Responsive To Tool Patents (Class 408/11)
  • Patent number: 11701186
    Abstract: A bone connection system for attaching a surgical robot having its base mounted in the vicinity of a patient, to a bone of the patient. The system incorporates a switchable bone connection unit attached between the bone and a support element of the robot. This unit has a locked state in which the bone is attached essentially rigidly to the support element, and a released state in which the bone can move relative to the support element. The unit comprises a force sensor for determining the force exerted between the bone and the support element of the robot, and a position sensor for measuring the position of the bone relative to the support element of said robot. The unit switches from its locked state to its released state when the force exceeds a predetermined level, selected to ensure that the bone can move without detaching any bone connection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: MAZOR ROBOTICS LTD.
    Inventors: Yossef Bar, Eliyahu Zehavi, Yonatan Ushpizin
  • Patent number: 11564698
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to use of a measurement system in conjunction with a powered instrument for determination of the placement of a tool portion relative to the anatomy of a patient utilizing the powered instrument. The measurement system may include a displacement sensor that indicates the relative displacement of the tool portion relative to the anatomy. The system may also include a sensor for monitoring a tool drive signal representative of a tool drive parameter that is characteristic of the tool portion acting on the anatomy. The tool drive signal may be analyzed relative to a given amount of axial displacement as measured by the displacement sensor to avoid false indications of placement based on noise and or other artifacts in the tool drive signal that may result from characteristics of the anatomy and/or operational behaviors of the surgeon utilizing the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: MCGINLEY ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph C. McGinley, Brian Nolte, Adam M. Johnson, Matthew R. Russell
  • Patent number: 11281188
    Abstract: A controller for a machining-device includes a control-unit. The control-unit sequentially repeats a tapping step of tapping at a tapping-position by moving a tool from a retracted-position to a depth-position while rotating the tool in a normal direction, a retracting step of retracting the tool by moving from the depth-position to the retracted-position while rotating the tool in a reverse direction, and a positioning step of positioning a subsequent tapping-position. The control-unit performs a process including starting the positioning step at the same time as when the tool passes a reference-position in the retracting step, completing the positioning step at the same time as when the tool passes the reference-position in the tapping step, and controlling a timing at which acceleration of a workpiece and the tool finishes in the tapping step and a timing at which deceleration of the workpiece and the tool starts in the retracting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoya Takeuchi, Tetsushi Takahara
  • Patent number: 11256233
    Abstract: A numerical controller includes a look-ahead unit configured to look ahead a block in the program into a buffer, a remaining block determination unit configured to determine whether retraction of a tool is needed or return of the tool is needed based on an amount of the block looked ahead in the buffer, a tool operation control unit configured to control retraction and return of the tool when the remaining block determination unit determines that retraction of the tool is needed, a block division unit configured to divide a block to divide at a position apart from both ends of the block according to a command from the tool operation control unit, and a tool path generation unit configured to generate a tool retraction path and a tool return path and insert the generated paths into a divided position in the block divided by the block division unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Yamada Tatsuhiro
  • Patent number: 11235524
    Abstract: A method of forming a part using additive manufacturing may include receiving, at a computer numeric controlled (CNC) machine, a computer aided design (CAD) model of the part. The method may further include dividing the CAD model into plurality of sections. The method may further include slicing each of the plurality of sections into a plurality of layers. Each section may include a distinct set of print parameters. The method may further include depositing a flowable material onto a worktable according the set of print parameters for each section of the of the plurality of sections to manufacture the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Scott G. Vaal, Nicolas C. Vote
  • Patent number: 11194309
    Abstract: An abnormality detection device of a machine tool including a spindle and a feed axis and includes: a load monitoring unit that monitors a load of the spindle or the feed axis; a machining state determination unit that determines that the machine tool is in a machining state when the load of the spindle or the feed axis is equal to or larger than a threshold; a storage unit that stores shape data of the work and shape data of the tool in advance; an interfering area calculation unit that calculates an interfering area in which the tool interferes with the work based on the shape data of the work and the shape data of the tool; and an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality in the machine tool by comparing a position of the tool in relation to the work when it is determined that the machine tool is in the machining state with the calculated interfering area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gaku Isobe
  • Patent number: 10989054
    Abstract: A balance ring for a gas turbine engine has a ring shaped body with a first radial thickness, an anti-rotation tab extending outward from the body and at least one millable balancing feature connected to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jason D. Himes, Peter Josef Karner
  • Patent number: 10807209
    Abstract: A system includes a machine tool that includes a cutting tool, a fluid subsystem that provides fluid to the cutting tool, and at least one processor that executes instructions that cause the at least one processor to: obtain a signal indicative of a load on the cutting tool, establish a first value of at least one parameter of the fluid based on the signal, obtain a second value of the at least one parameter that is based on a simulation, determine a difference between the first value and the second value, and adjust a state of a device of the fluid subsystem based on the determined difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Zhigang Wang, Changsheng Guo, Daniel V. Viens
  • Patent number: 10747197
