192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Operators
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-12
2004-02-03
Bonck, Rodney H. (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Operators
C192S020000, C192S021500, C251S129010, C475S149000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06684994
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the art of interlocks, more particularly to electrostatic mechanical interlocks. The invention can be used in transmissions for development of valve-actuating mechanisms of gas/hydraulic distribution systems that make it possible to control the operation of said mechanisms and transmissions by low-power electrical signals.
The invention can be also used for development of electronic locks, electrical clutches and other transmission mechanisms, electronically controlled valve-actuating mechanisms and other interlocks characterized by very low energy consumption.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Known in the art is an electrostatic interlock (cf., U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,460), which uses the effect of electrostatic interaction of individual members in order to move them and set in different positions.
In the prior art interlock, the magnitude of electrostatic attraction forces between members of the electrostatic interlock essentially depends upon features of machining the surfaces of interacting members and upon a distance therebetween.
It is common knowledge that the electrostatic forces increase with an increase in the effective contact area of interacting surfaces, with a decrease in the effective distance therebetween, and with the growth of the dielectric permittivity of the spacing therebetween.
These conditions restrict the use of the prior art device, because the forces of electrostatic attraction of said interlock members spaced originally at a certain distance from one another will be very small to permit reliable control of their mutual approach. Besides, direct use of electrostatic forces for bringing together the electrostatic interlock members is uneconomical from the viewpoint of energy saving.
In another prior art device (RU Patent No. 2,042,028), electrostatic interaction of members is more effective, because the members are in close proximity to one another, and their mutual positions are retained by friction forces increasing indirectly under conditions of electrostatic interaction. Hence, the electrostatic forces not make any mechanical work and, therefore, not consume any additional energy from an electric energy source.
As indicated, however, the electrostatic interaction force used in both prior art devices depends upon roughness of surfaces, presence of foreign particles therebetween, and upon irregularity of the gap therebetween.
High requirements developed therewith to a degree of polishing of member surfaces, their mutual flatness or, generally, mutual conformity of interacting surfaces, and the requirements to a purity of member assembling make such the devices expensive, reduce operation reliability and service life, and limit applicability as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrostatic mechanical interlock and a method of manufacturing thereof that would be capable to provide inexpensive manufacture of the design of an electrostatic unit for location of members of electromechanical devices, and would be capable to provide reliable location of electrostatically interacting members.
The above object is accomplished in that, in an electrostatic unit for location of members of a mechanical device, which electrostatic unit comprises a locating member arranged in an electrostatic location unit housing that is movable from one position to another, an electrostatic location means designed for location of the locating member in one of the positions and being placed in the housing and comprising two electrically conductive members and a layer of a dielectric therebetween, conformal surfaces of the electrically conductive members being designed for electrostatic interaction and mutual location of one relative to the other when they are set in close proximity to each other and when an electric charge is applied to the electrically conductive members, one of said members of the electrostatic location means being kinematically linked to the locating member, a means for applying an electric charge to the electrically conductive members, said means being connected to the electrically conductive members, according to the invention, at least one member of the electrostatic location means comprises a layer of an elastic material on a conformal surface, and the elastic material is selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive material and a dielectric material.
One of the principal advantages of using the elastic material is associated with that, in contacting the conformal surfaces of the electrically conductive members positioned in close proximity to one another, the elastic material clings irregularities of interacting surfaces associated with their roughness, point defects and, in particular, compensates for loose pressing the non-flat surfaces to each other. With this, the effective contact area of conformal surfaces increases, and their electrostatic interaction force increases respectively.
This advantage makes it possible to reduce operating electrical voltages necessary for reliable operation of the electrostatic location unit.
Another important advantage of using the elastic material reveals itself if said material is used in electrostatic units operating under conditions of elevated vibration when the effective distance between conformal surfaces is subjected to rapid change with a resultant weakening or even a momentary loss of electrostatic interaction of members. The use of the elastic material in the gap between the members also effectively compensates for such temporary variations in the size of the gap.
Yet another advantage of using the elastic material is that it allows for a coarser closing and setting of conformal surfaces into close proximity to one another, which sufficiently simplifies the process of manufacturing the interacting members and means for their setting.
Elastic materials required for accomplishment of the object of the invention may be dielectric or electrically conductive materials. In case if an elastic material is electrically conductive, it is advisable to arrange a non-elastic dielectric separating the conformal surfaces on the mating hard surface. Should a dielectric elastic material was selected, it is important that its thickness is sufficiently small and its dielectric permittivity is sufficiently high to provide effective electrostatic interaction of electrically conductive members separated thereby.
An elastic material may also be in a form of a multi-layered material comprising electrically conductive and dielectric sublayers. Such a form is suitable in those cases when the elasticity of a layer is provided by one of the sublayers, for instance, by a dielectric sublayer, while a second sublayer is made to be sufficiently thin and performs electrical conductance functions of the material or, conversely, an elastic layer is electrically conductive while the other thin sublayer performs dielectric functions.
Electrically conductive sublayers in an elastic material may be provided in different ways, for instance, by depositing a sublayer of a metal onto a sublayer of a dielectric material, introducing particles of an electrically conductive material into a surface region of the dielectric sublayer by diffusion or implantation, and also by chemical or stoichiometric methods for changing a composition of the surface region of the dielectric sublayer a result of which is electrical conductance.
Similar methods can be used to develop dielectric sublayers coating an electrically conductive sublayer, for instance, by depositing a dielectric sublayer, oxidizing a surface of the electrically conductive sublayer, and also by other chemical or electrochemical modifying the surface of the electrically conductive sublayer as a result of which the surface becomes dielectric.
Very moderate in price and the most easy in use is an elastic material produced as a thin elastic film secured on a carcass.
The film can also be produced as a multi-layered structure comprising electrically conductive and dielectric sublayers.
Bonck Rodney H.
Jenkens & Gilchrist P.C.
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