Abstract 983,142. Fluid bearings. HOVERCRAFT DEVELOPMENT Ltd. June 6, 1961 [June 16, 1960], No. 21263/60. Heading F2A. [Also in Division B7] Load-carrying apparatus for movably supporting a load comprises a bearing member 1 located in a concave housing 3 in a structure 2. Air is supplied to an annular port 4 in the housing 3 which forms a curtain 6 between the member 1 and the housing and maintains a cushion of air in the space 7. To improve the stability of the arrangement a further supply port 8 may be incorporated which divides the air cushion in the space 7. The bearing member may be spherical or cylindrical and in an alternative embodiment the housing may have an increased depth and a further annular supply port 10. Air thus supplied through ports 4 and 10 forms curtains 6 and 12 respectively on each side of the equatorial position of the member 1 which in conjunction with port 15 increases the number of air cushions. In the case of cylindrical bearing members, e.g. rollers, means are provided to maintain axial stability. In a further embodiment, means for spring mounting a member containing the bearing member is provided within a further member. The application of the load-carrying apparatus to air-cushioned road vehicles and track laying vehicles is described. Specifications 935,823, 935,824, 935,825 and 935,826 are referred to.
LOAD CARRYING APPARATUS FOR MOVABLY SUPPORTING A LOAD COMPRISING A FIRST MEMBER AND A SECOND MEMBER, CAPABLE OF RELATIVE MOVEMENT, THE FIRST MEMBER HAVING AT LEAST ONE SURFACE CO-OPERATING WITH AT LEAST ONE SURFACE OF THE SECOND MEMBER, THE CO-OPERATING SURFACES BEING SUBSTANTILALLY PARALLEL AND SPACED APART WHEN SAID APPARATUS IS IN OPERATION, AT LEAST ONE PORT FORMED IN ONE OF THE CO-OPERATING SURFACES AND EXTENDING IN A SUBSTANTIALLY CONTINUOUS MANNER TO DEFINE THE PERIPHERY OF A CUSHION SURFACE, AND MEANS FOR CAUSING FLUID TO ISSUE FROM SAID PORT AND FORM AT LEAST ONE CURTAIN OF FLUID WHICH FLOWS ACROSS THE GAP BETWEEN THE CO-OPERATING SURFACES AT A SUBSTANTIAL ANGLE THERETO AND IS OF SUFFICIENT LATERAL EXTENT TO PERIPHERALLY ENCLOSE A SPACE BETWEEN SAID SURFACES, SAID CURTAIN BEING OPERATIVE TO FORM AND MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE CUSHION OF PRESSURISED FLUID IN THE SAID SPACE IN CONTACT WITH SAID CUSHION SURFACE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
LOAD CARRYING APPARATUS FOR MOVABLY SUPPORTING A LOAD COMPRISING A FIRST MEMBER AND A SECOND MEMBER, CAPABLE OF RELATIVE MOVEMENT, THE FIRST MEMBER HAVING AT LEAST ONE SURFACE CO-OPERATING WITH AT LEAST ONE SURFACE OF THE SECOND MEMBER, THE CO-OPERATING SURFACES BEING SUBSTANTILALLY PARALLEL AND SPACED APART WHEN SAID APPARATUS IS IN OPERATION, AT LEAST ONE PORT FORMED IN ONE OF THE CO-OPERATING SURFACES AND EXTENDING IN A SUBSTANTIALLY CONTINUOUS MANNER TO DEFINE THE PERIPHERY OF A CUSHION SURFACE, AND MEANS FOR CAUSING FLUID TO ISSUE FROM SAID PORT AND FORM AT LEAST ONE CURTAIN OF FLUID WHICH FLOWS ACROSS THE GAP BETWEEN THE CO-OPERATING SURFACES AT A SUBSTANTIAL ANGLE THERETO AND IS OF SUFFICIENT LATERAL EXTENT TO PERIPHERALLY ENCLOSE A SPACE BETWEEN SAID SURFACES, SAID CURTAIN BEING OPERATIVE TO FORM AND MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE CUSHION OF PRESSURISED FLUID IN THE SAID SPACE IN CONTACT WITH SAID CUSHION SURFACE.