Joints and connections – With fluid pressure responsive component
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-29
2004-01-13
Cottingham, John R. (Department: 3679)
Joints and connections
With fluid pressure responsive component
C403S037000, C403S038000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06676323
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mechanical press, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus useful in adjusting press components associated with press fit couplings, such as support structures for rocker arm mechanisms provided in machine drive apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mechanical presses and other such power delivery machines utilize a drive apparatus to transmit torque between components. Depending upon the press application, it is possible that the drive apparatus may need to be reconfigured to accommodate a different press process or for other suitable reasons. For this reason, it is important that the press machine have the capability to allow adjustments to be made to the drive apparatus. For example, it may be necessary to alter or modify the mechanical relationship of the rocker arm so as to change its effective arm length and hence the torque transmission characteristics.
However, conventional adjustment mechanisms deploy a manual procedure involving movement of the rocker arm support between a limited number of discrete locations. The support element typically is secured using a removable key that is inserted into the support element and then received within a stationary fastening insert or hole to lock it in place. To effect movement, the key is removed and the support element is repositioned, but only to another keying location where the key channel of the support element is in alignment or registration with another stationary fastening insert.
What is therefore needed is an adjustment mechanism capable of executing continuously variable dynamic adjustments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form of the invention, a combination includes an adjustable clamping device normally clamped to a support member in a press fit or interference fit connection. The combination is adapted to enable the press fit connection to be selectively releasable. In one form of the combination, the clamping device includes a slider block annularly disposed about a bar or rod apparatus. During a normal state, the slider block is clamped circumferentially about the rod in a press fit or interference engagement that defines a locking condition for preventing relative movement between the slider block and rod.
A hydraulic release mechanism injects a high pressure fluid into the interface (e.g., interstitial spacing) between the slider block and rod to effectuate a radially outward displacement of the slider block relative to the rod. This hydraulically-actuated displacement is sufficient to temporarily relieve the normal press fit or interference fit connection and thereby allow the slider block to be moved linearly with respect to the relatively stationary rod. In particular, the slider block undergoes a displacement along the longitudinal axis of the rod.
After the slider block reaches its new position, the pressurization is removed in order to reestablish and otherwise restore the previous press fit connection and once again lock the slider block against the rod.
The adjustable clamping device finds particular use in environments such as mechanical presses where the slider block functions as a support structure that serves as the pivot attachment point for carrying a rocker arm. In such a configuration, any linear adjustment of the slider block relative to the rod will likewise change the absolute positioning of the rocker arm within the press drive apparatus and thereby adjust its effective driving length, which in turn varies the torque communicating relationship between the rocker arm and the press driven component. Various other mechanical couplings or machine linkages can be similarly adjusted.
The invention, in one form thereof, is directed to an assembly comprising, in combination, a first member and a second member releasably connectable with one another. A mechanism is provided to selectively release the connection between the first member and the second member. An actuator selectively causes relative linear movement between the first member and the second member, when release of the connection exists. The releasable connection between the first member and the second member is defined in one form by a press fit connection therebetween.
The mechanism is operative further to selectively restore the releasable connection between the first member and the second member, following relative movement therebetween.
The mechanism is operative to selectively pressurize an interface defined between the first member and the second member. In particular, the mechanism is operative to perform at least one of selectively applying hydraulic pressure to the interface to enable release of the connection between the first member and the second member, and selectively withdrawing hydraulic pressure from the interface to enable restoration of the releasable connection between the first member and the second member.
The mechanism, in one form, includes at least one fluid passageway formed in the first member, at least one fluid passageway formed in the second member, or a combination thereof, wherein each fluid passageway is suitably arranged to enable hydraulic communication with the interface.
In one form of the assembly, the first member includes a rod element and second member includes a slidable element annularly disposed at least in part about the rod element. The slidable element is displaced axially along the rod element upon activation of the actuator.
The invention, in another form thereof, is directed to a combination comprising a first device and a second device arranged in releasable press fit engagement with one another. The combination further includes a first means to selectively release, at least in part, the press fit engagement between the first device and the second device; and a second means to selectively cause relative linear movement between the first device and the second device, when release of the press fit engagement exists.
The first means is operative further to restore the releasable press fit engagement between the first device and the second device, following relative movement between the first device and the second device.
The first means, in one form, further includes a pressure means to selectively pressurize an interface defined between the first device and the second device. In particular, the pressure means is operative to perform at least one of selectively applying hydraulic pressure to the interface to enable release of the press fit engagement, and selectively withdrawing hydraulic pressure from the interface to enable restoration of the releasable press fit engagement.
In one form, the pressure means includes a source of selectively variable hydraulic pressure. The pressure means also includes at least one fluid passageway formed in at least one of the first device and the second device, wherein each fluid passageway is suitably arranged to enable fluid communication with the interface.
The second means further includes, in one form, a control apparatus to automatically adjust the relative position of the first device and the second device, in response to release of the press fit engagement.
In one form of the combination, the first device includes a rod member and the second device includes a slidable member annularly disposed at least in part about the rod member. The slidable member moves axially along the rod member upon activation of the second means.
The invention, in another form thereof, is directed to an assembly comprising, in combination, a support member, a movable member releasably connected to the support member, a mechanism to selectively release the connection between the movable member and the support member, and an actuator to selectively linearly move the movable member relative to the support member, while the movable member is operatively released from the support member.
The releasable connection between the support member and the movable member is preferably defined by a press fit engagement therebetween.
The mechanism is operative further to selectively re
Cottingham John R.
Knuth Randall J.
The Minster Machine Company
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