Cutting by use of rotating axially moving tool – Processes – Bit detachable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-01
2001-01-23
Wellington, A. L. (Department: 3722)
Cutting by use of rotating axially moving tool
Processes
Bit detachable
C408S130000, C408S709000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176650
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for cutting a bore in a device and more particularly, to a boring apparatus that automatically retracts the cutting tool from the bore upon completion of the boring operation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Boring machines are used in a variety of applications, for example to rebuild engines. More particularly, a spindle having a cutting tool coupled to a distal end is fed into a bore of an engine block. The cutting tool or point is rotated and fed into the bore at a selected rate to drill the bore to a uniform, selected diameter and depth.
A variety of boring machines are currently available that meet various needs in various industries. However, several of these currently available machines leave a scoring or drag back line along the wall of the bore as the cutting tool is retracted out of the bore. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method and apparatus for creating a bore and retracting the cutting tool from the bore without scoring the inner wall of the bore. It would also be advantageous if this process was done automatically. The present invention fulfills these needs, and provides further related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for boring a hole in a device, for example an engine block, and more particularly, for retracting the cutting tool from the bore at the completion of the boring operation without scoring the wall of the bore.
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus for machining a bore includes a cutting device, such as a cutting point, coupled to a housing. The apparatus includes a pneumatic control system that selectively floats the housing above a mounting surface, thereby allowing the housing to be positioned at a selected location, for example to align a spindle carrying the cutting point with the center of an engine block bore. The pneumatic control system also selectively clamps the housing to the mounting surface, at which time the cutting point is rotated and fed into the bore to machine the bore. By clamping the housing to the mounting surface, undesirable motion of the cutting point is minimized. The pneumatic control system also selectively tilts the housing at the completion of the boring operation to tilt the cutting point away from an inner wall of the bore, such that as the cutting point is retracted from the bore, the cutting point will not score the wall.
In a preferred embodiment, the control system includes two grooves provided in a bottom surface of the housing adjacent the mounting surface, that are in fluid communication with a source of fluid. Fluid is selectively provided to one or both or neither of the first and second grooves. When fluid is provided to both the first and second grooves, the housing is substantially uniformly pushed away from the mounting surface to float the housing above the mounting surface. When fluid is provided to only one of the first and second grooves, the housing is pushed away from the mounting surface adjacent the groove to which fluid is provided, thereby tilting the housing. When fluid is not provided to either of the grooves, the housing rests against the mounting surface.
The control system further comprises a pair of pneumatically actuated piston rods provided in cylinder housings that are spaced laterally from each other and are coupled to the source of fluid. Fluid is selectively provided to one or both or neither of the piston rods. When air is provided to both piston rods, the piston rods extend outward from the cylinder housings, and through a variety of couplings, clamp the housing to the mounting surface to substantially prevent movement of the housing relative to the mounting surface. When air is provided to only one of the piston rods, movement of the housing relative to the mounting surface is only partially restricted. When air is not provided to either of the piston rods, the piston rods do not restrain movement of the housing, thereby allowing the housing to be moved freely relative to the mounting surface.
When the boring operation is complete and it is desired to retract the cutting point from the bore, the control system tilts the housing by supplying air to only one of the grooves and to one of the piston rods that is spaced diagonally from the groove to which fluid is provided. By providing air to only one groove, one side of the housing is lifted, thereby tilting the cutting point away from the wall of the bore. The cutting point may therefore be withdrawn without scoring the wall of the bore. Providing air to a diagonally positioned piston rod stabilizes the apparatus by partially immobilizing the housing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2108823 (1938-02-01), Lyon
patent: 3260136 (1966-07-01), Rottler
patent: 3273423 (1966-09-01), Rottler
patent: 4189871 (1980-02-01), Rottler et al.
patent: 4358229 (1982-11-01), Rukes
patent: 6099213 (2000-08-01), Kammeraad et al.
Rottler Andrew
Rottler Donald B.
Carter Monica S.
Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness PLLC
Rottler Andrew
Wellington A. L.
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