Actuator assembly
AssigneeGoodrich Actuation Systems Limited
InventorsRaphael Medina, Karl Potier, Corentin Boitard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An actuator system includes a motor and an actuator positioning member to be driven by the motor from a start position to an actuated position. The system also includes a harmonic drive assembly between the motor and the actuator positioning member arranged to transfer torque from the motor to the actuator positioning member at a gear ratio of greater than 1:1. The system further includes means for disconnecting the harmonic drive assembly in response to failure of the motor and/or torque transfer such as to allow the positioning member to return to the start position.
Claims18
An actuator system comprising:
- a motor;
- an actuator shaft configured to be driven by the motor from a start position to an actuated position;
- a harmonic drive assembly between the motor and the actuator shaft arranged to transfer torque from the motor to the actuator shaft at a gear ratio of greater than 1:1;
- and
- means for disconnecting the harmonic drive assembly in response to failure of the motor or a torque transfer from the motor to the actuator shaft to allow the actuator shaft to return to the start position;
- wherein the means for disconnecting comprises an epicyclic planetary gear assembly connected to an outer ring of the harmonic drive assembly, and a ratchet mechanism to which an outer ring of the epicyclic gear assembly is connected.
A method of driving an actuator shaft from a start position to an actuated position comprising:
- driving a harmonic drive assembly with a motor;
- driving the actuator shaft by transferring torque at a gear ratio of greater than 1:1 from the motor, via the harmonic drive;
- and
- in response to failure to transfer a torque from the motor to the actuator shaft, disengaging the actuator shaft, by a means for disconnecting, from the harmonic drive to allow the actuator shaft to return to the start position;
- wherein the means for disconnecting comprises an epicyclic planetary gear assembly connected to an outer ring of the harmonic drive assembly, and a ratchet mechanism to which an outer ring of the epicyclic gear assembly is connected.
An actuator system comprising:
- a motor;
- an actuator shaft configured to be driven by the motor from a start position to an actuated position;
- a harmonic drive assembly between the motor and the actuator shaft arranged to transfer torque from the motor to the actuator shaft at a gear ratio of greater than 1:1;
- and
- means for disconnecting the harmonic drive assembly in response to failure of the motor or a torque transfer from the motor to the actuator shaft to allow the actuator shaft to return to the start position;
- wherein the means for disconnecting comprises:
- a planetary gear system configured to rotate with the harmonic drive when locked in engagement therewith by a ratchet mechanism;
- wherein the ratchet mechanism configured to unload the planetary gear system from the harmonic drive in response to the failure to allow the planetary gear system to rotate independent of the harmonic drive.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.