초록 ▼

A linear electromechanical actuator has a spring-loaded plunger disposed in a housing. When a solenoid in the housing is energized, the armature of the solenoid moves linearly and, after some initial “lost”motion, engages and releases the latch mechanism holding the plunger in the housing. The sprin

A linear electromechanical actuator has a spring-loaded plunger disposed in a housing. When a solenoid in the housing is energized, the armature of the solenoid moves linearly and, after some initial “lost”motion, engages and releases the latch mechanism holding the plunger in the housing. The spring associated with the plunger is then free to extend the plunger from the housing. The actuator can be designed so that it is highly immune from unintended actuation due to acceleration of the actuator. The condition of the actuator (e.g., fully cocked or released) can be monitored by switches disposed in the actuator. The actuator can also be constructed to allow manual release as an alternative to release by energization of the solenoid.

대표청구항 ▼

A linear elctromechanical actuator comprising: a housing a first longitudinal axis; a solenoid coil disposed in said housing and having a second longitudinal axis; an armature electromagnetically coupled to said solenoid coil and mounted for longitudinal motion in a first direction along said second

A linear elctromechanical actuator comprising: a housing a first longitudinal axis; a solenoid coil disposed in said housing and having a second longitudinal axis; an armature electromagnetically coupled to said solenoid coil and mounted for longitudinal motion in a first direction along said second longitudinal axis in response to energization of said solenoid coil; first means for resiliently urging said armature to move in a second direction along said second longitudinal axis, said second direction being opposite to said first direction, said solenoid coil being strong enough when energized to overcome the effect of said first means on said armature and cause said armature to move in said first direction; an actuator member mounted for longitudinal reciprocation along said first longitudinal axis; second means for resiliently urging said actuator member to move from a first position to a second position along said first longitudinal axis; means for releasably retaining said actuator member at said first position; means for operatively connecting said armature to said means for releasably retaining so that after a predetermined amount of motion of said armature in said first direction, said armature causes said means for releasably retaining to release said actuator member, thereby allowing said second means for resiliently urging to move said actuator member from said first position to said second position; and means responsive to said means for releasably retaining said actuator member at said first position for producing an output indication if and only if said means for releasably retaining is fully operational to retain said actuator member at said first position.