With Motor Patents (Class 185/40R)
  • Patent number: 6155533
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control system having a housing with a motor, throttle valve, gear mechanism, and fail-safe mechanism. A spring member attached to a gear member and default lever, and which is biased when the throttle valve is in its fully open and closed positions, operates to open the throttle valve in the event of an electric failure, thus allowing the vehicle to limp home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Warner Semeyn, Dean Leigh Arcuri, Edward Albert Bos
  • Patent number: 6095488
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control system having a housing with a motor, throttle valve, gear mechanism, and fail-safe mechanism. A spring member attached to a gear member and default lever, and which is biased when the throttle valve is in its fully open and closed positions, operates to open the throttle valve in the event of an electric failure, thus allowing the vehicle to limp home. An adjustable pin member is used to adjust the position of the default lever and thus the throttle valve in a fail-safe situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Warner Semeyn, Jr., Alex McDonnell, Edward Albert Bos
  • Patent number: 6073395
    Abstract: A window lift mechanism for raising and lowering a window in a vehicle door includes a support bracket mounted to the window and a motor supported on the support bracket. A vertical rack is mounted to the door and is positioned immediately adjacent the window, and a vertical guide track is also mounted to the door parallel to the rack and immediately adjacent the window. A pinion gear driven by the motor is supported on the support bracket and engaged with the rack to permit vertical movement of the window. A slide is supported on the support bracket and engaged with the guide track to provide support as the window is raised or lowered. Alternatively, a second rack and pinion are used instead of the guide track and slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Paul J. Fenelon
  • Patent number: 6032760
    Abstract: An actuator for power door locks having a bi-directional spring holder assembly. The assembly has a substantially cylindrical housing having a projection formed on a rim of its cylindrical wall. The projection is provided with first and second abutments facing in opposite directions along the circumference of the rim. A spring is mounted around a shaft which passes through a longitudinal axis of the housing. A first, internal spring end is engaged to the shaft while a second, external spring end projects radially outward of the cylindrical wall. The assembly also includes a spring cover provided with a cover abutment which similarly projects radially outward of the cylindrical wall. When the holder assembly is assembled, the spring is coiled and the cover abutment pushes against the projection's first abutment while the external spring end pushes against the second abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Atoma International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 6026945
    Abstract: An automatic operating apparatus for a friction clutch is disclosed which apparatus performs the disconnection of the clutch of a transmission by the assistance of the accumulated load in a load accumulator which can perform the accumulation and the release of the load by a simple mechanism. In the automatic clutch operating apparatus having a reducer 9, 13 to reduce the forward rotating force of a motor 1 and a movement converter 10, 12 to make a piston rod 4a of a hydraulic master cylinder 2 move in the axial direction so as to disconnect the friction clutch, a link mechanism is constructed for accumulating the loads due to the rotating force of the motor 1 and the repulsive force of the clutch spring in the load accumulator 16, 18 when the motor 1 is rotated backward to connect the friction clutch and for releasing the accumulated loads when the motor 1 is rotated forward to disconnect the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Aichi Kikai Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Imao, Eiji Takeyama
  • Patent number: 6006475
    Abstract: An spring apparatus for use with an automatic swinging door closure system wherein the system includes a motor linked to a door via a gear train and a drive arm, the train including a plurality of gears including a first gear adjacent the motor, the motor driving the gears to move the door in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction and the apparatus for driving the gears in the direction opposite motor direction when motor power is cut off, the apparatus including a spring mounted within a housing which is linkable to the first gear in a first orientation to cause clockwise door movement and is linkable to the first gear in a second orientation to cause counter-clockwise door movement, the apparatus is easily modifiable so as to be configured in either of the first or second orientations and also includes a tension adjusting mechanism for adjusting spring tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Nabco Entrances Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Schwantes, James R. Scott, Michael L. Slosiarek, Donald G. Mussa, James A. Treichel
  • Patent number: 6000501
