Appeal 2007-0685
Application 10/242,336
therebetween, and having at least one surface with a groove pattern to
electrochemically etch an inner surface of the journal bearing; and
a fluidstatic bearing comprising a fluid inlet to receive a fluid, an
electrolyte inlet to receive an electrolyte into the fluid gap to thereby center
the extension of the electrode within the journal bearing, and a longitudinal
opening sized to hold the main body,
the fluidstatic bearing being configured to support the electrode in a
manner thereby resulting in a gap between the main body and an inner
surface of the fluidstatic bearing.
The Examiner relies upon the following references as evidence of
obviousness:
Lehmann US 3,588,196 Jun. 28, 1971
Habel US 5,616,259 Apr. 1, 1997
MacLeod US 6,267,869 B1 Jul. 31, 2001
Appellant’s claimed invention is directed to an apparatus for forming
grooves within a journal bearing (200) comprising an electrode having a
groove pattern (324) which allows for the pattern to be electrochemically
etched into an inner surface of the journal bearing. The electrode has a main
body that is positioned within a fluidstatic bearing (306) and an extension
that fits within the journal bearing. An electrolyte inlet (321) is positioned
between the fluidstatic bearing (306) and the journal bearing (200) for
receiving an electrolyte that fills a fluid gap (322) between the patterned
extension of the electrode and the inner surface of the journal bearing.
2
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013