Toroidal Ram Actuator for Compact Rotary Motion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear acting hydraulic or pneumatic rams require large space for packaging, limit output rotation angle, result in varying torque, and create undesirable force vectors, necessitating additional structural reinforcement to achieve rotary motion effectively.
Innovation Solution
A toroidal ram actuator comprising two axially offset, inverted toroidal rams with a toroidal cylinder and piston, producing rotary motion through fluid pressure, allowing for compact design and consistent high output torque by using a toroidal axis and opposing rod actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a linear acting hydraulic or pneumatic ram is used to produce rotary motion, then rotary motion is achieved, but large space is required for packaging the open-close movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a toroidal (doughnut-shaped) cylinder and piston geometry instead of traditional linear cylindrical components. The toroidal shape allows the piston to move in a circular path within the cylinder, converting linear fluid pressure directly into rotary motion of the output member. This curved geometry eliminates the need for long linear extensions and complex linkage mechanisms, significantly reducing the space required while maintaining the ability to produce rotary motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from one-dimensional linear motion to two-dimensional circular motion by configuring the toroidal piston to move along a circular path within the toroidal cylinder. This dimensional change allows the actuator to produce rotary output motion directly from fluid pressure without requiring the linear extension and retraction space of traditional rams, effectively packaging the motion in a more compact footprint.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical linkages are used to convert linear ram motion to rotary motion, then rotary motion is achieved, but the output rotation angle is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the mechanical linkage components from the system by using a toroidal piston-cylinder arrangement that directly converts fluid pressure into rotary motion. The toroidal geometry allows the piston to trace a circular path that directly drives the output member through pivoting attachment, removing the need for intermediate linkages, levers, or gears that would otherwise limit the rotation angle and add complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical linkage system with a fluid-mechanical direct conversion system. Instead of using solid mechanical linkages to transmit and convert motion, the patent uses fluid pressure acting on the toroidal piston surface to directly generate the rotary motion, substituting a fluid-based mechanism for a solid-mechanics-based mechanism and thereby achieving greater rotational freedom.
3Productivity
If a linear ram acts on a pivoting axis through mechanical linkages, then rotary motion is produced, but the output torque varies dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The toroidal geometry of the piston and cylinder ensures that the fluid pressure always acts perpendicular to the radius of the toroidal path. This curved geometry maintains a consistent moment arm throughout the piston's circular motion, resulting in uniform torque output about the pivoting axis regardless of the rotation angle, thereby eliminating the torque variation inherent in linear-actuator-with-linkage systems.
4Strength
If linear rams with mechanical linkages are used, then rotary motion is achieved, but undesirable force vectors act on the pivoting axis requiring additional strengthening
Solution Approach 1:
The toroidal piston-cylinder arrangement ensures that the fluid pressure force always acts radially outward from the center of the toroidal path, creating a pure moment about the pivoting axis without radial or axial force components. This geometric configuration eliminates undesirable force vectors that would otherwise act on the pivoting axis and surrounding components, reducing the need for structural reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs two opposing toroidal rams with their pistons moving in opposite directions along circular paths. The force vectors from the two rams are arranged to be equal and opposite, causing them to counterbalance each other. This arrangement cancels out undesirable force components acting on the pivoting axis and surrounding structure, eliminating the need for additional strengthening to handle unbalanced forces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The toroidal ram actuator achieves compact and efficient rotary motion with consistent torque, reducing the need for additional reinforcement and enhancing mechanical efficiency by utilizing a toroidal geometry and opposing rod actions.
Implementation Method 1
a toroidal ram actuator comprising a part toroidal shaped cylinder mounted to a first member and a part toroidal piston reciprocally movable within the cylinder... wherein the relative movement between the cylinder and piston produces rotary motion
Data Source
AI summary
A toroidal ram actuator comprising a part toroidal shaped cylinder mounted to a first member and a part toroidal piston reciprocally movable within the cylinder, a free end of the piston being mounted to a second member, wherein the first and second members are pivotally attached along an axis and the relative movement between the cylinder and piston produces rotary motion of the first or second member about the axis.