US 11,898,921 B2 · Air bearing apparatus for calibrating force measurement devices

Abstract

An air bearing for calibrating a force measurement device comprises an inner wall, an outer wall, an upper wall, a lower wall, an internal chamber, an object retention opening, and a plurality of air outlets. The inner wall and outer wall each have a cylindrical shape with the outer wall being concentric with the inner wall. The upper wall and lower wall each have an annular shape and are attached to the inner wall and the outer wall. The internal chamber is formed by inner surfaces of the four walls, and is configured to retain compressed air. The object retention opening is formed by an outer surface of the inner wall and is configured to receive and retain an object. The air outlets are positioned along the inner wall and are configured to allow compressed air to flow from the internal chamber to the object retention opening.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An air bearing for use with calibrating a force measurement device, the air bearing comprising:

an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall having a cylindrical shape, the outer wall surrounding the inner wall and being spaced apart from the inner wall;
an upper wall and a lower wall, the upper wall attached to an upper edge of the inner wall and the outer wall, and the lower wall attached to a lower edge of the inner wall and the outer wall;
a fitting opening positioned on the outer wall and configured to retain an air supply fitting;
an internal chamber formed by inner surfaces of the inner wall, the outer wall, the upper wall, and the lower wall, the internal chamber configured to retain compressed air;
an object retention opening formed by an outer surface of the inner wall and configured to receive and retain an object contributing to a force measured by the force measurement device;
and
a plurality of air outlets positioned along the inner wall and configured to allow compressed air to flow from the internal chamber to the object retention opening to apply air pressure to the object.

4 more elements

An air bearing apparatus for calibrating a force measurement device, the air bearing apparatus comprising:

an air bearing including an inner wall and an outer wall each having a cylindrical shape, the outer wall having a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the inner wall and being concentric with the inner wall, an upper wall and a lower wall each having an annular shape, the upper wall attached to an upper edge of the inner wall and the outer wall, and the lower wall attached to a lower edge of the inner wall and the outer wall, a fitting opening positioned on the outer wall, an internal chamber formed by inner surfaces of the inner wall, the outer wall, the upper wall, and the lower wall, the internal chamber configured to retain compressed air, an object retention opening formed by an outer surface of the inner wall and configured to receive and retain an object contributing to a force measured by the force measurement device, and a plurality of air outlets positioned along the inner wall and configured to allow compressed air to flow from the internal chamber to the object retention opening to apply air pressure to the object;
a fitting attached to the fitting opening through which compressed air passes;
and an air supply hose having a first end attached to the fitting and a second end configured to receive compressed air.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Air bearing apparatus for calibrating force measurement devices

Life of this patent

Air bearing apparatus for calibrating force measurement devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15