Piezoelectric stepping rotator.

摘要

The rotator comprises a piezoelectric bender (4) pivotally supported (2, 3) at one end and carrying a clamping means (6) to which a "payload" (7) may be attached. The bender (4) has split electrodes to keep its ends parallel when energized. Normally engaging the clamping means (6) are clamping members (15, 17) attached to a pair of piezoelectric benders (10,11) which are fixed in supports (12, 13) resting on a base plate (1).

With the pair of benders (10, 11) energized, the clamping means (6) is released and energization of the central bender (4) results in the lifting of the payload (7) by one step. The clamping means (6) is then re-arrested and its pivot (2, 3) released by reversing the polarities at the pair of benders (10, 11), and the central bender (4) is permitted to stretch. the rotator is then prepared for the next step of rotation about the pivot (2). This embodiment permits rotation through about 15 degrees. Two further embodiments conceived for unlimited rotation are described.