    Abstract: An abnormality factor identification apparatus includes a sensor signal obtaining unit that obtains sensor signals associated with the physical state of a machine, an operating state determination unit that determines operating states of the machine based on information obtained from the machine, an abnormality level calculation unit that calculates the abnormality levels of the sensor signals for each operating state of the machine determined by the operating state determination unit, and a factor identification unit that determines a factor in an abnormality in the machine from historical data being a series of the abnormality levels for each operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Satou, Yoshitaka Kubo
  • Patent number: 10589394
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for introducing boreholes into a surface of a workpiece (W) mounted in a stationary manner using a boring tool which is attached to the end face of an articulated-arm robot (KR) and which can be spatially positioned by said robot. The method has the following method steps: —positioning the articulated-arm robot-guided boring tool at a spatial position which lies opposite a specified machining location on the workpiece surface at a specified distance therefrom, —producing a rigid mechanical connection which supports the end face of the articulated-arm robot (KR) on the workpiece and which can be released from the workpiece surface, and —machining the surface by moving the boring tool towards the machining location and subsequently engaging the boring tool with the workpiece (W) at the machining location on the workpiece surface while the end face of the articulated-arm robot (KR) is connected to the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Martin Christoph Wanner, Steffen Dryba, Mirko Gruendler
  • Patent number: 10543598
    Abstract: A method for implementing machining operations for a workpiece. Pre-existing hole locations for temporary fasteners in the workpiece requiring a clamp-up force for performing the machining operations to form holes in the workpiece is identified. A set of the pre-existing hole locations is determined from the pre-existing hole locations that results in an optimal path for performing the machining operations on the workpiece taking into account clamp-up force specifications for the workpiece. The optimal path has a near-minimum distance. An ordered sequence for performing the machining operations to form the holes at hole locations is determined that has the optimal path. Robotic control files that causes robotic devices to perform the machining operations using the optimal path is created. The robotic devices are operated using the robotic control files to form the holes in the ordered sequence using the optimal path that takes into account the clamp-up force specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Nathan Lee Petty
  • Patent number: 10532438
    Abstract: A method for drilling an element to be drilled by a drilling device and a cutting tool including drill margins and cutting edges. The method includes determining at least one load value representing overall drag due to internal friction of the drilling device and to friction of drill margins in the element to be drilled. Determining includes: stopping a drilling operation in progress; partial retraction of the cutting tool on a predetermined distance, the predetermined distance being chosen such that the cutting edges are no longer in contact with the element to be drilled; driving the cutting tool with predetermined cutting parameters; measuring at least one load value during the driving of the cutting tool with the cutting parameters before its cutting edges again come into contact with the element to be drilled and after stabilization of the load values, the measured load value representing the overall drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: SETI-TEC
    Inventor: Sebastien Pereira
  • Patent number: 10428628
    Abstract: A surface-driven fluid recovery system for recovery of hydrocarbons, having an uphole prime mover, typically an electric motor, and an uphole speed-reduction transmission to reduce speed of rotation supplied by the prime mover to a rod string to thereby reduce frictional and cyclic fatigue stresses imparted on the rod string. A downhole speed-increasing transmission is provided to increase rotational speed prior to supply of rotational energy to a downhole centrifugal or progressive cavity pump. A magnetic coupling is interposed between the prime mover and the speed reduction gearbox or between the speed reduction gearbox and the rod string, to provide damping of high transient rotational stresses between the prime mover and the rod string and/or provide a method for selectively coupling or partially coupling/decoupling the rod string to the prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Dalmation Hunter Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Theodore Markovitch, Larry Cardinal
  • Patent number: 10280845
    Abstract: A valve device includes: a housing; a flow channel extending in the housing; a shaft mounted rotatably in the housing, and having a screw bore having a shoulder; a flap, fastened to the shaft, the flap influencing a flow cross section in the flow channel; a screw having a collar, the screw fixedly attaching the flap to the shaft; a drive driving the flap via the shaft; and a valve seat in the flow channel, the valve seating having a seal arranged on a radially circumferential edge of the flap, the seal being in contact with the valve seat in a closed position of the flap such that the shaft penetrates the flap at an angle. The collar contacts the shoulder such that, when the screw is tightened firmly, a transmission of force from the collar to the shaft takes place via the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Johannes Montigny, Stefan Kopp
  • Patent number: 10166516
    Abstract: A control method and control system for an agitating mechanism are provided. The control method includes receiving a load current detected by a current detecting apparatus when the agitating mechanism is rotating along a specific direction; determining whether the rotation of the agitating mechanism meets a preset trigger condition based on the load current; and controlling the agitating mechanism to rotate in a direction opposite from the specific direction when the trigger condition is met. The present invention can reduce the possibility of the electrical components of the agitating mechanism being burnt out and prolong the lifespan of the agitating mechanism. The present invention can improve agitation results of the agitating mechanism. At low speed, the agitating mechanism can perform the agitation gently without damaging the texture of the solid food. At high speed, the agitating mechanism can more homogeneously and finely agitate the mushy food with enhanced agitating efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: JOHNSON ELECTRIC S.A.
