Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
In a spindle support system, having first and second spaced-apart bearings carrying a rotatable spindle in a housing where said bearings are mounted in a predetermined squareness attitude with respect to said spindle and where said first bearing is axially fixed with respect to said spindle and housing, an improved device for effecting an axial load level between said bearings, comprising: support means for permitting movement of said second bearing in an axial direction relative to said first bearing, between a first load level position and a second load level position; stop means for positively limiting axial movement of said second bearing and for maintaining said attitude of said second bearing; and force means for powering said second bearing between said positions and for holding said second bearing in said attitude at a force load level greater than said second load level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a spindle support system, having first and second spaced-apart bearings carrying a rotatable spindle in a housing where said bearings are mounted in a predetermined squareness attitude with respect to said spindle and where said first bearing is axially fixed with respect to said spindle and housing, an improved device for effecting an axial load level between said bearings, comprising: support means for permitting movement of said second bearing in an axial direction relative to said first bearing, between a first load level position and a second load level position; stop means for positively limiting axial movement of said second bearing and for maintaining said attitude of said second bearing; and force means for powering said second bearing between said positions and for holding said second bearing in said attitude at a force load level greater than said second load level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said support means includes a flex member which is relatively stiff in a radial direction and relatively flexible in an axial direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said flex member comprises a diaphragm, having an outer periphery affixed to said housing and an inner periphery affixed to said second bearing and having an axially-flexible web between said peripheries.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said stop means includes adjustably positionable stop elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said force means includes a fluid-operated expansible chamber element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a spindle support system having first and second spaced-apart anti-friction bearings carrying a rotatable spindle in a housing, where said bearings are mounted in a predetermined squareness attitude with respect to said spindle and where said first bearing is axially fixed with respect to said spindle and housing, an improved device for effecting an axial load level between said bearings, comprising: an axially flexible diaphragm support member affixed about an outer periphery to said housing and affixed about an inner periphery to said second bearing, said second bearing movable in an axial direction relative to said first bearing; a stop element affixed to said housing and including a stop face cooperating with said inner periphery of said diaphragm support member to limit axial movement of said second bearing and to maintain said attitude of said second bearing; and power means for flexing said diaphragm whereby said diaphragm may be selectively flexed to move said second bearing against said stop element to increase the bearing load level to a predetermined amount while providing a holding force exceeding the bearing load level and while maintaining said attitude of said second bearing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a spindle support system having first and second spaced-apart anti-friction bearings carrying a rotatable spindle in a housing, where said bearings are mounted in a predetermined squareness attitude with respect to said spindle and where said first bearing is axially fixed with respect to said spindle and housing, an improved device for effecting an axial load level between said bearings, comprising: an axially flexible diaphragm support member affixed about an outer periphery to said housing and affixed about an inner periphery to said second bearing, said second bearing movable in an axial direction relative to said first bearing; a stop element affixed to said housing and including a stop face cooperating with said inner periphery of said diaphragm support member to limit axial movement of said second bearing and to maintain said attitude of said second bearing; and power means for flexing said diaphragm whereby said diaphragm may be selectively flexed to move said second bearing against said stop element to increase the bearing load level to a predetermined amount while providing a holding force exceeding the bearing load level and while maintaining said attitude of said second bearing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 6, wherein said power means for flexing said diaphragm comprises a sealed fluid chamber in said housing in fluid communication with said diaphragm and a source of fluid pressure, whereby said diaphragm is flexed under the influence of uniform pressure applied to its flexing face.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 6, wherein said stop element and said diaphragm support member cooperate through a plurality of end contact spots.