The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 15, 1998
Filed:
Nov. 22, 1996
Michael F Henry, Broken Arrow, OK (US);
Other;
Abstract
In a linear actuator, a cylinder is separated into forward and reverse chambers by a piston. A lead screw is threadedly engaged in the piston and a piston rod connects to the load. A turbine applies torque to the screw to urge the screw toward clockwise or counterclockwise rotation depending on the direction of the piston movement. The tangent of the lead screw helix angle is so substantially equal to the coefficient of friction between the piston and the screw that the torque generated by the turbine does not significantly vary the force exerted on the load and the force on the load does not significantly vary the speed of movement of the load. Variations between the static and dynamic coefficients of friction between the lead screw and the piston can be offset by selection of an appropriate lead angle and friction coefficient in the turbine driven system. Variable relief pressure control valves selectively limit the net force applied to the piston according to the magnitude of the external load so that the actuator can be tuned for high efficiency and long life. Valves communicating with flow inlets to the turbine permit varying the speed of the flow of fluid into the turbine so that the extension and retraction speeds of the actuator will be established and remain constant within the power capability of the actuator.