Based on the principle of dynamic equivalence, a new dynamic model of compliant mechanisms is developed using the pseudo-rigid-body model. The dynamic equation of general planar compliant mechanisms is derived. The natural frequency of a compliant mechanism is obtained in the example of a planar compliant parallel-guiding mechanism. The numerical results show the effectiveness and advantage of the proposed method compared with the methods of FEA and flexible mechanisms.

This paper introduces a three degree of freedom XYZ Micromanipulator (XYZM) that is fabricated in the $x$-$y$ plane and positions components in the $x$, $y$, and $z$ directions using three independent linear inputs. The mechanism positions components on a platform using three legs, each composed of a slider mechanism and a parallelogram mechanism.Three versions of the XYZM were fabricated and tested using surface micromachining processes: the rigid-body, offset, and compliant XYZM. Slider displacements of 45 micrometers result in a predicted out-of-plane displacement of 188 micrometers for the rigid-body XYZM, 205 micrometers for the offset XYZM, and 262 micrometers for the compliant XYZM.

Ring-strut angle, a critical factor in truss mechanics, seems to have the greatest influence on stability for the TSF. We recommend that adequate length struts be chosen when constructing a TSF so that ring-strut angles of 30 degrees or less are avoided. Clinical relevance pertains to use of the TSF in atypical conformations, especially in the pediatric population requiring deformity correction.

Range-angle-dependent beamforming by frequency diverse array antenna," Int.Abstract-Mechanically reconfigurable dual-band slot dipole antennas with wide tuning ranges are developed in this communication. The dualband operation is achieved by inserting parallel slots with different lengths and the tuning is realized by incorporating a dual rack and pinion mechanism to slide parasitic patches to vary the slot lengths and the frequency of operation of each band. To demonstrate the proposed approach, two frequency-tunable antennas are prototyped. The first design uses two motors to tune the frequency band ratio between 1 and 2.6. The second design uses one motor to maintain a constant frequency band ratio of 2 over the tuning range of 2-3 GHz for the lower band and 4-6 GHz for the upper band. Both designs show minimal variation in gain, polarization, and radiation pattern over the tuning range.Index Terms-Dual-band antenna, frequency tunable, reconfigurable antenna, slot antenna.

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