Device for translating and rotating a rocket motor or the like

Claim 1

A device for supporting a cylindrical load for simultaneous translation and rotation, comprising: a frame for resting a horizontally extending surface and including means defining load-supporting surfaces positioned in a generally arcuate configuration relative to a horizontally extending axis located above said frame; a plurality of air bearings carried on said frame at said surfaces, each of said air bearings having a resilient and compliant diaphragm with a restrained center portion and an annular portion inflatably responsive to pressurized air passing through openings therein, and having a curvature generally conforming to the curvature of a cylindrical load for receiving and uplifting thereagainst; and adjustment means attached to said frame and said air bearings for changing the spacing therebetween.

Claim 2

A device for supporting a cylindrical load for simultaneous translation and rotation, comprising: a frame for resting a horizontally extending surface and including means defining load-supporting surfaces positioned in a generally arcuate configuration relative to a horizontally extending axis located above said frame; a plurality of air bearings carried on said frame at said surfaces, each of said air bearings having a resilient and compliant diaphragm with a restrained center portion and an annular portion inflatably responsive to pressurized air passing through openings therein, and having a curvature generally conforming to the curvature of a cylindrical load for receiving and uplifting thereagainst; and adjustment means attached to said frame and said air bearings for changing the spacing therebetween.

Claim 5

A device for supporting a cylindrical load for simultaneous translation and rotation, comprising: a frame for resting on a horizontally extending surface and including means defining load-supporting surfaces positioned in a generally arcuate configuration relative to a horizontally extending axis located above said frame; a plurality of air bearings carried on said frame at said surfaces, each of said air bearings having a resilient and compliant diaphragm with a restrained center portion and an annular portion inflatably responsive to pressurized air passing through openings therein, and having a curvature generally conforming to the curvature of a cylindrical load for receiving and uplifting thereagainst; and drive means mounted on said frame for engaging and rotating the cylindrical load, said drive means including a drive wheel having an axis of rotation generally parallel to said horizontally extending axis and having a friction surface for bearing against the cylindrical load thereby rotating the cylindrical load about said horizontally extending axis in response to movement of said friction surface.

Claim 6

A device for supporting a cylindrical load for simultaneous translation and rotation, comprising: a frame for resting on a horizontally extending surface and including means defining load-supporting surfaces positioned in a generally arcuate configuration relative to a horizontally extending axis located above said frame; a plurality of air bearings carried on said frame at said surfaces, each of said air bearings having a resilient and compliant diaphragm with a restrained center portion and an annular portion inflatably responsive to pressurized air passing through openings therein, and having a curvature generally conforming to the curvature of a cylindrical load for receiving and uplifting thereagainst; and drive means mounted on said frame for engaging and rotating the cylindrical load, said drive means including a drive wheel having an axis of rotation generally parallel to said horizontally extending axis and having a friction surface for bearing against the cylindrical load thereby rotating the cylindrical load about said horizontally extending axis in response to movement of said friction surface.

Claim 7

A device for supporting a cylindrical load for simultaneous translation and rotation, comprising: a frame for resting on a horizontally extending surface; a plurality of pallet members attached to said frame in arcuate position rElative to a horizontally extending axis located above said frame; a plurality of spaced-apart independently extensible and retractable adjustment means seated on each said pallet member; a plurality of air bearings each having a flexible base plate captively connected to and supported by a plurality of said adjustment means and responsive to the displacement of said adjustment means for conforming to the curvature of the cylindrical load and having a resilient and compliant diaphragm on top thereof with a peripheral band in sealed contact and forming a chamber therewith and having communication with a source of pressurized air, said diaphragm having holes extending therethrough for passage of said pressurized air and for receiving and supporting the cylindrical load and forming a sealed cavity with the outer surface thereof thereby preventing the flow of said pressurized air until the pressure of said pressurized air increases sufficiently to escape from said cavity thereby providing support of the cylindrical load on a thin film of escaping air.

Claim 8

A device for supporting a cylindrical load for simultaneous translation and rotation, comprising: a frame for resting on a horizontally extending surface; a plurality of pallet members attached to said frame in arcuate position rElative to a horizontally extending axis located above said frame; a plurality of spaced-apart independently extensible and retractable adjustment means seated on each said pallet member; a plurality of air bearings each having a flexible base plate captively connected to and supported by a plurality of said adjustment means and responsive to the displacement of said adjustment means for conforming to the curvature of the cylindrical load and having a resilient and compliant diaphragm on top thereof with a peripheral band in sealed contact and forming a chamber therewith and having communication with a source of pressurized air, said diaphragm having holes extending therethrough for passage of said pressurized air and for receiving and supporting the cylindrical load and forming a sealed cavity with the outer surface thereof thereby preventing the flow of said pressurized air until the pressure of said pressurized air increases sufficiently to escape from said cavity thereby providing support of the cylindrical load on a thin film of escaping air.