Abstract:
A rotary actuator (101) is provided which includes a crankshaft (103), first and second eccentric gears (121), first and second end plates (123), a first crosslink (117) which is disposed between the first eccentric gear and the first end plate, a second crosslink which is disposed between the second eccentric gear and the second end plate, a stator (113) disposed between the first and second eccentric gears, and a rotor (109). Preferably, the rotary actuator further includes first and second support plates (115) which are disposed concentrically about the crankshaft and which are attached to first and second surfaces of the stator, respectively. The foregoing configuration allows the stator to serve as a major structural element, which may enhance the stiffness and reduce the weight of the actuator, while simplifying many of its active components.
Abstract:
A rotary actuator is provided which includes a crankshaft, a first eccentric gear disposed on a first end of the crankshaft, a second eccentric gear disposed on a second end of the crankshaft, first and second end plates, a first crosslink disposed between the first eccentric gear and the first end plate, and a second crosslink disposed between the second eccentric gear and the second end plate. The first crosslink has a first set of surface features on a surface thereof which engage a second set of surface features on the first eccentric gear, and at least one of the first and second eccentric gears is equipped with circular arc gear teeth.
Abstract:
A rotary actuator is provided which includes a first interface surface with a plurality of apertures defined therein; a plurality of interface modules, wherein each interface module includes a first portion which releasably engages one of said apertures, and a second portion which protrudes from said first interface surface; a second interface surface which releasably mates with said first interface surface; and a gear train which rotates said first interface surface about an axis.
Abstract:
A method, system and computer program product for distinguishing between a sensor fault and a process fault in a physical system and use the results obtained to update the model. A Bayesian network is designed to probabilistically relate sensor data in the physical system which includes multiple sensors. The sensor data from the sensors in the physical system is collected. A conditional probability table is derived based on the collected sensor data and the design of the Bayesian network. Upon identifying anomalous behavior in the physical system, it is determined whether a sensor fault or a process fault caused the anomalous behavior using belief values for the sensors and processes in the physical system, where the belief values indicate a level of trust regarding the status of its associated sensors and processes not being faulty.
Abstract:
A method for providing a compact rotary action torque within a larger system comprising a cross-roller bearing, generating a controllable electromagnetic field using a motor stator while interfacing the cross-roller bearing using a bull gear. The bull gear interfaces the cross-roller bearing and includes gear-teeth. An output plate includes a ring gear and supports shaft bearings. The ring gear interfaces the output plate and includes gear-teeth. A drive shaft holds a prime mover rotor and an eccentric and associates with the output plate via the shaft bearings. A gear train includes a meshing gear having gear-teeth for meshing with the gear-teeth of the bull gear and the gear-teeth of the ring gear and walks a minimal number of the gear-teeth for each rotation of the prime mover rotor; thereby, providing a transmitting force from the prime mover along the shortest-possible transmission path.
Abstract:
A robotic system providing precision interfaces between a rotary actuator and a robotic structure. The robotic structure responsive to control by a rotary actuator via a connection means whereby interface design parameters are relayed to the rotary actuator. The rotary actuator for controlling the robotic structure includes an actuator shell, an eccentric cage and a primer mover portion, rigidly attached to the eccentric cage and capable of exerting a torque on a first prime mover. A cross-roller is also included having a first bearing portion rigidly fixed to the actuator shell and a second bearing portion, an output attachment plate attached to a second bearing portion, a shell gear rigidly attached to the actuator shell, an output gear attached to the output attachment plate and an eccentric gear attached to the eccentric cage.
Abstract:
A power tool is provided which includes a housing assembly; a motor assembly disposed in the housing assembly and having an output shaft; a trigger assembly coupled to the housing assembly and configured for use in actuating the motor assembly; a spindle; and a transmission assembly transmitting rotary power between the motor assembly and the spindle. The transmission assembly comprises a star compound gear train.
Abstract:
A rotorcraft is provided which includes a rotor hub, a rotatable universal joint which tilts said rotor hub, and a plurality of servo drives which rotate the universal joint. The plurality of servo drives preferably includes four servomotors coupled together in a velocity summing arrangement to produce a single motion output.
Abstract:
A rotary actuator is provided which includes an internal gear, first and second parallel eccentric gears which mesh with said internal gear, a crankshaft equipped with first and second eccentrics which are 180° out-of-phase and which drive said first and second parallel eccentric gears, respectively, a prime mover which drives said crankshaft, first and second crosslinks which prevent the rotation of said first and second parallel eccentric gears, respectively, and first and second sets of splines which engage said first and second parallel eccentric gears, respectively.
Abstract:
An actuator is provided which includes a parallel eccentric gear train, a prime mover having an assembly of piezoelectric elements which drives the gear train and which forms a mechanical amplifier, and a crankshaft which is driven by the parallel eccentric gear train.