CPC F16H 21/34 (2013.01) [B64C 13/26 (2013.01); F15B 15/06 (2013.01); F16C 7/023 (2013.01); F16H 21/22 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. A linear-to-rotary motion apparatus comprising:
a first linear actuator comprising:
a first actuator housing comprising a first piston chamber; and
a first piston shaft disposed at least partially within the first piston chamber and configured to translate within the first piston chamber along a first translation axis, the first piston shaft comprising a first piston shaft end configured to selectively extend and retract linearly along the first translation axis relative to the first actuator housing; and
a rotor apparatus comprising:
a first rotary joint defining a first rotational axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first translation axis;
a rotor arm extending radially from the first rotary joint and configured to pivot about the first rotary joint, the rotor arm having a rotor arm end positioned away from the first rotary joint;
a first torque linkage having a first torque linkage end pivotably connected to the rotor arm end of the rotor arm, and a second torque linkage end opposite the first torque linkage end and pivotably connected to the first piston shaft end of the first piston shaft at a first pivot connection joint, the first pivot connection joint defining a first pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first translation axis of the first piston shaft, wherein the rotor arm at least partially overlaps the piston shaft in a two dimensional viewing plane, the first pivot axis and the first rotational axis being normal to the two dimensional viewing plane; and
a guide structure directly connected to the first pivot connection joint and configured to at least partially guide movement of the first pivot connection joint.
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