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US 5,396,692 AGranted
Non-linear torsional assist mechanism and method
AssigneeFMC Corporation
InventorsKirby H. Floyd, John J. Busuttil
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention provides an indirect linkage between a spring and a hatch supported by the spring. The torque or moment applied by the hatch is significantly curved. The indirect linkage which provides a first varying moment arm and a second varying moment arm and utilizes a varying ratio between the first moment arm and the second moment arm to provide an applied spring torque which matches the shape of the torque curve applied by the hatch.
Claims19
An apparatus for supporting a hatch, comprising:
- a housing;
- a spring with a first end and a second end in the housing;
- a fixed anchor attached between the first end of the spring and the housing;
- a movable anchor attached to the second end of the spring;
- a spring arm with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the spring arm is attached to the movable anchor;
- means for allowing the spring arm to rotate around an axis of rotation of the spring arm;
- a connecting arm with a first end and a second end;
- means for connecting the first end of the connecting arm to the second end of the spring arm in a manner which allows the connecting arm to rotate around the second end of the spring arm;
- a hatch arm, wherein the hatch arm is connected to the hatch;
- and
- means for connecting the hatch arm to the second end of the connecting arm in a manner which allows the hatch arm to rotate with respect to the connecting arm.
8 more elements
An apparatus for supporting a hatch, comprising:
- a housing;
- a spring with a first end and a second end in the housing;
- a fixed anchor attached between the first end of the spring and the housing;
- a movable anchor attached to the second end of the spring:
- a spring arm with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the spring arm is attached to the movable anchor;
- means for allowing the spring arm to rotate around an axis of rotation of the spring arm;
- a connecting arm with a first end and a second end;
- means for connecting the first end of the connecting arm to the second end of the spring arm in a manner which allows the connecting arm to rotate around the second end of the spring arm;
- a hatch arm, wherein the hatch arm is connected to the hatch;
- a cam attached to the housing, wherein the second end of the spring arm has a slot through which the means for connecting the first end of the connecting arm to the second end of the spring arm passes, and wherein the connecting means is a follower on the cam;
- and
- means for connecting the hatch arm to the second end of the connecting arm in a manner which allows the hatch arm to rotate with respect to the connecting arm.
9 more elements
A method for supporting a hatch, comprising the steps of:
- anchoring a first end of a spring to a fixed housing;
- anchoring a second end of the spring to a movable anchor;
- attaching a first end of a spring arm to the movable anchor;
- attaching a second end of the spring arm to a connecting arm so that the spring arm may rotate with respect to the connecting arm;
- connecting a second end of the connecting arm to a hatch arm so that the spring arm may rotate with respect to the connecting arm;
- and
- connecting the hatch arm to the hatch.
4 more elements
A method for assisting the movement of a hatch, comprising the steps of:
- applying a force from a spring to a spring arm, causing the spring arm to rotate around a spring arm axis of rotation;
- applying a force from the rotating spring arm to a connecting arm, causing the connecting arm to rotate with respect to the spring arm and to translate;
- changing the moment arm of the force applied from the spring arm to the connecting arm as the spring arm is rotated;
- applying a force from the rotating and translating connecting arm to a hatch arm to cause the hatch arm to rotate;
- changing the ratio of the moment arm of the force applied from the spring arm to the connecting arm to the moment arm of the force applied by the connecting arm to the hatch arm, as the spring arm is rotated;
- and
- applying a force from the hatch arm to the hatch.
4 more elements
A method for assisting the movement of a hatch, comprising the steps of:
- applying a force from a spring to a spring arm, causing the spring arm to rotate around a spring arm axis of rotation;
- applying a force from the rotating spring arm to a connecting arm, causing the connecting arm to rotate with respect to the spring arm and to translate, wherein the step of applying a force from a spring, comprises the steps of:
- applying a force from a twisted torsion spring, to rotate a rotating anchor;
- and
- applying a force from the rotating anchor to the spring arm;
- changing the moment arm of the force applied from the spring arm to the connecting arm as the spring arm is rotated, wherein the step of changing the moment arm of the force applied from the spring arm, comprises the step of connecting the spring arm to the connecting arm with a hinge joint;
- applying a force from the rotating and translating connecting arm to a hatch arm to cause the hatch arm to rotate, wherein the step of applying a force from the connecting arm to the hatch arm, comprises the step of connecting the hatch arm to the connecting arm with a hinge joint;
- changing the ratio of the moment arm of the force applied from the spring arm to the connecting arm to the moment arm of the force applied by the connecting arm to the hatch arm, as the spring arm is rotated;
- and
- applying a force from the hatch arm to the hatch, wherein the step of changing the moment arm of the force applied from the spring arm, comprises the steps of connecting the spring arm to the connecting arm with a pin inserted through a hole in the connecting arm and a first slot in the spring arm wherein the pin can be translated along the slot, and inserting an end of the pin through a second slot in the housing, wherein the end of the pin and the second slot act as a cam and follower.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.