Motion Conversion Patents (Class 310/80)
  • Patent number: 7298108
    Abstract: A driver comprises a direction-switching means which switches a rotation direction of a rotary driving source based on a direction instruction signal, a current amplifier/limiter which converts a voltage outputted from the direction-switching means into a corresponding current and which limits the current to a preset reference current IMAX (threshold value), a current sensor which detects the current supplied to the rotary driving source, and a current loop which feeds back a detection signal supplied from the current sensor to an upstream side of the current amplifier/limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Takeshi Hirose
  • Patent number: 7285883
    Abstract: A drive system includes a rotary drive unit for rotating a shaft and a linear drive unit for moving the shaft in a linear direction. To improve efficiency and shelf life, an energy storage is mechanically connected to the shaft for biasing the shaft to seek a linear movement in opposition to the linear direction. The energy storage absorbs the kinetic energy of the shaft and releases it again subsequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Erich Bott, Wolfgang Schneider, Holger Schunk, Rolf Vollmer
  • Patent number: 7274124
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a generator (1) able to generate either unidirectional current or bi-directional current. A rotatable disc (7) has a conductive track (9) and a ferromagnetic bridge (8). Brushes (12, 13) switchingly open circuit a coil (16) or connect the coil (16) to a load resistor (R). Movement of the disc (7) results in bridge (8) shunting a core (15) of the coil (16). This generates an emf in the coil (16). If the circuit is closed, current flows in the resistor (R). If the circuit is open, no current flows. The arrangement is such that current only flows when the bridge (8) approaches the magnet (14)—not when the bridge (8) recedes from the magnet (14). Thus, only the magnetic attraction for the bridge (8) by the magnet (14) impedes the movement of the disc (7) as the bridge (8) recedes from the magnet (14) without the disc's movement also being impeded by generation of electric current at that time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Quantum Generation Pty Limited
    Inventor: Arthur James Fahy
  • Patent number: 7274120
    Abstract: A drive unit for performing precise linear movement of a driven object comprises a motor having a cylindrical stator and a cylindrical rotor that is coaxially put in the cylindrical stator and capable of rotating relatively to the cylindrical stator, a movable barrel for holding a driven object mounted for rotation in the cylindrical rotor, a motion transformation mechanism comprising an internal helical groove formed in the cylindrical rotor and an external helical thread formed on the movable barrel which engage with each other so as to cause relative rotation between the cylindrical rotor and the movable barrel when the cylindrical rotor rotates, thereby transforming rotational movement of the rotor into a linear movement of the movable barrel, and a head-on striking structure provided between the helical groove and the helical thread to restrict the relative rotation at an intended extreme end of an axial path of the movable barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuo Manabe
  • Patent number: 7274122
    Abstract: A sliding hole is formed so that a screw portion can pass therethrough. Also, a seal member is provided at a portion, through which the screw portion placed in the sliding hole can pass and in which a sliding portion does not slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenta Hatano, Youichi Fujita, Sotsuo Miyoshi, Tomokuni Kato
  • Publication number: 20070210659
    Abstract: A non-contact magnetic motion converter or magnetic cam comprises a permanent magnet rotational element or assembly having a pre-selected magnetic field shape, profile, and radial position in relation to the rotational axis and provides a continuous, operatively radial magnetic work-space comprising at least one continuous and non-sequential magnetic field area in accordance with the pre-selected field profile, radial position, and work-space. The operative radial work-space and permanent magnet rotational element or assembly is supported for rotational motion about an axis perpendicular to the radial work-space and provides a leveraging displacement aspect in accordance with the radial magnetic work-space profile or position relative to the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventor: Johnny D. Long
  • Patent number: 7268454
    Abstract: A power generating system includes a torque converter system receiving a rotational motion having a first torque from a source and producing a rotational output having a second torque different from the first torque, a transfer system having a first portion coupled to the rotational output of the torque converter system and a second portion magnetically coupled to the first portion, and a generator system coupled to the transfer system to produce and electrical output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Magnetic Torque International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard J. Wise
  • Patent number: 7268449
    Abstract: A stopper member is included in a linear actuator comprising a stator assembly, a rotor assembly, an output shaft, and a stopper pin which is fixedly disposed at a frontward portion of the output shaft, and which is adapted to axially control the mode and amount of movement of the output shaft initiated by rotation of the rotor assembly. The stopper member is disposed fixedly with respect to the stator assembly and stops the axial movement of the output shaft without making it happen that the stopper pin which moves together with the output shaft touches the rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Suzuki, Shinji Tamaki
  • Patent number: 7262525
    Abstract: A rotor of a motor includes a cylindrical rotor shaft that is formed through plastic working. The shaft includes a positioning portion that is formed in an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical shaft by the plastic working of the shaft. The positioning portion is detachably engageable with a securing member, which is insertable into the shaft in an axial direction of the shaft to position the shaft in a circumferential direction. When the positioning portion is engaged with the securing member, relative rotation between the shaft and the securing member is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takenobu Kawakami, Kazunobu Kanno
  • Patent number: 7233087
    Abstract: Electric energy from a battery is employed to shift the permanent magnetic field located in a generator. A spring housing is located distal from the generator. An outer magnet housing enclosing an inner rotating magnetic housing is positioned between the generator and the spring housing. A shaft is integral with and turns with the inner magnetic housing. An end of the shaft distal from the inner magnetic housing passes through the generator and is actuated by a sensor mounted over the shaft end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Charles S. Watson
  • Patent number: 7218022
    Abstract: A linear actuator for displacing a member or a set of movable members, having an electric stepping motor (7) with a rotor having a portion in the form of a nut (9), and a linear-movement screw (12) engaging the nut portion of the rotor. The screw has a coupling portion (19) disposed at an extremity and intended to engage a coupling portion (5) of the movable member to be displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Société Industrielle de Sonceboz, S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-François Pfister, Pierre Gandel
  • Patent number: 7205690
    Abstract: A sliding hole is formed so that a screw portion can pass therethrough. Also, a seal member is provided at a portion, through which the screw portion placed in the sliding hole can pass and in which a sliding portion does not slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenta Hatano, Youichi Fujita, Sotsuo Miyoshi, Tomokuni Kato
  • Patent number: 7199494
    Abstract: The invention proposes an electric linear actuator with a take-off element (12) that is adjustably supported on a main housing (5) and is connected to and driven by an electric motor (14) via a spindle drive (8). This connection is realized in the form of a purely plug-type coupling (41) that is formed by a gear transmission (43). The gear transmission (43) comprises a first transmission gear (44) that forms part of the spindle drive (8) and a second transmission gear (45) that together with the electric motor (14) forms part of a motor module (3). When the motor module (3) is attached or removed, the teeth of the gear transmission (43) are disengaged or disengaged automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Martin Rapp, Thomas Feyrer
  • Patent number: 7190096
    Abstract: An electrical actuator comprises two or more electrical motors to drive a threaded screw ram. Each motor has an armature that drives a threaded roller screw that is engaged to the threaded screw ram. Each armature of each motor is independently engageable and/or dis-engageable with the ram. The motor armatures are engageable and disengageable by way of threaded roller screws, the ends of which are tapered to enable them to be lifted away from or lowered into engagement with the threaded ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David E. Blanding, Atsuo J. Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7151332
    Abstract: A motor includes a rotor supported for rotation about an axis, at least one pair of rotor magnets spaced angularly about the axis and supported on the rotor, at least one reciprocating magnet, and an actuator for moving the reciprocating magnet cyclically toward and away from the pair of rotor magnets, and consequently rotating the rotor magnets relative to the reciprocating magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen Kundel
  • Patent number: 7135794
    Abstract: Spring support having at least one axially moveable spring plate, an actuator with a rotor producing a rotational movement relative to its stator, which is converted into an axial movement of the spring plate, and a torsional locking element which prevents torsional movement of the spring plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Joachim Kühnel
  • Patent number: 7105968
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present apparatus include a magnetic transmission. The apparatus in this embodiment may have the following components: a plurality of magnetic gears arranged to form at least two gear trains; at least two of the plurality of magnetic gears being non-coaxial; and at least one of the non-coaxial magnetic gears being moveable relative to the other magnetic gears to thereby form the at least two gear trains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventor: Edward William Nissen
  • Patent number: 7102258
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a manual electric generating device, which comprises an upper casing, a lower casing; a rotor, a fixed stand, a hollow cylinder, a coil for generating power supply; and a printed circuit board for processing and outputting the power supply. The power supply is outputted to a portable electronic device for charging its battery or lighting up its indicating lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: Kun-Tsai Shen
  • Patent number: 7102261
    Abstract: A coupling device (11) between a rotor of a synchronous permanent-magnet motor and a working part (17), being advantageously able to ensure an unusual silentness, comprises a driving member (22), being eccentric with respect to the rotor rotation axis and integral with a first motion transmission component, and a driven element (24), being also eccentric with respect to the rotor rotation axis and integral with a second motion transmission component which is kinematically positioned in series with the previous one, said driving (22) and driven (24) members being placed on different non interfering parallel planes inside a tight chamber (18), said driving (22) and driven (24) members being operatively connected through kinematic connection means (25) whose axial dimension interferes with said parallel planes in said chamber (18), said kinematic connection means (25) comprising at least one elastic element (25a) being compressed in said chamber (18) between a bottom wall (19a) and a closing tight cover (19b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Artel s.a.s. di Vedovello Elena & C.
    Inventor: Elena Vedovello
  • Patent number: 7098562
    Abstract: A motor assembly 30 includes an electric motor 32 having a rotatable shaft 40, the shaft 40 having a worm 38; and a gear unit 33 operatively associated with the motor, the gear unit has first and second opposing ends. The gear unit 33 includes a gearwheel 36 operatively coupled with the worm 38 of the shaft 40 such that rotation of the shaft rotates the gearwheel. A driver 42 is operatively coupled with gearwheel so as to rotate therewith. The driver 42 is constructed and arranged to provide a driving member 43, 44 accessible at each of the first and second ends of the gear unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: JonYeon Oh, Barry Anderson, Martin Bass
  • Patent number: 7064464
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical linear drive, in particular for an injection moulding machine, comprising an electric motor with a hollow-shaft rotor, open on one side, with a subsequent screw gear which converts the rotational movement of the hollow-shaft rotor into a linear movement. The hollow-shaft rotor is supported on the motor housing, at the end thereof closed by a end wall, such as to rotate, by means of a central bearing spigot projecting axially from the end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Demag Ergotech GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Ickinger
  • Patent number: 7051850
    Abstract: The invention disclosed is a compact and lightweight hybrid pneumatic-magnetic isolator-actuator capable of large force, substantial stroke and bandwidth actuation with near frictionless operation and vibration isolation with very low break frequency. Pneumatic and magnetic forces are applied to a single carriage comprised primarily of a coaxially arranged air piston and coil. The carriage is driven relative to a frame or housing including an internally mounted cylindrical piston sleeve and magnetic actuator body. A combination of air bearings and air bearing piston construction provide for frictionless motion of the carriage relative to the frame. The pneumatic piston provides the actuation force for both static loads and low frequency dynamic loads. An integrally mounted sensor and control unit determine the pressure error resulting at the pneumatic piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: CSA Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Kienholz
  • Patent number: 7049719
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a synchronous machine with preferably salient poles with pole windings which are galvanically connected together. The invention further concerns a wind power installation and a method of monitoring a synchronous machine of a wind power installation. The object of the invention is to develop a synchronous machine and a method of operating a synchronous machine, such that the risk of a fire is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 7049720
    Abstract: Provided is a variable ratio torque converter including an input member for connection to a primary drive, an output member coupled to a torque multiplying member for connection to drive a load. The input member has paired permanent magnet poles, and the output member has a plurality of pairs of movable periphery magnets per pole, and a winding arranged for each peripheral magnet pairs. The windings are connected to a controllable inverter arranged to control torque from the torque multiplying member. The input and output members are arranged so that they rotate together under magnetic force. The peripheral magnets cause the windings to produce a slip related control signal for the inverter to control the torque. The converter may include a slip responsive arrangement for retarding actuation of the peripheral magnets to thereby delay movement when there is a slip between respective speeds of the input and output members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen Darday
  • Patent number: 7039309
    Abstract: A drive source of a camera lens designed with built-in drive motor inside the camera lens mount delivers benefits of eliminating runout occurring during the telescopic movement of the telescopic lens, and simplifying the parts assembly process. The drive source of camera lens comprises a coil stator installed directly to the inside of the camera lens mount, the spindle of the magnetic ring rotor screws onto the rotation-proof telescopic lens, so as to rotate the spindle of the magnetic ring rotor to drive the telescopic lens with external thread. The present invention allows the camera lens to acquire a built-in drive source, eliminates the runout that occurs during the drive of telescopic lens, and simplifies the assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Micro-Mototech Corp.
    Inventor: Cheng-Fang Hsiao
  • Patent number: 7005766
    Abstract: In a motor portion of a linear actuator, a rear end cap and a front end protrusion, which are disposed respectively at the rear and front ends of a stator assembly, and which include rear and front bearings to rotatably support a rotor assembly, are formed by injection-molding simultaneously and integrally with a stator support member which fixedly supports constituent members of the stator assembly, whereby the stator assembly, the rear end cap, and the front end protrusion can be coaxially aligned to one another with a high degree of precision thus improving the assembling precision of the motor portion. Also, since the front bearing can be attached to the front end protrusion before an output shaft is attached, the rotation characteristic of the rotor assembly can be evaluated before the output shaft is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Suzuki, Taketoshi Ohyashiki, Kazuo Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 6972502
    Abstract: An improved device for transmitting motion between the rotor of a synchronous permanent magnet motor and a working part. The device includes a first coupling, provided with a driving element, which is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis of the rotor, at a rotor shaft end. A second coupling cooperates in a kinematic series with the first coupling and is provided with a driven element, that is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis of the rotor and rigidly formed with said working part. The driving and driven elements lie in distinct and non-interfering axial positions. The device further includes two elastic elements, which are set angularly after each other, one of them interfering with the driving element of the first coupling and the other one interfering with the driven element of the second coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Askoll Holding S.r.l.
    Inventor: Elio Marioni
  • Patent number: 6962015
    Abstract: A sound actuated display device incorporating a vibratory-rotary motion converter to convert vibrations resulting from sounds and music to rotary motion. The rotary motion causes display elements to move and pulse in a manner synchronized to the rhythms of the sounds and music. The result is an aesthetically interesting display of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventors: Wesley Tyler, George Tyler
  • Patent number: 6959795
    Abstract: The invention disclosed is a compact and lightweight hybrid pneumatic-magnetic isolator-actuator capable of large force, substantial stroke and bandwidth actuation with near frictionless operation and vibration isolation with very low break frequency. Pneumatic and magnetic forces are applied to a single carriage comprised primarily of a coaxially arranged air piston and coil. The carriage is driven relative to a frame or housing including an internally mounted cylindrical piston sleeve and magnetic actuator body. A combination of air bearings and air bearing piston construction provide for frictionless motion of the carriage relative to the frame. The pneumatic piston provides the actuation force for both static loads and low frequency dynamic loads. An integrally mounted sensor and control unit determine the pressure error resulting at the pneumatic piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: CSA Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Kienholz
  • Patent number: 6960853
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a control apparatus for a vibration type actuator that can perform the drive of a driven member in a short time. The control apparatus for a vibration type actuator that excites vibration in a vibration body by applying a frequency signal to an electro-mechanical energy converting element and relativity moves the vibration body and a contact body contacting to this vibration body includes a determination unit determining the drive direction of the vibration type actuator, and a frequency setting unit modifying a frequency of the frequency signal according to whether the drive direction of the vibration type actuator determined by the determination unit is the same as or reverse to the last drive direction at the startup of the vibration type actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Endo
  • Patent number: 6933639
    Abstract: A method for driving a thrust body with a bidirectional linear solenoid drive having at least in each case one first actuator and one second actuator includes the steps of providing the at least one first actuator with at least one coil and a yoke and applying force alternately to the thrust body by interacting the first actuator with at least one armature ring. The armature ring is rotated with the second actuator to thereby axially shift the thrust body by the rotation of the armature ring. The thrust body is, then, shifted axially and is subsequently fixed in position with the thrust body being shifted in steps in this way until it has reached its respective final position. Also provided is a configuration for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Vecto Gray Controls Limited
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Krokoszinski, Andreas Kahnert, Wolfgang Waldi, Rolf Disselnkötter
  • Patent number: 6927513
    Abstract: An electromechanical linear actuator assembly having in-line axial load support of its screw drive shaft is provided. The bearing support structure provides a single in-line ball bearing accommodated within a hardened end fitting and a screw pivot recess in the axial screw drive shaft. For axial loading in an opposite direction, a number of smaller ball bearings are provided around the outer periphery of the screw shaft in a groove, and are retained within the hardened end fitting by a bearing retainer. End rod support bearings providing heat compensation and lubrication fluid transfer are also provided. A braking mechanism having increased life and more consistent load engagement is also provided. Further, integrated electronics may be provided for position sensing and power efficiency control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Bear Linear LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Michael Schreier
  • Patent number: 6919658
    Abstract: An XY coordinate measuring stage includes a drive unit for a coordinate axis. The drive unit has a friction rod and a motor, the motor including a motor shaft in contact with a side of the friction rod. An applied pressure roller contacts an opposite side of the friction rod. At least one applied pressure spring urges the applied pressure roller, the friction rod, and the motor shaft against one another with an applied pressure force so that the motor shaft frictionally engages the friction rod, converting a rotational motion of the motor into a linear motion of the friction rod. A compensation device associated with the motor shaft generates a compensation force onto the motor shaft oppositely to the applied pressure force so as to at least partially compensate for the applied pressure force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Kaczynski
  • Patent number: 6909214
    Abstract: A small motor in a casing has a motor shaft, which has a worm outside the casing. A worm wheel is rotatably mounted to a housing for a reduction mechanism and meshes with the worm. The motor shaft is supported by radial bearings in the housing, and is supported at the bottom by a thrust bearing thereby simplifying the structure. Furthermore, a rotary disc is fixed to the motor shaft to rotate together with the motor shaft. An angle of rotation of the motor shaft is detected by a rotation detector via the rotary disc and converted to a digital signal by an electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Igarashi Electric Works Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Seshita, Yoshinori Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 6906441
    Abstract: A spherical motor (10) that includes an outer field sphere (12) and an inner armature sphere (14) rotatable therein. Field magnetic elements (26) are disposed on the field sphere (12) and sensor/actuator magnetic elements (42) are disposed on the armature sphere (14). The field magnetic elements (26) include two coils (28, 30) providing regularly varying magnetic fields in two axes. The sensor/actuator magnetic elements (42) include coils (44-54) providing magnetic fields in three axes. Each sensor magnetic element (42) senses its localized magnetic field variations and generates a torque relative thereto. Over one complete field variation of the field magnetic elements (26), each sensor magnetic element (42) can produce torque about all three axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Todd L. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 6888277
    Abstract: The electro drive comprises a stator, a rotor, and a rotor bearing which is axially arranged within the axial length of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Saia Burgess Murten AG
    Inventors: Michael Watzek, Axel Boettger, Daniel Riedo
  • Patent number: 6882073
    Abstract: In order to reduce cost through reduction in material cost and improvement of productivity, in a linear type actuator comprising: a stator unit having coils consisting of wound magnet wires and housed inside stator sub-assemblies and pole teeth arranged on the inner circumference thereof; a rotor unit having a field magnet arranged on the outer circumference thereof and rotatably disposed so as to oppose the pole teeth with a given gap; an output shaft attached to a center portion of the rotor unit and movable in the axial direction thereof; and converting means provided on the innermost diametral circumferential surface of the rotor unit and adapted to convert rotary motion of the rotor unit into linear motion of the output shaft, the converting means is made of a material different from that of the rotor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Suzuki, Sakae Fujitani, Naoyuki Harada, Kunitake Matsushita
  • Patent number: 6879073
    Abstract: An electromotive linear drive includes one or more drive motors and a corresponding number of torque-reducing transmissions and corresponding driven spindles and a casing. The casing is comprised of two casing parts, whereby the abutting surfaces of the casing parts are sealed by a sealing element or a plurality of sealing elements. Connecting terminals for mechanical and/or electrical components are provided on the exterior of the casing parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Dewert Antriebs- und Systemtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Roither, Ralf Bokämper, Horst Finkëmeyer, Jürgen Martin
  • Patent number: 6870121
