ACTUATOR THAT ADJUSTS TO SIDE LOADS AUTOMATICALLY BY PIVOTING INTERNALLY

摘要

The actuator includes a housing (12) and a gear nut (64) within the housing (12). A leadscrew (78) on which the gear nut (64) is threaded traverses the housing (12). As the leadscrew (78) moves axially, the gear nut (64) rotates . To prevent misalignment between the gear nut (64) and leadscrew (78), the ge ar nut's outer walls (74 and 76) and bearing surfaces (30 and 46) within the housing (12) permit the gear nut's axis of rotation to pivot in any directio n along with any pivoting of the leadscrew (78), while allowing the gear nut (64) to rotate about the leadscrew (78). Therefore, if the leadscrew (78) is not aligned with the housing (12), the leadscrew will pivot the gear nut (64 ) so that the gear nut (64) remains aligned with the leadscrew (78) and moveme nt of the leadscrew (78) can continue.