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. |
Citations|
| US2278356 | Jul 15, 1939 | Mar 31, 1942 | | MOUNTING | | US2974646 | Nov 2, 1959 | Mar 14, 1961 | | ROTARY ACTUATOR | | US2998805 | Apr 24, 1958 | Sep 5, 1961 | | REMOTE CONTROL VALVE OPERATOR | | US3143932 | Oct 16, 1961 | Aug 11, 1964 | | ROTARY ACTUATOR | | US3264949 | Feb 14, 1964 | Aug 9, 1966 | | APPARATUS FOR TRANSFORMING A RECTI-
LINEAR MOVEMENT INTO A ROTARY
MOVEMENT | | US3315413 | Feb 8, 1965 | Apr 25, 1967 | | POWER OPERATED DOOR | | US3319925 | Sep 24, 1965 | May 16, 1967 | | VALVE-ACTUATING DEVICE | | US3450382 | Jan 26, 1967 | Jun 17, 1969 | | ACTUATOR APPARATUS | | US3508472 | Mar 26, 1968 | Apr 28, 1970 | | VALVE ACTUATOR | | US3776106 | Apr 7, 1972 | Dec 4, 1973 | | LINEAR TO ROTARY MOTOR | | US3952604 | Jul 15, 1974 | Apr 27, 1976 | | Device for converting linear motion to rotary motion | | US4195905 | Mar 23, 1978 | Apr 1, 1980 | | Automatic biaxial sun tracking mechanism for solar energy utilization devices | | US4202321 | May 30, 1978 | May 13, 1980 | | Solar tracking device | | US4282442 | Jul 11, 1979 | Aug 4, 1981 | | Device for converting reciprocal linear motion to continuous rotary motion | | US4359932 | Jun 23, 1981 | Nov 23, 1982 | Exxon Production Research Co. | Hydraulic actuator | | US4383520 | Oct 29, 1980 | May 17, 1983 | Carl Hurth Maschinen-und Zahnradfabrik | Apparatus for the independent rotation of an aggregate about two axes which are positioned perpendicularly to one another | | US4504038 | Apr 25, 1983 | Mar 12, 1985 | | Valve actuator | | US4625709 | Jun 5, 1985 | Dec 2, 1986 | | Tracking solar collector installation | | US4651969 | Oct 4, 1984 | Mar 24, 1987 | Telektron Limited | Valve actuator | | US4711156 | Jan 12, 1987 | Dec 8, 1987 | General Motors Corporation | Actuator for converting linear motion to rotary motion and vice versa | | US5118058 | Jun 20, 1991 | Jun 2, 1992 | Panavise Products, Inc. | Universal adjustable mount | | US5134923 | Dec 20, 1990 | Aug 4, 1992 | | Linear to rotary movement valve actuator |
Referenced by|
| US5976062 | Aug 17, 1998 | Nov 2, 1999 | | Inclimetric resistance sliding sleeve exercise device | | US6253632 | Oct 26, 1999 | Jul 3, 2001 | | Motion transforming apparatus | | US6801128 | Sep 20, 2001 | Oct 5, 2004 | | Perimeter beam tower | | US7107693 | Jan 14, 2005 | Sep 19, 2006 | Illinois Institute of Technology | Apparatus and method for precise angular positioning | | US7240674 | Aug 25, 2003 | Jul 10, 2007 | | Solar tracking apparatus | | US7300447 | May 14, 2003 | Nov 27, 2007 | Roei Medical Technologies Ltd. | Working tool for accurate lateral resection of biological tissue and a method for use thereof | | US7301457 | Sep 3, 2004 | Nov 27, 2007 | Solarbeam Security, LLC | Security system and perimeter beam tower | | US7381886 | Jul 30, 2007 | Jun 3, 2008 | Emcore Corporation | Terrestrial solar array | | US8012073 | Dec 22, 2009 | Sep 6, 2011 | | Fitness machine with automated variable resistance | | US8093492 | Feb 11, 2008 | Jan 10, 2012 | Emcore Solar Power, Inc. | Solar cell receiver for concentrated photovoltaic system for III-V semiconductor solar cell | | US8119962 | Oct 1, 2009 | Feb 21, 2012 | | Control signal generation of a solar panel orientation system with interference reduction using an infrared filter | | US8193936 | Dec 9, 2009 | Jun 5, 2012 | Solarbeam Security, LLC | Solar powered security system |
Claims1. 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. |