Actuators for converting rotational input to axial output
AssigneeDanbury Mission Technologies, LLC
InventorJesse W. Booker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An actuator system includes a frame configured to remain stationary relative to a carriage within the frame and connected to the frame by a flexure assembly configured to constrain the carriage for only linear motion along an axis of the actuator system. A rotary base is configured to receive rotational input. Cross-blade flexures operatively connect the carriage to the rotary base, the cross-blade flexures including a plurality of blade flexures and being oriented at an oblique angle to the rotary base and to the axis of the actuator system. A rotary flexure operatively connects the rotary base to the frame. The cross-blade flexures and the rotary flexure are configured to convert rotary motion of the rotary base into linear motion of the carriage and to maintain axial and lateral stiffness.
Claims16
An actuator system, comprising:
- a frame coupled to a base by a rotary flexure;
- a carriage positioned within the frame and configured to move parallel to an axis of the frame independently of the frame;
- a plurality of cross-blade flexures connected between the base and the carriage, and oriented at an angle to the base and to the axis of the frame;
- and
- a shaft connected to the carriage and extending through an aperture in the frame,
- wherein the cross-blade flexures and rotary flexure are configured to convert rotary motion of the base into a translation of the carriage in a direction parallel to the axis of the frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.