Abstract: A self-compensating hydrostatic (pressurized fluid film) linear bearing that maintains a fluid gap between a carriage and a rail when relative forces are applied. The geometric shape of the rail and mating carriage enable the bearing to have very high stiffness and load capacity without exessive detrimental carriage deformation. The carriages contain bearing grooves and lands which control and use fluid pressure to provide a very high degree of restoring force in response to changes in the fluid gap. The fluid emanating from the bearing gap is prevented from immediately leaking from the bearing carriage, and is instead routed back to the source from which it is pumped, thereby sealing the bearing carriage and simplifying the handling of the lubricating fluid. The hydrostatic bearing is particularly designed to be compact and to be bolt-for-bolt compatible with conventional linear bearings.

Abstract: A self-compensating hydrostatic (pressurized fluid film) linear bearing that maintains a fluid gap between a carriage and a rail when relative forces are applied. The geometric shape of the rail and mating carriage enable the bearing to have very high stiffness and load capacity without exessive detrimental carriage deformation. The carriages contain bearing grooves and lands which control and use fluid pressure to provide a very high degree of restoring force in response to changes in the fluid gap. The fluid emanating from the bearing gap is prevented from immediately leaking from the bearing carriage, and is instead routed back to the source from which it is pumped, thereby sealing the bearing carriage and simplifying the handling of the lubricating fluid. The hydrostatic bearing is particularly designed to be compact and to be bolt-for-bolt compatible with conventional linear bearings.

Abstract: A damped tool holder system having, in combination, a longitudinally extending cylindrical tool provided with a forward outer cutting or operating end and a rearward inner end which is to be held within a tool holder; a coaxial tool holder receiving the inner end of the tool; a rigid mechanical support connection between the tool and the tool holder at a first region thereof; and a second annular support connection between the tool and the tool holder at a second region thereof spaced from but adjacent the first region and effected by a vibration damping annular film structure disposed therebetween at said second region.

Abstract: A rotary hybrid bearing that utilizes both hydrostatic and hydrodynamic principles to support a rotatable shaft in which lubricating fluid is fed through orifices or other flow restriction devices to a plurality of recesses, and finally across lands and out of the bearing. The shaft is rotated in such a direction as to pump the fluid back through grooves from lands to recesses, thereby reducing the flow rate of lubricant through the bearing. The recesses are located at an angular position from lands such that a force is generated by hydrostatic action that substantially cancels the destabilizing force generated by hydrodynamic action, thereby greatly enhancing the stability of the bearing and enabling higher rotational speeds.

Abstract: An integrated tooling system and technique wherein the tool shaft serves as its own spindle and is provided on its surface with hydrostatic bearing grooves for permitting spinning within a supporting bore, and with the shaft connected at its rear end internally with a driving fluid turbine to form an in-line integrated high speed high power tooling system.