Ultrasonic lead screw motor
AssigneeNew Scale Technologies
InventorDavid A. Henderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for driving a threaded shaft assembly that contains a threaded shaft with an axis of rotation and, engaged therewith, a threaded nut. Subjecting the threaded nut to ultrasonic vibrations causes the threaded shaft to simultaneously rotate and translate in the axial direction. The threaded shaft is connected to a load that applies an axial force to the threaded shaft.
Claims24
An apparatus for driving a threaded shaft assembly comprised of a threaded shaft with an axis of rotation and, engaged therewith, a threaded nut, wherein:
- (a) said assembly comprises means for subjecting said threaded nut to ultrasonic vibrations and thereby causing said threaded shaft to simultaneously rotate and translate in the axial direction through said nut,
- (b) said threaded shaft is operatively connected to a load in said axial direction, and
- (c) said assembly also is comprised of means for applying an axial force to said threaded shaft.
An apparatus for driving a threaded shaft assembly comprised of a threaded shaft with an axis of rotation and, engaged therewith, a threaded nut, wherein:
- (a) said assembly comprises means for subjecting said threaded nut to ultrasonic vibrations and thereby causing said threaded shaft to simultaneously rotate and translate in the axial direction,
- (b) said threaded shaft is operatively connected to a load, and
- (c) said assembly also is comprised of means for applying an axial force to said threaded shaft, wherein said threaded shaft is disposed within a housing, and wherein said threaded shaft is connected to a knob.
An apparatus for driving a threaded shaft assembly comprised of a threaded shaft with an axis of rotation and, engaged therewith, a threaded nut, wherein:
- (a) said assembly comprises means for subjecting said threaded nut to ultrasonic vibrations and thereby causing said threaded shaft to simultaneously rotate and translate in the axial direction through said nut,
- (b) said threaded shaft is operatively connected to a load in said axial direction, and
- (c) said assembly also is comprised of means for applying an axial force to said threaded shaft, and
- (d) said rotation through said nut occurs through at least 360 degrees.
An apparatus for driving a threaded shaft assembly comprised of a threaded shaft with an axis of rotation and, engaged therewith, a threaded nut, wherein:
- (a) said assembly comprises means for subjecting said threaded nut to ultrasonic vibrations and thereby causing said threaded shaft to simultaneously rotate and translate in the axial direction through said nut,
- (b) said threaded shaft is operatively connected to a load in said axial direction, and
- (c) said assembly also is comprised of means for applying an axial force to said threaded shaft, and
- (d) said rotation and said translation in said axial direction through said nut occurs over a distance greater than the amplitude of any single amplitude of said ultrasonic vibration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.