Abstract: A contactless power supply device having a stationary unit and a movable unit that moves linearly in relation to the stationary unit. The stationary unit comprises a primary conductor having a power supply for supplying high frequency alternating current, at least one wire extending from the power supply along the stationary unit for carrying the current, and three switches arranged in parallel, each switch alternating its closing with the other switches to create a three phase alternating current. There is a secondary conductor disposed on the movable unit and arranged coaxially with the wire. The secondary conductor comprises a toroidal core surrounding the wire, and a three phase motor connected to the core and powered via induction from the power supply to slide the movable unit relative to the stationary unit.

Abstract: Heat-conductive masses of material encapsulate end turns of a stator fixed in a housing of a motor to dissipate heat from the stator through the side and one end of the housing. In one embodiment, a resilient heat-conductive pad is interposed between a front plate of the housing and a side of one of the heat-conductive masses of material facing the front plate. The pad has a thickness greater than the manufacturing tolerances associated with assembling an end of the stator at an end of the housing adjacent to the front plate. In another embodiment, the heat-conductive mass of material adjacent to the front plate extends into contact with the front plate. The contact can be assured, even without the presence of a resilient pad, by forming the heat-conductive mass between the stator and the front plate after the stator is assembled to the housing.

Abstract: A device for aligning a motor shaft coupled to an input shaft supported by a bearing in a driven device, comprising a nut adapted for mounting on the driven device and a washer adapted for mounting on the bearing. The nut has an inner edge, an outer edge and a bottom surface having a concave spherical curvature. The washer has an upper surface with a convex spherical curvature corresponding to the concave spherical curvature of the nut. The spherical curvature of the washer has sufficient clearance for sliding against the spherical curvature of the nut. When the nut is mounted to the driven device and the washer is mounted to the bearing, the spherical surfaces of the nut and washer mate. The spherical surface of the washer can slide against the spherical surface of the nut to compensate for angular stresses on the shaft and maintain precise alignment of the motor shaft at all times. The invention also comprises a gearbox having the alignment device mounted therein.

Abstract: The invention is a linear guide system having a flexure that absorbs internal stresses in the system while still maintaining sufficient rigidity required for a precise linear guide system. These internal stresses may be caused by thermal expansion of components, misalignment of guide rails or vibration of components during operation. The guide system comprises at least two parallel extending guides supported by a base. Slidably attached to the guides are a plurality of pucks or sliders. In addition, the system includes at least one movable slide plate positioned above the pucks by two sets of vertical supports. The first set of vertical supports fix the slide plate to the pucks in both a horizontal and vertical direction while the second set of vertical supports fix the slide plate to the pucks in only the vertical direction. Finally, the guide system includes at least one flexure, consisting of a thin metal plate.

Abstract: A machine slide comprising a support member having two longitudinally-extending races with outwardly-facing, longitudinally extending grooves at opposite sides thereof, and a carriage movable on the support member. The carriage has two longitudinally-extending races having inwardly facing, longitudinally-extending grooves. When the carriage is placed on the support member, the grooves of the support member and the grooves of the carriage correspond to define two parallel longitudinally-extending raceways for roller bearings. There are two longitudinally-extending slits forming an island in the bottom surface of the carriage above one of the races on the carriage. A longitudinally-extending groove is located along the outside face of the side wall of the carriage nearest the island. A bearing retainer that regulates the spacing of the roller bearings is mounted within each raceway.

Abstract: A machine slide comprising a support member having two longitudinally-extending races with outwardly-facing, longitudinally extending grooves at opposite sides thereof, and a carriage movable on the support member. The carriage has two longitudinally-extending races having inwardly facing, longitudinally-extending grooves. When the carriage is placed on the support member, the grooves of the support member and the grooves of the carriage correspond to define two parallel longitudinally-extending raceways for roller bearings. There are two longitudinally-extending slits forming an island in the bottom surface of the carriage above one of the races on the carriage. A longitudinally-extending groove is located along the outside face of the side wall of the carriage nearest the island. A bearing retainer that regulates the spacing of the roller bearings is mounted within each raceway.

Abstract: A gearhead with an axially-extending input shaft connected to a motor shaft. A pinion gear and bearing assembly is adapted to connect to the motor shaft. The pinion gear is rotatably and sealably mounted to a recessed mounting surface of the housing to reduce noise, prevent entry of dirt and dust and provide a floating connection. The mounting is achieved with a double-sealed bearing which is configured to float with respect to the housing so that a high tolerance connection is maintained between the pinion gear and the gearhead while accommodating motor shaft misalignment. The invention also relates to a method for mounting the motor shaft onto the gearhead by inserting the motor shaft into the input pinion gear, securing the gearhead to the motor and clamping the input pinion gear to the motor shaft.