This invention relates to an electrically powered actuator of the type which includes a bidirectional electrically powered drive member a driven member coupled to the electrically powered drive member to be driven thereby, and a travelling member engaged with the driven member so as to be displaceable in opposite directions relative to the driven member between limits of displacement and in accordance with direction of drive of the drive member.
A known electrically powered actuator of the type described above is manufactured by Fortune Engineering Limited of Blantyre, Glasgow G72 9BR, Scotland, and marketed under the trade mark Rolaram.
An application in which it is desirable to use an electrically powered actuator is in a device for supporting and moving the cabin of a vehicle simulator such as a flight simulator. However, because the total moving weight in such an application may be as much as 17,000 kilograms and may be supported by six actuators to give six degrees of freedom, it is essential that the device for supporting and moving the weight be safe in the event of an electrical supply failure or cutting off of the supply to the electrically powered drive member.