Howell L.L. – TechConnect Briefs

Modeling of a Self-Retracting Fully-Compliant Bistable Micromechanism

Masters N., Howell L.L., Georgia Institute of Technology, US

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how a combination of models facilitated the development of a new class of small displacement fully-compliant bistable micromechanisms (Self-Retracting Fully-compliant Bistable Micromechanism, or SRFBM). Two different Pseudo-Rigid-Body [...]

Modeling the Effects of Joint Clearances in Planar Micromechanisms

Wittwer J.W., Howell L.L., Chase K.W., Brigham Young University, US

Surface micromachining of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) has inherent limitations that can lead to mechanisms having an undesirable amount of clearance in revolute and prismatic joints. In micro devices, where actua-tion of the mechanisms is often [...]

Thermal Modeling of a Surface-micromachined Linear Thermomechanical Actuator

Lott C.D., McLain T.W., Harb J.N., Howell L.L., Brigham Young University, DE

The thermal behavior of a thermomechanical in-plane microactuator is modeled using a finite-difference approach. Steady-state temperature profiles from the model are presented for a microactuator operating in air and a vacuum. The model is validated [...]