Fluid rotary joint and method of using the same
US10704665B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H49/001
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fluid rotary joint has a stator with a generally curved stator body and a flex spline with a flexible annular band disposed about and secured to the stator body. The stator also has at least three radially extendable members disposed between the stator body and the annular band to deform the annular band away from the stator body to contact the inner surface of a rotor. The inner circumference of the rotor is greater than the outer circumference of the annular band. A driver selectively expands the extendable members and brings the annular band of the stator into frictional driving engagement with the rotor for rotating the rotor. The extendable members may also be selectively extended to allow the stator and rotor to freely move with respect to one another or to have limited contact with one another to act as a torque limiting device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.