US3761002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid bearing having discrete holes formed by vortex restrictors
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1972-11-15
•
Granted: 1973-09-25
•
Expires: 1992-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A thin foil of magnetic recording tape is accurately supported on a cushion of air adjacent a fixed-position reference surface. The reference surface includes a plurality of discrete holes through which air issues under pressure to form an air layer which supports the tape. These discrete holes are formed by the outlet openings of vortex restrictors.
Inventors
- 👤 G Lammers
- 👤 G Baumann
- 👤 J Groom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:51
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/60; B; B65; B65G; B65G15/00; B65G15/60; B65G51/00; B65G51/02; B65G51/03; G11B15/56; G11B15/58; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; F; F16; F16C; F16C2300/00; F16C2300/40; F16C2300/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A fluid bearing for use in supporting a flexible member at a predetermined position, the bearing comprising: a fixed-position wall defining a reference surface from which the member is to be supported on a fluid film; at least one vortex restrictor mounted in said wall such that its outlet opening is adapted to supply fluid directly to the reference surface; and a constant pressure source of fluid connected to the inlet of said restrictor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A fluid bearing for use in supporting a flexible member at a predetermined position, the bearing comprising: a fixed-position wall defining a reference surface from which the member is to be supported on a fluid film; at least one vortex restrictor mounted in said wall such that its outlet opening is adapted to supply fluid directly to the reference surface; and a constant pressure source of fluid connected to the inlet of said restrictor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A fluid bearing as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible member is a foil and wherein the wall of said vortex restrictor which contains said outlet opening is contiguous with said fixed-position wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A fluid bearing as defined in claim 2 including a plurality of vortex restrictors mounted in said wall such that the outlet openings thereof form a hole pattern in said reference surface, and wherein said source of fluid is connected in parallel to the inlet openings of all of said restrictors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A fluid bearing as defined in claim 3 wherein said fixed-position wall includes an intermediate portion which includes a plurality of vortex chambers communicating with said outlet openings; and a surface opposite said reference surface which forms one wall of a plenum chamber and includes a plurality of inlet openings, one for each of said restrictors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
In combination: a length of web subjected to variable tension therein, a fixed-position wall defining a reference surface from which said web is to be supported on a fluid film; at least one vortex restrictor mounted in said wall such that its outlet opening supplies fluid directly to the reference surface; and a constant pressure source of fluid connected to the inlet of said restrictor, such that a variable air film pressure is developed at said outlet opening in accordance with the variable tension in the web.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
In combination: a length of web subjected to variable tension therein, a fixed-position wall defining a reference surface from which said web is to be supported on a fluid film; at least one vortex restrictor mounted in said wall such that its outlet opening supplies fluid directly to the reference surface; and a constant pressure source of fluid connected to the inlet of said restrictor, such that a variable air film pressure is developed at said outlet opening in accordance with the variable tension in the web.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination defined in claim 5 wherein a plurality of vortex restrictors are mounted in said wall such that the outlet openings thereof form a desired hole pattern in said reference surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination defined in claim 6 wherein the outlet opening of all of said vortex restrictors is contiguous with said fixed-position wall.
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) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |