Patent ID: 6572327
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: F16M,G02B

Abstract:
A method for positioning a cylindrical article, comprising the steps ofproviding a support surface; providing a cylindrical article having a cylindrical axis, a cylindrical surface, a first end of the cylindrical surface, and a second end of the cylindrical surface; supporting the cylindrical article from the support surface by a first pair of bearings contacting the support surface and the cylindrical surface adjacent to its first end, with one bearing of the first pair of bearings on either side of a projection of the cylindrical axis onto the support surface, and a second pair of bearings contacting the support surface and the cylindrical surface adjacent to its second end, with one bearing of the second pair of bearings on either side of the projection of the cylindrical axis onto the support surface; and positioning the cylindrical article by moving at least one of the bearings relative to the cylindrical article, wherein the step of positioning includes the steps of providing an actuator system that moves the bearings, and providing a feedback control system comprising a sensor having as a sensor output an indication of a position of the cylindrical article, and a controller having the sensor output as an input and a command signal to the actuator system as an output.