Pneumatic counterbalance for a coordinate measuring machine

A coordinate measuring machine (10) having a vertically movable probe (41), the weight of which is offset by an improved pneumatic counterbalance (50). The pneumatic counterbalance system (50) is adapted to use a source of pressurized air (72) acting upon a ball piston (54) which is directly connect...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser:	DONALDSON, ROBERT D
Format:	Patent
Sprache:	eng
Schlagworte:	GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS MEASURING MEASURING ANGLES MEASURING AREAS MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEARDIMENSIONS PHYSICS TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ARTCOLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS TESTING
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:	A coordinate measuring machine (10) having a vertically movable probe (41), the weight of which is offset by an improved pneumatic counterbalance (50). The pneumatic counterbalance system (50) is adapted to use a source of pressurized air (72) acting upon a ball piston (54) which is directly connected to a probe arm (42) which supports the probe (41). An accumulator (60) having a capacity large enough to insure only a small change in the counterbalanced force as the ball piston (54) moves within its cylinder (52) is provided. A valve (70) is provided in the connection of the air supply (72) to the accumulator (60). The valve (70) is adjusted to provide make up air for the air which leaks past the ball piston (54). Preferably, the accumulator (60) is formed as a pressurized plenum (60) which surrounds the cylinder (52).