Sealed Pad Hydrostatic Bearing for High-Speed Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrostatic bearing systems are complex and costly, requiring intricate oil supply and handling systems, and are limited by high shear stress at high speeds, which leads to heat generation and viscosity changes, restricting their speed to around 2 m/sec.
Innovation Solution
A sealed pad hydrostatic bearing system with a compact design that uses a pressurized fluid medium in an internal pocket with a sealing bearing member, allowing for active pressure adjustment and load carrying, eliminating the need for external oil supply and circulation systems, and enabling precision movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional hydrostatic bearing systems are used, then load carrying capability is provided, but device complexity increases due to complex oil supply and handling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bearing body and oil reservoir into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate external oil tanks and supply lines. The bearing body itself serves as the containment structure for the fluid medium, merging multiple functions into one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex external oil supply and handling systems from the traditional hydrostatic bearing configuration. By using the bearing body as the fluid reservoir and implementing self-contained pressure generation, the system removes pumps, motors, pressure vessels, oil tanks, filters, valves and controllers that were previously required.
2Force
If traditional hydrostatic bearing systems are used, then load carrying capability is provided, but system cost increases due to complex components
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the bearing body and oil reservoir reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate oil tanks, supply lines, and handling systems, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple sealing member made of inexpensive materials such as rubber or polymer that can be easily replaced if needed. This approach uses cost-effective materials and simple designs rather than expensive complex components.
3Measurement precision
If traditional hydrostatic bearing systems are used, then precision movement is provided, but temperature increases at high traveling speeds due to viscous heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements active pressure adjustment capabilities that allow the system to dynamically respond to varying operating conditions including speed and temperature changes. This enables the bearing to maintain optimal performance across different operating ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can adjust fluid pressure and potentially fluid properties to compensate for temperature effects. By actively managing pressure parameters and potentially using temperature-compensated fluids, the system maintains precision movement even at higher temperatures generated during high-speed operation.
4Measurement precision
If bearing gap is made small for high precision, then measurement precision is improved, but shear stress increases at high speeds leading to heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent actively adjusts fluid pressure parameters to compensate for the effects of high shear stress in narrow gaps. By dynamically controlling the pressure of the confined fluid medium, the system can maintain the thin film necessary for precision while managing the thermal effects through pressure regulation.
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 sealed pad hydrostatic bearing system achieves variable load carrying capability and precision motion, reducing friction and stick-slip phenomena, while allowing for high-speed operation without the need for complex fluid circulation systems, thus enhancing positioning precision and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The pressurizing actuation means pressurizes the confined fluid medium through a small passage and generate a large force against the surface of said guideway by applying the principle of connected vessels
Implementation Method 2
The sealing bearing member is in contact with said surface of said guideway and seals clearance between said bearing body and said surface of said guideway to confine said fluid medium and limit leakage out of said internal pocket
Implementation Method 3
the pressurized fluid medium carries a main portion of a load carried by the hydraulic bearing system
Implementation Method 4
The coupling means that allows relative displacement with respect to said bearing body
Data Source
AI summary
A compact bearing system capable of variable load carrying capability and precision motion on a guideway includes a bearing body, a fluid medium, a sealing bearing member and a pressurizing actuation means installed as an integral part of the bearing body. The bearing body includes an internal pocket with an open side facing a surface of said guideway. The fluid medium is contained inside said internal pocket and is in contact with said surface of said guideway on said open side. The sealing bearing member is in contact with said surface of said guideway and seals a clearance between said bearing body and said surface of said guideway to limit leakage of said fluid medium. The pressurizing actuation means pressurizes the confined fluid medium through a small passage, and the pressurized fluid medium carrying a main portion of a load carried on said compact bearing system.