Abstract: An actuator is provided which includes a stationary frame; an output plate disposed within said stationary frame; a top plate; a stator disposed between said stationary frame and said top plate, said stator describing an annulus; a rotor disposed within the annulus of said stator; a principal bearing disposed between said stationary frame and said output plate; a pinion gear; and a star gear which meshes with said pinion gear.

Abstract: An actuator is provided which includes a star compound gear train; a housing which houses said star compound gear train, said housing terminating in a back wall, wherein said back wall has an indentation defined therein; and a bearing assembly which includes first and second races and a plurality of bearings, wherein said first race is disposed in said indentation.

Abstract: An actuator is provided which includes a stationary frame; an output plate disposed within said stationary frame; a top plate; a stator disposed between said stationary frame and said top plate, said stator describing an annulus; a rotor disposed within the annulus of said stator; a principal bearing disposed between said stationary frame and said output plate; a pinion gear; and a star gear which meshes with said pinion gear.

Abstract: An actuator is provided which includes a parallel eccentric gear train, a prime mover having an assembly of piezoelectric elements which drives the gear train and which forms a mechanical amplifier, and a crankshaft which is driven by the parallel eccentric gear train.

Abstract: A power tool is provided which includes a housing assembly; a motor assembly disposed in the housing assembly and having an output shaft; a trigger assembly coupled to the housing assembly and configured for use in actuating the motor assembly; a spindle; and a transmission assembly transmitting rotary power between the motor assembly and the spindle. The transmission assembly comprises a star compound gear train.

Abstract: An orthotic device is provided which includes a first structural element; a second structural element which is rotatably attached to the first structural element across a joint; a first rotary actuator which imparts rotational motion to the first structural element relative to the second structural element about a first axis; and a second rotary actuator which imparts rotational motion to the first structural element relative to the second structural element about a second axis. Each of the first and second rotary actuators is selected from the group consisting of parallel eccentric actuators and rotary actuators.

Abstract: A rotary actuator (101) is provided which includes first and second opposing endplates (107); a stator (105) having a first end which is attached to said first endplate, and a second end which is attached to said second endplate; a rotor (103) having first and second eccentrics (125) on a surface thereof; an output attachment ring gear (135) disposed about the periphery of said first and second opposing endplates; a first parallel eccentric gear (131) which is disposed between said first eccentric and said output gear and which meshes with said output gear; a second parallel eccentric gear which is disposed between said second eccentric and said output gear and which meshes with said output gear; a first crosslink (113) which engages said first endplate and said first eccentric gear by way of a first set of surface features (143, 153); and a second crosslink which meshes with said second endplate and said second eccentric gear by way of a second set of surface features.

Abstract: A rotorcraft is provided which includes a rotor hub, a rotatable universal joint which tilts said rotor hub, and a plurality of servo drives which rotate the universal joint. The plurality of servo drives preferably includes four servomotors coupled together in a velocity summing arrangement to produce a single motion output.

Abstract: A rotary actuator (101) is provided which includes first and second opposing endplates (107); a stator (105) having a first end which is attached to said first endplate, and a second end which is attached to said second endplate; a rotor (103) having first and second eccentrics (125) on a surface thereof; an output attachment ring gear (135) disposed about the periphery of said first and second opposing endplates; a first parallel eccentric gear (131) which is disposed between said first eccentric and said output gear and which meshes with said output gear; a second parallel eccentric gear which is disposed between said second eccentric and said output gear and which meshes with said output gear; a first crosslink (113) which engages said first endplate and said first eccentric gear by way of a first set of surface features (143, 153); and a second crosslink which meshes with said second endplate and said second eccentric gear by way of a second set of surface features.

Abstract: A rotary actuator (101) is provided which includes a crankshaft (103), first and second eccentric gears (121), first and second end plates (123), a first crosslink (117) which is disposed between the first eccentric gear and the first end plate, a second crosslink which is disposed between the second eccentric gear and the second end plate, a stator (113) disposed between the first and second eccentric gears, and a rotor (109). Preferably, the rotary actuator further includes first and second support plates (115) which are disposed concentrically about the crankshaft and which are attached to first and second surfaces of the stator, respectively. The foregoing configuration allows the stator to serve as a major structural element, which may enhance the stiffness and reduce the weight of the actuator, while simplifying many of its active components.