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adding torsion to a roller tube assembly of a retractable awning which includes a roller tube rotatable about a rod and a torsion spring between the roller tube and the rod. The model number of the roller tube assembly and the required number of turns to obtain the desired torsion is input, by bar code scanner, into a programmable controller. The controller is preprogrammed with data relating to the proper holding assemblies required for various model numbers and boundaries for the data input by the bar code scanner. The controller first verifies that the proper holding fixture is present. The rod is coupled to a drive motor for rotation therewith and the roller tube is secured in the holding assembly to substantially prevent rotation thereof. The rod is coupled and the roller tube is secured solely by longitudinally moving the roller tube assembly into the holding fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David K. Evans
  • Patent number: 5988319
    Abstract: An apparatus for effecting actuation of a device. The device has a home position and a set position and the apparatus returns the device to the home position upon loss of power to the apparatus. In its preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a drive motor for providing a driving force to a drive shaft, and a bias member having a cocking mechanism and a release mechanism. The bias member provides a bias force to a bias shaft when the cocking mechanism is cocked and the release mechanism is released; the release mechanism is released when power is lost to the actuator. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus further includes a drive member which delivers an actuating force to an actuating shaft in response to forces received on an input shaft. Still further, the apparatus preferably includes a transmission mechanism coupled with the drive shaft, with the bias shaft, and with the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Johnson Service Company
    Inventors: Hugh F. Hudson, Dennis J. Ulicny
  • Patent number: 5984225
    Abstract: A roller drive mechanism for an automotive HVAC film valve belt includes a single motor type drive that automatically compensates for continually differing belt wind up and wind off rates, while maintaining at least a minimal belt tension, and without the necessity for precise adjustment. A central motor drive shaft is split between a fixed end and a yieldable, slidable end. The two ends can turn at the same rate from the single motor, but the ability of the second end to slide back and forth allows one roller to match its belt handling rate to the other roller automatically, while the always stretched spring maintains a certain minimum belt tension, while also accommodating adjustment tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Donald John Enzinna
  • Patent number: 5950765
    Abstract: A two stage motorized servo-actuator having a worm driven high reduction gear train providing a rotary output. The motor shaft has a worm and co-axially therewith, a beveled pinion. The motor worm is continuously engaged with a first stage gear. The first stage gear has an input sector gear disposed co-axially and rotatable therewith. The input sector gear intermittently engages an output gear. The output gear has a beveled output sector gear disposed co-axially and rotatably therewith. Upon disengagement of the input sector gear with the output gear, the beveled pinion engages the beveled output sector gear to drive the output gear directly. Once the input sector gear is disengaged from the output gear, a return spring on the output gear can reverse drive the motor through the beveled pinion to return the output gear to a desired position in the event of motor failure in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Pearson, Dennis R. Carls, deceased
  • Patent number: 5865272
    Abstract: A linear actuator having an output shaft having a pair of driven wheels mounted thereon. One of the driven wheels is rotatably mounted in a fixed plane and has a drive nut for an associated thread on the output shaft. The other drive wheel is rotatably fixed to the output shaft. An input shaft is in side-by-side relationship with the output shaft and adapted to be rotated by a suitable power source. The input shaft provides a drive wheel for each of the driven wheels, with the ratio between each drive and driven wheel set being chosen to rotate the driven wheels at different speeds in the same rotational direction and thereby produce a controlled axial movement of the output shaft in a direction depending upon the relative rotation of the driven wheels. The other driven wheel and the drive wheel of its set are in the form of meshing helical gear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Rotork Controls Limited
    Inventors: Christopher R. Wiggins, Peter G. Sanders
  • Patent number: 5834997
    Abstract: A coupling member for securing a spring to a rotatable motor shaft so that the spring rotates with the motor shaft. The coupler has a cylindrical hollow middle which fits snugly onto the motor shaft and includes a main body portion having a smaller cylindrically shaped nose portion extending therefrom for receiving one end of the spring therearound. The main body portion includes a ramp portion, extending upwardly therefrom, a wall behind the ramp portion and a slot therein for receiving a hook portion extending from the spring. The hook portion is snugly secured in the slot and behind the wall so that as the motor shaft rotates, the coupler member causes the spring to rotate with the motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Dennis William Fleege, James Arthur Heise, Duane Lee Turner
  • Patent number: 5727653
    Abstract: A drive device for controlling the position of an actuator includes an electric motor for actuating the drive device. The motor is coupled to a gear mechanism and adapted to control the position of the actuator by selective operation thereof. A gear mechanism operatively coupled to the motor and to the actuator has a restoring spring and an auxiliary spring, each of which is tightenable to store energy therein by operation of the motor upon startup. In the event of a power loss to the motor, the gear mechanism operates to use the stored energy of the restoring spring to move the actuator to a preselected position. The stored energy of the auxiliary spring is used to counteract against moment of the motor at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventors: Christian Grossenbacher, Werner Studer
  • Patent number: 5722510
    Abstract: A unit for controlling the retraction of a mobile structure such as a mirror used for calibrating an optical system on board a spacecraft, which includes a spring which permanently forces the mobile structure towards its retracted position and a memory material member, wherein a change of state of the memory material disconnects a connecting system placed in a transmission mechanism normally connecting a control motor to the mobile structure. The connecting system normally ensures the joining by friction of two parts of the transmission mechanism between which the spring acts. A heating system controls the change of state of the memory material member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Nationale Industrielle et Aerospatiale
    Inventor: Daniel Viale
  • Patent number: 5657664
    Abstract: A transmission for an actuating drive having a spring return feature includes a drive pinion (2) associated with the actuating drive; an intermediate pinion (5) meshing with the drive pinion (2); an output shaft (3) having a clutch (4 for a final control element, and two gears (6, 7) rotatably mounted within the transmission housing (1). Each gear (6, 7) has an external toothing (8, 9) and a rotatably mounted hub (10, 11) so extending around the output shaft (3) as to leave an annular gap between the same and the hub. The drive gear (2) meshes with the external toothing (8) of one of the two gears. The intermediate pinion (5) meshes with the external toothing (9) of the other gear. A coupling sleeve (14) is disposed in the annular gap between the output shaft (3) and the gears (6, 7), is releasably connected to the output shaft (3) and is coupled positively with the hub (10, 11) of one of the gears. The direction of rotation of the output shaft (3) is variable by changing the coupling sleeve (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson Service Company
    Inventor: Werner Birchmeier
  • Patent number: 5653142
    Abstract: To provide an intermittently rotary gearing that converts rotary motion of a motor to intermittent rotary motion by utilizing a mechanical structure, an input shaft interlocking with a drive shaft of the motor is provided, a first gear and a second gear both interlocking with the input shaft when at least the input shaft is rotated in the power output direction of the motor are provided around the input shaft, and a first coiled spring is fitted to the first gear and second gear so as to extend over the bosses thereof. A first divisional shaft and a second divisional shaft are provided in parallel to the input shaft and also coaxially to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Humio Kato
  • Patent number: 5584383
    Abstract: An operating mechanism for a circuit breaker including a frame, a spring shaft mounted on the frame and rotatable around a central axis thereof, a spring case having a notch in an outer periphery thereof and rotatable around the central axis, a rotating spring provided in the spring case and having a first end secured to the spring shaft and a second end secured to the spring case, a cam secured to the spring shaft and rotatable along with the spring shaft, and a catch rotatably mounted on the spring case. The catch is at an original position at the notch inside the outer periphery of the spring case by a spring. The operating mechanism further includes a charging device for rotating the spring case to charge the rotating spring and a control lever rotatably mounted on the frame and having an end portion engaged with the cam, the catch and the outer periphery of the spring case for performing closing and opening control of the charging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Matsuo, Makoto Taniguchi, Junji Fujiwara, Takayuki Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 5545867
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made automatically by means of an electric motor. The circuit breaker operating handle connects with the operating springs through a motor operator interface unit to allow manual charging of the operating springs upon stalling of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen, Mark A. Zaffetti