    Inventors: You Qing Xiang, Shi Wen Wang, Lian Zhong Zhang, Yui Ko Wong
  • Patent number: 10160135
    Abstract: A machine tool separating device has at least one cutting line. The cutting line has a changing cutting edge angle geometry along one cutting direction of the cutting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Milan Bozic
  • Patent number: 10130997
    Abstract: This device is provided with: a main shaft (20) onto which a tool (100) is detachably mounted; a rod (30) slidably supported by the main shaft (20) and configured to attach or detach the tool (100) to or from the main shaft (20) through a sliding action; a fluid channel (32) formed in the rod (30); fluid feed device (51, 70) configured to feed a fluid into the fluid channel (32); a plurality of fluid channels for seating detection (24) for detecting when the main shaft (20) and the tool (100) are in a seated state, the fluid channels for seating detection (24) being formed in the main shaft (20) so as to communicate with the fluid channel (32) when the rod (30) is positioned at a first position; and a plurality of fluid channels for cleaning (25) for cleaning seating portions of the main shaft (20) and the tool (100), the fluid channel for cleaning (25) being formed in the main shaft (20) so as to communicate with the fluid channel (32) when the rod (30) is positioned at a second position different from the f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES MACHINE TOOL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ishizu, Hidefumi Omokawa, Tatsuro Takagi
  • Patent number: 10124457
    Abstract: In order to make it possible to inspect a deteriorated state of a spindle incorporated in a machine tool without disassembling the machine tool, a command for speed V0 is output to the spindle and, when the rotating speed of the spindle reaches V0, power of a spindle motor is interrupted and a timer is started. The spindle continues to rotate with inertia while decelerating. Time T clocked by the timer when the spindle speed decreases to zero is read. When time T is outside a range between the upper and lower limits, the spindle is in the deteriorated state, and an alarm is output. When time T is not greater than the lower limit, the spindle and a bearing of the spindle are deteriorated and friction resistance increases. When time T is larger than the upper limit, oil holding force of grease of the bearing is deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuuzou Inaguchi
  • Patent number: 9943266
    Abstract: Heart rate monitors are plagued by noisy photoplethysmography (PPG) data, which makes it difficult for the monitors to output a consistently accurate heart rate reading. Noise is often caused by motion. Using known methods for processing accelerometer readings that measure movement to filter out some of this noise may help, but not always. The present disclosure describes an improved front-end technique (time-domain interference removal) based on using adaptive linear prediction on accelerometer data to generate filters for filtering the PPG signal prior to tracking the frequency of the heartbeat (heart rate). The present disclosure also describes an improved back-end technique based on steering the frequency of a resonant filter in order to track the heartbeat. Implementing one or both of these techniques leads to more accurate heart rate measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Adams, Sefa Demirtas, Jeffrey G. Bernstein
  • Patent number: 9931724
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for controlling a quantity of cutting fluid dispensed for a cutting tool within a CNC or other machining system. The devices, systems, and methods may include controlling multiple fluids such that coolant, lubricant, or other fluids can be delivered at different locations, at different flow rates, have their flow rates changed independently, and/or have their flow rates changed dynamically during a machining operation. In some embodiments, a feedback loop or input may be provided to obtain and/or provide information regarding the machining operation—such as cutting force, cutting temperature, cutting friction, machining operation, tool in use, work piece geometry, and/or material—and automatically and/or independently modify the fluid flow rates. The fluid may be atomized with air or other gases to minimize the quantities of fluid used. Components in the system may be modular to allow the system to be used with existing and new machining technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Alagar Krishnan Balaji, Venugopal Raghavendra Ghatikar
  • Patent number: 9891151
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drilling-resistance measuring device (10) and to a method for material testing in a humid environment or underwater. The drilling-resistance measuring device (10) comprises a housing (1), in which a drive and a drill chuck (3) coupled to the drive are arranged, in which drill chuck a drilling needle (4) is or can be releasably held, wherein the housing (1) has a drilling-needle outlet opening (5?) enclosed by a drilling-needle outlet guide (5), through which drilling-needle outlet opening the drilling needle (4) extends out of the housing (1). The drilling-resistance measuring device (10) comprises at least one water-tight bellows (6), which is arranged in the interior of the housing (1) around the drilling needle (4) between the drill chuck (3) and the drilling-needle outlet guide (5), wherein moisture or water can enter the bellows (6) through the drilling-needle outlet opening (5?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: IML Instrumenta Mechanik Labor GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Hunger, Sebastian Hunger, Fabian Hunger
  • Patent number: 9726267
    Abstract: A relative translation system is disclosed. The relative translation system can include a relative translation assembly and a drive mechanism. The relative translation assembly can have a fixed support member, a translatable member supported by the fixed support member, and a translation guide portion to facilitate translation of the translatable member relative to the fixed support member. The translation guide portion can have a fixed translation member and a movable translation member. The movable translation member can be configured to maintain preload on the fixed and movable translation members and accommodate thermal expansion. The drive mechanism can be configured to cause translation of the translatable member relative to the fixed support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jake B. Range, Kirk A. Miller, David B. Peck
  • Patent number: 9586336
    Abstract: A method of detecting a kickback event for a table saw includes operatively connecting a stress sensor to the table saw that is configured to detect a characteristic of a work component of the table saw, the work component being coupled to a workpiece being cut by the table saw during a cutting operation. The stress sensor outputs stress signals indicative of the characteristic of the work component. A speed of the saw blade is then controlled based on the stress signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Amit Mehta, Juergen Wiker
  • Patent number: 9486859
    Abstract: A drill that exhibits improved drill-hole depth precision is provided. Said drill, which uses a tool (T) mounted to a main shaft (16) to drill a countersunk hole (Wh) into a workpiece (W), is provided with the following: a pressure foot (17) that presses on the surface of the workpiece (W) and suppresses vibration thereof; and a displacement sensor (18) that measures the distance (L), in the axial direction of the main shaft (16), between the pressure foot (17) pressing on the workpiece (W) and the end face (16a) of the main shaft (16), which is set to a prescribed reference distance (Lo). The axial position of the main shaft (16) is corrected using a correction distance (?L), i.e. the difference between the distance (L) measured by the displacement sensor (18) and the reference distance (Lo).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Fujita, Mikio Nakamura, Hirofumi Ienaga
  • Patent number: 9415452
    Abstract: In a case where a tool holder 5 having a plurality of cutting tools T are attachably/detachably mounted on a base member 8, the tool holder 5 is formed in a ring shape and has depressions 5a and projections 5b on an inner periphery, and by aligning the depressions and projections 5a, 5b of the tool holder 5 with projections 9b and depressions 9a formed on an outer periphery of a rotating member 9 rotatably mounted on the base member 8, the tool holder 5 is mountable to or removal from the base member 8. The tool holder 5 is clamped to the base member 8 by being pressed against a seating surface 8e of the base member 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: DMG MORI SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshio Ueda, Yumi Suzuki, Soichiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 9296048
    Abstract: A drive system can be simplified and downsized, improves its operability, and can be configured to clamp or unclamp a work at an accurate drive timing. This invention is a clamp device of a drill. This invention includes a clamp collet inserted into a hole formed in the work, a mandrels inserted slidably inside the clamp collet, a piston-cylinder mechanism reciprocating the mandrels axially, and a directional valve driving a piston. The directional valve includes a forward introduction port introducing a pressured fluid for advancing a ram of the drill, and a main introduction port introducing the main pressured fluid. When the pressured fluid is introduced to the forward introduction port, it is clamped by a one-way movement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SUGINO MACHINE LIMITED
    Inventors: Minoru Ihara, Hideki Uchiuzo
  • Patent number: 9296055
    Abstract: Described is an automatic threading machine comprising an electric motor (2) having a rotor (3) designed to selectively rotate in both directions about an axis (4) and a tool holder spindle (7) able to move with a rotating movement about the axis (4) and with a translating movement along the axis (4). The rotor (3) controls the rotating movement of the tool holder spindle (7) about the axis (4). The tool holder spindle (7) is supported by the rotor (3) and moves as one with it in the rotating movement about the axis (4). The rotor (3) has internally a chamber (5) along which the tool holder spindle (7) can translate along the axis (4) and which is suitable for at least partly housing the tool holder spindle (7) in at least one position adopted by the tool holder spindle. The electric motor (2) comprises stator windings (10) arranged radially outside the rotor (3) and the chamber (5). The stator windings (10), the rotor (3) and the chamber (5) extend along the axis (4) for at least one shared stretch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: BORDIGNON SIMONE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Simone Bordignon, Alberto Bordignon
