Patent ID: 8742633
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: B60G,B60K,B60L,H02K,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A rotary drive comprising: a rotatable member that defines a rotational axis; a first linear actuator comprising a first mounted member having a first linear axis that is oriented radially relative to the rotational axis and a first moving member that moves in a linear direction along the first linear axis and relative to the first mounted member when a drive signal is applied to the first linear actuator; a second linear actuator comprising a second mounted member having a second linear axis that is oriented radially relative to the rotational axis and a second moving member that moves in a linear direction along the second linear axis and relative to the second mounted member of the second linear actuator when a drive signal is applied to the second linear actuator; a mounting structure with the first and second mounted members of the first and second linear actuators mounted thereon; a converter assembly to which the rotatable member and the moving members of the first and second linear actuators are coupled and which is configured to (a) convert first type of linear movement of the moving members of both of the first and second linear actuators to rotary movement of the rotatable member about the rotational axis while the rotational axis remains in a fixed relationship to the mounting structure; and (b) respond to a second type of linear movement of the moving members of both of the first and second linear actuators by causing relative movement between the rotational axis and the mounting structure in a direction that is orthogonal to the rotational axis and without producing rotary movement of the rotatable member.