Geometrical instruments – Gauge – Movable contact probe – per se
Patent
1986-09-17
1988-01-05
Stearns, Richard R.
Geometrical instruments
Gauge
Movable contact probe, per se
33169R, 408147, G01B 702, B23B 5100
Patent
active
047166576
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to tools or measuring probes (hereinafter referred to collectively or individually as tools) for use with numerically controlled (NC) machine tools or with measuring machines.
Such machines have the capability of automatically substituting different types of tools in order to perform different machining or measuring operations on a workpiece. Each tool must therefore be capable of being releasably secured to the machine easily and quickly. Where a tool includes an electric circuit within its housing, a power supply has to be provided for the circuit, and this must be positioned either on the machine or within the tool and some form of releasable electrical connection has to be made between the tool and the machine. Physical electrical connections are not favored however because of the liklihood of corrosion due to the machine environment.
It is known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,816 to provide a battery within a tool for powering an electric circuit, and the electrical connection between the tool and the machine is made by an inductive connection. It is also known, for example, from UK Pat. No. 2,084,737 to use a battery in the tool to power an optical telemetry system for wirelessly transmitting signals from the tool to the machine.
The use of batteries however, has its drawbacks in that, at present, battery life is low, and the batteries require regular re-charging or replacement. Another problem is that ony a limited amount of power is available from the battery, particularly where the tool housing has to be small to enable it to fit into a limited amount of space. Thus for small tools requiring a relatively high power supply, a battery-powered tool may not be the best solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for supplying power to the electric circuit of a tool which overcomes or substantially diminishes these problems.
According to the present invention there is provided a machine having a movable member capable of supporting a tool for performing an operation on a workpiece and having a supply of pressurized fluid, the tool including an electric circuit and means for releasably connecting the tool to the movable member, characterized in that the tool comprises a drive means, such as a turbine which is arranged to be driven, in operation, by pressurized fluid supplied from the machine, and an electricity generator drivingly connected to the turbine for providing power to the electric circuit.
In one form of the invention the tool comprises a fluid flow duct and means for releasably connecting the fluid flow duct to the supply of pressurized fluid, the turbine being disposed in the fluid flow duct and arranged to be driven by pressurized fluid flowing, in operation, through the duct.
Alternatively the turbine is in the form of a pelton wheel, the buckets of which are rotated by directing the pressurized fluid at them in a jet.
The pressurized fluid may be liquid or gas, a supply of which may already be present on the machine.
Also according to this invention there is provided a probe for sensing a surface of an object, comprising a sensing device including an electric circuit, characterized by a fluid flow duct, and an electricity generator for powering said circuit and adapted to be driven by fluid flow passing, in operation, through said duct.
The invention is particularly of use in cases where the electric circuit in the tool has a relatively high current consumption.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
An example of apparatus according to this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation of the spindle assembly of a machining centre including a measuring probe, and,
FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation of an alternative form of the invention applied to a boring bar.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1 the spindle assembly comprises a spindle 10 supported for rotation in bearings 11 in a b
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patent: 4509266 (1985-04-01), Cusack
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patent: 4608763 (1986-09-01), Manns et al.
Renishaw plc
Stearns Richard R.
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