Kenneth William Bussell

US Patent:

53971833, Mar 14, 1995

Filed:

Jul 26, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/096236

Inventors:

Leo K. Lu - Saratoga CA
Robert P. Andrews - San Jose CA
Kenneth J. Bussell - Milpitas CA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corporation - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

F16C 3200
F16C 2300

US Classification:

384 1

Abstract:

A mechanical bearing, the major advantage inherent in magnetic and other non-contact bearing designs, i. e. , being active. The specific bearing disclosed is a tilt pad bearing having a structure which changes shape in a controlled manner in response to a control signal, which structure is made up of a piezoceramic smart material and a backing housing. A controller is also provided for developing a control signal in response to feedback information.