  • Patent number: 9220529
    Abstract: An atherectomy device is disclosed, which is rotationally driven by an electric motor. In some designs, the device includes features unavailable on gas turbine-driven systems, such as the storing in memory of low/medium/high preset rotation speeds for particular models of handle, calculations of the amount of saline left in the IV and associated warnings when it gets sufficiently low, and automatic adjustment of the IV pump rate to a predetermined or calculated level when the rotational speed of the motor is changed. The electric motor has far more rotational inertia than a comparable gas turbine, so the system includes a control mechanism that helps prevent damage from excessive torque being applied to the distal end of the drive shaft. When an obstruction at the distal end is detected, by a drop in the motor rotational speed, the motor is released and is allowed to spin freely as a flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Lee Rivers, Charles A. Plowe, Cassandra Ann Piippo Svendsen, Walter John Dobrovolny, Michael John Eng, Scott M. Hanson
  • Patent number: 9119660
    Abstract: An atherectomy device is disclosed, which is rotationally driven by an electric motor. In some designs, the device includes features unavailable on gas turbine-driven systems, such as the storing in memory of low/medium/high preset rotation speeds for particular models of handle, calculations of the amount of saline left in the IV and associated warnings when it gets sufficiently low, and automatic adjustment of the IV pump rate to a predetermined or calculated level when the rotational speed of the motor is changed. The electric motor has far more rotational inertia than a comparable gas turbine, so the system includes a control mechanism that helps prevent damage from excessive torque being applied to the distal end of the drive shaft. When an obstruction at the distal end is detected, by a drop in the motor rotational speed, the motor is released and is allowed to spin freely as a flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Lee Rivers, Charles A. Plowe, Cassandra Ann Piippo Svendsen, Walter John Dobrovolny, Michael John Eng, Scott M. Hanson
  • Patent number: 9089939
    Abstract: A drilling unit with automatic drill shaft feeding is provided. The feeding velocity can be changed by external mounting of exchangeable gearing cassettes having a desired gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO INDUSTRIAL TECHNIQUE AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventors: Ulf Mikael Eriksson, Wilhelm Mattias Jacobsson
  • Patent number: 9050126
    Abstract: An atherectomy device is disclosed, which is rotationally driven by an electric motor. In some designs, the device includes features unavailable on gas turbine-driven systems, such as the storing in memory of low/medium/high preset rotation speeds for particular models of handle, calculations of the amount of saline left in the IV and associated warnings when it gets sufficiently low, and automatic adjustment of the IV pump rate to a predetermined or calculated level when the rotational speed of the motor is changed. The electric motor has far more rotational inertia than a comparable gas turbine, so the system includes a control mechanism that helps prevent damage from excessive torque being applied to the distal end of the drive shaft. When an obstruction at the distal end is detected, by a drop in the motor rotational speed, the motor is released and is allowed to spin freely as a flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Lee Rivers, Charles A. Plowe, Cassandra Ann Piippo Svendsen, Walter John Dobrovolny, Michael John Eng, Scott M. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20140334891
    Abstract: An automated core drilling device comprising a rigid drilling tower, a floating chuck assembly, and a drill bit. Rigid drilling tower comprising at least three vertical column members, a lower perimeter frame, and an upper perimeter frame. Floating chuck assembly comprising a drill bit axis-of-rotation vertical clearance channel, at least three horizontal support arms, at least three feed motor platforms, at least three feed motors, a hub casing, a hollow-centered bit driveshaft, a bit driveshaft sprocket, an offset spindle driveshaft sprocket, an offset spindle driveshaft, and an offset spindle motor. An automated core drilling device further comprising a computer with custom software, a monitor point for the electric current draw of said offset spindle motor or a monitor point for the revolution rate of said offset spindle driveshaft, and a control point for the electric current draw of each of said at least three feed motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Greg Sandler
  • Patent number: 8770901
