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US 5,313,852 AGranted
Differential linear actuator
AssigneeGrumman Aerospace Corporation
InventorAldo Arena
Life of this patent
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AssigneeGrumman Aerospace Corporation
InventorAldo Arena
Estimating the term…
A differential linear actuator is disclosed which minimizes the torque that must be reacted by an input, rotary drive sleeve member. The differential linear actuator includes an actuator housing within which the drive sleeve is rotatably mounted. An intermediate actuating member is concentrically mounted between the actuator housing and the drive sleeve and is connected to the drive sleeve through a spline connection such that rotation of the drive sleeve results in rotation of the intermediate actuator member. In addition, due to the spline connection and a rotary to linear connection assembly between the intermediate actuator member and the actuator housing, rotation of the intermediate actuator member results in axial displacement of the member relative to the actuator housing. An elongated output member is further connected to a remote end of the intermediate actuator member through a second rotary to linear connection assembly such that rotation of the intermediate actuator member also causes the output member to be axially shifted. The two rotary to linear connection assemblies are designed such that rotation of the drive sleeve in a given direction causes the intermediate actuator member and the output member to axially shift in opposite directions with the output member being axially displaced relative to the actuator housing a distance greater than the intermediate actuator member. In addition, a linear variable displacement transducer is adapted to be connected between the actuator housing and the output member to sense the position of the output member which can then be used to control the drive to the drive sleeve.
A differential linear actuator comprising:
A method of linearly shifting an output member of a differential linear actuator having a fixed actuator housing, an elongated drive sleeve rotatably mounted within the actuator housing, an intermediate actuator member drivingly connected to the drive sleeve for rotation therewith but which is shifted axially relative to the drive sleeve and actuator housing upon rotation and an output member connected to said intermediate actuator member for linear movement relative thereto in response to rotation of said intermediate actuator member, said method comprising rotating said drive sleeve so as to cause said intermediate actuator member to rotate and to shift axially relative to said drive sleeve and said actuator housing in a first direction and to cause said output member to shift axially relative to said intermediate actuator member, said drive sleeve and said actuator housing in a direction opposite to said first direction with said output member being axially displaced relative to said housing a distance greater than said intermediate actuator member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.