Abstract: An aerostatic bearing including a first bearing surface (28); a second bearing surface (32) which is juxtaposed to face the first bearing surface (28) and at least one fluid inlet (38) provided in one of the first and second bearing surface (28), (32). An inlet restriction (40) for restricting a flow rate of compressible fluid to and/or from said fluid inlet (38) and at least one recess (34) are provided in one of the first and second bearing surfaces (28, 32); the or each said recess (34) being in fluid communication with the or each said fluid inlet (38). There is also provided at least one outlet restriction (35) which is in fluid communication with the said at least one recess (34) and which restricts a flow rate at which compressible fluid exits the bearing; and at least one protrusion (42) which is provided on a surface defining at least part of the said at least one recess (34). The/each protrusion (42) lies entirely within said at least one recess (34).

Abstract: An aerostatic device for ultra precision machine tools, the aerostatic device having a damping device for use at any angle, including vertical, and comprising a male part (14) having a projecting portion (16), a female part (10) having a channel (12) in which the projecting portion (16) of the male part (14) is slidably receivable, means (22) for providing a magnetic field, the magnetic field means being at or adjacent to the projecting portion (16) of the male part (14) and/or the channel (12) of the female part (10), and magnetic oil (26) interposed between the projecting portion (16) of the male part (14) and the channel (12) of the female part (10) and only within the magnetic field of the magnetic field means. The in use magnetic oil (26) being retained in or substantially in position by the magnetic field, so that undesirable movement of the male part (14) and/or female part (10) is damped by the oil (26) without the oil (26) being displaced from the projecting portion (16) and/or the channel (12).

Abstract: A process to prepare a base oil having a viscosity index of above 80 and a saturates content of above 90 wt % from a crude derived feedstock by (a) contacting a crude derived feedstock in the presence of hydrogen with a catalyst having at least one Group VIB metal component and at least one non-noble Group VIII metal component supported on a refractory oxide carrier; (b) adding to the effluent of step (a) or part of the effluent of step (a) a Fischer-Tropsch derived fraction boiling at least partly in the base oil range in an amount effective to achieve the target viscosity index of the final base oil; and (c) dewaxing the mixture as obtained in step (b).

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a bearing ring (1) for a bearing such as a ball bearing or cylindrical roller bearing, wherein the bearing ring (1) is rotated around an axis (6) and the amount of material removed is controlled by the choice of the cross section of an electrode (3) parallel to the surface of the raceway under the electrode (3). Thus the radius of the groove (2) is kept constant. An electrode with a suitably adapted convex cross section allows for the manufacture of bearing rings within a very narrow specification range. Thus the invention also relates to a bearing comprising an electrochemically machined bearing ring (1) according to the invention having excellent operational life and characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode for electrochemical machining. An electrode comprising a plurality of electrode segments separated by insulating material. As desired, different voltages are applied to each of the electrode segments giving control over the amount of material locally removed from the metal piece. The invention also relates to a method of electrochemical machining.

Abstract: The invention relates to electrochemical machining of metal pieces, and, in particular, rings of bearings, in a controlled way. To achieve this process, parameters, such as current, are actively controlled. This allows the raceway to be completed sooner and with a smoother, more circular surface. In addition the active control makes the formation of more complex forms possible and is suitable for the cheap manufacture of trilobed raceways.

Abstract: A shield mounting plate is formed to accent and mount an official shield, of the type worn by a police officer, fireman or the like person; and to facilitate attachment of the shield to such person. The upper edge of the mounting plate is further formed to mate with and mount an award designation mounting strip upon which a bar type symbol designating an award, as for bravery, markmanship, or the like may be secured. Each award designation mounting strip is formed to mate and be mounted to the shield mount, or to another award designation mounting strip and also to mate with and mount another award designation mounting strip such that a unitary device may be formed to mount not only the shield but also a selected number of award designations.