    Abstract: A spindle control system for a milling machine is provided. The milling machine includes a column, an overarm, a spindle for mounting a cutter, a first motor mounted on the column for driving movement of the overarm, and a second motor mounted on the overarm for driving rotation of the spindle. The spindle control system includes a distance sensor and a temperature sensor, each to be mounted on the overarm and to be disposed proximate to the end portion of the spindle. The spindle control system further includes a central control unit for determining a compensation parameter based on the displacement sensed by the distance sensor and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, and for controlling movement of the overarm by the first motor through a compensation distance based on the compensation parameter to compensate for at least one of the cutter deformation and the spindle deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Buffalo Machinery Company Limited, The Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chang-Hua University of Education
    Inventors: Chia-Hui Tang, Yu-Lin Juan, Jin-Jia Chen, Tsair-Rong Chen, Paul Chang
  • Patent number: 8662799
    Abstract: A tapping machine (1) executes a tapping operation by operating a spindle motor (21) and a feed axis motor (31) in synchronization, and includes a spindle reversal detector unit (34) for detecting the reversed operation of the spindle during the tapping operation, and a reverse correction amount production unit (35) for producing a reverse correction amount for improving follow-up performance of reversed operation of the feed axis at the time when the reversed operation of the spindle is detected by the spindle reversal detector unit (34). When the reversed operation is detected by the spindle reversal detector unit, the reverse correction amount produced by the reverse correction amount production unit (35) is added to the speed instruction on a speed control loop of the feed axis control unit (30) or to an integrator (41) of the speed control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Takayama, Tadashi Okita
  • Patent number: 8534967
    Abstract: A processing apparatus for processing a workpiece includes a router bit having a processing area for processing the workpiece; an actuator for moving the relative position of the router bit with respect to the workpiece so as to place a part of the processing area of the router bit in contact with the workpiece for processing the workpiece; an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the router bit relative to the workpiece; a wearing detector for detecting wear of the processing area; and a controller for controlling the adjustment mechanism, upon detection of wear of the part of the processing area of the router bit, to make a different part of the processing area of the router bit contact with the workpiece during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tsutomu Miyamoto, Satoshi Nakazawa, Takao Yamagishi
  • Publication number: 20130202373
    Abstract: It is intended to provide a machining tool provided with a ram, which has a simple structure and an inexpensive device cost, and is capable of correcting a deflection of a tip of a main shaft unit caused by extending the ram. A deflection correction device for a ram 1 in a machining tool which is provided with a saddle 13 moving vertically along a guide of a column 14 and the ram 1 housing a main shaft unit 15 and being fitted in the saddle 13 slidably in a horizontal direction. The device may include a plurality of hydrostatic bearings 2a via which the saddle 13 is supported by the column 14 in a longitudinal direction of the column 14, and a control unit 10 which controls a hydraulic pressure of the hydrostatic bearing 2a in accordance with a vertical displacement of the ram 1 to maintain a straightness of the ram 1 in a direction of a main shaft of the ram 1 so as to correct a misalignment of the main shaft unit 15 by an inclination of the saddle 13 caused by controlling the hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takumi Hori, Satoshi Furutate, Hiroyuki Domaru
  • Patent number: 8256590
    Abstract: A vibration suppressing device and a vibration suppressing method that are capable of obtaining an accurate optimum rotation speed and shortening a time period from generation of chatter vibration to calculation of the optimum rotation speed are provided. The vibration suppressing device includes: vibration sensors for detecting time-domain vibrational accelerations of a rotary shaft in rotation; and a control device for calculating a chatter frequency and a frequency-domain vibrational acceleration of the rotary shaft at the chatter frequency on the basis of the time-domain vibrational accelerations detected by the vibration sensors, and when the calculated frequency-domain vibrational acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold value, calculating an optimum rotation speed on the basis of a predetermined parameter, and rotating the rotary shaft at the calculated optimum rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: Okuma Corporation, National University Corporation Nagoya University
    Inventors: Norikazu Suzuki, Eiji Shamoto, Hiroshi Inagaki
  • Patent number: 8137037
