US 12,509,950 B2 · Dual speed linear actuator assembly

Abstract

A linear actuator assembly that can include a drive shaft, and a piston, where rotation of the drive shaft extends or retracts the piston at a speed that automatically changes based on an opposing force applied to the piston. A system that can include a piece of rig equipment configured to engage an object, with one or more linear actuator assemblies incorporated into the piece of rig equipment, where the linear actuator assemblies selectively engage the object and each of the linear actuator assemblies can include a drive shaft, and a piston, and where rotation of the drive shaft extends or retracts the piston at a speed that automatically changes based on an opposing force applied to the piston.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A linear actuator assembly comprising:

a first drive shaft;
a piston, wherein rotation of the first drive shaft extends or retracts the piston at a speed that automatically changes based on an opposing force applied to the piston;
a low torque drive with a friction ring attached at one end;
and
a high torque drive shaft with a friction disk attached at one end, wherein the friction disk engages the friction ring when the opposing force is below a predetermined force, and wherein engagement of the friction disk with the friction ring creates a static friction force that resists rotation of the friction disk relative to the friction ring.

2 more elements

A method of operating a linear actuator assembly, the method comprising:

coupling a motor to a first drive shaft;
rotating, via the motor, the first drive shaft in a first direction;
extending a piston at a first speed in response to rotating the first drive shaft in the first direction;
receiving an opposing force at the piston;
and
automatically changing an extension speed of the piston from the first speed to a second speed due to the piston receiving the opposing force, wherein the opposing force is a predetermined force wherein the extension speed changes from the first speed to the second speed when the opposing force is increased at or above the predetermined force, wherein rotating the first drive shaft rotates, via a gear assembly, 1) a low torque drive sleeve along with a high torque drive shaft relative to the piston when the opposing force is below the predetermined force or 2) a high torque drive shaft relative to the piston and a low torque drive sleeve when the opposing force is at or above the predetermined force.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

18/474,359Filed 26 Sep 2023 · us provisional application

Priority

30 Sep 2022

Published

US 2024/0110449 A14 Apr 2024

Granted

30 Dec 2025

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

E21B 19/161
Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints: using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe
E21B 19/164
Using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe: motor actuated
E21B 41/00
Equipment or details not covered by groups e21b15/00 - e21b40/00
F16H 25/08
Gearings comprising primarily only cams, cam-followers and screw-and-nut mechanisms: for interconverting rotary motion and reciprocating motion

Dual speed linear actuator assembly

Life of this patent

Dual speed linear actuator assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20