Actuator

• US 10,378,624 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2015
• Issued: 08/13/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HS Wroclaw Sp. z.o.o. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: HS Wroclaw Sp. z.o.o. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Trybula, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyce, William C
• Application Number:
  US14/946,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20160146318A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: 74 57, 74 8923
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/32 using cam mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/43 Aeroplanes; Helicopters in general B64C
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 29/068 with the bearing body fully encircling the guide rail or track
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 29/0692 the bearing body encircles a guide rail or track of non-circular cross-section, e.g. with grooves or protrusions, i.e. the linear bearing is suited to transmit torque telescopic shafts with built-in bearings F16C3/035; yielding coupling allowing axial displacement by rolling elements F16D3/065
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/2028 using screw profiles with high efficiency for converting reciprocating motion into oscillating movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/2075 Coaxial drive motors
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/186 with reciprocation along the axis of oscillation
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/20 Screw mechanisms with automatic reversal F16H25/12
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/2214 with elements for guiding the circulating balls
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/2247 with rollers

Abstract

An actuator for driving a rotatable component includes a first, rotating member comprising a screw and a second member comprising a nut threaded to said screw, wherein rotation of said first member causes axial movement of said first or second member. The component also includes a third member coupled to the second member, wherein axial movement of said first or second member causes axial movement of said third member and a fourth, rotating member coupled to said third member and connectable to said component. The system also includes a bearing system located between said third member and said fourth member, said bearing system configured to cause said fourth member to rotate upon said axial movement of said third member so as to drive said component.

Claims

1. An actuator for driving a rotatable component, comprising:

a first, rotating member comprising a screw;

a second member comprising a nut threaded to said screw, wherein rotation of said first member causes axial movement of said first or second member;

a third member coupled to the second member, wherein axial movement of said first or second member causes axial movement of said third member

a fourth, rotating member coupled to said third member and connectable to said component; and

a bearing system located between said third member and said fourth member, said bearing system configured to cause said fourth member to rotate upon said axial movement of said third member so as to drive said component;

wherein said bearing system comprises roller bearings axially moveable with said third member, or rotatable with said fourth member;

wherein said fourth member comprises a first helical rail configured to contact said roller bearings, and said third member comprises a second helical rail configured to contact said roller bearings.

2. An actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bearing system comprises one or more roller bearings moveable along a helical track located on said third or fourth member, wherein upon said axial movement of said third member said roller bearings apply a force to said track, or said track applies a force to said roller bearings, so as to cause rotation of said fourth member to drive said component.

3. An actuator as claimed in claim 2, wherein said fourth member comprises said helical track, and said helical track comprises two opposing rails, wherein said roller bearings are axially moveable with said third member and contact both of said rails, and upon axial movement of said third member said roller bearings apply a force to said rails so as to cause rotation of said fourth member to drive said component.

4. An actuator as claimed in claim 2, wherein a pitch of said screw of said first member is at least 50 times less than a pitch of said helical track.

5. An actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first member is fixed in an axial direction, and rotation of said first member causes axial movement of said nut;

or

said nut is fixed in an axial direction, and rotation of said first member causes axial movement of said first member.

6. An actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said axes of rotation of said first member and third and fourth member are coincident or coaxial.

7. An actuator as claimed in claim 6, wherein said axial movement of said first or second member is along an axis that is coincident or coaxial with said axes of rotation of said first member and said third and fourth member.

8. An actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein rotation of said first member is driven by an electric motor.

9. An actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein upon said axial movement said first helical rail and said second helical rail are brought into engagement with said roller bearings so as to cause rotation of said fourth member to drive said component.

10. An actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second helical rails are parallel with one another.

11. An actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first member comprises a ball screw, lead screw or roller screw.

12. A method of driving a rotatable component, comprising:

providing an actuator as claimed in claim 1; and

rotating said first member so as to cause axial movement of said first or second member, and thereby rotation of said fourth member to drive said component.