Racheting micromotor using bi-directional actuator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9531302-B1
Application number	US-201313998722-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Nov 27, 2013
Priority date	Nov 27, 2013
Publication date	Dec 27, 2016
Grant date	Dec 27, 2016

Abstract

A ratcheting micromotor includes a ratchet bar defining ratchet teeth along an edge thereof, and first and second ends in opposition to one another. The first end is adapted to be coupled to an object to be moved. A spring is coupled on one end thereof to the second end of the ratchet bar and adapted to be fixed at another end thereof to a base. A bi-directional actuator configured for linear movement in one of a first direction and a second direction, and when energized has a common yoke coupled to a central portion thereof for movement in correspondence therewith. The common yoke includes teeth formed along an edge and positioned such that its teeth engage a portion of the ratchet teeth. A control system energizes the bi-directional actuator to move, alternately, in the first direction and the second direction.

First claim

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A ratcheting micromotor, comprising:
a ratchet bar defining ratchet teeth along an edge thereof, said ratchet bar includes a first end and a second end in opposition to said first end, said first end adapted to be coupled to an object to be moved;
a spring being coupled on one end thereof to said second end of said ratchet bar and being adapted to be fixed at an another end thereof to a base;
a first v-beam actuator being configured for linear movement in a first direction when energized;
a second v-beam actuator being configured for linear movement in a second direction when energized;
a common yoke being coupled to a central portion of said first v-beam actuator and a central portion of said second v-beam actuator,
wherein said common yoke moves in correspondence with said first v-beam actuator and said second v-beam actuator,
wherein said first direction and said second direction are in opposition to one another,
wherein said common yoke includes teeth formed along an edge thereof, and
wherein said common yoke positioned such that

said teeth thereof engage a portion of said ratchet teeth; and
a control system being coupled to said first v-beam actuator and said second v-beam actuator where the control system alternately energizes said first v-beam actuator and said second v-beam actuator,
wherein the ratcheting micromotor is constructed as a micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) ratcheting micromotor device, which cycles in two directions due to the linear movement of the first v-beam actuator and the second v-beam actuator where the first v-beam actuator is substantially adjacent the second v-beam actuator.

2. The ratcheting micromotor as in claim 1 , wherein said control system includes a first power supply coupled to said first v-beam actuator, and a second power supply coupled to said second v-beam actuator.

3. The ratcheting micromotor as in claim 1 , wherein said ratchet teeth and said teeth on said common yoke are configured for relative movement when said common yoke moves in said first direction and for fixed engagement with one another when said common yoke moves in said second direction.

4. The ratcheting micromotor as in claim 3 , further comprising a stabilizer and a third actuator, wherein said control system governs the third actuator and wherein the third actuator is coupled to the stabilizer positioned to engage said ratchet bar when said common yoke moves in said first direction.

5. A ratcheting micromotor, comprising:
a ratchet bar defining ratchet teeth along a first longitudinal edge thereof and having a second longitudinal edge opposing said first longitudinal edge, said ratchet bar includes a first axial end and a second axial end in opposition to said first axial end, said first axial end adapted to be coupled to an object to be moved;
a spring being coupled on one end thereof to said second axial end of said ratchet bar and being adapted to be fixed at an another end thereof to a base;
a movable retainer being positioned adjacent said second longitudinal edge of said ratchet bar between said first axial end and said second axial end thereof;
a first v-beam actuator being configured for linear movement in a first direction when energized;
a second v-beam actuator being configured for linear movement in a second direction when energized;
a common yoke being coupled to a central portion of said first v-beam actuator and a central portion of said second v-beam actuator,
wherein said common yoke moves in correspondence with said first v-beam actuator and said second v-beam actuator,
wherein said first direction and said second direction are in opposition to one another,
wherein said common yoke includes teeth formed along an edge thereof, and
wherein said common yoke is positioned such that said teeth thereof engage a portion of said ratchet teeth; and

a control system being coupled to said first v-beam actuator and said second v-beam actuator where the control system alternately energizes said first v-beam actuator and said second v-beam actuator,
wherein said control system further coupled to said movable retainer for movement thereof between a first position and a second position,
wherein, in said first position, said movable retainer permits movement of said ratchet bar,
wherein, in said second position, said movable retainer restricts movement of said ratchet bar, and
wherein the ratcheting micromotor is constructed as a micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) ratcheting micromotor device, which cycles in two directions due to the movement of the first v-beam actuator and the second v-beam actuator where the first v-beam actuator is substantially adjacent the second v-beam actuator.

6. The ratcheting micromotor as in claim 5 , wherein said control system includes a first power supply coupled to said first v-beam actuator, and a second power supply coupled to said second v-beam actuator.

7. The ratcheting micromotor as in claim 5 , wherein said ratchet teeth and said teeth on said common yoke are configured for relative movement when said common yoke moves in said first direction and for fixed engagement with one another when said common yoke moves in said second direction.

Assignees

• Cochran Kevin
• Jean Daniel
• Chen Ezra
• Us Navy

Inventors

• Cochran Kevin
• Jean Daniel
• Chen Ezra

Classifications

• H02N2/021 Primary

  using intermittent driving, e.g. step motors, piezoleg motors · CPC title

• H02N2/043

  Mechanical transmission means, e.g. for stroke amplification · CPC title

• F03G7/066

  Actuator control or monitoring · CPC title

• F03G7/064

  characterised by its use · CPC title

• F03G7/0636

  with several elements connected in parallel · CPC title