Actuator that adjusts to side loads automatically by pivoting internally

A linear actuator comprising:

• a. a housing having an open central section, an end wall having a spherical surface over at least part of the end wall, a mounting block at the opposite end of the end wall, the mounting block having a spherical surface over at least part of the mounting block, the spherical surfaces of the end wall and the mounting block facing each other, the end wall and the mounting block each having a central hole opposite each other;
• b. a gear nut in the housing extending between the spherical surfaces of the end wall and mounting block, the gear nut having a central opening and curved end surfaces and being located within the housing such that at least a portion of each of the curved end surfaces is in spaced relation to the respective adjacent spherical surface of end wall or mounting block;
• and
• c. a leadscrew traversing the housing and threaded through the gear nut, the gear nut being against the spherical surfaces and rotating about the leadscrew in response to axial movement of the leadscrew through the housing;
• d. the gear nut pivoting to change the axis of rotation of the gear nut relative to the housing.

A linear actuator, comprising:

• a housing having an open central section, an end wall having a spherical surface over at least part of the end wall, a mounting block at the opposite end of the end wall, the mounting block having a spherical surface over at least part of the mounting block, the spherical surfaces of the end wall and the mounting block facing each other, the end wall and the mounting block each having a central hole opposite each other;
• a gear nut in the housing extending between the spherical surfaces of the end wall and mounting block, the gear nut having a central opening and castellations extending around the gear nut;
• a leadscrew traversing the housing and threaded through the gear nut, the gear nut being against the spherical surfaces and rotating about the leadscrew in response to axial movement of the leadscrew through the housing;
• a groove in the housing extending toward the castellations;
• a ball moveable within the groove between a position partially projecting from the groove and extending into a castellation and a position retracted from a castellation;
• and
• a piston in the housing in contact with the ball, the piston having portions of different diameters, the piston moving in the housing from a position in which the smaller diameter portion is adjacent the ball to allow the ball to retract from a castellation and a wider diameter portion pushing the ball toward the castellation;
• wherein the gear nut pivots to change the axis of rotation of the gear nut relative to the housing.

A linear actuator, comprising:

• a housing including an open space defined by curved inwardly facing walls;
• a leadscrew traversing the housing;
• and
• a gear nut in the housing around the leadscrew and rotating in response to axial movement of the leadscrew relative to the gear nut, the gear nut defining curved outer walls which rotate relative to the respective curved inwardly facing walls of the housing;
• wherein the gear nut pivots to change the axis of rotation of the gear nut relative to the housing.

A linear actuator, comprising:

• a housing including a first portion having a curved inwardly facing wall and a second portion having a curved inwardly facing wall, the first and second housing portions defining separate structural elements;
• a leadscrew traversing the housing;
• a gear nut in the housing around the leadscrew and rotating in response to axial movement of the leadscrew relative to the gear nut, the gear nut defining curved outer walls, at least a portion of each of the curved outer walls of the gear nut being in spaced relation to an adjacent curved inwardly facing wall of the housing;
• and
• an adjustment mechanism associated with the first and second housing portions for selectively adjusting the distance therebetween;
• wherein the gear nut pivots to change the axis of rotation of the gear nut relative to the housing.