    Abstract: A tool for removing burrs detects whether the depths of holes (81, 82, 83) made on a work (W) are prescribed depths or not. The tool (30) for removing burrs includes a tool case (31) and a piston (3) stored to move to and fro in the tool case. The piston has a spindle (12) arranged at its leading end. A judging section (61) judges whether the depth of the hole is normal or not, based on the results of the detection of whether the piston is retracted relatively to the tool case by a piston position detecting mechanism (56) and those of the detection of existence of the tool case by the tool case position detecting means (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Saitou, Akio Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8133098
    Abstract: In a tool spindle device, a tool head is slidably guided along guide members on a support table and is movable by a tool head feed mechanism. A tool spindle with a machining tool such as grinding wheel attached thereto is rotatably supported through antifriction bearings in the tool head. A lubrication mechanism is provided in the tool head for lubricating the antifriction bearings with oil air or oil mist. A space section is formed between the support table and the tool head to house the tool head feed mechanism and the guide members therein. A release passage is provided for releasing the oil air or the oil mist after lubricating the antifriction bearings, into the first space section therethrough to lubricate the tool head feed mechanism and the guide members housed in the space section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Makiuchi, Dai Kiyota
  • Patent number: 7972097
    Abstract: This invention is related to a rigid tapping feedback assembly that is adapted to being retrofit on a milling machine having a spindle with a spindle end extending beyond a bearing cap and an automated drive. In embodiments, the assembly comprising a housing, spindle-pulley adapter that is drivably engaged with the spindle end, pulley assembly, shaft assembly, housing cover plate, and rotary encoder. The housing mounts to the bearing cap and holds the shaft assembly in substantially parallel-spaced alignment with the spindle-pulley adapter. The pulley assembly mechanically links the spindle-pulley adapter and the shaft assembly, typically utilizing pulleys and a timing belt. The housing cover plate mounts to the housing enclosing the assembly components above and supporting the rotary encoder in substantial axial alignment with the shaft assembly. In operation, the rotary encoder senses spindle rotational speed spindle and provides feedback to the automated drive to control downward movement of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Dwayne S. Elrod
  • Patent number: 7597512
    Abstract: A tapping method for performing a tapping process in a punch press includes engaging a front end of a tap provided at a tapping tool attached to a rotating mold indexing device rotatably provided at the punch press with a prepared hole formed in a workpiece. When the front end of the tap is engaged with the prepared hole, a control motor of the rotating mold indexing device is rotated positively to rotate the tap positively. When it is detected that the control motor of the rotating mold indexing device has rotated a determined number of times, positive rotation of the control motor is stopped and the motor is rotated reversely, thereby to detach the tap from the prepared hole of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Kouno, Tadashi Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20090245956
    Abstract: A drill assembly and method for reducing plunge of a drill bit upon breaking through a workpiece. The drill assembly contains a motor to advance and retract the drill bit, the motor is controlled by a control unit in a feedback loop to achieve a desired stiffness. The control unit determines when the drill bit breaks through the workpiece and stops or retracts the movement of the drill bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: J.G. Agop Apkarian, Paul Karam, Don Gardner
  • Patent number: 7513977
    Abstract: A drill stem guide and cover system is designed to guide a drill stem used in coke cutting operations. After a cutting tool and drill stem are inserted into a coke drum, covers close, forming a passageway small enough that it prevents the cutting tool on the end of the drill stem from being removed but large enough to allow movement of the drill stem. The drill stem moves within the passageway to allow the cutting tool to be raised and lowered as needed. The closed covers provide protection from the release of pressurized or explosive gases while the coke cutting operation is taking place. The covers can be automated so that an operator can control them from a safe distance, and the covers can be remotely opened for the removal of the drill stem and cutting tool when coke cutting operations are not taking place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventors: Andre Koerner, Mark Taylor
  • Publication number: 20090074523
    Abstract: A deep-hole drilling apparatus capable of preventing a tool mark from growing is provided. The deep-hole drilling apparatus provided for this purpose comprises: a tool (12) that is rotationally driven to drill a deep hole (Wa) in a work (W); an acceleration meter (19) that detects vibration of the tool (12) as the acceleration during deep hole processing; a monitoring apparatus (20) which performs frequency analysis on the acceleration detected by the acceleration meter (19) and which determines that a tool mark is produced in the deep hole (Wa) when the overall value of the whirling frequency and the bending natural frequency within a frequency range not including the torsional natural frequency on torsional vibration, constantly produced during the deep hole processing, exceeds a predetermined threshold (?); and an NC apparatus (18) that controls both revolution and feeding speed of the tool (12) on the basis of the determination made by the monitoring apparatus (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Rimpei Kawashita, Kazuo Hirota, Hitoshi Kaguchi, Yoshitake Kasubata, Akio Kambe
