US 6,629,778 B1 · Fluid pressure bearing

Abstract

A bearing arrangement has fluid pressure bearings which permit an especially stiff support and is therefore especially well suited for high precision machines such as coordinate measuring apparatus. The bearing arrangement includes at least two fluid pressure bearings (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) having a membrane formed as a support end. The membrane is concavely deformed by the bearing pressure. The bearing arrangement also includes a rigidly configured bearing base body which is supported on the two fluid pressure bearings. The rigid support is achieved in that at least one of the fluid pressure bearings includes a bearing housing (12a, 12b; 13a, 13b; 14a, 14b) which is configured as one piece and in that the bearing base body (6) is operatively connected directly to the bearing housing (12a, 12b; 13a, 13b; 14a, 14b). The bearing housing includes at least the membrane.

Claims60

Dependent claims

A bearing arrangement comprising:

at least two fluid pressure bearings;
a rigidly configured base body incorporating said fluid pressure bearings;
each one of said fluid pressure bearings having a membrane defining a supporting end thereof;
a pressure supply for supplying fluid under pressure to said bearings to cause said membranes to concavely deform and support said bearings and said rigid base body;
at least one of said fluid pressure bearings having a one-piece bearing housing which includes the membrane thereof;
said base body and said one-piece bearing housing conjointly defining a direct connection therebetween;
said base body having a side facing away from the bearing housing of at least one of said fluid pressure bearings;
and,
said base body including a breakout formed in said side thereof for facilitating access to the bearing housing of said at least one of said bearings.

6 more elements

A bearing arrangement journalled on two guide surfaces which extend in the same direction and are positioned at a predetermined angle relative to each other, the bearing arrangement comprising:

at least first and second fluid pressure bearings;
a rigidly configured base body incorporating said fluid pressure bearings;
each one of said fluid pressure bearings having a membrane defining a supporting end thereof;
a pressure supply for supplying fluid under pressure to said bearings to cause said membranes to concavely deform and support said bearings and said rigid base body on said guide surfaces;
said first fluid pressure bearing being journalled on one of said guide surfaces and said second fluid pressure bearing being journalled on the other one of said guide surfaces;
said first fluid pressure bearing having a one-piece bearing housing which includes the membrane thereof;
at least part of said base body and said one-piece bearing housing being monolithically formed from a block;
said second fluid pressure bearing having a one-piece bearing housing which is a part separate from said base body;
said one-piece bearing housing of said second fluid pressure bearing including the membrane thereof and a membrane holder connected to the membrane;
and,
said base body being journalled directly on said membrane holder.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fluid pressure bearing

Life of this patent

Fluid pressure bearing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims60