Gearless Torque Motor Catching Structure

Abstract

It is provided an actuated machine having a main frame 100, a machine shaft 200 mounted on the main frame 100 by means of a bearing module 300, a gearless torque motor 400 coupled to the machine shaft 200 for driving a rotation of the machine shaft 200, a torque arm 500 coupled to the gearless torque motor 400, and a catching structure. The gearless torque motor 400 is coupled to the machine shaft 200 such that the gearless torque motor 400 is capable of following a translational movement of the machine shaft 200. The torque arm 500 is coupled to the gearless torque motor 400 for inhibiting a rotational motion of the gearless torque motor 400, relative to the main frame 100, about a central axis of the gearless torque motor. The catching structure is arranged underneath the gearless torque motor 400 for catching and holding the gearless torque motor 400 in case of a failure causing the gearless torque motor's weight to be no longer carried by the machine shaft 200.

1 . An actuated machine comprising:
 a main frame;   a machine shaft mounted on the main frame by means of a bearing module;   a gearless torque motor coupled to the machine shaft for driving a rotation of the machine shaft;   a torque arm coupled to the gearless torque motor; and   a catching structure,   wherein the gearless torque motor is coupled to the machine shaft such that the gearless torque motor is capable of following a translational movement of the machine shaft,   wherein the torque arm is coupled to the gearless torque motor for inhibiting a rotational motion of the gearless torque motor, relative to the main frame, about a central axis of the gearless torque motor, and   wherein the catching structure is arranged underneath the gearless torque motor for catching and holding the gearless torque motor in case of a failure causing the gearless torque motor's weight to be no longer carried by the machine shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The actuated machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the gearless torque motor includes a stator portion and a rotor portion. 
     
     
         3 . The actuated machine according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the catching structure is separated from the gearless torque motor by an air gap and/or wherein the catching structure is mounted directly on the main frame.   
     
     
         4 . The actuated machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the gearless torque motor is coupled to the machine shaft such that the machine shaft carries at least 50% or at least 90% of the gearless torque motor's weight. 
     
     
         5 . The actuated machine according to  claim 1 , wherein a first end portion of the torque arm is attached to the gearless torque motor and/or a part rigidly connected to the gearless torque motor such as to inhibit the rotational motion of the gearless torque motor, relative to the main frame, about a central axis of the gearless torque motor. 
     
     
         6 . The actuated machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the catching structure includes a holding structure and/or a supporting structure. 
     
     
         7 . The actuated machine according to  claim 5 , wherein a second end portion of the torque arm is attached to at least one of a first group, the first group including: the catching structure, a holding structure, a supporting structure, and the main frame. 
     
     
         8 . The actuated machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the holding structure is a swing base, the holding structure is at least partially supported by a pivot support and/or the holding structure is at least partially supported by a supporting structure. 
     
     
         9 . The actuated machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the supporting structure supports the holding structure's weight and/or the gearless torque motor's weight in case of a failure causing the gearless torque motor's weight to be no longer carried by the machine shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The actuated machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the holding structure includes at least one stopper for stopping and holding the gearless torque motor in case of a failure causing the gearless torque motor's weight to be no longer carried by the machine shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The actuated machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuated machine further includes at least one of a second group, wherein the at least one of the second group is separated by an air gap from the gearless torque motor, the second group including: a holding structure, a supporting structure, and a stopper. 
     
     
         12 . The actuated machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the catching structure's weight is supported by the main frame. 
     
     
         13 . The actuated machine according to  claim 11 , wherein an air gap decouples the at least one of the second group's weight from the gearless torque motor, the at least one of the second group's weight is not supported by the machine shaft and/or the at least one of the second group's weight is not supported by the gearless torque motor. 
     
     
         14 . The actuated machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the machine shaft is provided for driving a conveyor belt. 
     
     
         15 . The actuated machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the gearless torque motor weighs at least 500 kg preferably 1000 kg, and/or a holding structure weighs at least 200 kg, preferably 400 kg. 
     
     
         16 . The actuated machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the catching structure is separated from the gearless torque motor by an air gap and/or wherein the catching structure is mounted directly on the main frame. 
     
     
         17 . The actuated machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the gearless torque motor is coupled to the machine shaft such that the machine shaft carries at least 50% or at least 90% of the gearless torque motor's weight. 
     
     
         18 . The actuated machine according to  claim 2 , wherein a first end portion of the torque arm is attached to the gearless torque motor and/or a part rigidly connected to the gearless torque motor such as to inhibit the rotational motion of the gearless torque motor, relative to the main frame, about a central axis of the gearless torque motor. 
     
     
         19 . The actuated machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the catching structure includes a holding structure and/or a supporting structure.