Force actuator with clamp
OwnerChristopher Margesoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A force actuator with clamp in one combined unit that can maintain a specified position without requiring a continuous power supply. Power is only required at times when the position of the shaft of the actuator needs to be changed. As each unit holds position without any external effort, a single controller can operate a plurality of these actuators. Clamping action is arranged coaxially to the force actuator, allowing for a more compact unit such that more of these units can be located in a small space to make fine adjustments.
Claims20
An apparatus for changing the position of a specified point of an object comprising:
- a force actuator comprising
- a driving device, and
- a shaft, and
- a clamping mechanism,
- a clamp spring,
- a wedge driven clamping mechanism,
- a clamp pusher, and
- a pushing device,
- a mounting tab, and
- a reaction plate,
- wherein a plurality of said apparatuses may be controlled by a single controller or multiple controllers.
A method for altering the surface shape of an object and preserving the altered position of said surface shape of said object, said method comprising steps of:
- activating a clamp pusher to release a clamping mechanism,
- activating a driving device to move a shaft in either a positive or negative linear direction, and
- deactivating said clamp pusher to engage said clamping mechanism of said apparatus,
- wherein said plurality of actuators are attached and apply selected forces to selected portions of said object at a plurality of locations.
An apparatus comprising:
- an optical element;
- a spring element mechanically coupled to said optical element, said spring element being configured to exert a controlled displacement force on said optical element
- a shaft;
- a driving device configured to compress said spring element by driving the shaft to create said controlled displacement force on the optical element such that said optical element deforms to a desired position;
- and
- a locking element, coupled to the shaft and configured to lock said shaft in position after said optical element is deformed to said desired position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.