Reciprocating Or Oscillating To Or From Alternating Rotary Patents (Class 74/89)
  • Publication number: 20080184828
    Abstract: A linear actuator with a redundant structure comprises a motor, a gear box, a housing, a driving element and a follower element. An axis of the motor is protruded out of the linear actuator. When the linear actuator is stopped operation because of lacking power source, the linear actuator can be driven by rotating the axis, so as to solve the problem of unable to drive the linear actuator when lacking of electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Pei-Yu CHEN, Bing-Hong Yang
  • Publication number: 20080155976
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor is disclosed. The hydraulic motor includes a first toothed wheel and at least one second toothed wheel configured to at least selectively engage the first toothed wheel. The hydraulic motor also includes at least one hydraulic actuator and at least one linkage operatively disposed between the at least one second toothed wheel. The at least one linkage configured to transfer a reciprocal motion of the at least one hydraulic actuator to a rotary motion of the first toothed wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Eric R. Lauterbach, Daniel T. Mather
  • Publication number: 20080148886
    Abstract: An engine (1) is disclosed, comprising at least three, and preferably four, pistons (2) and their related cylinders (3); a rotating transmission shaft (7) having a rotation axis B-B and being equipped, at least for a certain section, with at least one cylindrical portion (8) whose rotation axis C-C is slanted with respect to such axis B-B; and at least one transmission member (9) adapted cooperate with the transmission shaft (7) next to the cylindrical portion (8) and to be connected through linkage members with each piston (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Contardo Giovanni, Rubatto Giovanni
  • Publication number: 20080110704
    Abstract: An electric direct-acting actuator is proposed which can maintain a large power increasing function without mounting a separate speed reducer. A plurality of planetary rollers 7 are disposed between the radially outer surface of a rotor shaft 5 of an electric motor and the radially inner surface of an outer ring member 1 fixed in position around the rotor shaft 5 so as to be rotatable about the rotor shaft 5 and about their own axes when the rotor shaft 5 rotates. A helical rib is defined by a rib member 9 engaged in a helical groove 8 formed in the radially inner surface of the outer ring member 1. The helical rib is engaged in circumferential grooves 10 formed in the radially outer surface of each planetary roller 7 at the same pitch as the turns of the helical rib. Thus, the rotary motion of the rotor shaft 5 is converted to a linear motion of the planetary rollers 7, so that it is possible to ensure a large power increasing function without mounting a separate speed reducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Tsugito Nakazeki
  • Publication number: 20080072694
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an oscillating vane machine where the vanes can be operated at high speed with a minimum of vibration and with minimum mechanical loads accomplished with sinusoidal motion of the vanes utilizing an improved continuously rotating input/output which is naturally balanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: STEPHEN M. CHOMYSZAK
  • Publication number: 20080072695
    Abstract: An actuator comprises a first actuator arrangement operable to allow relative axial movement to occur between a first component and a second component, a second actuator arrangement operable to allow relative axial movement to occur between a third component and a fourth component, brake means operable to prevent extension of the first and/or second actuator arrangement, and damping means operable to control the rate of extension of at least one of the first and second actuator arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy Hudson, Benjamin Thomas Tucker, Carl James Maxwell
  • 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: 7159481
    Abstract: In a ball screw device comprising a screw shaft and a nut which make relative movement to each other through a multiplicity of balls, as well as in a linear motion device comprising an outer member and an inner member which make the relative movements to each other through the multiplicity of balls, a spacer having two concave surfaces facing respectively to balls, is disposed between the balls adjacent to each other. In one preferred form, the spacer has such a configuration that the balls adjacent to each other come into contact with at least three or more outer edge portions of the spacer or portions vicinal to the outer edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Miyaguchi, Takeshi Nakazawa, Yoshinori Mizumura
  • Patent number: 7156217
    Abstract: A motion transmitting apparatus wherein an electric motor, an engine or another prime mover rotates an axially fixed first part relative to a coaxial axially movable non-rotatable second part. The structure which serves to move the second part axially in response to clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the first part includes a follower borne by the first part and a helical spring having end convolutions affixed to the first part. The follower extends between two intermediate convolutions of the helical spring. If the apparatus is utilized in the power train of a motor vehicle, the axially movable part can serve to engage or disengage or change the extent of engagement of the friction clutch between the output element of the engine and the input element of the change-speed transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Christoph Raber