  • Patent number: 5504289
    Abstract: A circuit switching mechanism for use in a high voltage circuit breaker is disclosed. The disclosed mechanism comprises a charging system (12); trip latch mechanism (14); an opening spring (16); a closing spring (18) positioned coaxially with the opening spring; a support structure (22) supporting the open and closing springs; and a first rod member (24) operatively associated with a circuit interrupter, the first rod member being operatively coupled to the open and closing springs such that discharging of the opening spring effects the movement of the first rod member in a first direction and discharging of the closing spring effects the movement of the first rod member in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Smith, Jeffry R. Meyer, Tomas B. Otterberg
  • Patent number: 5497672
    Abstract: A valve actuator comprises a stem extending through the actuator body for coupling to a valve such that axial movement of the stem opens and closes the valve. An outer shaft is arranged coaxially around, and in threaded engagement with the stem and is coupled to an electric motor for conveying rotational drive to the shaft and thus axial movement of the shaft relative to the stem against a spring bias. The shaft is releasably retained in a predetermined position by a solenoid-actuated latching mechanism with the spring in a compressed state, such that further rotation of the shaft causes axial movement of the stem relative to the shaft to actuate the valve. Deactuation of the mechanism releases the shaft to allow axial movement of both the shaft and the stem, under action of the spring in order to close the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Alpha Thames Engineering Limited
    Inventors: David E. Appleford, David Engerran
  • Patent number: 5472065
    Abstract: A linear drive, particularly useful for locking or unlocking a door lock mechanism or the like permits manual operation by providing an output shaft that can move freely regardless whether the output shaft is in extended or retracted positions without back driving the motor. The output shaft is coaxially slideably situated over a screw which moves a nut that is theadingly engaged therewith and moves inside the output shaft along the axial direction of the screw. The output shaft is not threadingly engaged with the screw. The output shaft thus is freely movable relative to the screw, which results in essentially zero back drive of the screw and the motor. To provide for manual operation, the nut is automatically moved back to its neutral position every tie the output shaft is extended or retracted by a torsion spring or the like which can store energy therein. Whenever the motor is operated to drive the screw, the spring gear is also rotated, which causes the spring to store energy therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Atoma International Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Vergin
  • Patent number: 5386885
    Abstract: The electro-mechanical drive includes an electric motor, a transmission and a restoring spring. To improve the capacity to close the door, particularly in the event of a power failure, a large coil spring used as the restoring spring surrounds the electric motor and transmission. The electric motor is short circuited when not powered in order to create a generator effect with consequent damping during movement of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Record Turautomation GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut H. Bunzl, Hansrudolf Bisang, Hans Minder, Daniel Burgi
  • Patent number: 5358073
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for tensioning the accumulator spring of a high-voltage or medium-voltage power circuit breaker drive, in which a drilling machine or a power tool, such as a screwdriver, which is powered by a rechargeable battery, is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Sprecher Energie AG
    Inventor: Hans-Rudolf Wothrich
  • Patent number: 5310021
    Abstract: An electric motor acts through a gear train to rotate an output shaft in one direction while a torsion spring rotates the shaft in the opposite direction when the motor is de-energized. When the output shaft stops abruptly at a limit position after being rotated by the spring, a lost-motion drive connection permits the output gear of the drive train to rotate relative to the shaft in order to dissipate kinetic energy through the gear train and to avoid impact loading of the gear train and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventor: Peter C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 5193647
    Abstract: A device for controlling swinging doors utilizing an externally powered motor to compress a spring during door opening to store energy in the spring. The motor is not used to open the door, but only to compress the spring, thereby utilizing a minimum amount of electrical energy and allowing for a very easy opening of the door. The motor acts as a generator during the closing of the door with generated electrical energy fed back to the motor to retard rotation of the rotor, providing a brake on the closing movement of the door. The feedback circuitry includes a switch for varying the braking during the final degrees of closing movement as well as a variable setting device allowing control of braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Thomas Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. O'Brien, II
