Measuring and testing – Testing of apparatus
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-08
2001-07-10
Noland, Thomas P. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Testing of apparatus
C340S680000, C340S686400, C340S686500, C408S013000, C408S016000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257077
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally relates to lathe machinery, and more particularly to an improved part sensing arrangement used with a chuck arrangement in a rotatable device such as a lathe machine.
BACKGROUND ART
In general, a typical lathe machine, such as an automated machine used in a commercial manufacturing environment, includes a chuck for clamping a part or workpiece to be machined, and a spindle arrangement connected to the chuck and a drive/drive control mechanism to cause desired rotation or movement of the part during the machining process. Parts are successively fed in and out of the lathe by a loading mechanism, and positioning of each these parts relative to the chuck when loaded is critical to the overall efficiency of the machining process and quality of the machined parts. Thus, a sensing arrangement is typically employed for sensing the presence or position of a part to allow a control processor to automatically detect when a part is ready for machining.
To date, because of the difficulty in delivering electrical power to a location on the chuck, known chucking arrangements have used either an air sensing arrangement coupled to the chuck, or sensor arrangements not located on the chuck. Air sensing arrangements have been formed by using a rotary union to inject compressed air into the chuck. However air circuits are limited in the input obtained from the circuit and are subject to contamination and are therefore a service issue. Additionally the compressed air is relatively expensive for a plant to supply. With respect to electronic sensing arrangements, a high speed and sealed commutator is not readily available for chuck applications. Sensing arrangements which are not located on the chuck suffer from reliability concerns as well as increased cost and complexity.
Therefore, a need exists for an electronic sensing arrangement which can be positioned on a chuck.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic sensing arrangement integrated with a lathe chuck for sensing whether a loaded part is in proper position.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for sensing the position of a part loaded into a lathe which utilizes a remote transmitter and a proximity sensor positioned on the chuck, and an output sensor/receiver mounted to a stationary part of the lathe.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for sensing the position of a part loaded into a lathe in which a remote transmitter and proximity sensor mounted to the chuck is remotely powered through an inductive coupling with an output sensor/receiver mounted to a stationary member of the lathe.
In accordance with these and other objects, a first aspect of the present invention provides a system for sensing positioning of a part to be machined in a rotatable machining device, wherein the rotatable machining device includes a chuck for clamping the part during machining. The system includes a detecting sensor arrangement located on the chuck and having at least one proximity sensor positioned behind a face plate of the chuck to generate an output signal indicative of the position of the part relative to the face plate. A transmitter is located on the chuck and connected to the at least one proximity sensor for transmitting the generated sensor output signal(s), and an output sensor is located on a stationary member of the machining device for receiving the transmitted sensor output signal(s). The output sensor is directly connected to an electrical power source and includes a coil arranged relative to a coil located in the transmitter for inductively providing electrical power to the transmitter and detecting sensor arrangement.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for sensing positioning of a part to be machined in a rotatable machining device, wherein the rotatable machining device includes a chuck for clamping the part during machining. The method includes positioning a detecting sensor arrangement and transmitter on the chuck, positioning an output sensor on a stationary surface of the rotatable device. A signal is generated from the detecting sensor arrangement indicative of the position of the part relative to a face surface on the chuck, and then transmitted by the transmitter to the output sensor. Power is provided to the output sensor by directly coupling the output sensor to a source of electrical power, and power is provided to the transmitter and the detecting sensor arrangement by inductively coupling the output sensor and the transmitter.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a rotatable machining device is provided including a chuck for clamping part to be machined during a machining cycle, and a subsystem for sensing positioning of the part to be machined. The subsystem includes a detecting sensor arrangement located on the chuck for generating an output signal indicative of the position of the part relative to a face plate on the chuck, a transmitter located on the chuck and connected to the detecting sensor arrangement for transmitting the generated output signal, and an output sensor located on a stationary member of the machining device for receiving the transmitted output signal. A controller is connected to the output sensor for suspending the machining cycle if the received output signal is indicative that the part is not properly positioned within the chuck. Power for the output sensor is provided by direct connection to an electrical power source. A coil is provided within the output sensor and is arranged relative to a coil located in the transmitter for inductively providing electrical power to the transmitter and detecting sensor arrangement.
The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Derwent Information Ltd Abstract of SU 1755032 A1 Inventor V.A. Krysanov, Aug. 15, 1992.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Noland Thomas P.
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