  • Patent number: 7104589
    Abstract: A door driving unit includes a driving mechanism rotatable in a reciprocating manner within a predetermined operational angle range, a body portion fixed to a vehicle body, a first member driven by the driving mechanism, and a second member driven by the first member by being in contact with the first member. The first member and the second member are supported by a common shaft. The door driving unit further includes an engaging mechanism for engaging the first member and the second member with each other so that the first member and the second member rotate as a unit with each other within a first predetermined angle range when the first member drives to rotate the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Takeda, Bunshi Ohta, Yasutaka Shinoda
  • 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: 7009627
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel having display devices arranged in a matrix layout and driven through a plurality of row wirings and column wirings, a scanning unit to scan the row wirings, and a modulation unit to supply a modulation signal to the column wirings. A compensation unit applies compensation processing to compensate for fluctuation of display luminance due to the influence of voltage drop caused by a resistance of the row wiring to the image data, and a luminance control unit controls display luminance of the display panel based upon luminance information of the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Abe, Kohei Inamura, Osamu Sagano, Hiroshi Saito, Takeshi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7000493
    Abstract: A screw device having a lubricant applying structure comprises a screw shaft provided with a spiral ball rolling groove, a nut provided with a loaded ball rolling groove having a spiral shape corresponding to the spiral ball rolling groove formed to the screw shaft, a number of balls disposed in a loaded rolling passage formed by the ball rolling groove and the loaded ball groove, a return member provided for the nut and arranged so as to connect one and another end portions of the loaded rolling passage so that the balls rolling the loaded rolling passage circulate, and a lubricant applying portion mounted to the return member so as to apply a lubricant. The lubricant applying portion is arranged inside the return member provided for the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Fujita, Yoshiaki Saito
  • Patent number: 6964215
    Abstract: A tooling fixture for rotatably positioning a plurality of workpieces includes a base and a housing carried by the base. A plurality of workpiece spindles are carried by the housing. The tooling fixture also includes a spindle drive assembly for rotatably positioning the workpiece spindles. The spindle drive assembly includes a body movable along a predetermined path of travel between first and second spaced-apart positions within the housing, and converter members for converting movement of the body along the predetermined path of travel into rotation of the workpiece spindles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: L. H. Thomson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Loronzo H. Thomson, Kinito S. Swader, Randy D. Tolbert
  • Patent number: 6911819
    Abstract: A rotary input for a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) system connects to a gear reduction system. The gear reduction produces a reduced rotary output in a rotary output member. The output member is threaded, and a nut is threaded onto the output member. Therefore, the nut translates as the rotary output member rotates. The armatures of one or more LVDTs attach to the nut. Each armature contains a magnetic member. As the nut translates along the threaded output member, the nut translates the armatures. Armature movement moves the magnetic members to create a differential voltage between the secondary coils of the LVDT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Kavlico Corporation
    Inventor: Sohail Tabrizi
  • Patent number: 6868747
    Abstract: A linear drive includes a toothed belt (2) driven by direction-changing rollers (1) in the pretensioned state. The toothed belt (2) has at least one tension reinforcement. The teeth (3) of the belt (2) engage in the teeth gaps (4) of a linear toothed counterpiece (5) over a specific length. The pitch of the teeth (3) of the belt is slightly less, up to 0.8%, than the pitch of the toothed counterpiece (5) in the pretensioned state of the toothed belt (2) and during loading of the toothed belt which occurs during operation under load. The tooth flank (6) of the tooth (3) of the belt is at right angles or almost at right angles to the plane of the tension reinforcement (7) and the tooth gap (4) of the toothed counterpiece (5) is approximately 20% to 80% wider than the width of the tooth (3) of the belt. The belt teeth (3) are elastically configured compared to the high stiffness of the tension reinforcement (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: ConiTech Antriebssysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Göser, Christoph Bederna
  • Publication number: 20040244515
