Non-recirculating rotary ball actuator
AssigneeRatier-Figeac SAS
InventorJacques Bousquet
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Abstract
A rotary ball actuator has a piston mounted within a body consisting of a first portion and a second portion. The piston has helical ramps which cooperate by means of first balls with helical ramps formed within the first portion, and rectilinear ramps which cooperate by means of second balls with rectilinear ramps formed within the second portion. The first balls and second balls are held respectively within first and second ball cages interposed between the piston and the body and controlled in dependence on the movement of the piston by means of a device comprising a stud and helical ramp. The two cages can be combined into one.
Claims8
A rotary ball actuator of the type comprising a piston mounted within a hollow cylindrical body constructed in two portions locked translationally and freely rotatable with respect to each other, the piston being provided on its cylindrical peripheral surface opposite to a first portion with helical ramps adapted to cooperate by means of first balls with helical ramps formed within said first portion, and opposite to a second portion with rectilinear ramps adapted to cooperate by means of second balls with rectilinear ramps formed within said second portion, so that a thrust exerted on the piston whilst one of said portions of the body is stationary produces a pivotal displacement of the other portion, wherein the first balls and second balls are held respectively within first and second ball cages interposed between the piston and the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.