초록 ▼

The present invention provides an air bearing pallet comprising a network of tethers oriented and connected between the upper and bottom sheets of a plenum chamber, which cause a system of indentations to become formed in the bottom sheet when the plenum chamber is inflated. Perforations in the bott

The present invention provides an air bearing pallet comprising a network of tethers oriented and connected between the upper and bottom sheets of a plenum chamber, which cause a system of indentations to become formed in the bottom sheet when the plenum chamber is inflated. Perforations in the bottom sheet enable air to escape thereby generating an air film below the chamber within the predefined system of indentations. The size, shape, depth, bottom surface tension/stiffness, airflow through, quantity and location of the indentations can be varied in order to optimize lifting performance and efficiency and reduce system level losses over irregularities and gaps in the support surface.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A patient air bearing pallet adapted for connection to an air source, said air bearing pallet comprising:an air bearing plenum chamber having an upper sheet and a bottom sheet;a plurality of tethers connected between the upper sheet and the bottom sheet, and the tethers being arranged i

We claim: 1. A patient air bearing pallet adapted for connection to an air source, said air bearing pallet comprising:an air bearing plenum chamber having an upper sheet and a bottom sheet;a plurality of tethers connected between the upper sheet and the bottom sheet, and the tethers being arranged in a geometric pattern or a random arrangement and defining a plurality of spaced apart indentations at the bottom sheet upon inflation of the air bearing plenum chamber, wherein a lower end of each tether forms a cross-section shape in the bottom sheet enclosing only one of said indentations; andwherein the bottom sheet includes a plurality of perforations there through at least within the indentations, and the perforations being arranged into a plurality of groups of perforations, each group of perforations forming an air bearing, each air bearing being discrete and spaced from each of the other air bearings, and the air bearings forming an air film between the air bearing pallet and a support surface.