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A series of inner fitted pipes with linear and helical guides or opposing helical guides for converting linear to rotational motion or converting rotational to linear motion of a support device. Hydraulics or electric screw drives are used to power the linear motion and then is converted to rotational adjustments of a directing or lifting support. This rotational support is capable of being used as a solar tracker, a robot, an exercise machine and a lift.

InventorBrad A. Mattson
Primary Examiner: Troy Grabow
Current U.S. Classification74/89.23; 74/99.00A; 126/577; 126/604; 126/606; 248/183.1; 248/278.1
International Classification: F16H 2516; F24T 238

View patent at USPTO
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Citations

Cited PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US2278356Jul 15, 1939Mar 31, 1942MOUNTING
US2974646Nov 2, 1959Mar 14, 1961ROTARY ACTUATOR
US2998805Apr 24, 1958Sep 5, 1961REMOTE CONTROL VALVE OPERATOR
US3143932Oct 16, 1961Aug 11, 1964ROTARY ACTUATOR
US3264949Feb 14, 1964Aug 9, 1966APPARATUS FOR TRANSFORMING A RECTI- LINEAR MOVEMENT INTO A ROTARY MOVEMENT
US3315413Feb 8, 1965Apr 25, 1967POWER OPERATED DOOR
US3319925Sep 24, 1965May 16, 1967VALVE-ACTUATING DEVICE
US3450382Jan 26, 1967Jun 17, 1969ACTUATOR APPARATUS
US3508472Mar 26, 1968Apr 28, 1970VALVE ACTUATOR
US3776106Apr 7, 1972Dec 4, 1973LINEAR TO ROTARY MOTOR
US3952604Jul 15, 1974Apr 27, 1976Device for converting linear motion to rotary motion
US4195905Mar 23, 1978Apr 1, 1980Automatic biaxial sun tracking mechanism for solar energy utilization devices
US4202321May 30, 1978May 13, 1980Solar tracking device
US4282442Jul 11, 1979Aug 4, 1981Device for converting reciprocal linear motion to continuous rotary motion
US4359932Jun 23, 1981Nov 23, 1982Exxon Production Research Co.Hydraulic actuator
US4383520Oct 29, 1980May 17, 1983Carl Hurth Maschinen-und ZahnradfabrikApparatus for the independent rotation of an aggregate about two axes which are positioned perpendicularly to one another
US4504038Apr 25, 1983Mar 12, 1985Valve actuator
US4625709Jun 5, 1985Dec 2, 1986Tracking solar collector installation
US4651969Oct 4, 1984Mar 24, 1987Telektron LimitedValve actuator
US4711156Jan 12, 1987Dec 8, 1987General Motors CorporationActuator for converting linear motion to rotary motion and vice versa
US5118058Jun 20, 1991Jun 2, 1992Panavise Products, Inc.Universal adjustable mount
US5134923Dec 20, 1990Aug 4, 1992Linear to rotary movement valve actuator

Referenced by

Citing PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US5976062Aug 17, 1998Nov 2, 1999Inclimetric resistance sliding sleeve exercise device
US6253632Oct 26, 1999Jul 3, 2001Motion transforming apparatus
US6801128Sep 20, 2001Oct 5, 2004Perimeter beam tower
US7107693Jan 14, 2005Sep 19, 2006Illinois Institute of TechnologyApparatus and method for precise angular positioning
US7240674Aug 25, 2003Jul 10, 2007Solar tracking apparatus
US7300447May 14, 2003Nov 27, 2007Roei Medical Technologies Ltd.Working tool for accurate lateral resection of biological tissue and a method for use thereof
US7301457Sep 3, 2004Nov 27, 2007Solarbeam Security, LLCSecurity system and perimeter beam tower
US7381886Jul 30, 2007Jun 3, 2008Emcore CorporationTerrestrial solar array
US8012073Dec 22, 2009Sep 6, 2011Fitness machine with automated variable resistance
US8093492Feb 11, 2008Jan 10, 2012Emcore Solar Power, Inc.Solar cell receiver for concentrated photovoltaic system for III-V semiconductor solar cell
US8119962Oct 1, 2009Feb 21, 2012Control signal generation of a solar panel orientation system with interference reduction using an infrared filter
US8193936Dec 9, 2009Jun 5, 2012Solarbeam Security, LLCSolar powered security system

Claims

1. A rotational support comprising:

a stationary cylinder firming the sole base of said support;
a rotational cylinder formed coaxial with said stationary cylinder about a first axis, the rotational cylinder axially abutting said stationary cylinder;
retaining means for preventing axial movement of said rotational cylinder relative to said stationary cylinder, the retaining means functioning solely between the stationary and rotational cylinders without any additional support;
an inner cylinder coaxial about the first axis, the inner cylinder extending axially between said stationary cylinder and said rotational cylinder, the inner cylinder engaging both the stationary and rotational cylinders;
wherein said inner cylinder, stationary cylinder and rotational cylinder have cam grooves and cam followers between the inner cylinder and the stationary and rotational cylinders, so that axial motion of the inner cylinder results in rotational motion of the rotational cylinder.

2. A rotational support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support is a solar tracker.

3. A rotational support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support has only one stationary cylinder.

4. A rotational support as set forth in claim 1 including a second axis perpendicular to said first axis.

5. A rotational support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support is a robot.

6. A rotational support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support is an exercise machine.

7. A rotational support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retaining means is a retaining ring coupling abutting ends of said stationary cylinder and said rotational cylinder whereby contributing to the axial alignment of said stationary cylinder and said rotational cylinder and allowing rotational movement between said stationary cylinder and said rotational cylinder.

8. A rotational support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inner cylinder is driven by an electric driving means.

9. A rotational support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retaining means is a centrally located hollow cylinder providing an access hole through said support.

10. A rotational support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retaining means is a centrally located solid cylinder.

11. A rotational support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retaining means surrounds said stationary and rotational cylinders and is provided with access for a mount to be coupled to said stationary cylinder.

12. A rotational support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retaining means is the weight of the rotational pipe and any structure attached to the rotational pipe.

13. A rotational support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cam grooves and cam followers are male and female slidably engaged splined sleeves.

14. A rotational support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inner cylinder is controlled by a fluid.

15. A rotational support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retaining means is a centrally located cylinder with a rotationally enveloping cylinder which controls said inner cylinder by an electric driving means.