    Abstract: A high thrust operator for gate valves employs an inverted satellite roller screw assembly driven by an internally threaded cylinder carried within a bearing case. The cylinder is sized to provide a relief plenum within the case into which the roller screw assembly can be over extended to expose tool engagement flats for attachment and release of a mating stem in the valve gate actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Ted Ernest Cox
  • Publication number: 20040206194
    Abstract: Electronic control device for window-winders and other motor-driven mechanisms, with a motor (2) fitted with magnetic field sensors near its magnetic ring (8), that uses magnetic field concentrators to take the magnetic field from the interior of the motor to the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: Cesar Proano
  • Patent number: 6766704
    Abstract: Actuating system comprising an actuator with a torque-transmission element for a movable element, in particular a swing-action panel in a motor vehicle, the movable element being mounted pivotably in a basic hinge element. The actuating system has a torque support arranged functionally between the basic hinge element and the actuator, at least one key profile being made in the torque support, so that it is possible to bring about axial plug-connection assembly with the basic hinge element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Ritter, Rolf Mintgen
  • Patent number: 6761080
    Abstract: A multiple extend ball screw and nut linear actuator incorporates a revolvable axially restrained ball screw with a ball nut thereon. A constant speed reversible drive revolves the screw to move the ball nut forwardly and rearwardly. External helical threads of the same hand as the ball nut threads are provided externally on the ball nut but have a substantially reduced lead. A second rotatably restrained nut having threads matching the external threads on the ball nut mounts on the ball nut and connects to the system to be actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Saginaw Ball Screw Co., LLC
    Inventors: David A. Lange, Sid M. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20040118232
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor-driven pivoting device for a support plate that can cooperate with a positioning motor and be pivoted kinematically in relation to a holder, which is fixed to the object. In order to receive a mirror, the plate is provided with a fixed hollow spherical area on its rear side, which is directed away from the mirror, for stable mounting with a compact inbuilt part-turn actuator, mounted with the ability to pivot between two rigidly interconnected spherical surfaces along the generated surfaces thereof. The outer of the two interlocking spherical surfaces of the dual shell holder is embodied in the form of an assembly cap. Its inner surface is fitted out as a carrier for a device with a motor and a set of gears engaging with the gearing that moves radially to engage with the inner area of the device carrier along a generatrix of the inner generated surface of the hollow area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Wilhelm Wolf, Josef Boegelein, Wolfgang Seiboth, Heinrich Lang
  • Patent number: 6684728
    Abstract: In a rectilinear motion driving apparatus, a shaft is fitted into a cylindrical body in a coaxial state, and a plurality of cylindrical coil rollers are interposed between the cylindrical body and the shaft by press fit so as to roll at a predetermined inclined angle to the axial direction. These cylindrical coil rollers are contacted with an outer peripheral surface of the shaft and an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body with a pressure contact force, and the cylindrical body or the shaft is rotated so that the shaft or the cylindrical body makes a rectilinear motion toward an axial direction. A pressure contact force of both inner and outer surfaces of the cylindrical coil roller to the cylindrical body and the shaft is set either higher or lower in the vicinity of the end portion thereof than the intermediate portion of the cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Pubot Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Higuchi, Tatsurou Hirayama
  • Patent number: 6647593
    Abstract: A hinge assembly has a tubular member having a longitudinal axis, a peripheral surface, and a slot formed in the peripheral surface. A button member extends into the tubular member to undergo sliding movement in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member and to undergo rotational movement relative to the tubular member. A pin member is connected to the button member and extends into the slot of the tubular member to undergo movement therein during sliding and rotational movement of the button member relative to the tubular member. The button member is biased in a preselected direction of rotation relative to the tubular member by a first biasing member. The button member is biased in an axial direction by a second biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Katsunobu Iguchi, Takashi Ito
  • Publication number: 20030110874
    Abstract: A micro actuator including: a translationally driving section having a moving portion which is incorporated in a case 14 and moves translationally; and a displacement enlarging member 1 having one end portion 1g connected to the moving portion of the translationally driving section and another end portion 1h connected to the case, wherein as the one end portion 1g is pulled on the basis of the translational movement, the amount of displacement of its distal end 1a is enlarged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: NAOKI MURAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20030037628