    Abstract: An actuator designed for use with a welding gun of the type having a first electrode movable in a straight line toward and away from a second electrode supported by a welding arm. The actuator includes a housing with a first and second end. A bushing with a generally square opening defined therethrough is supported in the first end of the housing. An actuator rod extends through the square opening in the bushing and has a first end inside the housing and a second end disposed external to the housing. The actuator rod has an external surface with a generally square cross section such that the external surface engages the square opening to prevent rotary motion of the rod with respect to the housing. A drive mechanism is disposed in the housing and is operable to move the rod with respect to the housing. The drive mechanism may be a pneumatic actuator or a rotary screw drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Milco Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Peter G. Beauregard, Wylie Chase
  • Patent number: 6859968
    Abstract: The power toothbrush, which has a rotating brushhead movement, includes a housing with a motor mounted therein having an armature which in operation rotates through an arc of predetermined magnitude. The toothbrush also includes a brushhead mounted on a shaft which is connected to an output mass. A spring assembly couples the armature to the output mass, the spring assembly including two spring portions with a node point therebetween, wherein when the armature rotates, the brushhead moves in an opposite direction. The frequency of the movement of the armature is set equal to the resonant frequency of the spring coupling system and the output assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Miller, John W. Pace, Aafke G. Koster
  • Patent number: 6857332
    Abstract: An actuator (1) for the linear displacement of a member to be controlled comprising a motor part (2) and an actuating device part (3) including a threaded screw (11) with linear displacement, and a rotary member (9) provided with a threaded portion (10) matching the screw thread, the rotary member capable of being driven in rotation by the motor part and being supported by bearings (15,16) in the form of roller bearing stops with four contact points arranged on either axial side of said threaded portion to guide the rotary member axially and radially. The raceways of the balls are directly in the rotary member and integral with parts of the body (14) or the cover (13) of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Societe Industrielle de Sonceboz SA
    Inventor: Jean-François Pfister
  • Patent number: 6822406
    Abstract: A brushless motor-driving circuit is disclosed which includes an initializing element setting an initial rotating speed, an oscillating element for generating a frequency corresponding to the initial rotating speed set by the initializing element, a frequency-controlling element for causing the frequency generated by the oscillating element to change from the frequency corresponding to the initial rotating speed to a frequency corresponding to a constant rotating speed, a driving-signal-generating element for generating driving signals having a plurality of phases based on the generated frequency of the oscillating element, and a driving element for driving coils having a plurality of phases based on the driving signals having the plurality of phases generated by the driving-signal-generating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masafumi Kikuchi, Hitoshi Suzuki, Masahiro Suzuki, Akira Fujino
  • Publication number: 20040222706
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical linear drive, in particular for an injection moulding machine, comprising an electric motor with a hollow-shaft rotor, open on one side, with a subsequent screw gear which converts the rotational movement of the hollow-shaft rotor into a linear movement. The hollow-shaft rotor is supported on the motor housing, at the end thereof closed by a end wall, such as to rotate, by means of a central bearing spigot projecting axially from the end wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Demag Ergotech GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Ickinger
  • Patent number: 6806597
    Abstract: To provides a lead screw type stepping motor which is excellent in a response and controllability and can carry out an accurate initial alignment, a rotor (2) is rotatably supported inside of a stator (1) around which an exciting coil (1A) is wound, a female threaded hole (2A) is provided in the center of the rotor (2), a slider (6) is arranged to be engaged with the female threaded hole (2A), a slit groove (6C) shaped in an oblong hole is pierced through in the slider (6), which is movably arranged in a guide hole (3B) of a case (3), a guide pin (7) is arranged to be inserted into the slit groove (6C), and both ends of the guide pin (7) are press inserted and fixed to a bearing portion (3A) in which the guide hole (3B) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Kondo
  • Patent number: 6794779
    Abstract: An electromechanical linear actuator that contains an electric servo motor mounted within a compact housing. A thermally conductive path of travel is provided to efficiently transfer heat out of the housing into the surrounding ambient. A further mechanism is provided for holding the stator windings of the motor in undisturbed contact with the inner wall of the housing when the motor is subjected to thermal stress. The motor is arranged to linearly position a push rod through means of a ball screw unit. The ball screw nut and the push rod ride on bearings within guideways to insure that the push rod tracks along a linear path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Young & Franklin Inc.
    Inventors: Weijian Ma, Gabriel Silva
  • Patent number: 6791220
    Abstract: Disclosed is a linear actuator in which a screw shaft portion is integrally formed on the distal end side of the rotation shaft of the motor, and in which the coupling and one of the support bases are eliminated, thereby achieving a reduction in the number of parts and an improvement in positioning accuracy. The linear actuator includes a screw shaft portion formed on the distal end side of the rotation shaft of a motor and a nut portion threadedly engaged with the screw shaft portion, in which the screw shaft portion and the rotation shaft are formed as an integral unit using the same material and in a seamless state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignees: Tamagawa Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, KSS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikihiko Suzuki, Hiroyuki Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 6781265
    Abstract: A compact and simple linear actuator includes a spindle to a main body so as to be capable of moving in an axial direction, displacement detection device, a motor, and a transmission mechanism. The displacement detection device detects a movement displacement amount of the spindle. The motor is disposed adjacent a proximal end one of the spindle and on the same axis as the spindle. The transmission mechanism transmits turning force of the motor to the spindle. The transmission mechanism includes a first rotary member fitted to the proximal end of the spindle and integrally rotating with the spindle, a second rotary member fitted to a rotor of the motor, and connection rods for transmitting rotation of the second rotary member to the first rotary member. The connection rods have axes that are parallel to an axis of the spindle while being displaced from the spindle axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Shuuji Hayashida, Seigo Takahashi, Osamu Saito
  • Patent number: 6774517
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a threaded rotor for a linear actuator, including: a generally cylindrical, metallic shell/insert (20); and a generally cylindrical threaded thermoplastic member (72) disposed in a wall of the generally cylindrical shell/insert, the threaded thermoplastic member having threads formed on an inner surface thereof and engagable with complementary threads formed on an outer surface of a shaft to be inserted in the generally cylindrical shell/insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Tritex Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Kowalski, Nino Maini
  • Patent number: 6774588
    Abstract: A controlling apparatus for controlling a linear oscillation motor includes a sensor and a controller. The motor has a movable element and a stator one of which includes an electromagnet with a winding. The sensor is configured to detect movement of the movable element. The controller is configured to intermittently supply electric power to the winding of the electromagnet to move the movable element reciprocally and linearly. The controller is configured to begin each intermittent supply of electric power to the winding at a timing before a dead center of the movable element based on an output of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Ibuki, Atsushi Takahashi, Takio Maekawa, Mikihiro Yamasita
  • Patent number: RE39481
    Abstract: A device for transmitting motion between the rotor of a synchronous permanent-magnet motor and the working part, having an increased free rotation angle, which comprises at least two motion transmission couplings which mutually cooperate in a kinematic series. Each coupling is constituted by at least one driving element which is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis and is rigidly coupled to a first component of the motion transmission system and by at least one driven element, which is also eccentric with respect to the rotation axis and is rigidly coupled to the component arranged kinematically after the preceding one. The angle covered by the elements of each coupling is, as a whole, less than a round angle. The intermediate components of the kinematic transmission have both a driven element and a driving element for receiving the motion from the preceding one and transmitting it to a subsequent one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Askoll Holdings S.r.l.
    Inventor: Elio Marioni