Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus (100), including: a diaphragm coupling member (110); the diaphragm coupling member (110) having a generally ball shaped central portion; the ball shaped central portion having a first surface (130) engaging a complementarily shaped portion of a cover plate (132); the ball shaped central portion having a second surface (134) engaging a complementarily shaped portion of a drive plate (136); and the cover plate (132) and the drive plate (136) being co-engaged (at 150) such as to remove any clearance between the ball shaped central portion and the complementarily shaped portion of the cover plate (132) and the complementarily shaped portion of the drive plate (136).

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, including: first and second lamination stacks; a permanent magnet disposed between the lamination stacks; and the first and second lamination stacks and the permanent magnet being coated in one step with a plastic material.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, comprising: a rotary motor having an external shaft with an axial slot defined therethrough; a linear motor having a threaded external shaft with a translating nut disposed thereon; and the threaded external shaft being disposed in the slotted external shaft, with a tab on the translating nut extending through the axial slot, the tab preventing the translating nut from rotational motion.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear actuator including: a rotary electric motor; a shaft (46) extending into a rotor (44) of the rotary electric motor and extendable into a body extension (30) of the valve; the shaft (46) having an externally threaded portion (36) extending into the rotor (44) and in engagement with a complimentary threaded internal surface of the rotor (44); and the shaft (46) having an externally splined portion (34) extendable into the body extension (30) of the valve and engageable with a complementary splined internal surface (110) of the extension (30) of the valve.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear actuator including: a rotary electric motor; a shaft (46) extending into a rotor (44) of the rotary electric motor and extendable into a body extension (30) of the valve; the shaft (46) having an externally threaded portion (36) extending into the rotor (44) and in engagement with a complimentary threaded internal surface of the rotor (44); and the shaft (46) having an externally splined portion (34) extendable into the body extension (30) of the valve and engageable with a complementary splined internal surface (110) of the extension (30) of the valve.

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.

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.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear/rotary electromagnetic device, including: a housing (20); first and second stators (22 and 40) disposed in the housing, first and second rotors (24/26 and 42/44) disposed in the housing and magnetically interacting, respectively, with the first and second stators; the first stator and the first rotor comprising a rotary motor; the second stator and the second rotor comprising an electromagnetic brake; a shaft (28) extending through a portion of the housing and axially through the first and second rotors, the shaft having a threaded portion (50) extending through a complementary threaded portion (44) of one of the first and second rotors; whereby; when the electromagnetic brake is locked and the rotary motor is rotated in a first direction, the shaft will move axially in a first direction; when the electromagnetic brake is locked and the rotary motor is rotated in the second direction, the shaft will move axially in a second direction; and when the electromagnetic brake is r

Abstract: A digitally controlled industrial robot comprises a set of unitized and integrated joint drive modules which can be assembled in series to form an arm. The joints are of two basic types, pitch joints and roll joints, with the roll joints providing rotation about the longitudinal axis of the manipulator and the pitch joints providing rotation about axes which are substantially perpendicular to and offset from the roll joint axes. Any number of joints may be assembled to comprise the manipulator, permitting the configuration of a kinematically redundant manipulator. A servocontrol derives feedback from sensing the motive force on a driven member and compensates the drive signal accordingly. More particularly, the torque exerted on each roll and pitch joint is measured and used for feedback to provide stability and optimum bandwidth for the servomechanism.

Abstract: A digitally controlled industrial robot comprises a set of unitized and integrated joint drive modules which can be assembled in series to form an arm. The joints are of two basic types, pitch joints and roll joints, with the roll joints providing rotation about the longitudinal axis of the manipulator and the pitch joints providing rotation about axes which are substantially perpendicular to and offset from the roll joint axes. Any number of joints may be assembled to comprise the manipulator, permitting the configuration of a kinematically redundant manipulator. A servocontrol derives feedback from sensing the motive force on a driven member and compensates the drive signal accordingly. More particularly, the torque exerted on each roll and pitch joint is measured and used for feedback to provide stability and optimum bandwidth for the servomechanism.