초록 ▼

A rotary actuator includes a plurality of interchangeable and essentially identical modular drive units each having a pair of racks operably rotating a drive shaft such that the torque applied to the shaft is evenly divided between the drive units. The shaft has pinion-type teeth of a length to acco

A rotary actuator includes a plurality of interchangeable and essentially identical modular drive units each having a pair of racks operably rotating a drive shaft such that the torque applied to the shaft is evenly divided between the drive units. The shaft has pinion-type teeth of a length to accommodate the number of drive units needed to develop the required shaft torque. End plates sandwich the drive units therebetween and rotatably support the shafts. An internal channel system routes hydraulic fluid simultaneously to the proper ends of the racks of each of the drive units to translate the racks in unison. A position sensor identifies the rotary position of the shaft and provides such information to the control mechanism. A rack biasing mechanism for each rack provides biasing pressure against an associated back of a rack directly opposite the shaft and includes a roller acting on the back of the rack. A differential pressure sensor arrangement is provided to sense rotary loading of the shaft.

대표청구항 ▼

A rotary actuator comprising: (a) an elongate drive shaft having pinion gear teeth mounted thereon and an axis of rotation; said shaft being adapted to join with and rotate a tool; and (b) a plurality of modular and interchangeable drive units positioned axially along said shaft; each of said drive

A rotary actuator comprising: (a) an elongate drive shaft having pinion gear teeth mounted thereon and an axis of rotation; said shaft being adapted to join with and rotate a tool; and (b) a plurality of modular and interchangeable drive units positioned axially along said shaft; each of said drive units including at least one fluid actuated member having drive teeth thereon mating with said shaft gear teeth so as to operably rotate said shaft when each of said drive units is activated; each of said drive units including aligned axial ports and interconnecting conduits to operably provide for actuating fluid to be simultaneously transferred among said drive units such that each of said members is simultaneously selectably actuated to rotate said drive shaft about the axis of rotation thereof in a common direction.