US3729276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Actuator assembly
Assignee: Bendix Corp
•
Filing: 1971-07-06
•
Granted: 1973-04-24
•
Expires: 1991-07-06
Abstract
Abstract An actuator assembly consisting of a plurality of actuators arranged in series and connected to a common output shaft for multiplying the torque available from the shaft wherein a selectively operable clutch is provided for each of the assemblies that is capable of disconnecting the assembly from the output shaft when desired. Each actuator includes a pair of floating ring gears mounted for epicyclic movement relative to a stationary gear and an output gear, and a summing gear disposed between the ring gears so that the combined movements of the ring gears are summed to obtain the desired movement of the output gear, thereby enabling increased output torque from each actuator when desired. In each actuator, a clutch is provided to disconnect the stationary gear and provide for free wheeling of the actuator in response to a predetermined signal.
Inventors
- 👤 G Boyadjieff
- 👤 K Verge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:07
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H1/00; F16H1/28; F16H1/32; F16H1/46; F16H43/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
An actuator comprising an output gear having an axis, a stationary gear arranged in a coaxial relation with said output gear, a first ring gear having an axis disposed eccentric relative to said output gear axis, said ring gear being disposed in meshing engagement with said stationary gear and being arranged relative to said stationary gear for epicyclic movement relative to said stationary gear in which said ring gear axis orbits around said output gear axis, a second ring gear disposed in a coaxial relation with said first ring gear and arranged in meshing engagement with said output gear, said second ring gear being mounted for epicyclic movement relative to said output gear in which the axis of said second ring gear orbits about said output gear axis, a summing gear arranged in a substantially coaxial relation with said ring and stationary gears, said summing gear being arranged in meshing engagement with said ring gears so that on application of a rotating force to said first ring gear causing said first ring gear to orbit around said output gear axis said summing gear is caused to rotate about said output gear axis, said second ring gear being operable on application of a rotating force thereto to orbit about said output gear axis and drive said output gear whereby said movements of said summing gear and said second ring gear are summed to produce said driven rotating movement of said output gear.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
An actuator comprising an output gear having an axis, a stationary gear arranged in a coaxial relation with said output gear, a first ring gear having an axis disposed eccentric relative to said output gear axis, said ring gear being disposed in meshing engagement with said stationary gear and being arranged relative to said stationary gear for epicyclic movement relative to said stationary gear in which said ring gear axis orbits around said output gear axis, a second ring gear disposed in a coaxial relation with said first ring gear and arranged in meshing engagement with said output gear, said second ring gear being mounted for epicyclic movement relative to said output gear in which the axis of said second ring gear orbits about said output gear axis, a summing gear arranged in a substantially coaxial relation with said ring and stationary gears, said summing gear being arranged in meshing engagement with said ring gears so that on application of a rotating force to said first ring gear causing said first ring gear to orbit around said output gear axis said summing gear is caused to rotate about said output gear axis, said second ring gear being operable on application of a rotating force thereto to orbit about said output gear axis and drive said output gear whereby said movements of said summing gear and said second ring gear are summed to produce said driven rotating movement of said output gear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
An actuator according to claim 1 further including means forming a first series of fluid displacement chambers between said first ring gear and said summing gear operable on sequential pressurization thereof to provide for said orbiting movement of said first ring gear, and means forming a second series of fluid displacement chambers between said summing gear and said second ring gear operable on sequential pressurization thereof to provide for said orbiting movement of said second ring gear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An actuator according to claim 2 further including a housing supporting said stationary gear, and releasable clutch means releasably retaining said stationary gear in a fixed position on said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
An actuator according to claim 3 further including means rotatably supporting said summing gears on said housing, and coacting clutch means on said output gear and said summing gear operable in response to actuation thereof to releasably lock said output and summing gears together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
193 words
An actuator comprising a stationary gear having an axis, a rotatably mounted output gear arranged in a coaxial relation with said stationary gear, ring gear means drivingly engaged with said output gear and engaged with said stationary gear so as to derive the reaction force therefrom necessary to accomplish driving of said output gear in response to movement of said ring gear means, housing means arranged in a supporting relation with said stationary gear, and releasable clutch means connecting said stationary gear and said housing so as to releasably retain said stationary gear in a fixed position on said housing, said clutch means including coacting tooth members on said stationary gear and said housing, and means releasably maintaining said tooth members in engagement, wherein said means releasably maintaining said tooth members in engagement comprises coacting means on said housing and said stationary gear forming a fluid pressure chamber, and means for admitting fluid to said chamber so as to produce a resultant force directed so as to maintain said tooth members in engagement, and further including spring means extending between said housing and said stationary gear urging said tooth members out of engagement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
193 words
An actuator comprising a stationary gear having an axis, a rotatably mounted output gear arranged in a coaxial relation with said stationary gear, ring gear means drivingly engaged with said output gear and engaged with said stationary gear so as to derive the reaction force therefrom necessary to accomplish driving of said output gear in response to movement of said ring gear means, housing means arranged in a supporting relation with said stationary gear, and releasable clutch means connecting said stationary gear and said housing so as to releasably retain said stationary gear in a fixed position on said housing, said clutch means including coacting tooth members on said stationary gear and said housing, and means releasably maintaining said tooth members in engagement, wherein said means releasably maintaining said tooth members in engagement comprises coacting means on said housing and said stationary gear forming a fluid pressure chamber, and means for admitting fluid to said chamber so as to produce a resultant force directed so as to maintain said tooth members in engagement, and further including spring means extending between said housing and said stationary gear urging said tooth members out of engagement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |