Patent ID: 7311444
Filing Date: 2007-12-25
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
1. A hydrostatic bearing carriage constructed and arranged to be mounted for hydrostatically supported movement on a bearing rail, said bearing carriage comprising a plurality of self-compensating bearing pads, said plurality of bearing pads being constructed and arranged to be in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source, each of the bearing pads comprising: a planar surface that is constructed and arranged to resist the flow of pressurized fluid when in a load supporting position relative to the bearing rail; a compensating groove in the planar surface, the compensating groove being fluidly connected to a pocket groove on an other of the plurality of bearing pads; a pocket groove in the planar surface, the pocket groove being fluidly connected to a compensating groove on the other of the plurality of bearing pads, the pocket groove being constructed and arranged to receive pressurized fluid from the compensating groove on the other of the plurality of bearing pads; a supply groove in the planar surface, the supply groove being constructed and arranged to be in fluid communication with and receive pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source; and one or more drain grooves completely surrounding the planar surface, wherein the planar surface separates the compensating groove, pocket groove, and supply groove from each other and from the one or more drain grooves, wherein the planar surface surrounds the compensating groove, the pocket groove, and the supply groove, wherein the pocket groove does not surround the compensating groove or supply groove, wherein the planar surface does not include a drain groove that separates the pocket groove from the supply groove, and wherein the supply groove is at least partially interposed between the compensating groove and the one or more drain grooves.