Linear actuator with threaded captivation sleeve, captive lead screw, and spring pre-load adjustment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A linear actuator, comprising:
- (a) front and rear end bells;
(b) a stator structure;
(c) a rotor structure having first and second bearings journaled, respectively, in cavities formed in inner surfaces of said front and rear end bells;
(d) a captivation sleeve having its proximal end threadedly inserted in a cavity formed in an outer surface of said front end bell;
(e) all foregoing elements being coaxially aligned to permit the insertion therethrough of a lead screw inserted through coaxially aligned foregoing elements, said lead screw having a threaded portion extending through said rotor structure and a splined portion extending through said captivation sleeve; and
(f) a cylindrical anti-rotation bearing fixedly inserted in a distal end of said captivation sleeve, said anti-rotation bearing having an opening coaxial with said foregoing elements.
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Abstract
In a preferred embodiment, a linear actuator, including: front and rear end bells; a stator structure; a rotor structure having first and second bearings journaled, respectively, in cavities formed in inner surfaces of the front and rear end bells; a captivation sleeve having its proximal end threadedly inserted in a cavity formed in an outer surface of the front end bell; and all foregoing elements being coaxially aligned to permit the insertion therethrough of a lead screw.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A linear actuator, comprising:
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(a) front and rear end bells;
(b) a stator structure;
(c) a rotor structure having first and second bearings journaled, respectively, in cavities formed in inner surfaces of said front and rear end bells;
(d) a captivation sleeve having its proximal end threadedly inserted in a cavity formed in an outer surface of said front end bell;
(e) all foregoing elements being coaxially aligned to permit the insertion therethrough of a lead screw inserted through coaxially aligned foregoing elements, said lead screw having a threaded portion extending through said rotor structure and a splined portion extending through said captivation sleeve; and
(f) a cylindrical anti-rotation bearing fixedly inserted in a distal end of said captivation sleeve, said anti-rotation bearing having an opening coaxial with said foregoing elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
(a) said anti-rotation bearing has anti-rotation tabs molded integrally therewith; and
(b) said captivation sleeve has slots formed in said distal end thereof into which sleeve said anti-rotation tabs closely fit to prevent rotation of said anti-rotation bearing with respect to said captivation sleeve.
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5. A linear actuator, as defined in claim 1, wherein:
- said captivation sleeve has locking tabs formed in said distal end thereof and bent over an outer surface of said anti-rotation bearing to lock said anti-rotation bearing axially and radially in place in said captivation sleeve.
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6. A linear actuator, comprising:
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(a) front and rear end bells;
(b) a stator structure;
(c) a rotor structure having first and second bearings journaled, respectively, in cavities formed in inner surfaces of said front and rear end bells;
(d) a captivation sleeve having its proximal end threadedly inserted in a cavity formed in an outer surface of said front end bell;
(e) a lead screw inserted through coaxially aligned foregoing elements, said lead screw having a threaded portion extending through said rotor structure and a splined portion extending through said captivation sleeve; and
(f) a cylindrical anti-rotation bearing fixedly inserted in a distal end of said captivation sleeve, said anti-rotation bearing having an opening coaxial with said foregoing elements. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
(a) said anti-rotation bearing has anti-rotation tabs molded integrally therewith; and
(b) said captivation sleeve has slots formed in said distal end thereof into which sleeve said anti-rotation tabs closely fit to prevent rotation of said anti-rotation bearing with respect to said captivation sleeve.
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10. A linear actuator, as defined in claim 7, wherein:
- said captivation sleeve has locking tabs formed in said distal end thereof and bent over an outer surface of said anti-rotation bearing to lock said anti-rotation bearing axially and radially in place in said captivation sleeve.
Specification