Engine clutch actuator
First Claim
1. An actuator linkage for imparting a rotating motion to a control shaft, said actuator linkage comprising:
- a linear actuator including an extendable and retractable arm, said arm including a pivotal end;
a linkage bar having a first pivot location and an oppositely-disposed second pivot location;
a slotted linkage bar having a first pivot location and an oppositely-disposed second pivot location having the shape of a slot;
a control link having a first end constructed and arranged to connect to said control shaft and a second end defining a pivot location;
wherein the pivot end of said extendable and retractable arm, the first pivot location of the linkage bar, and the first pivot location of the slotted linkage are all pivotally connected together;
wherein the second end of said control link and the second pivot location of said slotted linkage bar are pivotally connected together; and
said control link being constructed and arranged to move from a first slack position through a control shaft over-center position to a second slack position with movement of said extendable and retractable arm.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An actuator linkage for imparting a rotating motion to a clutch operating shaft according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a linear actuator including an extendable and retractable arm, the arm including a pivot end, a linkage bar having a first pivot location and an oppositely-disposed second pivot location, a slotted linkage bar having a first pivot location and an oppositely-disposed second pivot location having the shape of a slot, a control link having a first end constructed and arranged to connect to the control shaft and a second end defining a pivot location, wherein the pivot end of the extendable and retractable arm, the first pivot location of the linkage bar, and the first pivot location of the slotted linkage are pivotally connected together, and the control link being constructed and arranged to move from a first slack position through a clutch operating shaft over-center position to a second slack position with movement of the extendable and retractable arm.
13 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An actuator linkage for imparting a rotating motion to a control shaft, said actuator linkage comprising:
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a linear actuator including an extendable and retractable arm, said arm including a pivotal end; a linkage bar having a first pivot location and an oppositely-disposed second pivot location; a slotted linkage bar having a first pivot location and an oppositely-disposed second pivot location having the shape of a slot; a control link having a first end constructed and arranged to connect to said control shaft and a second end defining a pivot location; wherein the pivot end of said extendable and retractable arm, the first pivot location of the linkage bar, and the first pivot location of the slotted linkage are all pivotally connected together; wherein the second end of said control link and the second pivot location of said slotted linkage bar are pivotally connected together; and said control link being constructed and arranged to move from a first slack position through a control shaft over-center position to a second slack position with movement of said extendable and retractable arm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. In combination:
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an engine constructed and arranged to create rotary motion; a clutch constructed and arranged to cooperate with said engine, said clutch including a clutch operating shaft and having an over-center position between clutch-disengaged and clutch-engaged positions; and an actuator linkage connected to said clutch operating shaft for rotating said clutch operating shaft for changing the disengaged/engaged status of the clutch, said actuator linkage comprising; a linear actuator including an extendable and retractable arm, said arm including a pivotal end; a linkage bar having a first pivot location and an oppositely-disposed second pivot location; a slotted linkage bar having a first pivot location and an oppositely-disposed second pivot location having the shape of a slot; a control link having a first end constructed and arranged to connect to said control shaft and a second end defining a pivot location; wherein the pivot end of said extendable and retractable arm, the first pivot location of the linkage bar and the first pivot location of the slotted linkage are all pivotally connected together; wherein the second end of said control link and the second pivot location of said slotted linkage bar are pivotally connected together; and said control link being constructed and arranged to move from a first slack position through said control shaft over-center position to a second slack position with movement of said extendable and retractable arm. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification