Abstract: A damper actuator includes a housing and a hub extending through and rotatably coupled to the housing. The actuator is configured to be a side-mount direct coupled actuator. In one embodiment, an external clamp is coupled to the housing and is configured to be attached to a damper shaft without the damper shaft extending through the hub. A torque transfer mechanism is coupled between the hub and the external clamp such that rotation of the hub results in a corresponding rotation of the damper shaft. In another embodiment, a channel in the actuator housing is configured to accept a damper shaft from the side and the hub includes a removable portion to allow for insertion and removal of the damper shaft.

Abstract: An actuator for an HVAC system includes a motor coupled by an electrically operated clutch to a gear train which drives an output connector. A spring is connected to the transmission to drive the output connector to a normal position in the event of a power failure. A control apparatus is connected to the transmission and provides the combined functions of a magnetic eddy current brake and a motion sensor.

Abstract: A spring module having a shaft movable in first and second directions and a biasing element for urging the shaft into a normal position upon loss of power. The spring module also includes motion limiting means for limiting the deenergization of the biasing element and a speed reduction apparatus intercoupling the motion limiting means and the shaft. The biasing element is energized upon movement of the shaft in the second direction and deenergized by shaft movement in the first direction. Similarly, the motion limiting means are coupled to the shaft for movement in third and fourth directions. The speed reduction apparatus moves the motion limiting means at a slower rate in the third and fourth directions than the shaft moves in the first and second directions.

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.

Abstract: An adapter for intercoupling a valve and an actuator to limit the heat transfer therebetween. The adapter includes a body for separating the actuator from the valve, first means for coupling the adapter to the valve, second means for coupling the adapter to the actuator, and a passage extending through the body to accommodate a stem for operationally coupling the actuator to the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting actuation of a positioning member and a method for commissioning the apparatus wherein the apparatus includes a controller coupled to a drive motor and adapted to receive an input signal and to apply positioning signals to the drive motor. The positioning signals selectively effect positioning of the positioning member and determine a first position and a second position of the positioning member. The method for commissioning the apparatus selectively includes performing an end stop determination sequence in response to an end stop determination signal, winding a bias member, and determining a range of rotation for the positioning member. The end stop determination sequence seeks to detect the presence of both a load and spring when rotating the positioning member and biasing member, respectively, in one of a first and second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively effecting actuation of one of a rotatably driven device and a linearly driven device. The apparatus includes a frame, an output gear cluster coupled to the frame for rotation relative thereto and driving means for selectively rotating the output gear cluster in a first direction and a second direction. The actuator further includes an output hub having at least one of a rotary output head adapted to couple the output gear cluster to the positioning member of the rotatably driven device and a linear output head adapted to couple the output gear cluster to the positioning member of the linearly driven device. By this arrangement, and by selectively coupling one of the rotary output head and linear output head to the output gear cluster and to the positioning member of one of the rotatably driven device and linearly driven device, the actuator selectively actuates one of the rotatably driven device and the linearly driven device.

Abstract: An inclination drive mechanism for a treadmill permits driven, selective adjustment of the angle of inclination of the treadmill. The drive mechanism includes an electric motor which operates through a gear train including an output gear pinion. The gear pinion in turn drives a gear rack, which can be provided in either a linear or arcuate configuration. The mechanism includes a load-bearing support bracket on which the gear rack is mounted with the support bracket configured to minimize non-torsional loading of the gear train. The resultant construction is desirable economical and durable.

Abstract: An electrically-operated fire damper actuator is disclosed which is adapted to operate an associated fire damper having louvers movable between opened and closed positions, with the damper or the actuator including a closing spring which urges the louvers to the closed position. The present actuator is configured to open the louvers in opposition to the closing spring, and maintain the damper in an opened condition against the action of the closing spring, while permitting the damper to close in the event of loss of power to the actuator. The actuator comprises an electric motor which operates through a multi-stage gear reduction unit for opening the louvers in opposition to the closing spring, and further includes an electric brake operatively connected to the motor rotor shaft for maintaining the damper louvers in the opened position.

Abstract: An electric motor having an improved braking arrangement is disclosed. The braking arrangement includes a stop pawl armature assembly disposed coaxially upon the rotor shaft of the motor for axial movement with respect thereto in response to the magnetic field created by the stator assembly of the motor. The braking arrangement further includes a stop member disposed on the rotor shaft arranged to normally rotate therewith. The stop member functions in the nature of a slip clutch, and is adapted to cooperate with the armature assembly for effecting braking of the motor. During motor operation, the armature assembly is shifted by the magnetic field of the motor stator assembly so that a pawl portion of the armature assembly is moved out of the rotational path of a lobe portion of the stop member. When the motor is switched off, the pawl portion of the armature assembly is moved into the path of the lobe portion, and is engaged thereby.