Bearings
US5374125A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 21, 1992 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2322/39
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A machine is disclosed having novel air bearings for supporting one machine part for translational movement on another part in a first direction X. Each bearing takes the form of a track (5A,14,16) on one of the parts providing concave part-cylindrical bearing surfaces (5A,14A,16A) and pads 25 on the other part providing confronting convex part-cylindrical bearing surfaces 25A. The arc lengths of the part-cylindrical bearing surfaces are such as to provide restraint against relative movements between the machine parts in at least one sense of both of the two directions (Y,Z) orthogonal to the direction (X) of the translational movement. The advantages are relative cheapness of manufacture compared to vee-bearings and a capability of the bearings to self-align under load.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.