Scotch-yoke mechanism for redundant actuation applications
US8070455B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 7, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M60/896
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A primary scotch yoke and a secondary scotch yoke are coupled in opposing arrangement and rigidly attached to a linearly reciprocating element. Each scotch yoke includes a rotary actuator with a cam follower and a yoke attached to the reciprocating element. Each yoke has a cam with an open gap through which the follower may be disengaged from the cam and stopped to an idle position. The follower of the secondary scotch yoke is kept idle in a position similarly disengaged from its cam. A controller detects a failure in the primary scotch yoke, disengages the cam follower of the primary yoke from its cam, and energizes the secondary scotch yoke, thereby causing its cam follower to engage its yoke and continue to provide uninterrupted motion to the reciprocating element, in particular the portable pneumatic pump driving an artificial heart.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.