Thin profile rotary actuator with backlash elimination
US4691582A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 2, 1985 |
| Grant date | Sep 8, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 2, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/19902
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fluid-powered helical actuator including a body, a rotatable shaft member, first and second independently rotatable sleeves reciprocally mounted within the body, a piston reciprocally mounted in the body to produce axially movement in response to the application of fluid pressure, and torque-transmitting ball races and balls for transmitting torque between the sleeves and the body, and the sleeves and the shaft. An adjustment collar is provided for applying an adjustable and oppositely directed axial force on the first and second sleeves for selective relative axially movement thereof to axially preload the first and second sleeves for simultaneously eliminating backlash in all the ball races. In one embodiment, the collar is replaced with a cam ring. An alternative embodiment utilizes a non-cylindrical body a dimension in a first lateral direction greater than a dimension in a transverse second lateral direction. The ball races for transmitting torque between the sleeve and the body are formed on axially extending portions thereof spaced apart in the first lateral direction. The piston head has a similarly non-cylindrical shape. As such, a thin profile actuator having high torqu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.