  • Patent number: 5187993
    Abstract: A power operated linear actuator for remote operation of a machine. A cylinder frame containing a motor and a step-down gear train, a push-pull rod connected with a threaded nut movable along a high-pitch screw threaded shaft in the cylinder frame and an electromagnet clutch between the gear train and the screw shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: ADDCO Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Nicholson, Timothy J. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 5182498
    Abstract: A rotary actuator uses a two degree of freedom gear train with three torque members to provide torque to the output element from a first torque member. The torque is supplied to a second torque member from a drive motor. A torsion spring on the third torque member is normally wound tight and held wound by a brake which locks the third torque member during normal operation when electrical power is available for the drive motor. When power is lost, the brake releases the third torque member, allowing the spring to apply torque to the third torque member to drive the output element through the first torque member to a return position. This allows loads such as valves to be returned to a safety condition upon loss of electrical power to the system of which the load and the actuator are a part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Leslie P. Stuhr
  • Patent number: 5181771
    Abstract: A display unit that can retract heavy monitors into a stowing cavity when the retracting actuator of the unit becomes inoperative. The display unit has a spring motor with at least two nested torsional springs attached in parallel to provide the torque necessary to retract the monitor. The monitor is connected to a frame such that the monitor can move from a first stowed position to a second viewing position. Attached to the frame and monitor is an actuator typically of the ball screw variety, that rotates the monitor into the two position described. The monitor moves into the viewing position when the ball screw is rotated in a first direction, the monitor further being lifted into the stowed position when the ball screw is rotated into a second opposite direction. The actuator is typically driven by an electric motor adapted to rotate the ball screw in both directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Sony Trans Com Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Robak, Carter K. Reh
  • Patent number: 5160115
    Abstract: The apparatus for controlling a damper in an air conditioning system for a vehicle. The damper is used for selectively opening air outlets, and is constructed as a film damper having one end wound on a drive shaft rotatably supported in a casing. The drive shaft is formed as a hollow shaft having an axial bore therein, in which an electric motor with a reduction gear is arranged. The outer body of the motor is fixedly inserted to the shaft, and has an output shaft fixedly connected to the casing, so that a rotation of the motor causes a relative rotation between the motor body connected to the hollow shaft and the outlet shaft connected to the casing. As a result of the rotation of the motor body, the drive shaft is rotated, resulting in a desired movement of the film damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Ito, Akihito Higashihara, Hikaru Sugi
  • Patent number: 5150770
    Abstract: In a spring operated mechanism, the recharge device (1) is adapted to wind the spring (4) during idle times when the drive mechanism (4,16) is not operating. The recharge device has a lever member (48,50) operated by a shape memory alloy member (46) and adapted to turn a gear (8,26) for winding the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Contraves Italiana S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Secci
  • Patent number: 5137257
    Abstract: A feedback, motor-operated valve, including a valve casing having an inlet, an outlet and a valve seat operably positioned therebetween, and further including a valve element movably mounted in the casing to control flow between the inlet and the outlet, the valve element adapted for screw-like movement into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat by a valve stem rotatably mounted in the valve casing and extending through the casing exterior thereof, a reversible motor for actuating the valve including a reversible drive motor having an output shaft and drive gear which can be driven together in both a clockwise and counterclockwise direction for turning the valve element, a driven shaft interposed the motor drive shaft and the valve stem and connected to the valve stem, including a driven gear for engagement with the drive gear to effect turning of the valve element from turning the motor drive shaft, an electro-mechanical feedback operably connected to the driven shaft for providing an electric si
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: ETI Systems
    Inventor: Bill Tice
  • Patent number: 5113056
