Patent ID: 6232700
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: H02N

Abstract:
An actuator for use in a structure where a load magnitude varies over a range of movement of the actuator, said actuator comprising:an electromechanical transducer having a greater displacement characteristic for one of an elongation displacement and a contraction displacement;a driving member fixedly coupled to the electromechanical transducer; anda driven member frictionally coupled to the driving member;wherein the electromechanical transducer is adapted to receive drive pulses that effect an elongation displacement or effect a contraction displacement,wherein the driving member is reciprocatively driven in accordance with an elongation displacement or a contraction displacement of the electromechanical transducer in response to received drive pulses so as to drive the driven member in a predetermined direction, andwherein the electromechanical transducer is arranged such that the greater displacement characteristic of the electromechanical transducer is principally utilized in driving the driven member in a direction subject to a greatest load magnitude.