  • Patent number: 7367087
    Abstract: An engraving and marking device, usable in machine tools and the like, includes a supporting member provided with a coupling which is engaged by a spindle of a machine tool and supports a toolbit by means of an elastic support. The device is adapted to engrave and mark a piece being machined in a fully automatic manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: FICEP, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christian Colombo, Alessandro Pirovano
  • Patent number: 7252466
    Abstract: A CNC machining center has a table-mounted referencing device having two pedestals, each separately engageable by a tool in a Z-axis drive tool holder to establish a zero reference for vertical machining operations on a work-piece mounted on the table. The first of the pedestals has a relatively soft top so that rapid Z-axis advance of the tool onto the pedestal will not damage the tool tip. A spring load on the pedestal also accommodates limited downward movement from a rest position for the pedestal to operate a Z-axis drive stop switch to further avoid tool damage and to save in the computer controller memory, the height of the tool tip from the table. The second pedestal is provided with a hard top so that when the tool tip is touched on it and moves the hard pedestal to operate the switch 34, the Z-axis drive recorder records in controller memory a number that is precisely related to the height of the tool tip from the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Gerald V. Roch
  • Patent number: 7175374
    Abstract: A method and a device for detecting the incorrect chucking of a machine tool capable of easily and surely detecting a chucking error; the method, comprising the steps of measuring, by a sensor (12), the change of a distance (d) between the sensor (12) and the outer peripheral surface of the flange part (2B) of a tool holder (2) installed in a spindle (3) through all around the periphery of the tool holder while rotating the tool holder (2), performing a FFT analysis of the measured data by a CPU (18), extracting a fundamental frequency component, and calculating the amplitude thereof, whereby the eccentric amount of the tool holder (2) can be calculated by using the amplitude of the fundamental frequency component and, when the eccentric amount exceeds a preset allowable value, the tool holder (2) is judged to cause an incorrect chucking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masakazu Takaku
  • Patent number: 7172034
    Abstract: A boring control method for a machine tool for automatically boring a deep hole using a central control means performing boring with programmed control. In the boring, the number of processing and steps of the machine tool is kept minimum, load torque of a tool is detected continuously using torque detection means, and the movement of the tip portion of the tool desired for a piece of work is confirmed from a reference point to a hole bottom using a Z-axis movement device. The boring is continued in each step until the load torque exceeds a predetermined torque limit value, performed in a condition where a main shaft rotation number, or rotation speed of the tool, and feed speed form a specific pattern, and a condition is set where a total step number (f) does not exceed a predetermined limit step number (N).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Horkos Corp.
    Inventors: Tadashi Makiyama, Hiroyuki Kurokawa, Toshihiko Amako
  • Patent number: 7037248
    Abstract: A method and a device for detecting the incorrect chucking of a machine tool capable of easily and surely detecting a chucking error; the method, comprising the steps of measuring, by a sensor (12), the change of a distance (d) between the sensor (12) and the outer peripheral surface of the flange part (2B) of a tool holder (2) installed in a spindle (3) through all around the periphery of the tool holder while rotating the tool holder (2), performing a FFT analysis of the measured data by a CPU (18), extracting a fundamental frequency component, and calculating the amplitude thereof, whereby the eccentric amount of the tool holder (2) can be calculated by using the amplitude of the fundamental frequency component and, when the eccentric amount exceeds a preset allowable value, the tool holder (2) is judged to cause an incorrect chucking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masakazu Takaku
  • Patent number: 6925725
    Abstract: For determining a depth of drilling in objects a path over which a resistance is measured which is produced by an object to be processed counteracts a processing tool during its advance movement, and the measured path is used for determination of a depth of drilling in the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Claas Fertigungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Herrmann, Oswin Moessner