    Abstract: The stored-spring-energy actuator mechanism (210) for the high-voltage circuit breaker (218) has a spiral spring (216) which can be loaded by means of the loading device (212). The high-voltage circuit breaker (218) can be switched on once and off once with the energy stored in the loaded spiral spring (216). The energy stored in the fluid-pressure accumulator (258) is sufficiently great to charge the spiral spring (216) at least once. The working-stroke movement of the piston rod (242) in arrow direction (A) is transformed via the gear segment (236) into a rotation through 360.degree. of the gear (232) meshing with this gear segment (236). The spiral spring (216) is thereby loaded via the loading lever (230).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Sprecher Energie AG
    Inventor: Max Kuhn
  • Patent number: 5107715
    Abstract: The invention relates to controlling a circuit breaker by means of a drive mechanism circuit for operating a circuit breaker by rotating a main operating shaft (4). The drive mechanism comprises a trigger circuit breaker drive mechanism (1) delivering considerably less power than that required for operating the circuit breaker, and associated with an assembly including a disengagement first spring (6), an engagement second spring (12), and a recocking motor (14) for recocking the springs which are disposed, on being released, to drive the main shaft (4) through 180.degree., with the release of the springs being controlled by motion of an outlet member (2) of the trigger drive mechanism (1). The invention is applicable to the operating circuit breakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Gec Alsthom SA
    Inventor: Edmond Thuries
  • Patent number: 5101675
    Abstract: A force-storing actuator for connection to a rotor of a step transformer has a pair of similar levers rotatable about a common axis and having diametrally opposite outer ends, an input element and an output element rotatable about the axis and operatively engageable with the levers, and a latch device for releasably retaining the output element in any of a plurality of angularly offset positions. Respective springs each have one end connected to a respective end of one of the levers and an opposite end connected to a respective end of the other lever and having a middle between the ends. Respective guides movable freely angularly about the axis between the lever ends at generally the same radial spacing from the axis as the lever ends are connected to the middles of the respective springs. Thus the springs each have a pair of sections flanking the respective guide and extending generally tangentially of a circle centered on the axis from the respective spring ends to the respective spring middles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: MR Maschinenfabrik Rheinhausen GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Lauterwald
  • Patent number: 4986141
    Abstract: Apparatus for taking up and paying out first and second ends of an endless loop of tape that has an intermediate section. A first reel connected to the first end carries a first coil of the tape. The first coil extends from the first reel and is normally self-expanding and unwinding so as to unwind itself from the first reel. A second reel is connected to the second end for carrying a second coil of the tape. The second coil extends from the second reel and is normally self-expanding so as to unwind itself from the second reel. A drum supports both of the first and second reels for rotation in the same direction. Pulleys guide the intermediate section of the tape from the first reel to the second reel for moving a sludge collector. When the drum is rotated in a first rotary direction, the first coil tends to self-unwind from the first reel and the second coil is wound up on the second reel to move the intermediate section of the tape and the sludge collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Charles L. Meurer
  • Patent number: 4949814
    Abstract: A driving mechanism includes a rotatable support and a stretchable element which is being wound on the support by rotating the latter in one direction, and when the rotatable support is released the stretched element compresses and forcedly rotates the rotatable support in an opposite direction, thus providing a driving force in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Nachum D. Donner
    Inventor: Anatoly Borovsky
  • Patent number: 4905532
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus is comprised of an electrically operated motor having a shaft which is rotatable in one or the other direction, a worm-gear provided at an outer periphery thereof with a geared portion at which an angle of load is established at a set value so as to be larger than an angle of friction and fixedly mounted on the shaft of the motor, a worm-wheel provided at an outer periphery thereof with a geared portion which is in mesh engagement with the geared portion of the worm-gear, and a lever operatively connected to the worm-wheel for transmitting the rotational torque therefrom to a driven member. Since an angle of load is set so as to be larger than an angle of friction in the worm-gear, the rotational torque may be transmitted between the worm-gear and the worm-wheel. So, flexibility in mechanical design is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoichi Fukumoto, Shigeru Hayakawa, Nozomu Torii
  • Patent number: 4901821
