollow tube which slides internally to said flexible actuator in an up and down fashion so that said probe can be raised or lowered, respectively, at a desired position.

Claim 29

A fluid aspirating system as in claim 17 including actuator means, control means and fluid fittings at the input end of said flexible cable.

Claim 30

In a fluid dispensing system, an XY positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, pivot means connecting the other ends of said first and second arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable pivot position, wherein said first and second variable length arms are normally in a rolled or furled position, and wherein said variable length arms each have a sufficient section modulus to provide proper stiffness as each of said arms are rolled or unrolled to obtain a stable XY position, and control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position.

Claim 31

In a fluid dispensing system, an XY positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, pivot means connecting the other ends of said first and second arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable pivot position, wherein said first and second variable length arms are normally in a rolled or furled position, and wherein said variable length arms each have a sufficient section modulus to provide proper stiffness as each of said arms are rolled or unrolled to obtain a stable XY position, and control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position.

Claim 32

In a fluid dispensing system, an XYZ positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, a third fixed length arm, pivot means connecting said first, second and third arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein the other ends of said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable probe position, control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position, further including means for controlling the position of said probe position in a desired Z position, flexible cable means connected to said probe position and to said fluid dispensing system, said positioner including means for controlling the dispensing of fluid through said flexible cable means to one or more desired XY positions wherein said fluid is dispensed as desired in a specific XYZ position.

Claim 33

In a fluid dispensing system, an XYZ positioner comprising first and second self-suspending sufficiently flexible variable length arms where one end of said first and second variable length arms are connected to first and second turrets at first and second turret positions, respectively, a third fixed length arm, pivot means connecting said first, second and third arms in a pivoting relationship with one another wherein the other ends of said first and second arms are connected together to form a changeable probe position, control means for changing the length of said first and second arms to obtain a desired XY position, said control means including means for rolling and unrolling said first and second arms wherein said first and second arms either roll or unroll such that said variable lengths change between the respective first and second turret positions and said desired pivot position, further including means for controlling the position of said probe position in a desired Z position, flexible cable means connected to said probe position and to said fluid dispensing system, said positioner including means for controlling the dispensing of fluid through said flexible cable means to one or more desired XY positions wherein said fluid is dispensed as desired in a specific XYZ position.

Claim 34

In a fluid dispensing system, a positioner comprising a probe, an XY positioner for positioning said probe in an XY position, control means for changing the position of said probe in a desired Z direction, a flexible actuator connected to said probe and to said fluid dispensing system, said positioner including means for controlling the Z position through said flexible cable means to one or more desired XY positions wherein said fluid is dispensed as desired in a specific position.

Claim 35

In a fluid dispensing system, a positioner comprising a probe, an XY positioner for positioning said probe in an XY position, control means for changing the position of said probe in a desired Z direction, a flexible actuator connected to said probe and to said fluid dispensing system, said positioner including means for controlling the Z position through said flexible cable means to one or more desired XY positions wherein said fluid is dispensed as desired in a specific position.

Claim 36

A fluid dispensing system comprising a one-axis positioner wherein fluid is delivered and one-axis motion is obtained using a flexible linear actuator cable having a center portion, wherein the center portion of said cable which provides the motion also conducts the fluid, wherein said one-axis positioner includes a flexible hollow tube which slides internally to said flexible actuator in an up and down fashion so that a probe can be raised or lowered, respectively, at a desired position.

Claim 37

A fluid dispensing system comprising a one-axis positioner wherein fluid is delivered and one-axis motion is obtained using a flexible linear actuator cable having a center portion, wherein the center portion of said cable which provides the motion also conducts the fluid, wherein said one-axis positioner includes a flexible hollow tube which slides internally to said flexible actuator in an up and down fashion so that a probe can be raised or lowered, respectively, at a desired position.

Claim 38

A fluid dispensing system as in claim 22 including actuator means, control means and fluid fittings at the input end of said flexible cable.