    Abstract: Linear motion of the rod of an actuator is converted into limited rotary motion of a rotatable system. This rotary motion is about an axis defined by a manoeuvring member which is coupled to the actuator rod by a coupling member. The two ends of the coupling member are fixed rigidly to the manoeuvring member and actuator rod respectively. These ends are joined through a flexible element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Remy Chave
  • Publication number: 20020157490
    Abstract: In a rectilinear motion driving apparatus, a shaft (6) is fitted into a cylindrical body (4) in a coaxial state, and a plurality of cylindrical coil rollers (3a) is interposed between the cylindrical body and the shaft by press fit so as to roll at a predetermined inclined angle to the axial direction. Further, these cylindrical coil rollers (3a) are contacted with an outer peripheral surface of the shaft and an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body with a pressure contact force, and the cylindrical body or the shaft is rotated so that the shaft or the cylindrical body makes a rectilinear motion toward an axial direction. A pressure contact force of both inner and outer surfaces of the cylindrical coil roller (3a) to the cylindrical body (4) and the shaft (6) is set higher than an intermediate portion of the cylindrical body (4) in the vicinity of the end portion thereof, or is set lower than the intermediate portion of the cylindrical body (4) in the vicinity of the end portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Yasuo Higuchi, Tatsurou Hirayama
  • Patent number: 6448667
    Abstract: A drive device comprising at least one drive unit having two mutually spaced apart pressing bodies. On the pressing bodies mutual facing pressing faces are provided diverging in a drive direction and having between them a stroke unit engaging the pressing faces of both pressing bodies. Furthermore drive means are present by means of which a drawing together of the pressing bodies may be caused and, as a result of this a displacement of the stroke unit in the drive direction along the pressing faces for the purpose of producing a drive movement able to be externally employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Martin Godel, Markus Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20020073789
    Abstract: An actuator including a motor in driving connection with a cam rotatable about a cam axis, the actuator further including a cam follower connected to an output member, in which powered rotation of the cam causes the cam follower to be radially displaced relative to the cam axis to provide differing output positions of the output member and in which the profile of the cam includes a radial stop which, in conjunction with the cam follower, act as a detent so that the cam follower is capable of controlling the position of the cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Sidney Edward Fisher
  • Patent number: 6382038
    Abstract: A transmission mechanism for transmitting motion with a uniform speed transmission factor between first and second moveable elements comprises a set of cams adapted to rotate with the first moveable element about a revolving axis, and corresponding arrays of spaced-apart rollers connected to the second moveable element for movement therewith. The cams cooperate in relays with the corresponding arrays of spaced-apart rollers to continuously communicate motion between the first and second moveable elements. The cams are in rolling contact with the corresponding arrays of rollers, whereby torque and force transmission can be performed smoothly. Furthermore, the transmission mechanism allows for the reversal of both the direction of the input speed and the roles of the first and second moveable elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: McGill University
    Inventors: Jorge Angeles, Max Antonio Gonzalez-Palacios
  • Publication number: 20010023617
    Abstract: Proposed is an axial adjuster having at least a first pair of helical raceways (322a) extending rotatable about an axial axis (A) along a cylindrical shell (36) wherein arranged between the first pair of helical raceways is a radially guided axial needle or roller ring whose running length corresponds substantially to the length of the raceways, at least one second pair of helical raceways (322i) possibly being provided arranged relative to said first pair (322a) radially outwards or inwards and along the cylindrical shell (36) 180° out of phase to the first pair, between the raceways a radially guided axial needle or roller ring being arranged whose running length corresponds substantially to the length of the raceways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventor: Karl Diemer
  • Patent number: 6231468
    Abstract: A desmodromic mechanism having transmission elements connected to and supported by an intermediate element and a primary and a secondary cam both in permanent contact with the transmission elements. The transmission elements, the intermediate element, the primary and secondary cams are assembled to one another to compulsorily move in rotation or linearly relative to one another. The various elements are also assembled in such a way as to form sealed variable volume chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Roger Bajulaz
  • Patent number: 6184520
    Abstract: An imaging system including a one-piece aluminum internal drum casting having reduced weight and increased stiffness. The internal drum is mounted to the frame structure of the imaging system using a plurality of mounts positioned in a plane substantially along the center of gravity of the internal drum. The mounts reduce the amount of sway of the internal drum within the frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen R. Manning, Jeffrey M. Janway, Libor Krupica
  • Patent number: 6178836
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes a machine bench 1, an external pressure linear bearing assembly 2 and a slide body 3 mounted on the machine bench 1 through the bearing assembly 2 for reciprocating movement relative to the machine bench. The positioning apparatus has a frictional reciprocating drive mechanism 4 for reciprocatingly driving the slide body 3 which is provided and includes a main shaft 5 adapted to be rotated, and a plurality of rollers 9 disposed around the main shaft 5 and inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the main shaft 5. Each roller 9 is pressed relative to the main shaft 5 by a pressing member 15. The slide 3 and a rail 20 are made of ceramics. Magnets 41 are provided on the slide body 3 for developing forces of magnetic attraction between magnetizable members 42, provided on the machine bench 1, and the slide body 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Miyake, Manabu Okada
  • Patent number: 6179093
    Abstract: A power source activated handbrake release mechanism for automatically releasing a parking brake assembly for a railroad vehicle braking system is provided. The power source activated handbrake release mechanism includes a hydraulically or pneumatically activated piston assembly including a piston rod mounted for movement upon activation of a piston within the piston assembly. An elongated member is associated at one end with this piston rod such that it moves laterally with respect to a bottom surface of the piston rod upon vertical movement of this piston rod. Another end of the elongated member is secured with the release shaft of the handbrake such that the lateral movement of the elongated member results in a rotational force being applied to the release shaft causing the automatic release of the handbrake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: David W. Daugherty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5996431
    Abstract: A twist action roller friction drive comprises a rotating drive bar which drives in rotation a roller the axis of rotation of which is inclined relative to the axis of a rotationally fixed driven member with which the roller engages. The inclined roller comprises a single annular roller urged from the inside into driving contact with the driven member by one or more hydrostatic pads. The driven member is a tube and the skewed annular roller is in frictional engagement with the bore of the tube. In a typical use, the tube is fixed to the carriage of a machine tool and is aligned with the machine axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Unova U.K. Limited
    Inventor: Michael George Pierse
  • Patent number: 5946973
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism includes two structural elements movable relative to one another, with a first structural element being formed with at least one row of substantially cycloidal teeth and with a second structural element including a drive element guided transversely to a direction of adjustment and formed with at least two driving pins capable of rolling over the teeth. The second structural element has at least one attack surface bearing upon an outer envelope of the drive element and is defined by a line of action extending through a line which is oriented essentially between axes of two driving pins engaging in tooth spaces between teeth and bearing upon a bottom land. In this manner, the drive element is pressed in each respective locked position with its driving pins into the bottom land by gravitational forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Friedrich Blaha
  • Patent number: 5899112
    Abstract: A rotary/linear converter comprising a reciprocator having a main axis (A) and being adapted for reciprocating movement in the direction of the main axis (A) and a rotator adapted for rotating movement about the main axis (A), the converter further including converter means which operatively interconnects the reciprocator and the rotator. The converter means includes a control link having one end portion thereof pivotally connected to another part of the converter means and the other end portion pivotally connected to a mounting, the link being adapted to pivotally oscillate about the mounting in response to movement of one of said either the rotator or the reciprocator thereby causing movement of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Richter Technology Limited
    Inventor: Paul Anthony Richter
  • Patent number: 5832776
    Abstract: A leadscrew assembly includes a cylindrical no-grooved shaft and a nut body similar to a conventional ballscrew and nut assembly of internal recirculating steel balls. This newly developed device according to the invention has outstanding features such as compact in size, accurate guiding distance, and small frictional resistance suitable for the application field of device where a high accuracy, smooth operation, low side thrust and compactness in size are required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Chang-Hsin Kuo
  • Patent number: 5799543
    Abstract: An actuator structural body is constructed of standardized columnar bodies connected for moving a workpiece. The Actuator structural body includes actuators shaped as columnar bodies and having T-shaped grooves defined in outer side surfaces thereof, columnar member shaped as columnar bodies and having T-shaped grooves defined in outer side surfaces thereof and through holes defined therein, and joint members for joining the columnar members and the actuators bodies 204, 206, 208, 210 by engaging in the T-shaped grooves or fitting in the through holes in the columnar bodies. The columnar members 202 and the actuators bodies may be assembled or reassembled into a desired shape by the joint members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Koji Sugano, Akio Saitoh, Masahiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5735173
    Abstract: There is provided a position control drive system having first and second drive units linked together and travelling on parallel running rails. A passive unit riding on a third parallel running rail is pivotally linked to one of the drive units. The pivoting link allows movement of the drive units longitudinally along the rails, but prevents movement in other directions. The pivot compensates for positional differences between the electronic positional control of the drive units and the mechanical linkage preventing the inefficiency in the electronic system, stresses in the mechanical system and, in severe cases, binding of the drive units to the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Probot Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronald W. Parker
  • Patent number: 5732592
    Abstract: There is provided a position control drive system having first and second drive units linked together and travelling on parallel running rails. A passive unit riding on a third parallel running rail is pivotally linked to one of the drive units. The pivoting link allows movement of the drive units longitudinally along the rails, but prevents movement in other directions. The pivot compensates for positional differences between the electronic positional control of the drive units and the mechanical linkage preventing the inefficiency in the electronic system, stresses in the mechanical system and, in severe cases, binding of the drive units to the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Probot Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronald W. Parker
  • Patent number: 5711184
    Abstract: A drive apparatus suitable for a power seat adjuster includes a rotatable lead screw disposed between an upper track movably mounted with respect to a stationary lower track. A drive block is rotatably mounted in the lower track for rotation about an axis extending perpendicular to the lower track. A first bore extends through the drive block for receiving the lead screw carried on the upper track. An insert body is movably mounted in a second bore in the drive block, the second bore extending transversely to and intersecting the first bore. A transverse, threaded third bore formed in the insert body threadingly engages the lead screw. The first bore has a larger diameter than the diameter of the lead screw to permit pivotal movement of the insert body and the lead screw about an axis extending through the second bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Pryor, Joseph C. Montano
  • Patent number: 5634390
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary actuator utilizing magnetic screws which are stably rotatable at a great torque with little torque variation. The rotary actuator comprising (a) a closed hollow cylinder, a piston sliding within the cylinder, and a rotary shaft which rotates with the sliding of the piston, has (b) a first magnetic screw member which makes a linear motion in synchronism with the sliding of the piston, and is provided with a first spiral magnetized band, and (c) a rotary shaft rotatably supported in relation to the first magnetic screw member, and having a second magnetic screw provided with a second spiral magnetized band. (d) With the sliding of the piston, the second magnetic screw receives the magnetic force from the first magnetic screw to thereby rotate the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: CKD Corporation
    Inventors: Terumasa Takeuchi, Yoshinori Nozawa, Daizyu Maki, Yasuhiro Yoshida, Tadashi Endo, Keiichi Inaba
  • Patent number: 5598739
    Abstract: A linear motion drive apparatus uses a friction drive wheel to drive a carriage along two rails. The drive shaft of the friction wheel is supported by the carriage, and has a rotor of a pancake motor and an inertia wheel non-rotatably attached thereto. The stator is fixed to a wall of the carriage. The carriage is supported by recirculating ball bearings which are arranged with permanent magnets to urge the friction wheel into engagement with the flat rail. A slip detection and correction system has first encoder mounted on the drive shaft to produce a signal representing the rotational position of the shaft, and a second encoder mounted on the carriage to produce a signal representing the position of the carriage with respect to the rails. The motor is responsive to the signals to compensate for detected slippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Miles Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence S. Blake, Arthur J. Bellemore, Ralph S. Hanseler, David P. Viola
  • Patent number: 5596903
    Abstract: An actuator for transforming rotary motion into linear motion includes a cylindrical tube (10) that has a rigid helix shaped ribbon (12) journalled within it for rotating movement about a longitudinal axis. A knob (20) is attached to one end of the ribbon and is used to impart a torque to the ribbon. A ribbon follower having first and second legs straddling the surfaces of the ribbon is mounted so that it extends through longitudinally formed slots 28 in the wall of said tube. As the knob is used to turn the ribbon, the ribbon follower moves up and down the length of the ribbon, riding on the exterior surfaces of the ribbon. An inner member (30), such as a control wire, is attached to the ribbon follower so that, as the ribbon is rotated, the inner member is carried by the ribbon follower in a linear path. Preferably, a stabilizing slider (40) overlies the ribbon and has slots cut in its walls through which the ribbon follower extends, the slider serving to control perpendicular motion of the ribbon follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Tuthill Corporation
    Inventor: Steven E. Parker
  • Patent number: 5584206
    Abstract: An actuator is disclosed, which comprises a drive motor, a rotary member to be rotated by the drive motor, and a plunger for reciprocating in its axial direction. The plunger has a first and second guide portions formed thereon. The actuator further comprises a guiding member held in the rotary member. The guiding member includes a first spiral guide surface for guiding the first guide portion therealong to move the plunger in a direction to protrude it, a second spiral guide surface for guiding the second guide portion therealong to move the plunger in a direction to retract it, a first position regulating surface for regulating the retraction of the plunger when it contacts with the first guide portion, and a second position regulating surface for regulating the protrusion of the plunger when it contacts with the second guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Ohta
  • Patent number: 5526710
    Abstract: An actuator is disclosed, which comprises a drive motor, a rotary member to be rotated by the drive motor, and a plunger for reciprocating in its axial direction. The plunger has a first and second guide portions formed thereon. The actuator further comprises a guiding member held in the rotary member. The guiding member includes a first spiral guide surface for guiding the first guide portion therealong to move the plunger in a direction to protrude it, a second spiral guide surface for guiding the second guide portion therealong to move the plunger in a direction to retract it, a first position regulating surface for regulating the retraction of the plunger when it contacts with the first guide portion, and a second position regulating surface for regulating the protrusion of the plunger when it contacts with the second guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Ohta
  • Patent number: 5491633
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a rotating element, a rotary to linear converter, a linearly moving element that linearly extends and retracts when the rotating element rotates in first and second directions, a rotary sensor assembly, integrally constructed with the rotating element, for determining relative movement of the rotating element and for thereby determining relative movement of the linearly moving element, a linear sensor assembly, integrally constructed with the linearly moving element, for providing an absolute position signal each time that the linearly moving element extends or retracts to a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Rassem R. Henry, Bruno P. B. Lequesne, Thaddeus Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5456134
    Abstract: A transmission mechanism for converting a rotary movement into a translatory movement includes an internal and an external coupling member which have cooperating double thread systems made of a magnetizable material. The external coupling member includes a series of permanent magnets which are polarized in an axial direction and are provided at regular intervals between the individual threads of the thread system so that the individual threads each form a common pole shoe for the permanent magnets providing a maximum magnetic flux density along the portion of the thread system containing the permanent magnets. The presence of a non-magnetizable material between the threads provides that the mutually facing walls of the coupling members are smooth, and a static gas bearing can be applied between these walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Adrianus G. Bouwer, Frank B. Sperling
  • Patent number: 5408719
    Abstract: A single arm windshield wiper assembly including a reversible motor, a wiper pivot assembly, and a windshield wiper blade slidably connected to the wiper pivot assembly. A first actuator sub-assembly is operatively connected between the reversible motor and the wiper pivot assembly for reciprocally actuating the wiper blade. A second actuator sub-assembly is operatively connected between the reversible motor and the windshield wiper blade for telescopically moving the wiper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Delbert D. DeRees, Rodolfo A. Antonelli, Robert G. Malcolm