Abstract: A functional surface, such as a reflective surface, is supported by a pair of torsional hinges for pivoting about a first axis which in turn is supported by a pair of anchors, according to one embodiment. The reflective surface may be driven into resonant oscillations about the first axis by inertially coupling energy to the device. According to a dual axis embodiment, the reflective surface is attached by torsional hinges to a gimbals portion which in turn is attached to the support members by a second pair of torsional hinges which are orthogonal with the first pair of hinges so as to provide for pivoting of the surface about both pairs of torsional hinges. Thus, a light source may be reflected from a reflective surface to produce a beam sweep and moved orthogonally by the gimbals portion. The devices may be etched from silicon.

Abstract: A laser printer using a single frequency resonant mirror for providing the beam sweep for printing at a multiplicity of printing speeds. According to a first embodiment, a pair of torsional hinges 54a and 54b provides the resonant beam sweep. The number of line images per unit of measurement is changed as a function of printer speeds to achieve the desired image proportions.

Abstract: System and method for establishing and maintaining resonant oscillations of a torsional hinged device such as a pivotally hinged mirror. The system and methods comprise a permanent magnet mounted to the pivoting mirror that interacts with an electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: A system and method for using a single axis resonant scanning mirror for high quality bi-directional printing. The system moves the photosensitive medium or paper at a constant rate having a selected speed such that image lines of an image overlap.

Abstract: In a laser printer which uses a scanning mirror 12 with torsional hinges 36A, 36B driven by electrical coils 30A, 30B to provide resonant pivoting, at least one sensor 84, 88 is located proximate each end of a resonant sweep or scan. Pulses or signals from the sensor indicating the passing of a sweeping or scanning light beam are connected to computational circuitry 92 in a feedback loop. This information is used to determine the center of the beam sweep. The center of the beam sweep is then aligned with the center of the photosensitive medium, such as a rotating drum 44, by adjusting the DC current provided to the drive coils.

Abstract: A multilayered torsional hinged scanning mirror including a hinge layer with a mirror attaching member pivotally supported by torsional hinges. A mirror layer is bonded to the front side of the attaching member and a back layer is bonded to the back side of the attaching member. The mirror layer and the back layer are equal in mass and weight to balance the moment of inertia and stresses on the torsional hinges. The back layer may be a permanent magnet if the mirror oscillating drive is a magnetic drive. Alternately, the back layer may be another silicon slice.

Abstract: A device 21 comprises a movable structure 44 having a first movable portion 70 hinged to frame portion 60 by a first pair of hinges 81, 82 spaced apart along a first axis 91. The first movable portion 70 has an edge 140 that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and substantially parallel with and immediately adjacent to an edge 132 of the frame portion 60, such that a tolerance space 120 defined therebetween. At least one projection 122 extends from one or both of the edges 132 and/or 140. The projection 122 is adapted to limit translational motion of the first movable portion 70 relative to the frame portion 60 within the plane. The device 21 motion between the first movable portion 80 and a second pivot axis 112 with translational motion between the first movable portion 70 and the second movable portion 80 limited by a similar projection.

Abstract: A laser printer using a single surface resonant mirror for providing a bi-directional beam sweep. According to a first embodiment, a dual axis mirror 40 uses a first pair of torsional hinges 54A and 54B to provide the resonant beam sweep and a second pair 50A and 50B of torsional hinges provides movement orthogonal to the sweep to maintain successive images of the sweep parallel to each other. A second embodiment uses two single axis mirrors 98 and 102. The first single axis mirror 102 provides the resonant beam sweep and the second 98 provides the orthogonal movement 100 to maintain parallel printed lines of image.

Abstract: The present invention discloses drive apparatus for rotating a mirror used for switching light signals. The drive apparatus has reduced internal wiring and uses a base printed circuit board which is mounted to a support printed circuit board by sandwiching conductive ball connections between matching traces or pads on the two printed circuit boards. A drive module is also included between the two printed circuit boards which can be either a drive coil or an electrostatic plate and is used to rotate the mirrors. The use of the bump grid array or conductive ball connections significantly reduces the amount of internal wiring required.

