SCREW DRIVE METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

A method and apparatus for operating a screw drive apparatus. The apparatus (110) includes a threaded rod (111) having a helical thread (112), a nut (114) disposed about the threaded rod (111) and having a load-bearing channel aligned with and radially outward from the helical thread (112), and a plurality of balls (119) between the helical thread (112) and the load-bearing channel. The apparatus further includes a housing (124) with at least one support bearing (126) having an inner race (132) coupled to the nut (114) and an outer race (134) coupled to the housing (124) and rotatable relative to the inner race (132). A retaining member (150) is removably and adjustably coupled to the nut (114) to apply an adjustable force against the support bearing (126) in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the threaded rod (111).