ROTATING-TRANSLATIONAL DRIVE MECHANISM FOR POSITIONING DEVICES IN A MELTER

摘要

A novel apparatus for providing three-dimensional positioning to the ends of a translating element which is normally restricted to translation along the element axis. A cartridge assembly formed from a cylindrically shaped ceramic holds the translating element at an angle to the center axis of the cylindrical ceramic. The cartridge assembly rotates within a cylindrically shaped chamber in a lid assembly. The lid assembly is mounted on the port of a chamber where the translating element is to be positioned, thereby allowing the translating element to extend into the chamber. The center axis of the cylindrical chamber of the lid assembly is at an angle to the center axis of the port of the chamber. A rotational drive unit rotates the cartridge assembly within the lid assembly. A translational drive unit longitudinally drives the translating element within the cartridge assembly.