# US 11,993,972 B2 · Universal rotary actuators

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- Number: US 11,993,972 B2
- Document ID: US11993972B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/686,846
- Filed: 2022-03-04
- Published: 2022-09-08
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2021-03-05
- Assignees: Albany Magneto Equipment, Inc.
- Applicants: Albany Magneto Equipment, Inc.
- Inventors: Robert D. Rugh; Luis Pavel Murillo Huerta
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11993972B2

## CPC

- E05F 15/649: operated by swinging arms
- H02K 7/1166: {comprising worm and worm-wheel (structural association with bearings specially adapted for worm gear drives H02K7/081)}
- H02K 11/215: Magnetic effect devices, e.g. Hall-effect or magneto-resistive elements
- H02K 11/27: Devices for sensing current, or actuated thereby (overcurrent protection responsive to temperature of the machines or parts thereof, e.g. windings, H02K11/25)
- E05Y 2201/10: Covers; Housings
- E05Y 2201/214: Disengaging means
- E05Y 2201/244: by manual operation
- E05Y 2201/434: Electromotors; Details thereof
- E05Y 2201/46: Magnets
- E05Y 2201/474: Compression springs
- E05Y 2201/624: Arms
- E05Y 2201/686: Rods, links
- E05Y 2201/702: Spindles; Worms
- E05Y 2201/704: Worm wheels
- E05Y 2201/716: Pinions
- E05Y 2400/36: Speed control, detection or monitoring
- E05Y 2400/40: Control units therefor
- E05Y 2400/44: Sensors not directly associated with the wing movement
- E05Y 2400/52: Safety arrangements associated with the wing motor
- E05Y 2900/132: Doors
- E05F: DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
- H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53})
- E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF

## Abstract

Universal rotary actuators (URAs) and door assemblies having the URAs are disclosed. In some embodiments, the URA includes a motor, a worm gear driven by the motor, a worm wheel having teeth that mesh with threads of the worm gear, a pinion gear attached to the worm wheel, drive gear rotatably connected to the pinion gear, an output shaft attached to the drive gear, and a controller assembly disposed between the drive gear and the motor, the controller selectively controlling direction and speed of the motor. In some embodiments, the URA additionally includes a quick release assembly that moves the pinion gear between an engaged position in which the pinion gear is rotatably connected to the drive gear and a disengaged position in which the pinion gear is not rotatably connected to the drive gear.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A universal rotary actuator, comprising:
a worm gear having a plurality of threads and having a first rotational axis;
a motor attached to the worm gear and adapted to selectively rotate the worm gear;
a worm wheel having a plurality of teeth that meshes with the plurality of threads and having a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis;
a first shaft having opposed longitudinal first and second end portions, the first end portion being attached to the worm wheel such that the first shaft rotates about the second rotational axis as the worm wheel rotates;
a pinion gear attached to the second end portion and having a plurality of teeth, the pinion gear rotating about the second rotational axis;
a drive gear having a plurality of teeth that meshes with the plurality of teeth of the pinion gear and having a third rotational axis that is parallel to the second rotational axis;
a second shaft attached to the drive gear such that the second shaft rotates about the third rotational axis as the drive gear rotates; and
a controller disposed between the drive gear and the motor, the controller assembly selectively controlling direction and speed of the motor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The actuator of claim 1, further comprising at least one magnet arm attached to the drive gear such that the at least one magnet arm rotates about the third rotational axis as the drive gear rotates, the at least one magnet arm being disposed between the drive gear and the controller assembly.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The actuator of claim 2, wherein the control assembly includes a controller and at least one magnet sensor that detects the at least one magnet arm, wherein the controller selectively controls direction and speed of the motor based on the at least one magnet sensor detecting the at least one magnet arm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The actuator of claim 3, wherein the controller stops the motor in response to the at least one magnet arm being adjacent to the at least one magnet sensor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The actuator of claim 3, wherein the at least one magnet sensor includes first and second magnet sensors, and wherein the controller stops the motor in response to the first magnet arm being adjacent to the at least one magnet sensor and in response to the second magnet arm being adjacent to the at least one magnet sensor, the first and second magnet sensors being positioned to allow rotation of the at least one magnet arm within a predetermined angle of rotation.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The actuator of claim 3, wherein the at least one magnet arm includes a first magnet arm and a second magnet arm offset from the first magnet arm.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The actuator of claim 6, wherein the controller decreases speed of the motor in response to the first magnet arm being adjacent to the at least one magnet sensor, and stops the motor in response to the second magnet arm being adjacent to the at least one magnet sensor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The actuator of claim 1, further comprising at least one current sensor to detect current draw of the motor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The actuator of claim 8, wherein the controller assembly stops the motor in response to the detected current draw of the motor exceeding a predetermined current draw.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The actuator of claim 9, wherein the controller assembly stops the motor and reverses direction of the motor for a predetermined time in response to the detected current draw of the motor exceeding the predetermined current draw.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The actuator of claim 1, further comprising a quick release assembly that selectively moves the pinion gear from an engaged position with the plurality of teeth of the drive gear, to a disengaged position spaced from the plurality of teeth of the drive gear relative to the engaged position.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The actuator of claim 11, further comprising at least one housing that at least substantially encloses the worm gear, the motor, the worm wheel, the first shaft, the pinion gear, the drive gear, and the controller assembly, wherein the quick release assembly includes a lever that is rotatably attached to the housing and that is at least partially external the at least one housing, the lever allowing a user to move the pinion gear between the engaged and disengaged positions.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The actuator of claim 11, wherein the quick release assembly includes at least one spring that urges the pinon gear toward the engaged position.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The actuator of claim 13, wherein the quick release assembly selectively allows the pinion gear to move from the disengaged position to the engaged position in response to urging from the spring.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The actuator of claim 13, wherein the quick release assembly includes a lever that allows a user to move the pinion gear from the engaged position to the disengaged position against the urging of the at least one spring.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

A door assembly, comprising:
the universal rotary actuator of claim 1;
a first link arm having opposed longitudinal first and second ends, the first end being attached to the second shaft such that the first link arm rotates with the second shaft about the third rotational axis; and
a second link arm having opposed longitudinal third and fourth ends, the third end being rotatably attached to the second end such that the second link arm rotates about a fourth rotational axis that is parallel to the third rotational axis, and the fourth end rotatably attached to a door.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The door assembly of claim 16, further comprising a first housing that is attached to a bulkhead adjacent to the door and that encloses the first link arm and a portion of the second link arm, the first housing having an elongate slot that receives the second link arm and allows the second link arm to rotate.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The door assembly of claim 17, wherein the universal rotary actuator is attached to an external wall of the first housing, the first housing having an opening sized to receive the second shaft.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The door assembly of claim 18, further comprising a second housing that is attached to the first housing and that encloses at least a substantial portion of the universal rotary actuator.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The door assembly of claim 19, wherein the universal rotary actuator includes a quick release assembly that selectively moves the pinion gear between an engaged position in which the plurality of teeth of the pinion gear meshes with the plurality of teeth of the drive gear, and a disengaged position in which the plurality of teeth of the pinion gear is spaced from the plurality of teeth of the drive gear relative to the engaged position, and wherein the second housing includes an opening that allows a user to move the quick release assembly from the engaged position to the disengaged position from external the second housing.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The door assembly of claim 20, wherein the quick release assembly includes a lever allowing a user to move the pinion gear between the engaged and disengaged positions, and wherein the lever is accessible via the opening of the second housing.