Angular motion control system and method
An apparatus and method for imparting an angularly rotational movement. The apparatus includes a cylinder having an internal portion, a rod operatively positioned within the internal portion of the cylinder, a first bearing operatively positioned about rod; a second unidirectional bearing operatively positioned about the rod and a motion program for selectively inputting incremental radial motion to the rod. The apparatus may also include a force generator for linearly moving the rod in a linear axial motion along an axis of the cylinder.
1. An apparatus for imparting an angularly rotational movement comprising:
a cylinder having an internal portion;
a rod operatively positioned and movable within the internal portion of the cylinder, and a curved path positioned on the rod;
a first unidirectional rotational bearing operatively positioned about the rod and rotating substantially only in a first direction;
a second unidirectional rotational bearing operatively positioned about the rod and rotating substantially only in the first direction, and a portion of the second unidirectional rotational bearing in engagement with the path and configured to follow the path when the rod moves in the internal portion of the cylinder;
a force generator coupled to the rod, the force generator, when operational, moving the rod linearly along an axis of the cylinder;
wherein the path comprises a groove operatively placed on the rod;
wherein the first unidirectional rotational bearing contains a spline member on an outer diameter surface, and wherein the spline member is operatively attached to an inner diameter surface of the cylinder; and wherein an inner diameter surface of the first unidirectional rotational bearing is attached to an outer diameter surface of the rod.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an outer diameter surface of the second unidirectional rotational bearing is attached to the inner diameter of the cylinder; and wherein the second unidirectional rotational bearing contains a spline member on an inner diameter surface, and wherein the spline member is operatively attached to the outer diameter surface of the rod.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the inner diameter surface of the first unidirectional rotational bearing is attached to the outer diameter surface of the rod by welding.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the outer diameter surface of the second unidirectional rotational bearing is attached to the inner diameter surface of the cylinder by welding.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first direction is the clockwise direction.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the internal portion of the cylinder defines an interior surface, and wherein the second unidirectional rotational bearing is fixedly attached to the interior surface.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the portion of the second unidirectional rotational bearing in engagement with the path comprises a protuberance.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first unidirectional rotational bearing is linearly moveable along an axis of the cylinder.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 where the first unidirectional rotational bearing is fixedly attached to the rod.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the groove comprises a first groove on the exterior surface of the rod.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the path further comprises a second groove on the exterior surface of the rod.