Air bearing control system
AssigneeBrown & Sharpe Mfg. Co.
InventorGary W. Russell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention comprises a machine having air bearings and a control apparatus for turning off one or more of the air bearings when the machine has been idle for a specified time period.
Claims21
Apparatus for controlling air flow to an air bearing for providing support between first and second parts of a machine which are movable relative to each other, said apparatus comprising;
- an air supply,
- means coupling air from said air supply to the air bearing,
- a valve within said coupling means, said valve being selectively positionable in a first position in which air from said air supply is coupled to the air bearing and in a second position in which said coupling means is closed in which air from said air supply is not coupled to the air bearing, and
- valve control means for switching said valve from the open position to the closed position when the machine has been inactive for a specified time interval.
Apparatus for controlling air flow to an air bearing which provides support between first and second parts of a coordinate measuring machine, which parts are movable relative to each other, said apparatus comprising;
- an air tank for holding air under pressure.
- a pressure sensor coupled to said air tank for sensing the air pressure in said tank,
- an air compressor coupled to said air tank and said pressure sensor for supplying air to said tank, said compressor further coupled to said pressure sensor,
- an air bearing,
- an air path coupling air from said air tank to said air bearing,
- a valve within said air path, said valve being selectively positionable in an open position in which air from said air supply is coupled to said air bearing and in a closed position in which said air path is closed such that air cannot escape from said air tank, and
- a valve controller for switching said valve from the open position to the closed position when said machine has been inactive for a specified time interval.
A method of controlling a machine having an air bearing for providing support between first and second machine parts which are movable relative to each other, said method comprising the steps of;
- (1) providing air to said air bearing when the machine is fully operating,
- (2) determining the time interval since said machine has been active, and
- (3) interrupting the provision of air to said air bearing when said time interval exceeds a specified period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.