Drive system using balls within a conduit for transmission of motive power

A system for transmitting motive force, comprising:

• a conduit;
• a plurality of spherically-shaped objects positioned within the conduit, wherein each of the spherically-shaped objects has an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the conduit;
• a drive assembly moving the spherically-shaped objects within the conduit;
• a controller operating the drive assembly to provide movement of the spherically-shaped objects at a predefined rate;
• and
• a linear actuator actuated by movement of the spherically-shaped objects, wherein the linear actuator is positioned at an end of the conduit.

A system for transmitting motive force, comprising:

• a tube;
• a plurality of balls positioned within the tube;
• a drive assembly operable to move the balls within the tube at one or more predefined rates and in a switchable manner in both directions;
• and
• an actuated element actuated by movement of the balls within the tube,
• wherein the actuated element is a linear actuator comprising a plunger contacting one of the balls and further comprising a rod attached at a first end to the plunger.