US 7,401,541 B2Granted

Servo-pneumatic actuator

AssigneeEnfield Technlogies, LLC

InventorsVincent P. McCarroll, R. Edwin Howe, Blake D. Carter, Daniel S. Cook

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A positioning system includes an actuator, valve (preferably pneumatic), position sensor and an electronic valve controller, integrated in a single unit. Continuously variable setpoints are possible within the range of operation. A preferred control circuit includes a signal converter, a ramp generator to smooth the shape of the command or target value signal applied, a position feedback sensor to report the actual position of the actuator, a controller, and a driver, containing an H-bridge, for controlling the pneumatic valve which feeds air into the actuator mechanism. Integration of all these components into a single unit shortens signal paths, improves resistance to electrical noise, and permits faster response time.

Claims4

Dependent claims

An integrated electronically actuated fluid power actuator, comprising:

a movable actuator portion (1);
a stationary actuator portion (3) arranged adjacent said movable portion and adapted to receive (14, 15) a fluid for moving said movable portion (1)
means for sensing a position of said movable portion (1) with respect to said stationary portion (3);
a pneumatic fluid power valve (13) adapted to supply at least one fluid to said stationary actuator portion (3);
a valve controller (6) containing means (50) for comparing a target position for said movable actuator portion with an actual position, as detected by said sensing means,
means for generating a sequence of command signals to said fluid power valve, to thereby supply fluid through said valve (13) to said stationary actuator portion (3), to bring said movable actuator portion (1) to said target position,
a signal converter (30), and
a valve driver (60),
wherein the valve driver includes an H-bridge circuit (71-74) and the valve includes a voice coil.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/210,196Filed 22 Aug 2005 · us provisional application
Priority: 20 Aug 2004
Published: US 2006/0037467 A123 Feb 2006
Granted: 22 Jul 2008
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

F15B 9/09
Controlled by valves affecting the fluid feed or the fluid outlet of the servomotor: with electrical control means
F15B 15/202
Other details , e.g. assembly with regulating devices: externally-operated valves mounted in or on the actuator
F15B 15/2815
Means for indicating the position, e.g. end of stroke: position sensing, i.e. means for continuous measurement of position, e.g. LVDT
F15B 21/08
Common features of fluid actuator systems; Fluid-pressure actuator systems or details thereof, not covered by any other group of this subclass:…