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Publication Number
US-12150669-B2
Publication Date
2024-11-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for axial positioning of a rotating shaft is provided herein. The system includes a first wheel. The system also includes a second wheel positioned adjacent to the first wheel such that the first wheel and second wheel are configured to rotate in opposite directions. The second wheel is also positioned such that first wheel and second wheel are configured to exert axial force tangential to the first wheel and the second wheel to a shaft positioned between the first wheel and the second wheel. Each of the first wheel and the second wheel each comprise a plurality of rollers positioned tangentially along a circumference of the first wheel and the second wheel.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system for axial positioning of a rotating shaft using two adjacent wheels. The first wheel and the second wheel are configured to rotate in opposite directions and to exert axial force tangential to the first wheel and the second wheel on a shaft positioned between them, and each wheel comprises a plurality of rollers positioned tangentially along a circumference of the wheel.
The first wheel further comprises two axially offset rings of rollers. The invention also specifies a method in which a first wheel and a second wheel are provided and positioned adjacent so that the wheels rotate in opposite directions and exert axial force tangentially on the rotating shaft positioned between them, with the first wheel being rotated to exert axial force tangentially on the rotating shaft.
Additionally, the invention provides a system for translating motion across a sterility drape using magnetic coupling. A driving member includes a first housing and a first wheel within the first housing having a first magnet, and a driven member includes a second housing and a second wheel within the second housing having a second magnet and two axially offset rings of rollers, with the driven member removably mounted over the sterility drape so that rotational force is transferred through magnetic coupling across the first housing, the sterility drape, and the second housing.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims provide coverage for three main inventive concepts: a wheel-and-roller system for axial positioning of a rotating shaft, a corresponding method of axial positioning using two adjacent oppositely rotating wheels, and a magnetic-coupling system for translating rotational motion across a sterility drape. Across these independent claims, the core inventive structures include two adjacent wheels that rotate in opposite directions, tangentially positioned rollers, and an axially offset two-ring roller configuration on one wheel, plus a drape-crossing magnetic coupling arrangement for the translational system.
Axial positioning using two adjacent oppositely rotating wheels with tangential rollers
A first wheel and a second wheel positioned adjacent to the first wheel so that the first wheel and second wheel rotate in opposite directions and exert axial force tangential to the first wheel and the second wheel to a shaft positioned between the first wheel and the second wheel.
Tangential roller arrangement with two axially offset roller rings on one wheel
Each of the first wheel and the second wheel comprises a plurality of rollers positioned tangentially along a respective circumference, and the first wheel further comprises two axially offset rings of rollers.
Method of axial positioning by rotating one wheel to apply tangential axial force
Providing a first wheel and a second wheel with plurality of rollers positioned tangentially, positioning the second wheel adjacent so the wheels rotate in opposite directions and exert axial force tangentially to a shaft positioned between them, providing a rotating shaft disposed between the first wheel and the second wheel, and rotating the first wheel such that the first wheel exerts an axial force tangential to the first wheel on the rotating shaft.
Sterility drape motion translation by magnetic coupling to driven oppositely rotating roller wheels
A driving member including a first housing and a first wheel within the first housing having a first magnet, and a driven member including a second housing and a second wheel within the second housing having a second magnet and two axially offset rings of rollers, the driven member further including a third wheel positioned adjacent to the second wheel such that the second wheel and the third wheel rotate in opposite directions and exert axial force tangential to the second wheel and the third wheel to a shaft positioned between them, where the driven member can be removably mounted on the driving member over a sterility drape such that rotational force is transferred through magnetic coupling across the driving-member housing, the sterility drape, and the driven-member housing.
Overall, the independent claims center on axially positioning a rotating shaft by applying axial force tangentially from two adjacent wheels that rotate in opposite directions using tangentially arranged rollers, with a two axially offset roller-ring configuration on one of the wheels. A separate independent claim further ties this axial-force concept to a removable, drape-crossing magnetic coupling architecture that transfers rotational force across a sterility drape from a driving member to a driven member.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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