Patent · US Expired

Techniques for controlling a fin with unlimited adjustment and no backlash

US7195197B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
77References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 11, 2005
Grant dateMar 27, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 11, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF42B10/64
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A fin control assembly includes a housing, an arm configured to couple to a fin and to steer the fin relative to the housing, and a locking member disposed within the housing. The locking member is configured to (i) lock the arm in a substantially fixed state to inhibit movement of the arm relative to the housing when the locking member is in an engaged position, and (ii) unlock the arm from the substantially fixed state to allow the arm to steer the fin relative to the housing when the locking member moves from the engaged position to a disengaged position. The locking member has a cylindrical body portion and a cylindrical end portion, which is eccentric with the cylindrical body portion, to enable the locking member to lock the arm in the substantially fixed state while the arm holds the fin in a neutral location.

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