High reliability actuator
AssigneeLcdrives Corp.
InventorsRussel Hugh Marvin, David H. Leach
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An actuator for moving a first component relative to a second component includes a first actuating mechanism secured to the first component and having a first motor, a first nut, and a first shaft secured to the first motor and the first nut such that the first nut is rotatable with the first motor. A second actuating mechanism is secured to the second component and has a second motor, a second nut, and a second shaft secured to the second motor and the second nut such that the second nut is rotatable with the second motor. A screw is threadably engaged with the first nut and the second nut such that rotation of at least one of the first motor and the second motor causes movement between the first and second nuts to move the second component relative to the first component.
Claims25
An actuator for moving a first component relative to a second component comprising:
- a first actuating mechanism secured to the first component and having a first motor, a first nut, and a first shaft rigidly fixed to the first motor and the first nut such that the first nut is rotatable with the first motor and the first shaft, the first motor, and the first nut have fixed longitudinal positions on the first actuating mechanism;
- a second actuating mechanism secured to the second component and having a second motor, a second nut, and a second shaft rigidly fixed to the second motor and the second nut such that the second nut is rotatable with the second motor and the second shaft, the second motor, and the second nut have fixed longitudinal positions on the second actuating mechanism;
- and
- a screw threadably engaged with the first nut and the second nut such that rotation of at least one of the first motor and the second motor causes movement between the first and second nuts to move the second component relative to the first component.
An actuator for moving a first component relative to a second component along a centerline comprising:
- a first actuating mechanism secured to the first component and having a first motor and a first nut rotatable with the first motor;
- a second actuating mechanism secured to the second component and having a second motor and a second nut rotatable with the second motor;
- a tubular screw threadably engaged with the first nut and the second nut such that rotation of at least one of the first motor and the second motor causes longitudinal movement between the first and second nuts along the screw to longitudinally move the second component relative to the first component, the screw having a first end and a second end;
- a first linear variable differential transformer secured to the first actuating mechanism and extending into the first end of the screw;
- and
- a second linear variable differential transformer secured to the second actuating mechanism and extending into the second end of the screw, each linear variable differential transformer including a bushing extending into the screw and having a polygonal shape allowing for relative longitudinal movement between the bushing and the screw but preventing relative rotational movement between the bushing and the screw.
An actuator for moving a first component relative to a second component comprising:
- a first actuating mechanism secured to the first component and having a first motor and a first nut rotatable with the first motor;
- a second actuating mechanism secured to the second component and having a second motor and a second nut rotatable with the second motor;
- a tubular screw having first and second ends and being threadably engaged with the first nut and the second nut such that rotation of at least one of the first motor and the second motor causes movement between the first and second nuts to move the second component relative to the first component;
- and
- a pair of linear variable differential transformers extending into the first and second ends of the screw, each linear variable differential transformer including:
- a solid magnetic core surrounding by a plurality of windings;
- a first bushing secured to one of the first and second actuating mechanisms and extending around the core and windings;
- and
- a second bushing slidably connected to the first bushing and movable with the screw;
- wherein the position of the second bushings relative to the first bushings is measured by applying voltage to one of the windings and sensing voltage on the remaining windings.
A linear voltage differential transformer for a tubular screw having an end, comprising:
- a magnetic first bushing extending into and fixed to the end;
- a non-magnetic second bushing positioned within and slidably engaged with the first bushing;
- a solid magnetic core extending within the second bushing;
- and
- a plurality of windings surrounding the core within the second bushing and positioned inside the magnetic first bushing;
- wherein the position of the second bushing relative to the first bushing is measured by applying voltage to the windings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.