Abstract: A system and method for providing resonant movement about a first axis. A functional surface supported by a first pair of torsional hinges is driven into resonant oscillations about the first axis by inertially coupling energy through the first pair of torsional hinges. The resonant movement may be moved orthogonally on the target area by a gimbals portion of the functional surface pivoting about a second axis according to one embodiment. The resonant oscillation of the functional surface is monitored to detect changes in frequency due to mass changes of the functional surface.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a resonant beam sweep about a first axis. A mirror or reflective surface supported by a first pair of torsional hinges is driven into resonant oscillations about the first axis by inertially coupling energy through the first pair of torsional hinges. A light source reflects a beam of light from the mirror such that the oscillating mirror produces a beam sweep across a target area. The resonant beam sweep is moved orthogonally on the target area by a gimbals portion of the mirror pivoting about a second axis according to one embodiment. A second independent mirror provides the orthogonal movement according to a second embodiment.

Abstract: A functional surface, such as a reflective surface, is supported by a pair of torsional hinges for pivoting about a first axis which in turn is supported by a pair of anchors, according to one embodiment. The reflective surface may be driven into resonant oscillations about the first axis by inertially coupling energy to the device. According to a dual axis embodiment, the reflective surface is attached by torsional hinges to a gimbals portion which in turn is attached to the support members by a second pair of torsional hinges which are orthogonal with the first pair of hinges so as to provide for pivoting of the surface about both pairs of torsional hinges. Thus, a light source may be reflected from a reflective surface to produce a beam sweep and moved orthogonally by the gimbals portion. The devices may be etched from silicon.

Abstract: In a laser printer which uses a scanning mirror 12 with torsional hinges 36A, 36B driven by electrical coils 30A, 30B to provide resonant pivoting, at least one sensor 84, 88 is located proximate each end of a resonant sweep or scan. Pulses or signals from the sensor indicating the passing of a sweeping or scanning light beam are connected to computational circuitry 92 in a feedback loop. This information is used to determine the center of the beam sweep. The center of the beam sweep is then aligned with the center of the photosensitive medium, such as a rotating drum 44, by adjusting the DC current provided to the drive coils.

Abstract: A device (21) comprises a movable structure (44) having a first movable portion (70) hinged to a frame portion (60) by a first pair of hinges (81, 82) spaced apart along a first axis (91). The first movable portion (70) has an edge (140) that is substantially parallel with and immediately adjacent to an edge (132) of the frame portion (60), and a first tolerance fit space (120) is defined therebetween. At least two projections (122) extend from one or both of the edges (132 and/or 140). The projections (122) are adapted to limit translational motion of the first movable portion (70) relative to the frame portion (60) within the plane. The projections (122) are substantially adjacent to each other and are on a same side of the first axis (91). The device (21) may also have a second movable portion (80) and a second pivot axis (112).

Abstract: The present invention discloses drive apparatus for rotating a mirror used for switching light signals. The drive apparatus has reduced internal wiring and uses a base printed circuit board which is mounted to a support printed circuit board by sandwiching conductive ball connections between matching traces or pads on the two printed circuit boards. A drive module is also included between the two printed circuit boards which can be either a drive coil or an electrostatic plate and is used to rotate the mirrors. The use of the bump grid array or conductive ball connections significantly reduces the amount of internal wiring required.

Abstract: A hybrid focal plane array has Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te junction photodiodes formed in a substrate of HgCdTe which is capped by a layer of Te-rich CdTe. Type conversion of a low metal vacancy HgCdTe substrate to p-type is performed by annealing the capped substrate at a temperature sufficient to support interdiffusion between the Te-rich CdTe capping layer and the HgCdTe substrate. Use of the CdTe capping layer with a slight excess Te maintains the surface of the HgCdTe substrate in a Te-rich phase condition.

Abstract: A hybrid focal plane array has Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te junction photodiodes formed in a substrate of HgCdTe which is capped by a layer of Te-rich CdTe. Type conversion of a low metal vacancy HgCdTe substrate to p-type is performed by annealing the capped substrate at a temperature sufficient to support interdiffusion between the Te-rich CdTe capping layer and the HgCdTe substrate. Use of the CdTe capping layer with a slight excess Te maintains the surface of the HgCdTe substrate in a Te-rich phase condition.