Actuator
First Claim
1. An actuator for a dual-zone air conditioning system comprising:
- an input control assembly responsive to an external control source;
a first drive assembly responsive to the input control assembly, the first drive assembly including a first motor responsive to the input control assembly;
a first rotatable output coupler connected to the first motor;
a second drive assembly responsive to the input control assembly, the second drive assembly including a second motor responsive to the input control assembly;
a second rotatable output coupler connected to the second motor;
a first valve door connected to the first rotatable output coupler for controlling air flow to a first zone of the air conditioning system; and
a second valve door connected to the second rotatable output coupler for controlling air flow to a second zone of the air conditioning system.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a new type of an electromechanical actuator that combines two rotary outputs from a solitary electrical input into a single molded housing. The actuator comprises an input assembly responsive to an external electrical control source. Preferably, the control source provides a control signal for each valve door to be controlled. The actuator also comprises a first geartrain assembly responsive to the input control assembly and a second geartrain assembly responsive to the input control assembly. The first geartrain assembly includes a first motor responsive to the input control assembly. A first output gear is operably connected to the first motor and a first rotatable output coupler is connected to the first output gear. The second geartrain assembly includes a second motor responsive to the input control assembly. A second output gear is connected to the second motor and a second rotatable output coupler is connected to the second output gear. Preferably, the rotatable outputs are co-axially and concentrically mounted. Methods of rotating output couplers to open and close valve doors are also disclosed.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An actuator for a dual-zone air conditioning system comprising:
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an input control assembly responsive to an external control source; a first drive assembly responsive to the input control assembly, the first drive assembly including a first motor responsive to the input control assembly; a first rotatable output coupler connected to the first motor; a second drive assembly responsive to the input control assembly, the second drive assembly including a second motor responsive to the input control assembly; a second rotatable output coupler connected to the second motor; a first valve door connected to the first rotatable output coupler for controlling air flow to a first zone of the air conditioning system; and a second valve door connected to the second rotatable output coupler for controlling air flow to a second zone of the air conditioning system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An actuator comprising:
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one input control assembly adapted to respond to an external control source, the input control assembly including; a first circuit having an input pin adapted to connect to an external control source and a first first-motor pin connected to the first motor, wherein the first circuit input pin is electrically connected to the first first-motor pin; a second circuit having an input pin adapted to connect to an external control source and a second first-motor pin connected to the first motor, wherein the second circuit input pin is electrically connected to the second first-motor pin; and a third circuit having an input pin adapted to connect to an external control source and a first second-motor pin connected to the second motor, wherein the third circuit input pin is electrically connected to the first second-motor pin; and a fourth circuit having an input pin adapted to connect to an external control source and a second second-motor pin connected to the second motor, wherein the fourth circuit input pin is electrically connected to the second second-motor pin; a first geartrain assembly responsive to the input control assembly, the first geartrain assembly including, a first motor responsive to the input control assembly, a worm wheel connected to the first motor, a first rotatable output coupler connected to the worm wheel; and a second geartrain assembly responsive to the input control assembly, the second geartrain assembly including, a second motor responsive to the input control assembly, a worm wheel connected to the second motor, and a second rotatable output coupler connected to the worm wheel. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An actuator comprising:
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an input control assembly responsive to an external control source; a first drive assembly responsive to the input control assembly, the first drive assembly including; a first motor responsive to the input control assembly, the motor including a shaft and a first drive gear attached to the shaft; and a first geartrain assembly having a first driven gear directly engaged by the first drive gear; a first rotatable output coupler connected to the first motor via the first geartrain assembly; a second drive assembly responsive to the input control assembly, the second drive assembly including; a second motor responsive to the input control assembly, the second motor including a second shaft and a second drive gear attached to the second shaft; and a second geartrain assembly having a second driven gear directly engaged by the second drive gear; a second rotatable output coupler connected to the second motor via the second geartrain assembly; and wherein the first and second driven gears are non-coaxial, and the first and second rotatable output couplers are coaxial.
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27. An actuator comprising:
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an input control assembly responsive to an external control source; a first drive assembly responsive to the input control assembly, the first drive assembly including a first motor responsive to the input control assembly; a first rotatable output coupler connected to the first motor; a second drive assembly responsive to the input control assembly, the second drive assembly including a second motor responsive to the input control assembly; a second rotatable output coupler connected to the second motor; and wherein the input control assembly includes a printed circuit board having four motor pins and four input pins wherein a first two of the four motor pins are connected to the first motor and a second two of the four motor pins are connected to the second motor. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification