Linear actuator having a clutch for an airline seat

Abstract

A linear actuator includes a first sleeve that rotatable about an actuation axis, and a second sleeve that is at least partially disposed in the first sleeve. The second sleeve is rotatable about the actuation axis and axially moveable along the actuation axis relative to the first sleeve. The actuator further includes a clutch disposed between the first sleeve and the second sleeve. The second sleeve is moveable along the actuation axis between an operative position rotationally coupled to the first sleeve with the clutch and an inoperative position decoupled from the first sleeve. The actuator also includes a spring that is coupled to the second sleeve and configured to maintain the second sleeve in the operative position. An actuation member of the actuator that is at least partially disposed in the second sleeve is operatively coupled to the second sleeve.

1 . A linear actuator comprising: 
 a first sleeve rotatable about an actuation axis;    a second sleeve rotatable about the actuation axis and moveable along the actuation axis between an operative position being rotationally coupled to the first sleeve and an inoperative position being decoupled from the first sleeve; and    an actuation member disposed along the actuation axis and operatively coupled to the second sleeve to axially move with rotation of the second sleeve about the actuation axis;    wherein the second sleeve is biased toward the operative position.    
   
   
       2 . The linear actuator of  claim 1 , wherein axial movement of the actuation member rotates the second sleeve when the second sleeve is in the inoperative position.  
   
   
       3 . The linear actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the second sleeve is biased toward the operative position with a spring.  
   
   
       4 . The linear actuator of  claim 3 , wherein the second sleeve decouples from the first sleeve when the actuation member moves the second sleeve against a bias force of the spring.  
   
   
       5 . The linear actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the second sleeve frictionally engages the first sleeve in the operative position.  
   
   
       6 . The linear actuator of  claim 1 , further comprising a first clutch coupling connected to the first sleeve and a second clutch coupling connected to the second sleeve, wherein the first clutch coupling and the second clutch coupling engage in the operative position to rotationally couple the first sleeve to the second sleeve.  
   
   
       7 . The linear actuator of  claim 6 , wherein the second clutch coupling is biased toward engagement with the first clutch coupling with a spring coupled to the second sleeve.  
   
   
       8 . The linear actuator of  claim 7 , wherein the second clutch coupling decouples from the first clutch coupling when the actuation member moves the second sleeve against a bias force of the spring.  
   
   
       9 . A seat comprising: 
 a first seat section;    at least a second seat section pivotable relative to the first seat section; and    a linear actuator operatively coupled to any one of the first seat section and the second seat section to pivot the first seat section and the second seat section relative to each other, the actuator comprising: 
 a first sleeve rotatable about an actuation axis;  
 a second sleeve rotatable about the actuation axis and moveable along the actuation axis between an operative position being rotationally coupled to the first sleeve and an inoperative position being decoupled from the first sleeve; and  
 an actuation member disposed along the actuation axis and operatively coupled to the second sleeve to move along the actuation axis upon rotation of the second sleeve about the actuation axis;  
   wherein the second sleeve is biased toward the operative position.    
   
   
       10 . The seat of  claim 9 , wherein axial movement of the actuation member rotates the second sleeve when the second sleeve is in the inoperative position so that the second seat section is pivotable relative to the first seat section when the second sleeve is in the inoperative position.  
   
   
       11 . The seat of  claim 9 , wherein the second sleeve is biased toward the operative position with a spring.  
   
   
       12 . The seat of  claim 11 , wherein the second sleeve decouples from the first sleeve when the actuation member moves the second sleeve against a bias force of the spring.  
   
   
       13 . The seat of  claim 9 , wherein the second sleeve frictionally engages the first sleeve in the operative position.  
   
   
       14 . The seat of  claim 9 , further comprising a first clutch coupling connected to the first sleeve and a second clutch coupling connected to the second sleeve, wherein the first clutch coupling and the second clutch coupling engage in the operative position to rotationally couple the first sleeve to the second sleeve.  
   
   
       15 . The seat of  claim 14 , wherein the second clutch coupling is biased toward engagement with the first clutch coupling with a spring coupled to the second sleeve.  
   
   
       16 . The seat of  claim 15 , wherein the second clutch coupling decouples from the first clutch coupling when the actuation member moves the second sleeve against a bias force of the spring.  
   
   
       17 . A linear actuator comprising: 
 a first sleeve rotatable about an actuation axis;    a second sleeve at least partially disposed in the first sleeve, the second sleeve being rotatable about the actuation axis and axially moveable along the actuation axis relative to the first sleeve;    a clutch disposed between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, the second sleeve being moveable along the actuation axis between an operative position rotationally coupled to the first sleeve with the clutch and an inoperative position decoupled from the first sleeve;    a spring coupled to the second sleeve and configured to maintain the second sleeve in the operative position; and    an actuation member at least partially disposed in the second sleeve and operatively coupled to the second sleeve.    
   
   
       18 . The linear actuator of  claim 17 , wherein axial movement of the actuation member rotates the second sleeve when the second sleeve is in the inoperative position.  
   
   
       19 . The linear actuator of  claim 17 , wherein the second sleeve decouples from the first sleeve when the actuation member moves the second sleeve against a bias force of the spring.  
   
   
       20 . The linear actuator of  claim 17 , wherein the clutch comprises a first clutch coupling connected to the first sleeve and the second clutch coupling connected to the second sleeve, wherein the first clutch coupling and the second clutch coupling engage in the operative position to rotationally couple the first sleeve to the second sleeve.  
   
   
       21 . The linear actuator of  claim 20 , wherein the second clutch coupling is biased toward engagement with the first clutch coupling with the spring.  
   
   
       22 . The linear actuator of  claim 21 , wherein the second clutch coupling decouples from the first clutch coupling when the actuation member moves the second sleeve against a bias force of the spring.