Thrust cylinder with offset drive screw

摘要

A linear actuator having particular application for reconfigurable fixtures used to hold large area workpieces, has a thrust rod connected to a translatable nut member that is driven by a rotatable drive screw that has a longitudinal axis off-set from the longitudinal axis of the thrust rod that preferably is centrally disposed within the housing of the actuator. The off-set axis of the drive screw enables the drive screw per unit size to handle greater loads and run at higher speeds. Also, the use of a solid thrust rod enables the thrust rod per unit size to handle greater loads and be less expensive as opposed to being hollow when the drive screw is coaxial with the thrust rod. This arrangement also enables less material to be used to manufacture the linear actuator per unit size. The linear actuators may be used as an alternative to existing assemblies with central thrust rods.