Electric actuator
Inventors
Pokhil, Dmitrii • Saari, Byron • Groepper, Charles • Carroll, Paul
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11846609-B2
Publication Date
2023-12-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
An electric actuator includes a stationary support and a guide system having a single stationary guide joined to the stationary support having an axis. The actuator also includes a stationary assembly secured to the stationary support. A moving assembly is movable relative to the stationary support on the guide, where the moving assembly and the stationary assembly provide at least two sets of interacting magnetic fields disposed about the guide at equal angular intervals. A test specimen support is joined to the moving assembly and disposed on one side of the stationary support so as to move along the axis with movement of the moving assembly, the axis extending through the test specimen support.
Core Innovation
The core invention is an electric actuator for applying loads to a test specimen. The actuator includes a stationary support and a guide system with a single stationary guide secured at opposite ends to the stationary support, with an axis extending through the single stationary guide. A stationary assembly is secured to the stationary support and a moving assembly is movable relative to the stationary support on the single stationary guide.
The moving assembly and the stationary assembly provide at least two sets of interacting magnetic fields disposed about the single stationary guide and the axis at equal angular intervals. The test specimen support is joined to the moving assembly and disposed on one side of the stationary support so as to move along the axis with movement of the moving assembly. The magnetic-field arrangement uses moving and stationary components disposed about the single guide and axis.
The actuator also uses bearing assemblies configured to reduce overconstraint issues associated with conventional multi-guide systems that guide collinearity. Bearings are guided on the single stationary guide, and a movable coupling joins a bearing surface to a bearing support so the bearings can follow guide-rod bending while maintaining collinearity. The movable coupling is compliant for moments about axes orthogonal to the guide and stiff for forces along those axes, and an anti-rotate bearing assembly may inhibit unwanted rotation.
For static and/or continuous force capability, the actuator includes a secondary force generating device. A spring is received in a bore or cavity and a driven member moves through the guide rod and/or support, with sealed chamber structures formed by cooperating components. Coupling and offset structures are used to avoid overconstrained guidance while coordinating the moving assembly and the secondary force generating device.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claim sets. Across the independent claims, the inventive features include a single stationary guide with at least two sets of interacting magnetic fields at equal angular intervals, and spaced bearings guided on the stationary guide with bearing surfaces, bearing supports, and movable couplings joining them.
Single stationary guide electric actuator with equal-angular magnetic fields
A stationary support; a guide system comprising a single stationary guide secured at opposite ends to the stationary support and having an axis extending through the single stationary guide; a stationary assembly secured to the stationary support; and a moving assembly movable relative to the stationary support on the single stationary guide, wherein the moving assembly and the stationary assembly provide at least two sets of interacting magnetic fields disposed about the single stationary guide and the axis at equal angular intervals, with a test specimen support joined to the moving assembly and disposed on one side of the stationary support so as to move along the axis with movement of the moving assembly.
Two spaced bearings guided on a single stationary guide with bearing surface-to-support movable couplings
A stationary support; a stationary guide secured at opposite ends to the stationary support and having an axis extending through the stationary guide; a stationary assembly secured to the stationary support; a first bearing and a second bearing spaced apart from the first bearing, each bearing guided on the stationary guide; and a moving assembly secured to the first and second bearings and movable relative to the stationary support on the stationary guide with the first and second bearings, wherein each bearing comprise a bearing surface in direct or indirect contact with the stationary guide, a bearing support and a movable coupling joining the bearing surface to the bearing support.
Overall claim coverage centers on an electric actuator using a single stationary guide with interacting magnetic fields at equal angular intervals, combined with bearing architectures that employ guided bearing surfaces and movable couplings to support relative motion while addressing overconstraint and unwanted rotation.
Stated Advantages
Reduces overconstraint issues versus conventional multi-guide systems.
Allows bearings to follow guide-rod bending and maintain collinearity.
Provides static and/or continuous force capability.
Inhibits unwanted rotation with an anti-rotate bearing assembly.
Documented Applications
Applying loads to a test specimen using the electric actuator.
Supporting test specimen motion along the actuator axis with movement of the moving assembly.
Interested in licensing this patent?