Linear actuator mechanism
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A linear actuator comprising in combination:
- a first gear rack;
a second gear rack fixed with respect to said first gear rack and parallel to said first gear rack;
wherein said gear racks face each other in opposition to each other;
a pair of first drive gears in meshing engagement with said first gear rack;
a pinion gear in contact with each of said first drive gears;
a pair of second drive gears, each in meshing engagement with said second gear rack; and
each of said second drive gears in meshing engagement with one of said first drive gears.
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Abstract
A linear actuator has four drive gears which engage two racks. The actuator movable member may comprise two racks which have gear teeth which face inwardly and towards each other, or a single rack which has gear teeth which faces outwardly. In either case, four gear drives to engage the rack, two gear drives on each side. A plurality of linear actuators may be used to provide for position control in two or more directions. Control is provided by a servo mechanism.
93 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A linear actuator comprising in combination:
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a first gear rack; a second gear rack fixed with respect to said first gear rack and parallel to said first gear rack; wherein said gear racks face each other in opposition to each other; a pair of first drive gears in meshing engagement with said first gear rack; a pinion gear in contact with each of said first drive gears; a pair of second drive gears, each in meshing engagement with said second gear rack; and each of said second drive gears in meshing engagement with one of said first drive gears. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A linear actuator comprising in combination:
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an actuator member having chamfered edges upon which gears are placed; a plurality of gear drive members having cylindrical gears each drive member engaging one of said chamfered edges; a plurality of backup rollers on a side opposite said drive gears for holding said actuator member against said cylindrical drive gears. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A linear actuator comprising in combination:
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an actuator rack member having parallel gear teeth on opposite outwardly facing sides; two first drive gears on a first side of said rack, said drive gears each engaging one said opposite outwardly facing sides; two second drive gears on a second side of said rack, said drive gears each engaging the other of said opposite outwardly facing sides; and a pinion drive gear in engagement with one of said first drive gears and one of said second drive gears. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A linear actuator comprising in combination:
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an actuator member having geared teeth on two opposite outwardly facing surfaces thereof; first and second power driven gears in engagement with one of said oppositely facing surfaces and third and fourth power driven gears in engagement with a second oppositely facing surfaces; a pair of drive pinions in engagement with said third and fourth gears; a motor rotor in engagement with said two drive pinions and in engagement with said first and second drive gears for driving said linear shaft. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A linear actuator comprising in combination:
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a first gear rack; a second gear rack fixed with respect to said first gear rack and parallel to said first gear rack; a pair of first drive gears in meshing engagement with said first gear rack; a pair of second drive gears in meshing engagement with said second gear rack; a pinion gear in contact with one of said first gears and one of said second gears; wherein each rack is in engagement with two drive gears which provide balanced forces on said rack.
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Specification