The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 25, 1989
Filed:
Sep. 12, 1988
Applicant:
Inventors:
John Moseley, Norfolk, CT (US);
Daniel McLarty, Burlington, CT (US);
Assignee:
The Torrington Company, Torrnington, CT (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F16C / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
384-1 ; 384517 ; 384519 ; 384563 ; 384583 ;
Abstract
A variable stiffness bearing utilizing piezoelectric means for applying a variable preload force to the bearing. The preferred embodiment employs piezoelectric wafers having alternating power and ground connections to the wafers to allow the wafers to distort in direct proportion to the potentials applied. Increased potentials result in greater distortion, more preload force, and a stiffer bearing.