Harmonic drive linear actuator

A harmonic drive linear actuator comprising:

• a first annular member having a longitudinal axis and lying on a plane perpendicular to said axis, and wherein said first member is relatively flexible in directions parallel to the plane;
• a second member substantially coaxially aligned with the first member, said members defining opposed complimentary surfaces and are fixed for non-relative rotation about said axis;
• and
• means for flexing the first member into at least two spaced-apart points of contact between said surfaces and for sequentially flexing the first member to rotate the at least two points of contact about the axis,
• said surfaces defining cooperating thread-forms thereon extending circumferentially about said longitudinal axis which selectively engage to effect relative axial displacement between said members.

A brake caliper apparatus, comprising:

• a brake caliper for applying a clamp load along an actuation axis;
• a piston slidably disposed in a bore concentric with said axis for applying said clamp load;
• and
• a harmonic drive linear actuator disposed for acting upon said piston and an opposed substantially grounded caliper surface, said linear actuator comprising a first annular member having a longitudinal axis and lying on a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, and wherein said first member is relatively flexible in directions parallel to said plane, a second member substantially coaxially aligned with said first member, said members defining opposed complimentary surfaces and are fixed for non-relative rotation about said longitudinal axis, means for flexing the first member into at least two spaced-apart points of contact between said surfaces and for sequentially flexing the first member to rotate the at least two points of contact about the longitudinal axis, said surfaces defining cooperating thread-forms thereon extending circumferentially about said longitudinal axis which selectively engage to effect relative axial displacement between said members and application of said clamp load.