Electrical generator or motor structure – Dynamoelectric – Rotary
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-15
2001-01-23
Mullins, Burton (Department: 2834)
Electrical generator or motor structure
Dynamoelectric
Rotary
C310S012060, C310S112000, C060S698000, C060S720000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06177743
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a set of linear drives, able to be employed independently of each other, including at least one fluid power linear drive and at least one electrical linear drive, whose principal housing body is in each case provided with an elongated receiving space, the receiving space of the fluid power linear drive containing fluid power drive means and the receiving space of the electrical linear drive comprising electrically operatable drive means therein.
THE PRIOR ART
Fluid power linear drives have been disclosed, see for example the German patent publication (utility model) 29,706,098.8, whose drive means are operated by fluid power, since they are subjected to the action of fluid and more particularly pneumatic pressure medium.
Furthermore there are electric linear drives, as disclosed for instance in the German patent publication 19,512,080 A1, which possess electrically operated drive means, which may be put into operation by the application of electrical power.
The selection of the type of linear drive suitable for a given purpose is as a rule set by circumstances which can not be changed. If extremely rapid movement are required or if operation in damp surroundings is necessary, recourse is generally had to fluid power linear drives. If no sufficient the supply of fluid is available or if slow, jerk-free motion is required, use is commonly made of an electrical linear drive. In this connection there has so far been a difficulty to the extent that in the case of all different possible designs of linear drive it is a question of completely separate series of models, which are manufactured independently of each other, the measures to be taken at the site of application being taken to suit the particular design.
SHORT SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the invention is to create electrical and fluid power linear drives, which in use are at least substantially compatible and in whose production largely identical method steps are required.
In order to achieve these and/or other objects appearing from the present specification, claims and drawings, in the present invention in the context of the features recited in the preamble of claim
1
the principal housing body of the at least one fluid power linear drive and of the at least one electrical linear drive are at least substantially the same in their outer shape and the receiving spaces formed in the principal housing bodies of the two drives possess the same cross sectional configuration.
It is in this manner that in the production of fluid power linear drive and of an electrical linear drive it becomes passible to make use of principal housing bodies which are to a large extent the same in their dimensions, the outer form, which is identical ensuring compatibility in a particular case of application and rendering possible recourse to identical production tooling. Since the receiving spaces of the principal housing bodies on each side possess the same cross sectional configuration, for manufacturing operations fluid power drive means or electrically operated drive means may be installed dependent on the desired structure without complex changes in the design of the principle housing body. The manufacturer of linear drives is accordingly extremely adaptable as regards changing his palette of products, it being passible for him to employ substantially identical method steps and tools regardless of the type of linear drive and by the selective use of electrical or fluid power drive means to define the desired type.
Further advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the claims.
The drive means of the two types of linear drive are preferably connected with a force transmission part extending from the principal housing body and preferably in the form of a rod, such transmission part for its part being able to be connected directly or indirectly with an object to be moved. In order to ensure high precision it is possible for the force transmission part to engage a guide carriage, which runs in a linear sliding manner externally on the principal housing body and is able to deal with acting transverse forces with the result that the drive means accommodated in the receiving space are substantially free of loads prone to cause wear. In this connection there may be an identical design of the combination of the guide carriage and of the principal housing body, something which renders possible the use of the maximum number of identical parts with a concomitant reduction substantial reduction in production and stockholding costs.
The drive means utilized in the electrical linear drive preferably belong to an electrical linear motor which is a special design of an electric motor and in the case of which the moving part of the motor is not caused to perform a rotary but a linear motion, since the drive is preferably in the form of a moving magnetic field. Linear drives of this type are for example described in the brochure.“Linearantriebe LinMot-P” of the Sulzer Electronics Company AG, in which however there is no mention of the advantageous application as a substitute for fluid power drive means in an identically designed principal housing body.
It is particularly advantageous to utilize an electric linear motor, if it is plugged coaxially as a cartridge-like unit into the receiving space of the principal housing body so that extremely simple assembly and, if required, quick replacement is possible.
The linear motor of the electrical linear drive may contain a motor housing arranged along at least a major part of its length in the interior of the associated receiving space, from which housing at one end a power transmission member (which cooperates with the drive means and is preferably rod-like) extends and which at the opposite axial end has electrical connection means for the input and/or output of electrical signals, which are relevant for the operation of the linear motor.
The motor housing of the electrical linear drive is best of tubular form along at least part of its length and extends axially into the receiving space, its outline being complementary to the inner shape of the receiving space with the result that the parts are securely located and held in position. In this connection it is for example to have a provision such that the cross section of the motor housing and of the receiving space are circular or non-circular, the non-circular design being more especially preferred, when an arrangement of the linear drive unit locked against rotation in relation to the principal housing body is desired.
The principal housing body of the linear drives preferably comprise extruded sections, which may be manufactured cheaply.
Further advantageous developments and convenient forms of the invention will be understood from the following detailed descriptive disclosure of embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2660028 (1953-11-01), Geyer
patent: 3050943 (1962-08-01), Thorel et al.
patent: 5469775 (1995-11-01), Stoll et al.
patent: 5568982 (1996-10-01), Stoll et al.
patent: 5609091 (1997-03-01), Stoll
patent: 5637940 (1997-06-01), Nagai et al.
patent: 5638676 (1997-06-01), Muller
patent: 5685214 (1997-11-01), Neff et al.
patent: 5746110 (1998-05-01), Stoll
patent: 5844340 (1998-12-01), Noda et al.
patent: 6014924 (2000-01-01), Stoll et al.
patent: 195 12 080 A1 (1995-10-01), None
patent: 297 06 098 U (1997-05-01), None
Hartramph Ralf
Scheurenbrand Hans
Veit Eberhard
Festo AG & Co.
Hoffmann & Baron , LLP
Mullins Burton
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