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US4496865A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Methods and apparatus for translating electric motor rotation into linear travel

Assignee: Newport Corp USA
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Filing: 1982-08-12
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Granted: 1985-01-29
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Expires: 2002-08-12
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Abstract

Abstract Methods of operating, and apparatus including, a rotary electric motor to translate rotation of the motor into linear travel with the aid of a linearly traveling device. This linearly traveling device is restrained against rotation at points peripherally distributed relative to the device. In particular, there is a pair of interfitting parts including a linear keyplate and keyway at each of the peripherally distributed points. One of these interfitting parts is connected to the linearly traveling device and the other of these parts is maintained stationary relative to that one interfitting part. One of the linear keyplates may be provided with a first scale indicating the linear travel in a first system of measurement, such as the metric system, and another linear keyplate may be provided with a second scale indicating the linear travel in a second system of measurement, different from the first or metric system.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert E. Allen
  • 👤 James T. Thomasson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-31 16:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 99 words
A method of operating a rotary electric motor in a tubular housing, comprising the steps of: providing two diametrically opposed keyways in said tubular housing; providing a keyplate for translating rotation of said motor into linear travel; attaching said keyplate to said motor for axial movement of said motor in said housing; and restraining said keyplate against rotation at two points diametrically opposite each other relative to said keyplate, by providing said keyplate with two keys located opposite each other and projecting into said diametrically opposed keyways, with said two keys and keyplate being provided as one solid unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 99 words
A method of operating a rotary electric motor in a tubular housing, comprising the steps of: providing two diametrically opposed keyways in said tubular housing; providing a keyplate for translating rotation of said motor into linear travel; attaching said keyplate to said motor for axial movement of said motor in said housing; and restraining said keyplate against rotation at two points diametrically opposite each other relative to said keyplate, by providing said keyplate with two keys located opposite each other and projecting into said diametrically opposed keyways, with said two keys and keyplate being provided as one solid unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 77 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of: providing one of said keyplates with a first scale indicating said linear travel in a first system of measurement with the aid of a corresponding one of said keys; and providing the other of said keyways with a second scale indicating said linear travel in a second system of measurement different from said first system of measurement with the aid of the other of said keys.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 101 words
In apparatus including a rotary electric motor, the improvement comprising in combination: a tubular housing having diametrically opposed keyways therein; means including a linearly traveling keyplate in said housing for translating rotation of said motor into linear travel; means for attaching said keyplate to said motor for axial movement of said motor in said housing; means for restraining said linearly traveling keyplate and motor against rotation at two points diametrically opposite each other relative to said keyplate, including two keys diametrically opposite each other and projecting into said diametrically opposed keyways, said two keys and keyplate being in one solid unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 101 words
In apparatus including a rotary electric motor, the improvement comprising in combination: a tubular housing having diametrically opposed keyways therein; means including a linearly traveling keyplate in said housing for translating rotation of said motor into linear travel; means for attaching said keyplate to said motor for axial movement of said motor in said housing; means for restraining said linearly traveling keyplate and motor against rotation at two points diametrically opposite each other relative to said keyplate, including two keys diametrically opposite each other and projecting into said diametrically opposed keyways, said two keys and keyplate being in one solid unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 77 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, including: means including a first scale at one of said keyways for indicating said linear travel in a first system of measurement with the aid of a corresponding one of said keys; and means including a second scale at the other of said keyways for indicating said linear travel in a second system of measurement different from said first system of measurement with the aid of the other of said keys.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 161 words
A method of operating a rotary electric motor, comprising the steps of: translating rotation of said motor into linear travel with the aid of a linearly traveling device; restraining said linearly traveling device against rotation at points distributed diametrically opposite each other relative to said device, by providing at each of said points a pair of interfitting parts including a linear guide and a member guided thereby, and by connecting one of said interfitting parts to said linearly traveling device and maintaining the other of said interfitting parts stationary relative to said one interfitting part; providing one of the linear guides with a first scale indicating said linear travel in a first system of measurement with the aid of a member guided by said one linear guide; and providing another of the linear guides with a second scale indicating said linear travel in a second system of measurement with the aid of a member guided by said said other linear guide.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 161 words
A method of operating a rotary electric motor, comprising the steps of: translating rotation of said motor into linear travel with the aid of a linearly traveling device; restraining said linearly traveling device against rotation at points distributed diametrically opposite each other relative to said device, by providing at each of said points a pair of interfitting parts including a linear guide and a member guided thereby, and by connecting one of said interfitting parts to said linearly traveling device and maintaining the other of said interfitting parts stationary relative to said one interfitting part; providing one of the linear guides with a first scale indicating said linear travel in a first system of measurement with the aid of a member guided by said one linear guide; and providing another of the linear guides with a second scale indicating said linear travel in a second system of measurement with the aid of a member guided by said said other linear guide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, including the steps of: providing each of said keys with an indicator line for its corresponding scale.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

GB1228137A Cited
US3514865A Cited
US4174575A Cited
US4308666A Cited
US4335516A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1988-01-29 1988-07-30 1989-01-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1992-01-29 1992-07-30 1993-01-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1996-01-29 1996-07-30 1997-01-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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