Zero backlash gearless rotary actuator usable with solar panels
AssigneeMechatron Solar
InventorsMichael Fakukakis, Athanasios Theocharis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rotary actuator has a rotatable platform rotatably supported on a base. The rotatable platform has a friction surface. An actuator band is operated by a band clamp so as to be selectively frictionally engageable with the friction surface. A motion actuator is coupled between the base and the actuator band such that change in length of the motion actuator causes corresponding movement of the actuator band. A brake band is operated by a brake band actuator so as to be selectively frictionally engageable with the friction surface, the brake band anchored to the base.
Claims17
A rotary actuator, comprising:
- a rotatable platform rotatably supported on a base, the rotatable platform having a friction surface;
- an actuator band operated by a band clamp so as to be selectively frictionally engageable with the friction surface;
- a motion actuator coupled between the base and the actuator band such that change in length of the motion actuator causes corresponding rotational movement of the actuator band;
- a brake band operated by a brake band actuator so as to be selectively frictionally engageable with the friction surface, the brake band anchored to the base, such that frictional engagement of the brake band rotationally locks the rotatable platform and
- a rotary position sensor comprising a reluctor ring having rotationally spaced apart teeth, at least one of the rotationally spaced apart teeth being longer than others of the rotationally spaced apart teeth, a first detector coil arranged to detect movement of the at least one of the longer rotationally spaced apart teeth, and a second detector coil arranged to detect movement of the others of the rotationally spaced apart teeth, the at least one of the longer teeth corresponding to a geodetic azimuthal reference.
A method for moving a rotatable platform to a selected rotary orientation, the rotatable platform rotatably supported on a base, the rotatable platform having a friction surface, an actuator band operated by a band clamp so as to be selectively frictionally engageable with the friction surface, a motion actuator coupled between the base and the actuator band such that change in length of the motion actuator causes corresponding rotational movement of the actuator band and the rotatable platform;
- and
- a brake band operated by a brake band actuator so as to be selectively frictionally engageable with the friction surface, the brake band anchored to the base to rotationally lock the rotatable platform, the method comprising:
- measuring the rotary orientation of the rotatable platform, and when the measured rotary orientation differs from the selected rotary orientation;
- releasing the brake band from frictional engagement;
- engaging the actuator band;
- operating the motion actuator to rotate the rotatable platform;
- and
- wherein the measuring rotary orientation comprises detecting voltages induced in a first coil by motion of short teeth on a reluctor ring and detection of voltages induced in a second coil by at least one tooth on the reluctor ring longer than the short teeth, a position of the at least one longer tooth corresponding to a geodetic azimuthal reference.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.