Integrated ball screw linear actuator

A linear actuation screw comprising:

• an elongated shaft having a first end portion, a second end portion on an opposite side of the elongated shaft as the first end portion, and a sloping intermediate portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein:
• a) the first end portion has a threaded outer wall configured to advance a nut or a sliding member along at least a portion of the first end portion;
• b) the second end portion is configured to be at least partially received within a motor;
• and
• c) the sloping intermediate portion includes an outer wall that is generally smooth and continuous over at least a majority of the area of the outer wall;
• wherein an encoder journal is located at and extends from the second end portion of the linear actuation screw along the longitudinal axis of the linear actuation screw for receipt within an encoder secured to a second portion of the motor opposite a first end portion of the motor.

An actuator assembly comprising:

• i) a linear actuation screw comprising an elongated shaft having a first end portion, a second end portion on an opposite side of the elongated shaft as the first end portion, and a sloping intermediate portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein:
• (a) the first end portion has a threaded outer wall configured to advance a nut or a sliding member along at least a portion of the first end portion;
• (b) the second end portion is configured to be at least partially received within a motor;
• and
• (c) the sloping intermediate portion includes an outer wall that is generally smooth and continuous over at least a majority of the area of the outer wall;
• ii) a carrier that carries the linear actuation screw;
• iii) a motor that drives rotation of the linear actuation screw;
• and
• iv) a linear slider for translating fore and aft along an axis that is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the linear actuation screw.