Slip clutch linear actuator
US5461935A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/18696
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A linear actuator of the present invention includes a hollow drive tube. A slip clutch having front and rear camming surfaces is housed in the tube for rotation about an longitudinal axis. The slip clutch is axially fixed in the tube by a shoe. The slip clutch threadably receives a threaded shaft which is connected to a gear motor to be driven thereby. The shaft has stop nuts at either end, each of which has a camming surface which mates with a respective camming surface of the slip clutch. When the shaft is rotated by the motor, it rotates in the slip clutch. The slip clutch frictionally engages the drive tube, via the shoe, so that the tube will move linearly. When the slip clutch is engaged by one of the stop nuts, the slip clutch will free wheel in the tube and the tube will cease its linear movement. The slip clutch will continue to rotate in the tube till the motor is stopped or its direction is reversed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.