Abstract: A rotary actuator is provided which includes an internal gear, first and second parallel eccentric gears which mesh with said internal gear, a crankshaft equipped with first and second eccentrics which are 180° out-of-phase and which drive said first and second parallel eccentric gears, respectively, a prime mover which drives said crankshaft, first and second crosslinks which prevent the rotation of said first and second parallel eccentric gears, respectively, and first and second sets of splines which engage said first and second parallel eccentric gears, respectively.

Abstract: An actuator is provided which includes a parallel eccentric gear train, a prime mover having an assembly of piezoelectric elements which drives the gear train and which forms a mechanical amplifier, and a crankshaft which is driven by the parallel eccentric gear train.

Abstract: A wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine comprises a blade; a shaft which rotates in response to the rotation of said blade; a generator; and a star compound gear train disposed between said shaft and said generator.

Abstract: An orthotic or prosthetic actuator is provided which includes a parallel eccentric gear train which terminates on a first end in a first plate, and which terminates on a second end in a second, rotatable plate which is adjacent to the first plate. The actuator further includes a spring which is disposed between these adjacent plates. The actuator preferably utilizes Oldham coupling, by way of a pair of crosslinks disposed on each side of the motor, to restrain rotation of the dual parallel eccentric gears in the actuator, while permitting their linear oscillation. The crosslinks are preferably equipped with a tongue/spline lubrication system to provide continuous lubrication to the mated and loaded crosslink tongue and groove surfaces.

Abstract: A rotary actuator is provided which includes a prime mover including a rotor and a stator; a front-end star compound gear equipped with a first pinion, a first plurality of star gears arrayed concentrically around said first pinion, a first clutch, a first clutch shift motor, an output shaft, and first, second and third gears, wherein said third gear is attached to said output shaft; a back-end star compound gear; and a wheel interface including a principal bearing and a brake disk. The first pinion drives said the clutch. The first clutch shift motor shifts the first clutch between a first position in which the first clutch engages the first gear, and a second position in which the first clutch engages the second gear. When the first clutch engages the first gear, the first gear drives the first plurality of star gears. When the first clutch engages the first gear, the first plurality of star gears drive the third gear, or the first clutch engages the third gear to drive the output shaft directly.

Abstract: A power tool is provided which includes a housing assembly; a motor assembly disposed in the housing assembly and having an output shaft; a trigger assembly coupled to the housing assembly and configured for use in actuating the motor assembly; a spindle; and a transmission assembly transmitting rotary power between the motor assembly and the spindle. The transmission assembly comprises a star compound gear train.

Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a first interface surface with a plurality of apertures defined therein; a plurality of interface modules, wherein each interface module includes a first portion which releasably engages one of said apertures, and a second portion which protrudes from said first interface surface; a second interface surface which releasably mates with said first interface surface; and a gear train which rotates said first interface surface about an axis.

Abstract: A multi-speed hub drive wheel is provided which includes a wheel equipped with a hub; a star compound gear train having first and second stages; a motor disposed in the hub which drives the wheel by way of the star compound gear train; and a clutch which switches the hub drive wheel between a first mode of operation in which the motor engages the first stage of the star compound gear train, and a second mode of operation in which the motor engages the second stage of the star compound gear train.

Abstract: An actuator is provided which includes a stationary frame; an output plate disposed within said stationary frame; a top plate; a stator disposed between said stationary frame and said top plate, said stator describing an annulus; a rotor disposed within the annulus of said stator; a principal bearing disposed between said stationary frame and said output plate; a pinion gear; and a star gear which meshes with said pinion gear.

Abstract: A multi-speed hub drive wheel is provided which includes a wheel equipped with a hub; a star compound gear train having first and second stages; a motor disposed in the hub which drives the wheel by way of the star compound gear train; and a clutch which switches the hub drive wheel between a first mode of operation in which the motor engages the first stage of the star compound gear train, and a second mode of operation in which the motor engages the second stage of the star compound gear train.