초록 ▼

Improvements to the various components of hydrostatic bearing levitation systems, systems wherein fluid pressure between a load and the rails of a track system supports and guides the load, are described. The rail has a plurality of lengthwise extending ports and nozzles communicating from the inner

Improvements to the various components of hydrostatic bearing levitation systems, systems wherein fluid pressure between a load and the rails of a track system supports and guides the load, are described. The rail has a plurality of lengthwise extending ports and nozzles communicating from the innermost ports through the curved upper wall to the interface area between the rail and the load. The nozzles are arranged in longitudinally aligned groups and in a pair of parallel rows with the groups of one row being longitudinally staggered with respect to the groups of the other row. The nozzles can be inexpensively produced by boring an oversize hole through the upper wall and fixing a cannula, such as a hypodermic needle, in the bore. The cannula\s internal diameter is the desired nozzle diameter. The load support member has a compliant outer cover, a central core, and a filler material wound tightly on the core. The filler material is a cellulosic sheet material having a high percentage of groundwood and little or no crepe. The improved components cooperate together to provide a low-cost load/mover whether for palletized loads in a warehouse or even for inter- or intra-urban transportation systems.

대표청구항 ▼

A load supporting means for positioning between a load and a load supporting surface, said means being capable of supporting said load and of substantially isolating said load from forces influencing the position of said surface, said means comprising: a generally tubular outer member formed of a fl

A load supporting means for positioning between a load and a load supporting surface, said means being capable of supporting said load and of substantially isolating said load from forces influencing the position of said surface, said means comprising: a generally tubular outer member formed of a flexible, partially deformable material capable of deformation under load and at least partial recovery after load removal; an annular deformable core extending generally axially within said outer member to create a generally annular cavity between said core and said outer member; a web of cellulosic material wound tightly on said core and filling said cavity, said cellulosic material being formed from a paper-like web having high tensile strength and a negligible degree of extensibility; and an annular sheath member covering said outer member, said sheath member being capable of vibration under the influence of pressurized fluid issuing from said load supporting surface.