Patent · US Expired

Electric multi-point positioner

US5181540A · kind A · utility

34Cited by
4References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 31, 1992
Grant dateJan 26, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 31, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/86863
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus having a variety of applications is provided for indexing a rotary component. The apparatus of the present invention includes a housing, a resilient electrically conductive band contained within the housing and connected to the rotary component, at least two indexing electrical contacts located on the housing internal periphery and is slidable contact with the band, and a bridging electrical contact electrically connected to the band while the band rotates. The band exerts a biasing force on the housing, thereby mainaining band contact with the housing internal periphery, while also causing a point of separation of the band from the housing. Drive means is provided for rotating the band within the housing. Finally, electrical circuit means, including electrical supply means and switching means, are provided for selecting one indexing contact and applying power through the drive means to rotate the band and the rotary component until the band disengages from the selected indexing contact, thus halting further movement of the band and rotary component.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.