Pneumatic Type Patents (Class 279/4.04)
  • Patent number: 11135695
    Abstract: A rotary table device according to the present invention includes: a spindle that supports a table; a driving mechanism that drives the spindle; a load detection portion that detects a load of the driving mechanism; a clamp mechanism that inhibits rotation of the spindle; a rotation control portion that causes the driving mechanism to drive the spindle with a predetermined inspection pattern after the clamp mechanism starts releasing clamping; and a determination portion that determines whether good or not with respect to an operation of the clamp mechanism based on of change over time in the load detected by the load detection portion when the spindle is driven with the inspection pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shingo Tachiki
  • Patent number: 10710245
    Abstract: Presently disclosed systems and methods provide for a quick-change clamp arm that may be coupled to and removed from a robot end effector via a quick-change feature coupled to the robot end effector. Systems may include a plurality of such quick-change clamp arms that each may be coupled to a given robot end effector such that when one is removed, a different respective quick-change clamp arm may be coupled to the robot end effector. The robot end effector may be configured to perform a task to one side of a workpiece, while the quick-change clamp arm applies a stabilizing normal force to the other side of the workpiece. Due to the interchangeable nature of presently disclosed quick-change clamp arms, systems may reduce the number of robot end effectors required for a given manufacturing process. Related methods of removing and coupling quick-change clamp arms to robot end effectors may be automated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arnold John Lauder, David C. Boonstra, Antonio M. Ferreira, Alan Wright, Garth Vincent Kummen, Demsey Drew Kirkwood
  • Patent number: 9296047
    Abstract: Wear of a sliding member is prevented or controlled in a portion of the sliding member at a specific angular position (phase) about an axis. A fixing device includes a chuck-actuating claw which rotates with a main spindle, and is displaced to open and close a chuck section, a rubber ring which rotates with the main spindle, and a bobbin (sliding member) which is provided to be movable between a first position and a second position along an axis direction of the main spindle, rotates with the rubber ring in contact with the rubber ring in the first position, rotates with the chuck-actuating claw while displacing the chuck-actuating claw in contact with the chuck-actuating claw in the second position, and does not have contact with both of the rubber ring and the chuck-actuating claw in a partial range between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kishi, Tetsuya Takise, Akinobu Kanda, Yoshimi Saruta
  • Publication number: 20150082952
    Abstract: A lathe includes a main shaft, a moving shaft, a cutter mounted on the moving shaft, and a clamping assembly. The cutter is capable of telescopic translation relative the moving shaft. The clamping assembly includes a cylinder mounted on the cutter, an assembly member mounted on the cylinder, a moving member, and at least two clamping members. The cylinder defines an inner cavity, and a first air intake and a second air intake communicated to the inner cavity. The moving member is movably mounted in the inner cavity and partially received in the assembly member, and capable of telescopic translation relative the assembly member. The clamping members are movably mounted on the assembly member and engaged with the moving member. The clamping members are translatably urged by the moving member in a direction relative the axis defined by the assembly member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: XIAO-YI WU
  • Publication number: 20140338436
    Abstract: An automated vehicle steering centering assembly for a centering process for marking a center of a steering column includes a housing connected to a robotic arm for movement therewith. A drive mechanism is mounted to the housing. A chuck is rotatably connected to the drive mechanism. The chuck includes a moveable gripper jaw having a splined inner surface for mating with a splined portion of the steering column. A pneumatic mechanism is mounted to the housing and operably connected to the chuck. Air pressure supplied from the pneumatic mechanism to the chuck moves the gripper jaw between an open position and a closed position so as to grip the steering column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Greg Camp, Alan Rainwater, Mark Grimes
  • Publication number: 20140252725
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a clamping member, a cylinder assembly and a transmission assembly. The cylinder assembly includes a cylinder, a sealing head and a limiting member. The sealing head defines a gas channel connected to the inner of the cylinder. The limiting member includes a limiting portion fixed to the cylinder, which includes an inner surface having a frustoconical shape. The clamping member is received in the limiting member, and includes a frustoconical shape clamping portion. The transmission assembly includes a piston shaft, a piston and an elastic member. The piston and the elastic member are both received in the cylinder. The elastic member is resisted between the piston and the limiting member. One end of the piston shaft away from the piston is connected to the clamping portion. The clamping member defines a clamp hole in middle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YI-FENG PENG, JUN-QI LI, QING LIU
  • Publication number: 20140252726
    Abstract: A clamping device for machine tools, comprising a chuck (1.1) and a drawbar (1.2) for clamping separate pallets (1.3), with a bayonet-connection via rotational motion of that drawbar (1.2). Rotational motion of the drawbar (1.2) is guided and determined by means (2.5, 2.7, 2.6, 2.4, 2.12, 3) provided in the chuck housing (2.3) interacting with the drawbar (1.2, 2.13). The drawbar (1.2) is turnable mounted in the chuck (1.1) to impede the drawbars extraction out of the chuck, independent if the drawbar (1.2) is in clamping or unclamped condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SYSTEM 3R INTERNATIONAL AB
