Rotary bearing and drive mechanisms

Details Rotary bearing and drive mechanisms Rotary bearing and drive mechanisms

2000-03-17

2001-04-03

Fenstermacher, David (Department: 3682)

Machine element or mechanism

Control lever and linkage systems

Multiple controlling elements for single controlled element

C074S490050, C901S029000, C310S06700R, C310S089000, C310S091000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06209411

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotary bearing, and to a mechanism which may be used to provide drive for a rotary bearing.
A rotary bearing and/or a drive mechanism may be used in an articulating probe head for a coordinate positioning machine, such as a coordinate measuring machine. Such a probe head may be mounted to the movable arm of e.g. a Cartesian coordinate measuring machine to enable orientation of an inspection probe relative to a part under inspection with two rotational degrees of freedom.
2. Description of Related Art
An articulating probe head employing a rotary bearing and drive mechanism is known from, for example, EP 317397, EP 317397 or counterpart U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,877.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first aspect of the present invention provides a drive mechanism for rotating first and second relatively rotatable bearing members about an axis, the drive mechanism including an elongate drive shaft connected to the first bearing member, and a motor connected to the second bearing member which rotates the shaft and first member, characterised by at least one torsionally stiff flexible diaphragm which connects either the drive shaft to the first bearing member, or the motor to the second bearing member.
A second and independent aspect of the present invention provides a rotary bearing which provides relative rotation of first and second bearing members about an axis, the first and second members respectively having concave and convex spherical surface portions which circumscribe the axis and bear against each other via an interstitial bearing medium, the first and second members further being provided with planar surface portions which circumscribe the axis and bear against each other via an interstitial bearing medium, wherein axial bearing forces on the members at the spherical surface portions are counteracted by axial bearing forces on the members at the planar surface portions.
Preferably, the interstitial bearing medium will be provided by fluid, and more preferably air.


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