Single-use non-jamming stop module for rotary drive actuator
AssigneeMoog Inc.
InventorLowell Van Lund LARSON
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stop module for non-jamming end-of-stroke stoppage of a rotary drive actuator includes timing gears to articulate a stopping pawl, and a low inertia, deformable stopping disk arranged to safely dissipate excess rotational kinetic energy of the rotary actuator. The stop module does not rely on friction to stop and dissipate the excess kinetic energy, but instead relies on predictable deformation of a metallic stopping disk which may be provided in a stopping cartridge of the stop module. Use of a deformable element to dissipate excess energy allows the disclosed stop module to be lighter and smaller than conventional end-of-stroke stopping mechanisms.
Claims18
An actuator for transmitting rotary motion from an input element to an output element, the actuator having an end-of-stroke limit, wherein the actuator comprises:
- a deformable element and a deforming element, wherein the deformable element is connected to the input element such that the deformable element rotates in response to rotation of the input element;
- a stopping element movable between a non-stopping position and a stopping position, wherein the deforming element rotates with the deformable element when the stopping element is in the non-stopping position, and wherein relative motion occurs between the deformable element and the deforming element when the stopping element is in the stopping position;
- and
- a timing gear responsive to rotation of the input element or the output element, wherein the timing gear is configured to move the stopping element to the stopping position when the end-of-stroke limit is reached;
- wherein the deforming element causes deformation of the deformable element when relative motion occurs between the deformable element and the deforming element;
- whereby kinetic energy in the actuator is dissipated through the deformation of the deformable element when the end-of-stroke limit is reached.
A method of stopping transmission of rotary motion from an input element to an output element when an end-of-stroke limit is reached, the method comprising:
- providing a deformable element and a deforming element, wherein the deformable element is connected to the input element such that the deformable element rotates in response to rotation of the input element;
- triggering relative motion to occur between the deformable element and the deforming element upon reaching the end-of-stroke limit, wherein the deforming element causes deformation of the deformable element when relative motion occurs between the deformable element and the deforming element;
- and
- dissipating kinetic energy associated with the rotary motion through the deformation of the deformable element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.