    Inventor: Erik Mellström
  • Patent number: 8770222
    Abstract: An air pump assembly for a power chuck has a frame and two air jet devices. The air jet devices are securely mounted on the frame. Each air jet device has a nozzle and a valve. The nozzle has a main body, a pin and a cap. The pin is mounted in the main body. The cap is mounted around a distal end of the main body and surrounds the pin. The valve may be mounted on a power chuck, faces and aligns with the pin, and has a chunk, a ball and a ball spring. With the air jet devices, the air pump assembly can blow air into a power chuck such that jaws of the power chuck are driven to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Autogrip Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Chih Chen
  • Publication number: 20140001712
    Abstract: A chuck assembly for supporting cylindrically shaped workpieces to be machined at their ends, the assembly comprising a body having a passage in its lengthways axis, a driving for providing an actuation force absorbed by an actuating pin axially movable in the body, a guide hole in the body having the actuating pin therein, and centring jaws, mounted in a guide groove in the chuck body and moveable radially toward the workpiece, each in a driving arrangement an actuating pin. A roller provided on the driving means facing the actuating pin, a contact surface is on a free end of the pin at right angles to the lengthways axis of the chuck body. The contact surface and the roller interacting such that forces of driving means transfer onto the contact surface axially, and simultaneously a movement at right angles to the lengthways axis of the chuck body is released between the contact surface of the actuating pin and the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Peter Helm, Harald Deininger
  • Publication number: 20140001711
    Abstract: An air pump assembly for a power chuck has a frame and two air jet devices. The air jet devices are securely mounted on the frame. Each air jet device has a nozzle and a valve. The nozzle has a main body, a pin and a cap. The pin is mounted in the main body. The cap is mounted around a distal end of the main body and surrounds the pin. The valve may be mounted on a power chuck, faces and aligns with the pin, and has a chunk, a ball and a ball spring. With the air jet devices, the air pump assembly can blow air into a power chuck such that jaws of the power chuck are driven to move.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventor: Chun-Chih CHEN
  • Patent number: 8608180
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chuck comprising a chuck casing (3) and jaws (1) moved radially outwardly and having an axially extending clamping face (17) for clamping a workpiece. The jaws (1) are guided in radial guides and are provided with two sloping guideways on an axially slidable clamping piece (4) is guided in such a manner that the jaws (1) are moved radially upon an axial sliding motion of the clamping piece (4). A jaw casing (2) accommodating the radial guides of the jaws (1) is carried for axial movement in the chuck casing (3) and is supported on the chuck casing (3) in the direction of the clamping movement of the clamping piece (4) via an axially resilient spring element (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Karlheinz Timtner, Martin Rogalla
  • Publication number: 20130075983
    Abstract: A chipping hammer clamping structure for a pneumatic tool includes primarily a grip which is filled in with high-pressure air, an air cylinder which is connected with the grip, a braking unit which is at a front end of the air cylinder, an inner rim of which is a support part and which can move along the air cylinder, and a shield which is sheathed at a rear rim of the air cylinder and is combined with the grip. When in use, as the air cylinder is formed integrally, the chipping hammer can be more robust to increase a striking force. Besides, dust and particles produced in operation are discharged from the groove at the front rim of the shield, thereby avoiding contamination to an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Wen-Liang HSIAO
  • Publication number: 20120279171
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tool arrangement, comprising a tool holder, a tool, and at least one locking device for detachably locking the tool with the tool holder, wherein a counter-tool is provided and the tool holder includes a compressed-air duct. The locking device is designed such that it unlocks as soon as a given pressure has been reached in the compressed-air duct. The disclosure is distinguished by a vent hole which is in fluid connection with the compressed-air duct and is arranged in such a manner that it is not closed until the tool rests upon the counter-tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Juergen Praesenz
  • Publication number: 20120126494
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic clamping cylinder (1) for clamping devices on machine tools (2), comprising a cylinder housing (3) that can be coupled to the rotationally drivable working spindle of the machine tool (2) and a cylinder piston (6) that can be axially moved in the cylinder chamber (5) of the cylinder housing (3). A first annular bearing element (11) is arranged between the cylinder piston (6) and the cylinder housing (3) as a bearing, and a second annular bearing element (12) is arranged between the cylinder piston (6) and the working spindle (4) as a bearing, wherein both the first annular bearing element (11) and the second annular bearing element (12) are designed to have a minimum play of 1/100 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Helmut Weichler
  • Patent number: 7958619
