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US 11,774,333 B2Granted
Shaft testing device with non-contact bearing
AssigneeMcp IP, LLC
InventorsMathew A. McPherson, John R. Scovil, Mark J. Hayes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In some embodiments, a shaft testing device comprises a support comprising a non-contact bearing. The support is arranged to support a workpiece such as a shaft. A loading mechanism comprises a non-contact bearing. The loading mechanism is arranged to apply a load to the shaft. In some embodiments, the load is applied orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. In some embodiments, a non-contact bearing comprises an air bearing.
Claims20
A shaft testing device comprising:
- a first support comprising a first air bearing, the first support arranged to support the shaft;
- a second support comprising a second air bearing, the second support arranged to support the shaft;
- a loading mechanism comprising a loading air bearing, the loading mechanism arranged to apply a load to the shaft, the loading air bearing comprising a cavity defined by an arcuate air bearing surface on a first side and an open airspace on a second side, the arcuate air bearing surface extending 180 degrees or less;
- and
- an actuation mechanism arranged to move the loading air bearing between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position.
2 more elements
A shaft testing device comprising:
- a first support comprising a first air bearing, the first support arranged to support the shaft;
- a second support comprising a second air bearing, the second support arranged to support the shaft;
- a loading mechanism comprising a loading air bearing, the loading mechanism arranged to apply a load to the shaft;
- and
- a base, the first support engaged with the base and the second support engaged with the base;
- the first support comprising a first body portion moveable with respect to a second body portion and a spring contacting the first body portion and the second body portion, the first body portion engaged with the base, the second body portion comprising the first air bearing.
3 more elements
A shaft testing device comprising:
- a support comprising a non-contact support bearing, the support arranged to support the shaft;
- a loading mechanism comprising a non-contact loading bearing, the loading mechanism arranged to apply a load to the shaft, the non-contact loading bearing comprising a cavity defined by an arcuate non-contact bearing surface on a first side and an open airspace on a second side, the arcuate non-contact bearing surface extending 180 degrees or less;
- a fluid line in fluid communication with the non-contact support bearing and in fluid communication with the non-contact loading bearing;
- and
- a throttle arranged to control an amount of fluid supplied to the fluid line;
- wherein the non-contact loading bearing comprises a first non-contact loading bearing, the loading mechanism comprising a receptacle arranged to receive a first adapter and a second adapter, the first adapter comprising the first non-contact loading bearing, the second adapter comprising a second non-contact loading bearing sized differently from the first non-contact loading bearing.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.