Abstract: A mechanical actuator for translating rotational motion to linear motion. The actuator includes a motor, a screw assembly, a bearing assembly, and first and second lubrication systems. The screw assembly includes a housing, a threaded screw shaft disposed within the housing, a nut assembly, and an extension tube. The threaded screw shaft is rotatable by the motor. The nut assembly is arranged to move in either direction along a longitudinal axis of the threaded screw shaft when the threaded screw shaft is in rotational motion, thereby moving the extension tube between an extended position and a retracted position. The bearing assembly is arranged to provide support to at least a portion of a length of the threaded screw shaft. A pathway of the first lubrication system is remote and isolated from a pathway of the second lubrication system.

Abstract: A ball bearing assembly having a bearing ball recirculation arrangement. The ball bearing assembly includes an outer ring having an inner surface, an inner ring having an outer surface and insertable inside the outer ring along a common longitudinal axis, and an insert removably fixed in a position between the outer ring and the inner ring. The outer ring, inner ring and insert define at least one ball bearing recirculation path. At least one set of bearing balls is disposed to travel along the at least one ball bearing recirculation path.

Abstract: A no-lash nut assembly for installation on a threaded rod and including a lead nut, a trailing nut, a transition nut and a torsion spring. The lead and trailing nuts have threaded bores for mating with the rod. The trailing nut has an external surface configured for engagement with the lead nut to prohibit relative rotation and allow relative axial movement. The transition nut has a threaded bore for mating to trailing nut, an external surface defining a slot, and a front face having a mating surface corresponding to the rear face of the lead nut to allow relative axial movement between the lead nut and the transition nut. The torsion spring has a pin and a hook. The pin protrudes into the rear face of the lead nut and the hook protrudes into the transition nut slot to apply a rotational force on the transition nut.

Abstract: A mechanical actuator for translating rotational motion to linear motion. The actuator includes a motor, a screw assembly, a bearing assembly, and first and second lubrication systems. The screw assembly includes a housing, a threaded screw shaft disposed within the housing, a nut assembly, and an extension tube. The threaded screw shaft is rotatable by the motor. The nut assembly is arranged to move in either direction along a longitudinal axis of the threaded screw shaft when the threaded screw shaft is in rotational motion, thereby moving the extension tube between an extended position and a retracted position. The bearing assembly is arranged to provide support to at least a portion of a length of the threaded screw shaft. A pathway of the first lubrication system is remote and isolated from a pathway of the second lubrication system.

Abstract: A mechanical actuator for translating rotational motion to linear motion. The actuator includes a motor, a screw assembly, a bearing assembly, and first and second lubrication systems. The screw assembly includes a housing, a threaded screw shaft disposed within the housing, a nut assembly, and an extension tube. The threaded screw shaft is rotatable by the motor. The nut assembly is arranged to move in either direction along a longitudinal axis of the threaded screw shaft when the threaded screw shaft is in rotational motion, thereby moving the extension tube between an extended position and a retracted position. The bearing assembly is arranged to provide support to at least a portion of a length of the threaded screw shaft. A pathway of the first lubrication system is remote and isolated from a pathway of the second lubrication system.

Abstract: A ball screw assembly having a bearing ball recirculation arrangement. The ball screw assembly includes a ball screw, a nut, and at least one set of two return plugs and at least one cap. The nut body is in threaded engagement with the ball screw, wherein one of the ball screw and the nut body is rotationally fixed relative the other. Each plug may be seated into a cavity on an outer surface of the nut body. The cap may have a recessed channel at least partially defining a return path for bearing balls from one end of a load bearing path to another end of a load bearing path.

Abstract: A no-lash nut assembly for installation on a threaded rod and including a lead nut, a trailing nut, a transition nut and a torsion spring. The lead and trailing nuts have threaded bores for mating with the rod. The trailing nut has an external surface configured for engagement with the lead nut to prohibit relative rotation and allow relative axial movement. The transition nut has a threaded bore for mating to trailing nut, an external surface defining a slot, and a front face having a mating surface corresponding to the rear face of the lead nut to allow relative axial movement between the lead nut and the transition nut. The torsion spring has a pin and a hook. The pin protrudes into the rear face of the lead nut and the hook protrudes into the transition nut slot to apply a rotational force on the transition nut.

Abstract: A limit switch assembly for a screw jack includes a worm screw jack assembly, a gear mechanism and a limit switch mechanism. The worm screw jack assembly includes a worm shaft, a worm gear and a screw jack shaft. The gear mechanism includes a piston, an adapter block, a planetary gearbox, and a gearbox shaft. The piston is drivable by the worm gear and engages the gearbox and the gearbox shaft extends out of the adapter block on an opposing side of the piston. The limit switch mechanism is coupled to the screw jack by the gear mechanism, and includes at least two limit switches operable to control movement of the screw jack shaft. The planetary gearbox may have interchangeable ratios to accommodate worm gear screw jacks with an increased number of gear ratios, drive screw lead, and length of travel requirement combinations.

Abstract: A mechanical actuator for translating rotational motion to linear motion. The actuator includes a motor, a screw assembly, a bearing assembly, and first and second lubrication systems. The screw assembly includes a housing, a threaded screw shaft disposed within the housing, a nut assembly, and an extension tube. The threaded screw shaft is rotatable by the motor. The nut assembly is arranged to move in either direction along a longitudinal axis of the threaded screw shaft when the threaded screw shaft is in rotational motion, thereby moving the extension tube between an extended position and a retracted position. The bearing assembly is arranged to provide support to at least a portion of a length of the threaded screw shaft. A pathway of the first lubrication system is remote and isolated from a pathway of the second lubrication system.

Abstract: A jack assembly of the ball screw or machine screw type includes a screw, a nut in driving engagement with the screw whereby rotation of the nut causes the nut or screw to move axially. A nut drive housing in which the nut rotates includes a worm gear transmission which may be driven directly or indirectly by an electric motor. The screw projecting through the nut is enclosed by a screw stem cover mounted on the housing which environmentally protects the screw. The cover and screw move axially relative to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the screw stem cover is made of plastic and is provided with slots extending axially in which are adjustably positioned magnetic reed switches. The switches may be clamped in place by a sleeve type clamp or the exterior of the cover may be flattened in the area of the slot for direct mounting of the switch. The stem cover may also have a flattened area for mounting of the required terminal.