Linear actuator mechanism
AssigneeSteven M. Meyer
InventorSteven M. Meyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A linear actuator has four drive gears which engage two racks. The actuator movable member may comprise two racks which have gear teeth which face inwardly and towards each other, or a single rack which has gear teeth which faces outwardly. In either case, four gear drives to engage the rack, two gear drives on each side. A plurality of linear actuators may be used to provide for position control in two or more directions. Control is provided by a servo mechanism.
Claims18
A linear actuator comprising in combination:
- a first gear rack;
- a second gear rack fixed with respect to said first gear rack and parallel to said first gear rack;
- wherein said gear racks face each other in opposition to each other;
- a pair of first drive gears in meshing engagement with said first gear rack;
- a pinion gear in contact with each of said first drive gears;
- a pair of second drive gears, each in meshing engagement with said second gear rack;
- and
- each of said second drive gears in meshing engagement with one of said first drive gears.
A linear actuator comprising in combination:
- an actuator member having chamfered edges upon which gears are placed;
- a plurality of gear drive members having cylindrical gears each drive member engaging one of said chamfered edges;
- a plurality of backup rollers on a side opposite said drive gears for holding said actuator member against said cylindrical drive gears.
A linear actuator comprising in combination:
- an actuator rack member having parallel gear teeth on opposite outwardly facing sides;
- two first drive gears on a first side of said rack, said drive gears each engaging one said opposite outwardly facing sides;
- two second drive gears on a second side of said rack, said drive gears each engaging the other of said opposite outwardly facing sides;
- and
- a pinion drive gear in engagement with one of said first drive gears and one of said second drive gears.
A linear actuator comprising in combination:
- an actuator member having geared teeth on two opposite outwardly facing surfaces thereof;
- first and second power driven gears in engagement with one of said oppositely facing surfaces and third and fourth power driven gears in engagement with a second oppositely facing surfaces;
- a pair of drive pinions in engagement with said third and fourth gears;
- a motor rotor in engagement with said two drive pinions and in engagement with said first and second drive gears for driving said linear shaft.
A linear actuator comprising in combination:
- a first gear rack;
- a second gear rack fixed with respect to said first gear rack and parallel to said first gear rack;
- a pair of first drive gears in meshing engagement with said first gear rack;
- a pair of second drive gears in meshing engagement with said second gear rack;
- a pinion gear in contact with one of said first gears and one of said second gears;
- wherein each rack is in engagement with two drive gears which provide balanced forces on said rack.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.