Electric actuator for drive apparatus
AssigneeHydro-Gear Limited Partnership
InventorsJesse L. Probst, Nathan W. Bonny, Gregory E. Arends, Damon J. Hoyda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electric actuator for use with a variable drive apparatus is disclosed herein. The electric actuator has a rotary design incorporating a magnetic field sensor chip disposed on a circuit board to sense the rotational orientation of the magnetic field of a cylindrical diametric magnet positioned on the end of a control shaft of a hydrostatic drive unit. The circuit board includes a microprocessor, electric motor power control and CAN Bus communication capability. The gear housing of the electric actuator features an integral end cap to accommodate mounting of the electric motor to enable a compact design.
Claims17
A drive assembly, comprising:
- a variable drive apparatus disposed in a drive apparatus housing, the variable drive apparatus comprising a rotatable control shaft having a distal end disposed in the drive apparatus housing and a proximal end external to the drive apparatus housing;
- an adapter, and a fastener connecting the adapter to the proximal end of the rotatable control shaft;
- an electric actuator disposed adjacent to the drive apparatus housing, the electric actuator comprising:
- an electric motor;
- an actuator housing into which the proximal end of the rotatable control shaft extends;
- a magnetic field sensor disposed in the actuator housing;
- and
- a gear train configured to be driven by the electric motor and having a plurality of gears, wherein one of the plurality of gears is engaged to and rotates the adapter;
- and
- a cylindrical diametric magnet disposed in the fastener to position the magnet adjacent to the magnetic field sensor within the actuator housing.
A drive assembly, comprising:
- a variable drive apparatus disposed in a drive apparatus housing, the variable drive apparatus comprising a rotatable control shaft having a distal end disposed in the drive apparatus housing and a proximal end external to the drive apparatus housing;
- and
- an electric actuator comprising:
- a gear housing comprising a first side mounted adjacent to the drive apparatus housing and a second side opposite thereto, the gear housing further comprising an electric motor end cap integrally formed as a part of the gear housing;
- a gear train disposed in the gear housing and comprising a plurality of gears;
- a jack shaft comprising a first end on which at least one of the plurality of gears is disposed and a second end threadably connected to the drive apparatus housing;
- an electrical housing secured to the second side of the gear housing, wherein the proximal end of the rotatable control shaft extends through the gear housing and into the electrical housing;
- an electric circuit disposed in the electrical housing;
- a motor housing secured to the electric motor end cap;
- and
- an electric motor having a motor output shaft extending out of the motor housing.
A drive assembly comprising a variable drive apparatus disposed in a drive apparatus housing and having a rotatable control shaft having a distal end disposed in the drive apparatus housing and a proximal end external to the drive apparatus housing, the drive assembly comprising:
- an actuator assembly comprising a gear housing, an electrical housing secured to the gear housing and an electric motor;
- a gear train comprising a plurality of gears disposed in the gear housing and an electric circuit disposed in the electrical housing;
- and
- a single fastener connecting the actuator assembly to the drive apparatus housing, wherein the single fastener comprises a first end on which at least one of the plurality of gears of the gear train is disposed and a second end having threads and capable of connecting to the drive apparatus housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.