Support structure for radial application
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorStewart LOWTH
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention concerns a support structure for releasably clamping onto a body relative to a central axis in use, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of links connected at a plurality of pivots spaced about the axis and an array of contact members depending from the links at angularly spaced locations about the axis, whereby pivoting of the links causes actuation of the contact members in a substantially radial direction relative to the axis such that said contact members communicate an applied contact force about the body in use so as to clamp the support structure to the body via the array of contact members.
Claims17
A support structure for releasably clamping onto a body relative to a central axis in use, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of links connected at a plurality of pivots spaced about the axis and an array of contact members depending from the links at angularly spaced locations about the axis, whereby pivoting of the links causes actuation of the contact members in a substantially radial direction relative to the axis such that said contact members communicate an applied contact force about the body in use so as to clamp the support structure to the body via the array of contact members.
A method of clamping a body comprising:
- providing a support structure having a plurality of links connected at a plurality of pivots and an array of contact members depending from the links;
- positioning the support structure and body relative to a common central axis such that the body is generally centred about the axis and the contact members are arranged at angularly spaced locations about the axis, actuating the support structure so as to cause relative pivoting between the links so as to move the contact members uniformly in a substantially radial direction relative to the axis such that said contact members communicate an applied contact force about the body in use so as to clamp the support structure to the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.