Smart sonic bearings and method for frictional force reduction and switching
US6936951B1 · kind B1 · utility
5Cited by
72References
29Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 27, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 27, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C32/0666
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ultrastiff precision sonic bearing assembly and method thereof for controlling an effective coefficient of friction between two elements in slidable contact configured along an interface under a force sufficient to maintain contact and having static friction therebetween, by inducing a repetitive motion in one of the elements parallel to the interface thereby altering the effective coefficient of friction therebetween. The bearing assembly also provides for additional and independent electronic control over the average thickness thereof and senses the force thereon to allow the bearing assembly stiffness to be altered.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.