    Abstract: A motor operated mechanism for transferring energy to the energy storing mechanism of a circuit breaker of the type which utilizes the energy to close the primary contacts of the circuit breaker. The mechanism includes a motor for driving a cam and follower assembly. The cam and follower assembly cooperate with a linkage to supply rotational motion of an energy delivery shaft, wherein the energy delivery shaft is coupled to the energy storing mechanism of the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Dale Robbins
  • Patent number: 4881460
    Abstract: A postage meter having a rotable print drum also has a control arrangement ensuring that power is fed to the motor which drives the print drum via at least two parallel paths. One of these paths is operative to cause the motor to be driven until an envelope trip switch signifies that the envelope is fully discharged from the meter, irrespective of whether the other path is electrically conductive or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Ray L. Bannister, Frederick C. Close, Peter J. Coeber
  • Patent number: 4831996
    Abstract: A target projecting apparatus having a main support housing assembly, and a target conveyance assembly mounted to the main support housing assembly. Also mounted or connected to the main support housing assembly are a target drive assembly, a releasing assembly, and a switch for interrupting power to a sprocket support that is included in the target drive assembly. A method for throwing targets comprising interrupting power to stop the sprocket support from rotating, and tripping a safety latch to release a spring biased crank shaft in order to propel a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Larry J. Cero
  • Patent number: 4800308
    Abstract: A motorized control for driving a rotatable shaft-actuated device, such as a valve, comprising a base plate, a top housing, a work plate intermediate the base plate and the top housing and a plurality of stiff legs extending between the base plate and the housing, wherein drive motors are mounted on the work plate to drive a drive shaft that is attached to the shaft-actuated device. The improvement provides elastomeric bias means that remain at rest during normal operation of the control, and deform, to store energy, at the end of control travel, to be released at the begining of travel in the opposite direction, to aid the controller to break loose any binding in the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: ETI Systems
    Inventor: Bill Tice
  • Patent number: 4787480
    Abstract: Tensioning device for the energy store of an electrical switch, the energy store including a drive spring and the switch having a turn-on lock provided with a blocking latch of the turn-on lock of the switch, the device including:a rotatable drive shaft having a crank articulated to the drive spring, the drive shaft being rotatable into an end position at which the spring is tensioned and the drive shaft is supported at the blocking latch;a rotatable tensioning shaft and a displacement-producing mechanism carried by the tensioning shaft;a directional coupling device disposed on the drive shaft and coupled to the displacement-producing mechanism for rotating the drive shaft in steps in a selected direction in repsonse to rotation of the tensioning shaft;a spring member disposed for maintaining the coupling operative engagement with the displacement-producing mechanism;a setting member associated with the drive shaft for uncoupling the directional coupling device from the displacement-producing mechanism when t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Sachesenwerk, Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Erwin Reichl
  • Patent number: 4760895
    Abstract: A spring applied force actuator having an output member movable from a first position to a second output position, a first power spring by which can be generated on the output member an output force when the member is in its second position, first power means by which potential energy can be generated in the first spring therein to be held until the spring is released to apply its stored force as an output force on the output member, a second spring release of potential energy stored in which moves the output member from its first position to its second output position, and second power means by which the output member can be moved back from its second output position to its first position thereby, at the same time, generating in the second spring the potential energy subsequently to move the output member back to its second output position upon the subsequent release of that second spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company Limited
    Inventor: David J. Wickham
  • Patent number: 4750375
    Abstract: A drive device for a low-voltage circuit breaker comprises a ratchet wheel with teeth which are engaged by a transporting ratchet by a periodic back-and-forth motion of a cage having the transporting ratchet disposed thereon. A stepwise rotation of the ratchet wheel for cocking an energy accumulator is brought about by the motion of the cage. Upon the release of the energy accumulator, which may be a tension spring for closing switch contacts, the ratchet wheel rotates at high speed relative to the transporting ratchet. Damage to the cooperating parts of the ratchet wheel and transporting ratchet is prevented by a centrifugal force level which is supported in the ratchet wheel in a radially tiltable manner and which protrudes during the fast rotation of the ratchet wheel with a working surface of circular arc shape beyond the heads of the teeth, so that the transporting ratchet is kept away from the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ludvik Godesa
