Richard L Walton

US Patent:

20090146009, Jun 11, 2009

Filed:

Dec 7, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/952915

Inventors:

John Ziavras - Hermosa Beach CA, US
Richard L. Walton - El Segundo CA, US
Mark A. Cook - Hermosa Beach CA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F16H 21/40
B64C 1/14

US Classification:

2441295, 74 75

Abstract:

An actuator is configured for transmitting a force or torque to a load. In one example configuration, the actuator includes an input device configured to apply an output force. A backstopping clutch is configured to transmit torque only in the input direction and to prevent back-driving of the input device. An overrunning clutch is configured to include a driven member moved in response to the transmitted torque in the input direction. The load may be moved in response to the driven member, or the load may be moved by a force applied directly to the load.

US Patent:

58878238, Mar 30, 1999

Filed:

Jun 26, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/883412

Inventors:

John Ziavras - Hermosa Beach CA
Richard L. Walton - El Segundo CA

Assignee:

Hughes Electronics Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B64D 2700

US Classification:

244 56

Abstract:

There is disclosed an angle positioning platform for positioning objects around first and second axes and a gearbox for same. The platform comprises a base, an intermediate stage, and an upper stage. The platform may have motors and first and second output gearboxes connected to the motors for driving the platform. The orientation of the stages of the platform permits the platform to be relatively compact in a stowed position and to have high angular rotation from the stowed position to a maximum travel position. The gearboxes may have a mechanism for isolating worm shafts and wormgears from heavy loads when the platform is in the stowed position. Another aspect of the invention is an output gearbox with a wormgear having stops for stopping rotation of a matingly engaged worm. Another aspect of the invention is a gearbox having torsion springs to counter backlash in the gearbox. Such a gearbox has a wormgear and a torsion spring retainer plate, one or both of which have a plurality of holes to permit adjusting the torque of a torsion spring in the gearbox by providing a plurality of positions for the ends of a spring to be placed with respect to one another.