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US 8,616,080 B2Granted
Shuttle stop force limiter
AssigneeParker-Hannifin Corporation
InventorsJames E. Flatt, Ted Alexander McKay
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided is an actuator characterized by the use of a shuttle that shifts in response to an overload. The shuttle is movable axially relative to a rotary input member by continued rotation of the rotary input member so that a stop on the shuttle moves from an ambush position allowing free rotation of the rotary input member to a blocking position preventing further rotation of the rotary input member. In this way, the shuttle prevents rotation of a rotary input member during an overload of a control surface.
Claims20
An actuator including:
- a housing;
- a worm gear mounted in the housing for rotation;
- a rotary input member mounted in the housing for rotatably driving the worm gear;
- and
- a shuttle supported in the housing for movement by loads acting on the actuator from a disengaged position allowing free rotation of the rotary input member to an engaged position engaging the rotary input member, wherein when in the engaged position, the shuttle is configured to be moved axially relative to the rotary input member by continued rotation of the rotary input member so that a stop on the shuttle moves from an ambush position allowing free rotation of the rotary input member to a blocking position preventing further rotation of the rotary input member,
- wherein during an overload, the worm gear is configured to displace axially relative to an output member to contact the shuttle, thereby causing the shuttle to engage the rotary input member.
3 more elements
An actuator including:
- a housing;
- a worm gear mounted in the housing for rotation;
- a rotary input member mounted in the housing for rotatably driving the worm gear;
- and
- a shuttle supported in the housing for movement by loads acting on the actuator from disengaged position allowing free rotation of the rotary input member to an engaged position engaging the rotary input member, wherein when in the engaged position, the shuttle is configured to be moved axially relative to the rotary input member by continued rotation of the rotary input member so that a stop on the shuttle moves from an ambush position allowing free rotation of the rotary input member to a blocking position preventing further rotation of the rotary input member,
- wherein the shuttle includes at least one tooth disposed on the shuttle that is configured to engage the rotary input member in the engaged position,
- wherein the shuttle includes at least one frame supported on the rotary input member for relative movement, the at least one frame including a pair of frames respectively assembled at opposite ends of the rotary input member and held together by springs.
4 more elements
An actuator including:
- a housing;
- a worm gear mounted in the housing for rotation;
- a rotary input member mounted in the housing for rotatably driving the worm gear;
- and
- a shuttle supported in the housing for movement by loads acting on the actuator from a disengaged position allowing free rotation of the rotary input member to an engaged position engaging the rotary input member, wherein when in the engaged position, the shuttle is configured to be moved axially relative to the rotary input member by continued rotation of the rotary input member so that a stop on the shuttle moves from an ambush position allowing free rotation of the rotary input member to a blocking position preventing further rotation of the rotary input member, and
- wherein the shuttle includes a base, an arm coupled to the base, and at least one tooth coupled to the arm and configured to engage the rotary input member in respective valleys of a thread of the rotary input member, wherein the arm allows the at least one tooth to move to accommodate a peak of the thread of the rotary input member if aligned therewith at the time of engagement.
3 more elements
An actuator including:
- a housing;
- a worm gear mounted in the housing for rotation;
- a rotary input member mounted in the housing for rotatably driving the worm gear, the rotary input member including a thread;
- and
- a shuttle supported in the housing for movement by loads acting on the actuator from a disengaged position allowing free rotation of the rotary input member to an engaged position engaging the rotary input member, wherein when in the engaged position, the shuttle is moveable axially relative to the rotary input member by continued rotation of the rotary input member so that a stop on the shuttle moves from an ambush position allowing free rotation of the rotary input member to a blocking position preventing further rotation of the rotary input member,
- wherein the thread includes at least one stop that is configured to engage the stop on the shuttle when the shuttle is in the blocking position.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.