  • Patent number: 4741508
    Abstract: An actuator for a valve has an output shaft adapted to be connected directly to a rotary shaft of the body of a valve, the shaft being pivotally supported in a casing, a gear rotated in one direction only by a motor, an internal gear having outer peripheral teeth meshed with the first-mentioned gear, the internal gear being rotatable independently from the output shaft and pivotally supported thereby, a further gear meshed with the inner peripheral teeth of the internal gear and with a still further gear secured to the output shaft, a yet further gear for pivotally supporting the further gear at a shaft, the yet further gear being pivotally supported by the output shaft such that it is rotatable independently therefrom, a power spring to be wound by the rotation of the output shaft in the valve opening direction, and an electromagnetic device for preventing the yet further gear from being rotated while power is supplied, and permitting it to be rotated when power is shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Inventor: Rikuo Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 4742200
    Abstract: For cocking an energy accumulator, an actuating device comprises a ratchet wheel with teeth as well as a reciprocating transport ratchet. For maintaining the cocked position of the energy accumulator, a cam wheel and blocking lever which can be braced against a blocking member via a ratchet lever are provided. Due to a wedge-like cooperation between a working surface of the cam wheel and a projection of the blocking lever, the blocking lever is transferred from its rest position into a blocked position if the deadcenter position of the cam wheel is exceeded. In the process, the transport ratchet is lifted from the teeth of the ratchet wheel by means of a striking surface of the blocking lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Siemens Aktienfesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Marquardt, Ralf Seebold
  • Patent number: 4715476
    Abstract: Reset mechanism comprises a base, a spring arm rotatable about an axis through the base, and an extension spring fixed to the base at one end and the spring arm at the other end. The spring passes around two ball bearings on studs on the base to permit use of a long spring in a small space without binding. The spring arm is limited to rotation between first and second angular positions, the angle between the spring and the spring arm becoming more acute as the arm is rotated from the first position to the second position. The torque required to hold the arm at the second position is considerably less than the torque required to initiate rotation from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Howard G. France
  • Patent number: 4705144
    Abstract: A spring operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter comprises means for converting the rotation of an electric motor into a rocking motion of a pawl, a ratchet wheel having teeth for being engaged by the pawl to be rotated by the rocking motion of the pawl and a closing spring which is charged by the rotation of the ratchet wheel, whereby energy charged in the closing spring is used for the closing and the tripping of the circuit interrupter. The mechanism comprises a catch arranged to come into engagement with the tip of the pawl when the tip of the pawl begins to ride on a large-diameter outer circumferential toothless portion of the ratchet wheel and to be brought out of the above engagement by the rocking motion of the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Yabe, Akiyoshi Onuma
  • Patent number: 4669578
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a valve mechanism and more particularly, to a motor driven valve arranged to open or close the valve through rotation of a valve body of the valve by the driving of a reversible motor, and having incorporated therein an improved mechanism for automatic opening or closing of the valve when it becomes impossible to control the valve due to troubles such as power failures, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Inventor: Rikuo Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 4624491
    Abstract: The latch comprises a bolt 20 pivotally mounted on a support plate 10, a latch 3 cooperative with the bolt, a rotatable lever driven in rotation by an electric system 9, 7, 5, 6 for opening the latch for pivoting the catch 3 and releasing the bolt 20. The electric system comprises a motor 9 having a low reversibility torque and sufficient power, and a spiral return spring 8 which is stressed during the opening by the rotation of the motor 9, this spring 8 being capable of being resiliently released when the motor 9 is no longer carrying current, after the opening of the latch, so as to permit the return of the lever 4 and of the latch 3 to their initial position under the effect of their own springs 21, 29.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Compagnie Industrielle de Mecanismes en abrege C.I.M.
    Inventor: Bernard Vincent