Uni-directional and multi-directional mechanical structural bearing
AssigneeMarconmetalfab Inc.
InventorsEric de Fleuriot de la Coliniere, Casey Xi Wang, Duncan Robert Bohlmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A uni-directional and multi-directional mechanical bearing suitable for supporting structures such as bridges comprises a removable cassette comprising a sliding layer composed of a low friction material such as PTFE. The removable cassette allows for the replacement of the sliding layer without needing to remove or replace the entire bearing. The bearing can be part of a kit that includes a replacement cassette having a varying thickness that corresponds to the uneven wear on the sliding layer of the removable cassette and compensates for an eccentric pressure on the bearing when under load.
Claims17
A bearing apparatus for supporting a structure, comprising:
- (a) a first assembly having a top surface for supporting a superstructure;
- (b) a second assembly having a bottom surface mountable on a substructure;
- and
- (c) a cassette assembly in between the first and second assemblies, and comprising
- a cassette housing in contact with a top surface of the second assembly, and
- a cassette removably fastened to the cassette housing and comprising a backing plate and a sliding layer mounted to the backing plate and in sliding contact with a bottom surface of the first assembly, such that the first assembly is movable relative to the second assembly along the sliding layer.
A bearing apparatus kit for supporting a structure, comprising:
- (a) a first assembly having a top surface for supporting a superstructure;
- (b) a second assembly having a bottom surface for placement on a substructure;
- (c) a cassette assembly in between the first and second assemblies, and comprising
- a cassette housing in contact with a top surface of the second assembly,
- a first cassette removably fastened to the cassette housing and comprising a backing plate with a with a constant thickness and a sliding layer mounted to the backing plate and in sliding contact with a bottom surface of the first assembly, such that the first assembly is movable relative to the second assembly along the sliding layer;
- and
- a second cassette removably fastenable to the cassette housing when the first cassette is removed, and comprising a second backing plate with a varying thickness and a second sliding layer mounted to the second backing plate and in slidable contact with the bottom surface of the first assembly.
A uni-directional pot bearing kit, comprising:
- (a) a top plate assembly comprising a top surface for supporting a superstructure, and at least one guide bar extending in a lateral sliding direction;
- (b) a cassette and pot plate assembly comprising
- a pot plate in sliding contact with the guide bar along the lateral sliding direction;
- and
- a first cassette removably fastened to the pot plate, and comprising a first backing plate with a constant thickness and a first sliding layer mounted to the first backing plate and in sliding contact with a bottom surface of the top plate assembly;
- a second cassette removably fastenable to the pot plate when the first cassette is removed, and comprising a second backing plate with a varying thickness and a second sliding layer mounted to the second backing plate and in slidable contact with the bottom surface of the top plate assembly;
- and
- (c) a piston plate assembly comprising
- an elastomeric disc contacting a bottom surface of the pot plate;
- and
- a piston plate contacting a bottom surface of the elastomeric disc;
- and
- wherein the piston plate assembly is rotatable about horizontal and vertical axes relative to the cassette and pot plate assembly by deformation of the elastomeric disc.
A method for servicing a bearing apparatus while supporting a structure, the bearing apparatus having a first assembly, a cassette assembly, and a second assembly, the cassette assembly located in between the first and second assemblies and comprising a cassette housing and a first cassette removably fastened to the cassette housing and comprising a first backing plate and a first sliding layer in sliding contact with a bottom surface of the first assembly, the method comprising:
- (a) removing the first cassette from the bearing apparatus;
- (b) inspecting the first sliding layer for premature and uneven wear;
- and
- (c) replacing the first cassette with a second cassette in the bearing apparatus when premature and uneven wear is detected, the second cassette having a second sliding layer and a backing plate with a varying thickness corresponding to the uneven wear on the first sliding layer.
A method for servicing a uni-directional pot bearing while supporting a structure, the uni-directional pot bearing having a top plate assembly, a cassette and pot plate assembly, and a piston assembly, the cassette and pot plate assembly comprising a pot plate and a first cassette removably fastened to the pot plate and comprising a first backing plate and first sliding layer in sliding contact with a bottom surface of the top plate assembly, the method comprising:
- (a) removing the first cassette from the uni-directional pot bearing;
- (b) inspecting the first sliding layer for premature and uneven wear;
- and
- (c) replacing the first cassette with a second cassette in the uni-directional pot bearing when premature and uneven wear is detected, the second cassette having a second sliding layer and a backing plate with a varying thickness corresponding to the uneven wear on the first sliding layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.