US 4,071,252 A · Fluidically driven turntable

Abstract

A method and apparatus for rotatably driving phonograph records, memory disks or the like while substantially reducing if not eliminating the undesirably effects of mechanical vibration and drive speed fluctuations. A support frame houses a tank which holds a quantity of liquid such as a mixture of silicon oil and water. A first generally circular member having a plurality of spaced vanes thereon is mounted within the tank adjacent the bottom thereof so that it can be positively rotatably driven from a drive mechanism external to the tank. A second generally circular member having a plurality of spaced vanes thereon is positioned vertically above the first member so that it is free to rotate with respect thereto. At least a portion of the vanes of the second member extend downwardly into the liquid but remain vertically spaced apart from the vanes of the first member. The liquid acts as a fluid coupling such that when the first member is positively driven, it causes the liquid to rotatively circulate within the tank. The rotatively circulating liquid operatively engages the immersed portion of the vanes of the second member thereby causing it to rotate as well. Phonograph records, memory disk or the like may be supportively carried by the upper surface of the second member. The nature of the fluid coupling and the flywheel effect achieved by its rotational circulation substantially reduces if not eliminates the undesirable effects normally attributable to mechanical vibration and drive speed fluctuations.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A turntable assembly for rotatively supporting phonograph records, memory disks and the like comprising:

a relatively stationary tank means;
a quantity of liquid contained within said tank means:
a first symmetrical member having an axis of rotation and a plurality of generally radially disposed vanes;
a second symmetrical member having an axis of rotation and a plurality of generally radially disposed vanes;
means for supportively positioning said second member vertically above said first member such that said axes of rotation are coincident, the plane of said second member being parallel to the plane of said first member and both of said planes being generally horizontal, and such that either of said members is free to rotate with respect to the other about said coincident axes;
said first member and at least a portion of said second member being disposed within said tank means such that all of the vanes of said first member and at least a portion of all of the vanes of said second member are immersed in said quantity of liquid contained within said tank means such that said liquid at least partially supports said second member vertically above said first member;
a turntable platter means formed by the upper surface of said second member for rotation therewith, said platter means being adapted for supportively carrying said phonograph records, memory disks and the like;
and
means for rotatably driving said first member such that the rotation thereof causes said quantity of liquid to rotatively circulate within said stationary tank means for driveably rotating said second member while effectively isolating said turntable platter means from the effects of mechanical vibration and speed fluctuations.

6 more elements

A fluidically driven turntable assembly comprising:

first and second generally circular members each having a central hub portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, generally radially disposed vane elements extending radially outwardly from said central hub portion;
a tank;
a drive means external to said tank;
means for rotatively mounting said first member horizontally within said tank and adjacent the bottom thereof such that said first member may be positively rotatively driven by said external drive means;
bearing means for rotatively mounting said second member horizontally within said tank and vertically above said first member such that each is free to rotate with respect to the other, said bearing means supporting said second member vertically above said first member at a single central contact location for minimizing the transmission of mechanical vibration therebetween;
and the upper surface of said second circular member defining a turntable platter means adapted to carry phonograph records, memory disks and the like;
liquid means disposed within said tank and covering all of said first member and at least a portion of all of the vane elements of said second member for drivably coupling said first and second members during all rotational speeds while isolating said second member from the effects of mechanical vibration and fluctuations in drive speed.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fluidically driven turntable

Life of this patent

Fluidically driven turntable

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18