US 6,982,502 B1
Hybrid electric linear actuator
Musoke H. Sendaula, Helotes, Tex. (US); Joseph P. Teter, Mt. Airy, Md. (US); and David J. Brady, Marlton, N.J. (US)
Assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C. (US)
Filed on Sep. 26, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/672,267.
Int. Cl. H02N 2/00 (2006.01); H02K 41/03 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 310—26 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hybrid actuator through which a linear drive is applied to a load, comprising: an actuator shaft connected to the load; a plurality of electrically energized motors positioned over the shaft; a plurality of solid-state thrusters positioned on the actuator shaft in operative relation to the motors; clutch means mounted on the actuator shaft in engagement with the thrusters for transfer of thrust force to the actuator shaft during operation in response to energization of the motors; and amplification means for amplifying force and stroke output of said motors to cyclically control said operation of the clutch means and effect said drive of the load.