Linear actuator
AssigneeVictory Enterprises Technology, Inc.
InventorDavid A. Petersen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A linear actuator is disclosed which includes a frame, a first lead screw mounted to the frame and adapted for rotation, and a second lead screw mounted to the frame parallel to the first lead screw and adapted for rotation. An actuator block is movably secured to the first and second lead screws and includes an actuator assembly for selectively engaging the first lead screw to move the block in the first direction and an actuator assembly for selectively engaging the second lead screw to move the block in an opposing second direction.
Claims12
A linear actuator, comprising:
- a frame;
- a first lead screw operationally mounted to the frame and adapted for rotation, the first lead screw comprising high helix angle threads;
- a second lead screw operationally mounted to the frame parallel to the first lead screw and adapted for rotation, the second lead screw comprising high helix angle threads;
- and
- an actuator block secured to the first and second lead screws, including
- means for selectively engaging the first lead screw to move the block in a first direction;
- and
- means for selectively engaging the second lead screw to move the block in an opposing second direction;
- wherein said means for selectively engaging the first lead screw and said means for selectively engaging the second lead screw each include:
- a rotating member mounted in the actuator block in complementary threaded relationship with the lead screw, the rotating member being mounted for free rotation relative to the actuator block responsive to the rotation of the lead screw;
- and
- a braking member secured to the actuator block and adapted to selectively engage and substantially stop rotation of said rotating member relative to the actuator block upon engagement with the rotating member.
A linear actuator for providing multiple simultaneous linear movements, comprising:
- (a) driving means including first and second high helix lead screws adapted for rotation;
- (b) a plurality of actuator blocks movably secured to the first and second lead screws, each actuator block including:
- a first rotating member mounted in the actuator block in complementary threaded relationship with the first lead screw, the rotating member being mounted for free rotation relative to the actuator block responsive to the rotation of the first lead screw;
- a first braking member secured to the actuator block and adapted to selectively engage and substantially stop rotation of said first rotating member relative to the actuator block upon engagement with the first rotating member;
- a second rotating member mounted in the actuator block in complementary threaded relationship with the second lead screw, the rotating member being mounted for free rotation relative to the actuator block responsive to the rotation of the second lead screw;
- and
- a second braking member secured to the actuator block and adapted to selectively engage and substantially stop rotation of said second rotating member relative to the actuator block upon engagement with the second rotating member.
The linear actuator of claim 10 wherein said first and second rotating members of each actuator block each includes a nut rotatably mounted in the actuator block in complementary threaded relationship with the respective lead screw, the nut including a means for propelling the actuator block when selectively engaged by a braking member;
- and wherein the first and second braking members of each autuator block each includes:
- a disc mounted on the nut such that linear movement of the disc along the nut is accommodated and such that rotation of the disc relative to the nut is substantially precluded;
- and
- a means secured to the actuator block for selectively engaging the disc to substantially stop rotation of the disc relative to the actuator block.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.