Importance

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Abstract

The bearing assembly includes a bearing carriage having a plurality of spaced bearing races and a manifold secured to at least one end of the bearing carriage having a plurality of spaced bearing surfaces. Each manifold bearing surface is aligned with one of the carriage bearing races and includes a bearing compensator including a collector and a supply groove. A plurality of compensation channels are formed in the manifold. Each compensation channel includes a first end in communication with a collector and a second end in communication with one of four longitudinal passages extending at least partially through the bearing carriage. Each longitudinal passage communicates with a pocket formed on one of the carriage bearing races. When pressurized hydrostatic fluid is supplied to the supply grooves of the bearing manifold, the hydrostatic fluid flows from the supply grooves across a gap defined between the manifold bearing surface and a support rail into a collector where it is directed into a compensation channel. The hydrostatic fluid in the compensation channels is supplied to one of the longitudinal passages formed in the bearing carriage where it is directed to a pocket formed in a respective bearing race of the bearing carriage. The compensation channels are configured to direct fluid from a bearing surface of the manifold to a diametrically opposite bearing race of the bearing carriage to compensate for loading of the bearing carriage.

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First Claim