    Abstract: A chuck holds a disk by the inside diameter with a plurality of contact surfaces at the end of fingers. Axial motion of an actuator is translated into outward radial movement of the fingers to place the contact surfaces in contact with the inside diameter of the disk. The force that is applied to the disk is limited to reduce or eliminate warping or curvature of the disk, e.g., a sleeve that surrounds the fingers can be used as a hard stop to physically limit the range of outward radial movement of the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Timothy J. Pletschet
  • Publication number: 20100096813
    Abstract: A chucking end structure of hand tools to enhance safety and overcome hard-maneuvering issues of the conventional structures. The invention includes a driving means to provide rotating energy and a chuck assembly to hold a cutter or a tool. The foregoing means and assembly are linked by a transmission shaft to transmit rotation. The transmission shaft is held in a holding hub which is engaged with a casing to house the driving means. The character of the invention is that a hollow shell to encase but not contact the chuck assembly. The transmission shaft comprises a first transmission shaft and a second transmission shaft which mortise with each other by a lug end and a notch end with a sloped side. The invention resolves problems of hard-maneuvering issues or hazards caused by inadvertently touching the rotating chuck assembly of the conventional hand tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Peter CHEN
  • Patent number: 7606285
    Abstract: A chuck device for electrical discharge machine includes a mold fixed to the machine and a connector connected to the discharge head. The connector has a connection rod having a neck and the connection rod is connected to the mold. A plurality of protrusions extend from the top of the connector and each protrusion has a groove which is defined by two facing inclined surfaces. The mold has a plurality of positioning bars fixed to an underside thereof and each positioning bar has a taper-shaped body with two inclined sides. The positioning bars are engaged with the grooves and the two inclined sides of the positioning bar are in contact with the inclined surfaces of the groove. A distance is defined between the flanges and a top of the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: Chien-Chih Lin
  • Patent number: 7367238
    Abstract: A pneumatic collet assembly has a housing, a piston, a collet, and ball bearings. The piston is disposed within the housing. A bore within the piston receives the collet. The collet has a base and fingers. The fingers of the collet define a center channel or bore configured to receive a torsion bar. The central channel extends along a longitudinal axis. The ball bearings are disposed between the piston and the fingers of the collet. The piston is configured to move between a first position along the longitudinal axis and a second position along the longitudinal axis in response to pressure changes within the housing. The piston increases force against the ball bearings to urge the fingers of the collet against the torsion bar to clamp the torsion bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: John Stephen Hanks
  • Patent number: 6674041
    Abstract: A holder for a workpiece or tool, in the surface of which a plurality of grooves with substantially planar flanks are made, the opposing edges of which, formed on the surface, have a predetermined spacing, wherein the holder consists of a sintered material, at least in the region of the elastically deformable edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: System 3R International AB
    Inventors: Hakon Nordquist, Christer Modin
  • Patent number: 6491304
    Abstract: In a cylinder having a piston 2 and a cylinder body 3 having a piston chamber 4 in which said piston 2 is slidably accommodated, a guide shaft 9 extending toward the piston chamber 4 is provided on a head-side end wall 8 of the cylinder body 3, and the piston 2 includes a guide hole 2c in which the guide shaft 9 is accommodated. A plurality of grooves 9a and 2d respectively extending in axial directions are provided between an outer peripheral surface of the guide shaft 9 and an inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 2c. A plurality of steel balls 13 are provided between the grooves 9a and 2d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Motohiro Sato, Hiroshi Miyachi
  • Patent number: 6478310
    Abstract: A stroke first air cylinder mechanism having a larger-diameter first piston and a larger-diameter first rod is incorporated in a casing, a chuck second air cylinder mechanism having a smaller-diameter second piston and a smaller-diameter second piston and a smaller-diameter second rod is coaxially incorporated into the first air cylinder mechanism, a base end portion of the second rod projects from the first piston and extends to such a position as to face a position detecting portion of the casing, a magnet is mounted to the base end portion of the second rod, and magnetometric sensor is mounted to the position detecting portion. By detecting an operating position of the second rod, opening and closing positions of jaw members can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Azami
  • Patent number: 6270084
    Abstract: A rotary chuck having a chuck body supporting a plurality of clamping jaws for movement between open and closed positions and defining a cylindrical piston chamber containing an axially movable double acting piston coupled to a jaw actuator. A plurality of springs contained within the piston chamber apply biasing force to the piston in one axial direction to urge the jaws toward closed positions. An incrementally adjustable pneumatic control system is operable to apply pressure to the piston in opposition to the springs to reduce the resultant clamping force applied by the jaws in closed position. The control system is also operable to act in consort with the springs to increase the resultant clamping force applied by the jaws in closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: The Goss & DeLeeuw Machine Co.
    Inventors: Oleg Tabachenko, Roman Gelfman