US3618694A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hop-free fluid bearing of spandrel inflated flexible type
Assignee: AERO GO Inc
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Filing: 1969-10-06
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Granted: 1971-11-09
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Expires: 1989-10-06
Abstract
Abstract An improved hop-free fluid bearing is disclosed of the flexible type wherein the opposing wall of the flexible annular body is interconnected with the backing member radially outwardly from the inner peripheral edge of the body, and the fluid is discharged into the spandrellike space formed therebetween, both to inflate the body and to pressurize the plenum. The bearing is hop-free by virtue of the inflow openings of the body being grouped within the narrow circumferential segment of the space opposite the inlet, and having an aggregate open cross-sectional area undersized with respect to the inlet, so that a siphoning effect is generated in some of the openings as the fluid travels through the space, there being, however, at least one opening relatively radially offset from the inlet in a region of relatively high static pressure when the body is in a deflated condition, so that the fluid is operative to inflate the body during the initial stage of fluidization.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter A Crowley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:07
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
337 words
In combination, an annular body which is hollow and has flexible upper and lower annularly shaped walls so as to be inflatable to form a torus, a rigid backing member which is disposed opposIte one of the aforesaid flexible annularly shaped walls of the body and interconnected with the body around the entire circumference thereof so as to form a plenum within the opening defined by the torus when the body is inflated, the aforesaid interconnection between the body and the backing member being radially outwardly spaced from the inner peripheral edge of the body, between the aforesaid one wall of the body and the backing member, so that on inflation of the body the inner peripheral edge portion of the one wall is free to separate from the backing member to form a spandrellike space therebetween which is in open communication with the plenum at the adjacent inner and outer peripheries thereof, respectively, and means for inflating the body and pressurizing the plenum so that the torus can operate as a fluid bearing, including at least one inlet in the backing member, which is operatively disposed relatively radially inwardly from the aforesaid interconnection, for discharging a stream of pressurized fluid into the spandrellike space, and a set of inflow openings for each inlet, which are disposed in the aforesaid inner peripheral one wall edge portion of the body, on closely spaced centers within the circumferential segment of the space opposite the inlet, and which have a combined open cross-sectional area that is no greater than the open cross-sectional area of the inlet, so that a siphoning effect is generated in the openings as the stream of fluid travels through the space, there being at least one opening, however, which is relatively radially offset from the inlet, in a region of relatively high static pressure when the body is in a deflated condition, so that the stream of fluid is operative to inflate the body, when it is initially discharged between the body and the backing member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
337 words
In combination, an annular body which is hollow and has flexible upper and lower annularly shaped walls so as to be inflatable to form a torus, a rigid backing member which is disposed opposIte one of the aforesaid flexible annularly shaped walls of the body and interconnected with the body around the entire circumference thereof so as to form a plenum within the opening defined by the torus when the body is inflated, the aforesaid interconnection between the body and the backing member being radially outwardly spaced from the inner peripheral edge of the body, between the aforesaid one wall of the body and the backing member, so that on inflation of the body the inner peripheral edge portion of the one wall is free to separate from the backing member to form a spandrellike space therebetween which is in open communication with the plenum at the adjacent inner and outer peripheries thereof, respectively, and means for inflating the body and pressurizing the plenum so that the torus can operate as a fluid bearing, including at least one inlet in the backing member, which is operatively disposed relatively radially inwardly from the aforesaid interconnection, for discharging a stream of pressurized fluid into the spandrellike space, and a set of inflow openings for each inlet, which are disposed in the aforesaid inner peripheral one wall edge portion of the body, on closely spaced centers within the circumferential segment of the space opposite the inlet, and which have a combined open cross-sectional area that is no greater than the open cross-sectional area of the inlet, so that a siphoning effect is generated in the openings as the stream of fluid travels through the space, there being at least one opening, however, which is relatively radially offset from the inlet, in a region of relatively high static pressure when the body is in a deflated condition, so that the stream of fluid is operative to inflate the body, when it is initially discharged between the body and the backing member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the remainder of the inner peripheral one wall edge portion of the body, between the aforesaid circumferential segment or segments of the space, is imperforate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the aforesaid one opening or openings in each set of openings, are radially inwardly spaced from the inlet, and the backing member has choke means thereon which are operative to cause a pressure drop in the stream of fluid, during the aforesaid initial stage of fluidization, but which are relatively inoperative when the body is inflated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein the choke means takes the form of an arcuate weir which is interposed between the body and the backing member, radially inwardly from the openings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein the choke means takes the form of a screen which is interposed between the body and the backing member, opposite the openings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the inlet is operatively disposed in plan view, opposite a point on the inner peripheral one wall edge portion of the body, and the openings are all spaced relatively radially therefrom, there being at least one opening, however, which is interposed between the aforesaid point and interconnection, to enable the stream of fluid to inflate the body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein all of the openings are interposed between the point and the interconnection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein at least two of the remaining openings are relatively circumferentially spaced from the point.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein the openings are distributed symmetrically about the point.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the backing member has a step raised thereon at a point spaced relatively radially inwardly from the inner peripheral edge of the body, and the inlet is disposed in the periphery of the step, to discharge relatively radially outwardly therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination according to claim 10 wherein the step is formed by a rigid pad which projects from the backing member, through and beyond the opening Defined by the body when the body is in a deflated condition, but which lies wholly within the opening defined by the torus when the body is in an inflated condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein the backing member is superposed over the body to form a platform, for travelling over a surface therebelow, and the pad operates as a supporting land for the platform when the body is in a deflated condition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
87 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the backing member includes pad means depending therefrom to form a supporting land for the platform when the body is in a deflated condition, said pad means including a central pad positioned within the center of said annular body and peripheral pad means positioned outside thereof and spaced from said central pad to accommodate the deflated body therebetween, the total supporting area bound by said pad means being substantially equal to the lift area formed by the body when inflated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-08 | 1975-05-10 | 1975-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-08 | 1979-05-10 | 1979-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-08 | 1983-05-10 | 1983-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |