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:
Feb. 25, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 04, 2001
Eric B. Bridges, Tempe, AZ (US);
Honeywell International, Inc., Morristown, NJ (US);
Abstract
A touchdown bearing and actuator ring assembly for selectively biasing a ball bearing into direct engagement with a rotating shaft subject to significant axial thrust forces. The Actuator ring assembly includes a pair of relatively rotatable ring members abutting the bearing assembly. Confronting faces of the ring members include protuberances. As the ring members undergo relative rotation, the protuberances come into alignment, wedging-apart the ring members and biasing the bearing assembly into contact with the rotating shaft. A disengagement actuator selectively rotates the ring members in the opposite direction until the protuberances are out of alignment, allowing a restraining spring to bias the bearing assembly away from the rotating shaft. The present invention provides an assembly capable of quickly and repeatedly engaging and disengaging the touchdown bearing with the rotating shaft, using a minimum of envelop space and weight.