Actuator including handling-proof position feedback mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9777812-B2
Application number	US-201615351967-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 15, 2016
Priority date	Feb 19, 2013
Publication date	Oct 3, 2017
Grant date	Oct 3, 2017

Abstract

An actuator includes a housing assembly, an actuator shaft, an actuation member, and an anti-rotation rod. The actuator shaft is rotationally mounted in the housing assembly, is adapted to receive a drive torque, and is configured, upon receipt of the drive torque, to rotate. The actuation member is mounted on the actuator shaft, and is configured to translate in response to rotation of the actuator shaft. The anti-rotation rod is coupled to the actuator housing and extends therefrom. The anti-rotation is rod configured to at least selectively engage, and thereby prevent rotation of, the actuation member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An actuator, comprising:
a housing assembly;
an actuator shaft rotationally mounted in the housing assembly, the actuator shaft adapted to receive a drive torque and configured, upon receipt thereof, to rotate;
an actuation member mounted on the actuator shaft, the actuation member configured to translate in response to rotation of the actuator shaft;
a rod engagement structure extending from the actuation member and translatable therewith; and
an anti-rotation rod connected to the housing assembly and extending therefrom, the anti-rotation rod configured to only selectively and non-continuously engage the rod engagement structure,
wherein:
the anti-rotation rod includes a first end and a second end;
the first end is coupled to the actuator housing;
the second end is adapted to be coupled to a fixed structure; and
rotation of the actuation member is prevented when the anti-rotation rod engages the rod engagement structure.

2. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein:
the actuator shaft comprises a ball screw; and
the actuation member comprises a ball nut.

3. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein:
the rod engagement structure comprises a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm spaced apart from each other to define a rod passageway; and
the anti-rotation rod extends through the rod passageway.

4. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the anti-rotation rod is removably coupled to the actuator housing.

5. An actuator, comprising:
a housing assembly;
an actuator shaft rotationally mounted in the housing assembly, the actuator shaft adapted to receive a drive torque and configured, upon receipt thereof, to rotate;
an actuation member mounted on the actuator shaft, the actuation member configured to translate in response to rotation of the actuator shaft;
a rod engagement structure extending from the actuation member and translatable therewith, the rod engagement structure including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm spaced apart from each other to define a rod passageway; and
an anti-rotation rod connected to the housing assembly and extending therefrom through the rod passageway, the anti-rotation rod configured to only selectively and non-continuously engage the rod engagement structure, to thereby prevent rotation of the actuation member,
wherein:
the anti-rotation rod includes a first end and a second end;
the first end is coupled to the actuator housing;
the second end is adapted to be coupled to a fixed structure; and
rotation of the actuation member is prevented when the anti-rotation rod engages the rod engagement structure.

6. The actuator of claim 5 , wherein:
the actuator shaft comprises a ball screw; and
the actuation member comprises a ball nut.

7. The actuator of claim 5 , wherein the anti-rotation rod is removably coupled to the actuator housing.

8. An actuator, comprising:
a housing assembly;
a ball screw rotationally mounted in the housing assembly, the ball screw adapted to receive a drive torque and configured, upon receipt thereof, to rotate;
a ball nut mounted on the actuator shaft, the ball nut configured to translate in response to rotation of the actuator shaft;
an extension tube connected to the ball nut and translatable therewith;
a rod engagement structure extending from the ball nut and translatable therewith; and
an anti-rotation rod connected to the housing assembly and extending therefrom, the anti-rotation rod configured to only selectively and non-continuously engage the rod engagement structure, and thereby prevent rotation of the ball nut,
wherein:
the anti-rotation rod includes a first end and a second end;
the first end is coupled to the actuator housing;
the second end is adapted to be coupled to a fixed structure; and
rotation of the actuation member is prevented when the anti-rotation rod engages the rod engagement structure.

9. The actuator of claim 8 , wherein:
the rod engagement structure comprises a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm spaced apart from each other to define a rod passageway; and
the anti-rotation rod extends through the rod passageway.

10. The actuator of claim 8 , wherein the anti-rotation rod is removably coupled to the actuator housing.

Assignees

• Honeywell Int Inc

Inventors

• Vaughan Ron
• Chakkera Kevin K
• Wingett Paul T

Classifications

• F16H25/2204 Primary

  with balls · CPC title

• F16H2025/2093

  using conical gears · CPC title

• Y10T74/18576

  including screw and nut · CPC title

• F16H2025/204

  Axial sliding means, i.e. for rotary support and axial guiding of nut or screw shaft · CPC title

• F16H2025/2084

  Perpendicular arrangement of drive motor to screw axis · CPC title