US5033433A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Throttle with co-axial stepper motor drive
Assignee: Kohler Co
•
Filing: 1990-06-14
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Granted: 1991-07-23
•
Expires: 2010-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A method of attaching a stepper motor to a throttle shaft provides constant torque transmission by connecting the shafts coaxially with a coupling that accommodates limited shaft misalignment and movement. In the preferred embodiment, the coupling comprises a fork, parallel to, and attached to, one shaft that receives a pin, perpendicular to, and attached to, the second shaft. The coupling permits the coaxial attachment of the shaft without the necessity of maintaining precise mounting tolerances.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan D. Churchill
- 👤 Martin W. Heinrich
- 👤 Matthew F. Slana
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:47
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D11/00; F02D11/06; F02D11/10; F02D11/04; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; F02D2011/101; F02D2011/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
An engine throttle for changing the flow rate of mixed air and fuel to an internal combustion engine in response to a electric control signal comprising: a throttle valve contained in the throttle housing and attached to the rotatable shaft for opening and closing with rotation of the shaft and controlling the flow rate of mixed air and fuel to the engine; a stepper motor having an outer housing supporting a motor shaft axially aligned with the rotatable shaft; a co-axial coupling attached to the rotatable shaft and the motor shaft for providing a constant transmission of torque therebetween without substantial rotational play between the rotatable shaft and the motor shaft and accommodating angular, axial and translational misalignment between the rotatable shaft and the motor shaft, and accommodating axial and translational movement between the rotatable shaft and the motor shaft; and a mounting means for affixing the outer housing of the stepper motor with respect to the throttle housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
An engine throttle for changing the flow rate of mixed air and fuel to an internal combustion engine in response to a electric control signal comprising: a throttle valve contained in the throttle housing and attached to the rotatable shaft for opening and closing with rotation of the shaft and controlling the flow rate of mixed air and fuel to the engine; a stepper motor having an outer housing supporting a motor shaft axially aligned with the rotatable shaft; a co-axial coupling attached to the rotatable shaft and the motor shaft for providing a constant transmission of torque therebetween without substantial rotational play between the rotatable shaft and the motor shaft and accommodating angular, axial and translational misalignment between the rotatable shaft and the motor shaft, and accommodating axial and translational movement between the rotatable shaft and the motor shaft; and a mounting means for affixing the outer housing of the stepper motor with respect to the throttle housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
236 words
An engine throttle for changing the flow rate of mixed air and fuel to an internal combustion engine in response to a electric control signal comprising: a throttle housing supporting a rotatable shaft; a throttle valve contained in the throttle housing and attached to the rotatable shaft for opening and closing with rotation of the shaft and controlling the flow rate of mixed air and fuel to the engine; a stepper motor having an outer housing supporting a motor shaft axially aligned with the rotatable shaft; a co-axial coupling attached to the rotatable shaft and the motor shaft for providing a constant transmission of torque therebetween and accommodating angular, axial and translational misalignment between the rotatable shaft and the motor shaft, and accommodating axial and translational movement between the rotatable shaft and the motor shaft; and a mounting means for affixing the outer housing of the stepper motor with respect to the throttle housing; wherein the co-axial coupling comprises: an offset arm for mounting on a first shaft and for extending perpendicular to the axis of the first shaft; a guide fork attached to the free end of the offset arm having two guide bars extending parallel to, but displaced from, the axis of the first shaft; and a torque pin for attachment to a second shaft and for extending perpendicular to the axis of the second shaft and for being received between the guide bars.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
236 words
An engine throttle for changing the flow rate of mixed air and fuel to an internal combustion engine in response to a electric control signal comprising: a throttle housing supporting a rotatable shaft; a throttle valve contained in the throttle housing and attached to the rotatable shaft for opening and closing with rotation of the shaft and controlling the flow rate of mixed air and fuel to the engine; a stepper motor having an outer housing supporting a motor shaft axially aligned with the rotatable shaft; a co-axial coupling attached to the rotatable shaft and the motor shaft for providing a constant transmission of torque therebetween and accommodating angular, axial and translational misalignment between the rotatable shaft and the motor shaft, and accommodating axial and translational movement between the rotatable shaft and the motor shaft; and a mounting means for affixing the outer housing of the stepper motor with respect to the throttle housing; wherein the co-axial coupling comprises: an offset arm for mounting on a first shaft and for extending perpendicular to the axis of the first shaft; a guide fork attached to the free end of the offset arm having two guide bars extending parallel to, but displaced from, the axis of the first shaft; and a torque pin for attachment to a second shaft and for extending perpendicular to the axis of the second shaft and for being received between the guide bars.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector of claim 2 wherein the first shaft is the motor shaft and the second shaft is the rotatable shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The connector of claim 2 wherein the torque pin is received between faces of the guide bars which are spaced apart by the thickness of the torque pin and wherein the faces of the guide bars are convex.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-22 | 1995-01-21 | 1995-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-22 | 1999-01-21 | 1999-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-22 | 2003-01-21 | 2003-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |