Scrollerwheel

A scrollerwheel is the rotary version of Sandia Atomic Lab's linear Rolamite. It is a mechanical device composed of a number of rollers (four or more) and connective bands under tension, which wrap around and weave between the rollers forming a self-supporting cluster possessing a central roller. The cluster of rollers is bound by the connective bands in such a way that the static friction between the rollers and bands prevent the rollers from slipping as they roll and orbit the central roller. Scrollerwheels are related in operational principle to rolamite linear bearings, and like them, they display only rolling friction, and not the kinetic friction inherent in most mechanical bearings.

The rollers can have a cross section in a variety of shapes other than circular, such as: ovoids (which with a single ovoid roller as the central roller--or one of the outer rollers--results in a cammed motion), various varieties of superellipses and Reuleaux triangles.

When Sandia National Labs made the linear version they used Copper Berylium (Beryl) for their bands. The Scroller Wheel shown has 4 identical wheels rotating within a wheel. When it rolls, although the 4 wheels turn, the ScrollerWheel itself does not turn. It seems very strange but there is no slipping, sliding or rubbing so for the first time in history, it provides virtually frictionless rotary motion

ee also

*Rolamite

External links

* [http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5,462,363.PN.&OS=PN/5,462,363&RS=PN/5,462,363 U.S. Patent #5,462,363]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-BK_iEJ7Go Video of a scrollerwheel]
* [http://www.erikbrinkman.com/scroller ScrollerWheel Details]