Force converter apparatus and method
AssigneeL. T. Machine & Tools Inc
InventorsVinh Le Tuan, Thanh Vo Van
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to devices for converting a small input force to a larger output force and particularly relates to devices and methods for converting an input force to an output force comprising: an arm rotatable about an axis of rotation where the axis of rotation is moveable between first and second positions; an input force for rotating and moving the arm about the axis of rotation between the first and second positions; structure for controlling the rotation of the arm, movement and position of the axis of rotation to generate a non-circular orbital segment of the arm to transfer an output force between the first and second positions.
Claims20
A device for converting an input force to an output force while maintaining a substantially constant input to output speed ratio comprising:
- (a) a frame;
- (b) a motor shaft mounted on a platform, the motor shaft rotatable about a rotation centre;
- (c) an arm having one end mounted on the motor shaft for rotation about the rotation centre, with a weight at another end of the arm that travels on and off a circular and non-circular orbital path to generate a centrifugal force;
- (d) an input force to drive the motor shaft and rotate the arm;
- (e) a force transfer arm on the frame;
- and
- (f) linear motion means to permit displacement of the:
- (i) platform and
- (ii) rotation centre
- relative to the frame, back and forth between first, centre and second resting positions by the centrifugal force produced by the weight;
- (g) the platform including a force transferring shoulder to displace the force transfer arm and to transfer part of the centrifugal force to the force transfer arm to produce an output force during selected movement of the rotation centre from the first resting position to the centre resting position then to the second resting position, then to the centre resting position, and then to the first resting position, repeatedly;
- (h) the linear means including cylinder means to control the motion of the rotation centre and stopper means whereby the cylinder means engages the stopper means at the first, centre and second resting positions and whereby the cylinder means disengages the stopper means during the selected movement of the rotation centre.
A method of converting an input force to an output force while maintaining a substantially constant input to output speed ratio comprising:
- (a) providing an input force for rotating an arm having one end connected to a motor shaft rotatable about a rotation centre, with a weight at another end of the arm to generate a centrifugal force, the motor shaft mounted on a platform the platform including a force transferring shoulder, where the platform is movable relative a frame between a top, centre and bottom resting position with a force transferring arm on the frame, and linear motion means including cylinders and stoppers or mechanical clutch for (i) positioning the rotational centre from the top resting position, then to the centre resting position, then to the bottom resting position, and then to the centre resting position and then to the top resting positions, repeatedly and for (ii) unlocking the rotational centre with the cylinders and stoppers or mechanical clutch to allow the rotational centre to move from the top resting position, then to the centre resting position, then to the bottom resting position and then to the centre resting position and then to the top resting position, repeatedly;
- (b) mounting the stoppers on the platform;
- (c) permitting the platform and the rotational centre of the rotating arm to move within selected ranges by the centrifugal force back and forth between the top, centre and bottom resting positions to allow the force transferring shoulder to displace the force transfer arm for transferring a part of the centrifugal force to the output force when the rotation centre is moved between the top resting position, then to the centre resting position, then to the bottom resting position and then to the centre resting position and then to the first resting position, repeatedly;
- (d) whereby the cylinder engages and locks the stopper to position the rotational centre at the top, centre and bottom resting positions and whereby the cylinder disengages from the stopper so as to unlock the stopper during the selected movement of the rotation centre with the movement of the weight on the rotating arm to synchronize the movement of rotational centre;
- or whereby the mechanical clutch includes lobes to allow the rotational centre to move from the top resting position, then to the centre resting position, then to the bottom resting position and then to the centre resting position and then to the top resting position;
- repeatedly to synchronize the movement of the rotation centre and position the rotation centre at the resting positions with the movement of the weight on the rotating arm to travel on and off a circular and non-circular orbital path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.