The invention relates to a longitudinally adjustable connecting rod (7) for a reciprocating piston engine, in particular a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, a reciprocating piston engine, and a vehicle comprising a reciprocating piston engine. The longitudinally adjustable connecting rod (7) comprises a longitudinal adjusting mechanism (8) for adjusting an effective length (L) of the connecting rod, a hydraulically actuated control device (12), switchable at least between two control modes, for controlling the longitudinal adjustment, and an electromagnetically actuated hydraulic switching valve (9) for hydraulically actuating the control device (12).

Apparatuses and methods of operating a linear differential (100, 600) are described herein. The linear differential (100, 600) contains a slide portion (102) with parallel right-hand and left-hand threaded rods (112, 114). Threaded onto the right-hand and left-hand threaded rods (112, 114) and attached to the slide portion (102) are right-hand and left-hand gears (116, 118). Meshed between the right-hand and left-hand gears (116, 118) and also attached to the slide portion (102) is a driven gear (200). An end effector (104) is attached to the driven gear (200) and is configured to translate along a translation axis (110) and rotate around a rotation axis (120).

An actuator assembly includes a threaded shaft, a threaded nut that is threadably coupled to the threaded shaft, an annular ratchet positioned about the threaded shaft and comprising one or more tracks, and a pin that extends from the threaded shaft and into the one or more tracks. The threaded nut may include a first circumferentially-facing surface, the annular ratchet may include a second circumferentially-facing surface, and the first and second circumferentially-facing surfaces are configured to contact one another to enable the threaded nut to block rotation of the annular ratchet with the threaded shaft. The actuator assembly may enable the threaded nut to move to a limit position and hold full motor torque, but also to break free from the limit position with relatively low torque (e.g., less than the full motor torque; as compared to actuator systems that are devoid of certain features of the actuator assembly).

A pipeline plug includes a plug body. The plug body includes an outer housing. The interior of the outer housing defines a pressure vessel. The pipeline plug includes a pressure head coupled to the plug body, a seal assembly, a gripper assembly, a movable head, and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes a leadscrew, the leadscrew coupled to the movable head. The actuation mechanism includes a captive nut, the captive nut positioned within the pressure vessel. The actuation mechanism includes a motor, the motor operatively coupled to the captive nut and adapted to rotate the captive nut.

A drive device includes: a feed screw configured to rotate about a central axis; and a guided member configured to be guided in an axial direction along the central axis, wherein the guided member includes at least one nut member having a screw portion screwed with the feed screw. In a transverse section orthogonal to the central axis, the screw portion is configured to move in both a first direction toward the central axis and a second direction intersecting the first direction.

Apparatuses and methods of operating a linear differential (100, 600) are described herein. The linear differential (100, 600) contains a slide portion (102) with parallel right-hand and left-hand threaded rods (112, 114). Threaded onto the right-hand and left-hand threaded rods (112, 114) and attached to the slide portion (102) are right-hand and left-hand gears (116, 118). Meshed between the right-hand and left-hand gears (116, 118) and also attached to the slide portion (102) is a driven gear (200). An end effector (104) is attached to the driven gear (200) and is configured to translate along a translation axis (110) and rotate around a rotation axis (120).

An electromechanical-hydraulic piston actuator providing pressurized pressure medium for a brake system of a vehicle, including an electric motor having a stator and a rotor, a rotation-translation mechanism driven by the electric motor and which has a rotatable threaded nut and a threaded spindle prevented from rotating and displaceable in its axial direction, a piston coupled with the threaded spindle in the axial direction thereof, a hydraulic cylinder having a hydraulic chamber filled with pressure medium into which the piston is displaceable from a rear piston position towards a forward piston position to pressurize the pressure medium and/or expel it from the chamber. A hydraulic connection is connected to the chamber via which pressure medium can be expelled from the chamber. An isolation device is provided for the piston-travel-controlled isolation of the rotational coupling between the rotor of the electric motor and the threaded nut.

An actuator assembly includes a threaded shaft, a threaded nut that is threadably coupled to the threaded shaft, an annular ratchet positioned about the threaded shaft and comprising one or more tracks, and a pin that extends from the threaded shaft and into the one or more tracks. The threaded nut may include a first circumferentially-facing surface, the annular ratchet may include a second circumferentially-facing surface, and the first and second circumferentially-facing surfaces are configured to contact one another to enable the threaded nut to block rotation of the annular ratchet with the threaded shaft. The actuator assembly may enable the threaded nut to move to a limit position and hold full motor torque, but also to break free from the limit position with relatively low torque (e.g., less than the full motor torque; as compared to actuator systems that are devoid of certain features of the actuator assembly).

A travel limiter for a rotatable steering column of a vehicle comprises: a housing; an elongate threaded member rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis within the housing; a nut member threadedly mounted on the elongate threaded member, the exterior of the nut member comprising a toothed gear; connector for connection of a rotatable steering column of a vehicle to the elongate threaded member, whereby the steering column and the threaded member are constrained to rotate together; end stops which engage with the nut member to define the maximum axial displacement of the nut member along the elongate threaded member in both directions; a drive motor having an output shaft configured to rotate an output gear member meshed with the gear on the exterior of the nut member; and a controller configured to control the operation of the drive motor.

An actuation system for an aircraft piston engine includes a controller and an actuator. The controller selectively supplies motor control signals to a motor. The actuator includes a housing, a motor, a main rod, a control handle, and an inner rod. The main rod receives a drive torque from the motor and translates in either a first axial direction or a second axial direction. The main rod is responsive to an axial drive force to translate in either the first axial direction or the second axial direction. The inner rod is disposed within the main rod and is movable between a first position, in which main rod rotation causes the main rod to translate, and a second position, in which main rod rotation does not cause the main rod to translate, but application of the axial force to the control handle causes the main rod to translate.