Air Bearing with Variable Air Delivery for Adaptive Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air bearings for coordinate measuring machines lack adaptability in stiffness to varying load scenarios, leading to potential insufficient stiffness or failure under different load conditions.
Innovation Solution
An air bearing design featuring multiple air outflow channels with independent air delivery systems, including a central and outer region air outflow channel, which can be selectively activated based on load requirements, utilizing a controller to adjust air supply and valve operations for optimal stiffness and bearing force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single air delivery system is used in conventional air bearings, then the structure is simple, but the stiffness cannot be adapted to varying load scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The air bearing is divided into multiple independent air delivery channels (first air delivery channel and second air delivery channel), each capable of being controlled independently. This segmentation allows the stiffness to be adapted to different load scenarios by selectively activating specific channels, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The air bearing system incorporates dynamic control capabilities through controllers that can adjust the air supply to each channel based on detected load conditions. The system transitions from a static, fixed-stiffness design to a dynamic, adaptive system that modifies its characteristics in real-time, enabling stiffness adaptation without excessive complexity.
2Force
If air supply is increased to enhance bearing force, then stiffness improves, but air consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different air delivery channels are activated based on the specific load requirements. Instead of uniformly increasing air supply to all channels, the system selectively activates only the necessary channels to provide the required bearing force, thereby minimizing air consumption while maintaining adequate stiffness for the given load condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters (air supply to specific channels) based on detected load conditions. By adjusting which channels are active and at what pressure levels, the system optimizes the balance between bearing force and air consumption, avoiding unnecessary energy loss while maintaining required performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple air delivery channels are implemented for stiffness adaptation, then load adaptability improves, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air bearing system incorporates sensors and controllers that automatically detect load conditions and adjust the air supply to appropriate channels without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously adapting its stiffness characteristics based on real-time load detection, simplifying operation despite the multiple channels involved.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where controllers detect bearing load conditions and use this information to automatically adjust air supply to the appropriate channels. This closed-loop control enables the system to maintain optimal performance across varying load scenarios while keeping the control process automated and relatively simple to operate.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The air bearing achieves adaptive stiffness adjustment to match specific load conditions, enhancing bearing performance and preventing settling during acceleration and deceleration processes, while maintaining efficient air consumption and precision guidance.
Implementation Method 1
Aerostatic bearings are known, in which the air gap is formed by delivery of air into the air bearing
Implementation Method 2
During guiding with an air bearing, mutually movable elements, for example two components for moving a sensor of the coordinate measuring machine in three-dimensional space, are mounted in such a way as to be separate from each other by an air gap
Data Source
AI summary
An air bearing for movably bearing at least two elements includes a bearing main body with a first air outflow channel and a second air outflow channel. The first air outflow channel is supplied with air via at least one first air delivery device. The second air outflow channel is supplied with air via at least one second air delivery device. A sensor detects at least one of a bearing stroke, a bearing pressure, and a bearing throughflow, and a controller adjusts the supply of the air to at least one of the first air outflow channel and the second air outflow channel in accordance with the at least one of the bearing stroke, the bearing pressure, and the bearing throughflow.