Chucks or sockets – With fluid-pressure actuator – Pneumatic type
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-15
2001-08-07
Bishop, Steven C. (Department: 3722)
Chucks or sockets
With fluid-pressure actuator
Pneumatic type
C279S004010, C279S004020, C279S004120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270084
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates in general to chuck assemblies and deals more particularly with an improved pneumatic chuck assembly for a production machine tool and for chucking a workpiece in a machine tool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A fluid actuated rotary chuck assembly of the type with which the present invention is concerned is typically used in a production machine tool to secure and rotate a workpiece while a series of machining operations, such as turning, boring, reaming and tapping, are performed on the workpiece to form an article of manufacture. In the performance of such machining operations it is essential that sufficient clamping pressure be applied to grip and hold the rotating workpiece against the reactive force of an engaging tool. The clamping or chucking pressure required is generally determined by the physical characteristics of the workpiece and the operations that are to be performed upon it. Thus, for example, the clamping pressure necessary to properly secure a workpiece when a turning operation is to be performed on the workpiece will be substantially greater than the clamping force required to hold the same workpiece during a grinding or finishing operation. Further, the clamping force which may be applied to a solid workpiece will be substantially greater than that which may be applied to a hollow or tubular workpiece used in the manufacture of a fragile article. However, in each instance sufficient holding force must be applied to the workpiece to resist the reactive force of a tool without causing distortion of either the workpiece or the article of manufacture produced by the machining process. Each time a machine setup is changed to satisfy the particular requirements of another production run proper consideration must be given to chucking pressure requirements and an appropriate chuck adjustment must be made, when necessary. The present invention is concerned with the aforesaid problems.
It is the general aim of the present invention to provide an improved adjustable, air actuated chuck assembly which enables increased clamping pressure without increase in pressure at the air supply source and which offers a wide range of chucking pressures. It is a further aim of the invention to provide an improved air actuated chuck assembly operated by an adjustable regulating device to enable a machine operator of ordinary skill to rapidly and accurately adjust chucking pressure to satisfy the chucking pressure requirements of a particular job whereby job setup time may be minimized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention a fluid or air actuated chuck assembly includes a chuck body, a plurality of jaws supported on the chuck body for movement between open and closed positions, means defining a pressure chamber, a double acting piston supported within the pressure chamber for movement in one and an opposite direction within the pressure chamber, jaw actuating means coupled to the piston and to the jaws for moving the jaws between open and closed positions in response to the movement of the piston, and spring biasing means contained within the pressure chamber for normally urging the piston in the one direction to move the jaws to and maintain the jaws in the closed position. The chuck assembly further includes a pneumatic control system for connection to a source of air under pressure and for supplying air under pressure to the pressure chamber for acting in opposition to the spring biasing force to reduce pressure exerted upon the jaws by the jaw actuating means when the jaws are in closed position and for acting in consort with the spring biasing means to increase the force exerted upon the jaws by the jaw actuating means when the jaws are in closed position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2323091 (1943-06-01), Johnston et al.
patent: 2500383 (1950-03-01), Sadler et al.
patent: 2768830 (1956-10-01), Janson
patent: 3087737 (1963-04-01), Werth
patent: 3727929 (1973-04-01), Fink
patent: 3730539 (1973-05-01), Swanson
patent: 3815929 (1974-06-01), Steinberger et al.
patent: 4300780 (1981-11-01), Urbanic
patent: 4508357 (1985-04-01), Reich
Gelfman Roman
Tabachenko Oleg
Bishop Steven C.
McCormick Paulding & Huber LLP
The Goss & DeLeeuw Machine Co.
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