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US 7,178,427 B2Granted
Motor driven harmonic drive actuator having an interposed output mechanism
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorDonald J. Christensen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A relatively small, lightweight electromechanical actuator includes a motor assembly, a harmonic drive, and an interposed gear assembly that functions as an output mechanism. The motor assembly, harmonic drive, and gear assembly are coupled together in an in-line configuration, which reduces the overall size envelope relative to know actuators, and the relative weight and complexity of the gear assembly.
Claims21
An actuator assembly, comprising:
- a motor assembly including a motor and a motor shaft, the motor configured to supply a first torque to the motor shaft;
- a harmonic drive coupled to receive the first torque from the motor shaft and operable, in response thereto, to supply a second torque;
- and
- a gear assembly disposed axially between the motor assembly and the harmonic drive, the gear assembly rotationally coupled to the motor assembly and at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the motor shaft, the gear assembly further coupled to receive the second torque from the harmonic drive and operable, in response thereto, to supply a drive force.
1 more element
An actuator assembly, comprising:
- a motor housing;
- a motor disposed within the housing and operable to rotate;
- a motor shaft coupled to the motor and configured to rotate therewith;
- a harmonic drive unit having an input member and an output member, the input member coupled to the motor shaft and configured to rotate therewith, the output member configured to rotate in response to rotation of the input member;
- and
- a gear assembly disposed axially between the motor housing and the harmonic drive, the gear assembly rotationally mounted on the motor housing and coupled to the harmonic drive output member.
3 more elements
An actuator assembly, comprising:
- a motor housing;
- a motor mounted at least partially within the motor housing, the motor having a motor shaft and configured to supply a first torque thereto;
- a harmonic drive coupled to receive the first torque from the motor shaft and operable, in response thereto, to supply a second torque;
- an input gear disposed axially between the motor housing and the harmonic drive, and having at least a first end and a second end and at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the motor shaft, the input gear first end coupled to receive the second torque from the harmonic drive and operable, in response thereto, to rotate, the input gear second end rotationally mounted on the motor housing;
- and
- an output gear coupled to, and disposed radially outward of, the input gear and configured, upon rotation of the input gear, to supply a drive force.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.