Importance

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Abstract

A self-aligning fluid bearing for supporting a moving part, and allowing that part to move along at least one flat support surface substantially without friction, includes a body with at least one planar face having at least one spheroidal concave depression therein, channels within the body for directing pressurized fluid to each depression, and one planoconvex disk for each depression. Each disk includes a convex spheroidal surface with a spherical radius which is approximately equal to that of the corresponding concave depression and an oppositely facing planar surface so that the convex surface of the disk is located in spaced relation to the depression surface when pressurized fluid is directed into the depression. Each disk furthermore has a passageway between the convex surface and the planar surface through which pressurized fluid can pass to the planar surface of that disk so that the disk is supported in spaced relation to the flat support surface when pressurized fluid is directed through that passageway. Each planoconvex disk is slightly rotatable with respect to its corresponding depression so that the disks can move to compensate for imperfections in the flat support surface without upsetting the bearing. The bearing may include one or more magnets which bias the bearing toward a ferromagnetic flat support surface.

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First Claim