High-efficiency, large stroke electromechanical actuator
First Claim
1. An actuator comprising:
- a first frame comprising a distal end member, a proximal pivot end member, and at least two elongated side members connected between the distal end member and the proximal pivot end member of the first frame;
a second frame comprising a distal end member, a proximal pivot end member, and at least two elongated side members connected between the distal end member and the proximal pivot end member of the second frame;
a flexure disposed between an end of the pivot end member of the first frame and an end of the pivot end member of the second frame;
a first longitudinal span member disposed between the distal end member of the second frame and the pivot end member of the first frame; and
a second longitudinal span member disposed between the distal end member of the first frame and the pivot end member of the second frame, at least one of the first and second longitudinal span members comprising an expansive element having a longitudinal axis along which dimensional strain can be induced in response to an applied stimulus, the expansive element extending in a state of compression between the corresponding distal and proximal pivot end members, with the longitudinal axis of the element in a plane parallel to side members of the first and second frames.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An actuator having two frames, each frame including a distal end member, a proximal pivot end member or proximal end pivot point, and at least two elongated side members connected between the distal end member and the proximal pivot end member of that frame. A flexure is disposed between an end of the pivot end member of the first frame and an end of the pivot end member of the second frame. A first longitudinal span member is disposed between the distal end member of the second frame and the pivot end member of the first frame, and a second longitudinal span member is disposed between the distal end member of the first frame and the pivot end member of the second frame. At least one of the first and second longitudinal span members is an expansive element having a longitudinal axis along which dimensional strain can be induced in response to an applied stimulus. This expansive element extends in a state of compression between the corresponding distal and proximal pivot end members, with the longitudinal axis of the element in a plane parallel to side members of the first and second frames. The one or both of the longitudinal span members that are expansive elements can be, e.g., a magnetostrictive element, an electrostrictive element, or a piezoelectric element. The actuator provides many of the characteristics required to achieve optimal mass efficiency for a given set of actuator materials; and further provides advantages of high bandwidth, linearity, and large stroke performance advantages. As a result, the actuator can be adapted to many applications and can accommodate a range of engineering constraints.
879 Citations
42 Claims
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1. An actuator comprising:
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a first frame comprising a distal end member, a proximal pivot end member, and at least two elongated side members connected between the distal end member and the proximal pivot end member of the first frame; a second frame comprising a distal end member, a proximal pivot end member, and at least two elongated side members connected between the distal end member and the proximal pivot end member of the second frame; a flexure disposed between an end of the pivot end member of the first frame and an end of the pivot end member of the second frame; a first longitudinal span member disposed between the distal end member of the second frame and the pivot end member of the first frame; and a second longitudinal span member disposed between the distal end member of the first frame and the pivot end member of the second frame, at least one of the first and second longitudinal span members comprising an expansive element having a longitudinal axis along which dimensional strain can be induced in response to an applied stimulus, the expansive element extending in a state of compression between the corresponding distal and proximal pivot end members, with the longitudinal axis of the element in a plane parallel to side members of the first and second frames. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An actuator comprising:
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a first frame comprising a distal end member, a proximal pivot end member, and at least two elongated side members connected between the distal end member and the proximal pivot end member of the first frame; a second frame disposed between the side members of the first frame and comprising a distal end member, a proximal pivot end member, and at least two elongated side members connected between the distal end member and the proximal pivot end member of the second frame and having a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first frame side members; a pivot point formed at an end of the pivot end member of the first frame and an end of the pivot end member of the second frame; a first expansive element having a longitudinal axis along which dimensional strain can be induced in response to an applied stimulus, the expansive element extending in a state of compression between the distal end member of the second frame and the proximal pivot end member of the first frame, the longitudinal axis in a plane parallel to longitudinal axes of the side members of the first and second frames; and a second expansive element having a longitudinal axis along which dimensional strain can be induced in response to an applied stimulus, the expansive element extending in a state of compression between the distal end member of the first frame and the proximal pivot end member of the second frame, the longitudinal axis in a plane parallel to longitudinal axes of the side members of the first and second frames. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. An actuator comprising:
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a first frame having a distal end and a proximal end pivot point; a second frame having a distal end and a proximal end pivot point coincident with the pivot point of the first frame; and first and second expansive elements each having a longitudinal axis along which dimensional strain can be induced in response to an applied stimulus, the expansive elements each extending in a state of compression between the first and second frames such that a stimulated change in each expansive element length reacts against a proximal end of a corresponding one of the first and second frames to induce pivoting of the first and second frames relative to each other, resulting in extension of the second frame distal end relative to the first frame distal end in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axes of the expansive elements. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. An actuator for controlling a deflectable trailing edge flap of an airfoil, the actuator comprising:
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a first frame having a distal end and a proximal end pivot point; a second frame having a distal end and a proximal end pivot point coincident with the pivot point of the first frame; a flexural support connected to each of the first and second frame pivot points and mounted to the airfoil, with the first and second frames located within the airfoil; first and second expansive elements each having a longitudinal axis along which dimensional strain can be induced in response to an applied stimulus, the expansive elements each extending in a state of compression between the first and second frames such that a stimulated change in each expansive element length reacts against a proximal end of one of the first and second frames to induce pivoting of the first and second frames relative to each other, resulting in extension of the second frame distal end with respect to the first frame distal end in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axes of the expansive elements; and a control rod engaged with the distal end of the second frame and extending through the airfoil to engage a lever mounted to the airfoil trailing edge flap. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification