Apparatus for controlled rotation of a sphere or ball for inspecting or marking the surface with a predetermined pattern
US5223793A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M13/04
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for rotating a spherical object, which includes suspension means for supporting a spherical object in a fixed position relative to its center. The suspension means holds the sphere by simultaneously contacting its surface with contacting elements at at least four points spatially independent of each other on the surface. Each of the contact elements is of regular shapes, such as, spheres, cylinders, cones or other shapes having symmetry about an axis of rotation. At least one of the contact elements is rotationally driven by a rotating drive means. The rotating drive means is rotated at a fixed or time-varying speed to impart controlled movement to the sphere about an axis through its center. The speeds or time-varying functions thereof cause the resultant controlled rotational motion of the sphere by manipulating an axis of rotation through its center.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.