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US 5,397,183 AGranted
Active bearing
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsLeo K. Lu, Robert P. Andrews, Kenneth J. Bussell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanical bearing, the major advantage inherent in magnetic and other non-contact bearing designs, i.e., being active. The specific bearing disclosed is a tilt pad bearing having a structure which changes shape in a controlled manner in response to a control signal, which structure is made up of a piezoceramic smart material and a backing housing. A controller is also provided for developing a control signal in response to feedback information.
Claims13
An active bearing for an axially rotatable member, comprising:
- a) a mechanical bearing for said member having at least one means providing a bearing surface for said axially rotatable member;
- b) a structure supporting said means, which structure will change shape in a controlled manner in response to a control signal;
- c) a controller for developing said control signal for application to said structure;
- d) a reaction sensor for measuring a reaction outside said bearing to a shape change in said structure;
- and
- e) means for directing a signal defining said measurement to said controller for use by the latter to tailor a control signal.
3 more elements
An active bearing for an axially rotatable shaft comprising:
- a) a mechanical bearing selected from the group consisting of journal bearings, ball, and roller bearings, providing a bearing surface for said shaft;
- b) a structure supporting said mechanical bearing, which structure includes:
- i) a piezoceramic which will respond to a control signal by changing shape in a controlled manner;
- and
- ii) a backing whose shape is relatively stable;
- c) means separating said structure from said mechanical bearing and said axially rotatable member;
- d) a sensor for sensing translational movement for said rotatable member having a component in a plane orthogonal to its axis of rotation;
- e) means for directing a signal defining said translational movement to said controller for use by the latter to tailor said control signal;
- f) a reaction sensor for measuring a reaction outside said bearing to a shape change by said piezoceramic;
- and
- g) means for directing a signal defining said measurement also to said controller for use by the latter to tailor said control signal.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.