Linear guide with an air bearing having provision for heating a support element of the linear guide to maintain fluid gap
US6571461B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53183
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A linear guide comprises a support element and a carriage sliding on the support element. The carriage has two hollow cylinders sliding on an air bearing on the support element and a body arranged between them. The support element and the two hollow cylinders of the carriage are separated by a gap to which compressed air can be applied. A linear motor formed from a u-shaped stator and an armature is foreseen as drive mechanism for the carriage. During operation, heat dissipation occurs in the armature which heats the carriage. In order to maintain changes in the thickness of the gap within predetermined limits, the support element and/or those parts of the carriage whose temperature influence the thickness of the gap are heated to a predetermined temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.