Abstract: A dental turbine hand piece has a body, a turbine rotatable in the body about an axis, a light source arranged on the body, and means for current supply to the light source, a magnetic element formed on one of the turbine and the body, and a winding provided on the other of the turbine element in the body, so that during rotation of the turbine and in the body and interaction between the magnetic member and the winding and electric current is generated which is supplied to the light source.

Abstract: An exhaust control system and method are provided for use with one or more pneumatic devices so as to draw contaminated fluid from the fluid outputs of such devices and deposit such contaminated fluid in a waste collector such as a drain. The system is configured for use with any conventional pneumatic device of the type which includes a pressurized fluid input, a turbine driven by fluid from such input, and a fluid output which exhausts fluid from the turbine. Fluid is directed from the fluid output of each pneumatic device to an exhaust manifold which includes a number of inflow ports corresponding to the number of devices serviced. The inflow ports connect to a depressurization chamber, where the fluid flow pressure is lowered, and from which the fluid is drawn via a collective outflow port. The fluid is drawn from the exhaust manifold using a vacuum source and then directed to a waste collector such as a drain.

Abstract: A high-speed dental handpiece of the present invention includes a metal non-disposable body and a plastic disposable cartridge received in the body. The body is a one piece body and has a sleeve and an annular head at an end of the sleeve. The sleeve carries an air input line, an air exhaust path, a water line and a fiber optic cable. The air input and water lines are operatively connected to a supply of air and water, respectively. The fiber optic cable is operatively connected to a source of light to carry the light to a patient's mouth to enable a dentist to more clearly see the area being operated upon. The disposable cartridge carries a turbine and is placed in communication with the air input lines to drive the turbine. A bit is received by the turbine and the water is directed toward the bit for cooling. The cartridge is at least partially made of light transmitting material and the fiber optic cable abuts the cartridge to transmit light therethrough.

Abstract: Air driven dental handpiece motors include a tubular housing and a rotor rotatably supported within the housing. One motor is geared down by the provision of a plurality of idler gears rotatably supported on a hub which rotates between a sun gear on the output end of the rotor and a ring gear fixed within the housing. A drive shaft connects an exposed drive gear with the hub. A bearing is provided between the drive shaft and the inner bore of skirt extending from the ring gear to reduce a number of tolerances built up between the drive shaft and the bearing. The motor further includes a valve member rotatable through about 140.degree. of arc to vary maximum motor speed and motor rotation direction. The valve member abuts a valve plate having a circular air inlet opening and a semicircular air outlet or exhaust opening. The valve member has an air supply opening which is an elongated arcuate slot having radiused circumferential ends.

Abstract: In a medical, in particular dental turbine handpiece, having a supply line (8) and a discharge line (9) for the turbine compressed air, whereby a valve (12) is arranged in one line, which valve is controllable by a pneumatic parameter in the other line, the valve (12) is arranged in the discharge line (9) and is so controllable that it closes when a limit value of the parameter in the supply line (8) falls below a minimum value.

Abstract: A high speed air-driven powerhead in a dental handpiece includes an automatic chuck with outside surfaces protection from overheating. An autochuck release push button on the back of the powerhead is constructed of low thermal conductivity and heat reflective materials to reduce heat due to friction from inadvertent contact with the chuck while rotating. In addition, a sudden stop mechanism is provided which arrests chuck rotation if the force of contact exceeds a level which would raise the temperature of the push button beyond a predetermined threshold. A vortex air barrier is also provided to seal the front end bearing of the powerhead. The barrier also permits spacing which prevents static axial overload of the bearing and eliminates possible damage to the bearing.

Abstract: A dental and surgical handpiece with disposable cartridge of the present invention includes a reusable handpiece and a disposable cartridge. The disposable cartridge contains all the major moving parts that provide torque and RPM for high speed dental drilling. The disposable cartridge fits into a receptacle in the head of the reusable handpiece. The handpiece can be heat sterilized after the disposable cartridge is removed. The performance of the handpiece is not reduced by the sterilization since the turbine and bearings are contained in the disposable cartridge.

Abstract: An odontotherapeutic hand piece is formed of a head portion, a handle portion connected to the head portion and a coupling portion arranged in continuation with the handle portion. A rotary member provided with turbine blades is accommodated in the head portion. The odontotherapeutic hand piece has a working medium conduit, which is arranged in an internal space of the coupling portion and is detachably engaged with the coupling portion for supplying a working medium to the odontotherapeutic hand piece. The head portion, the handle portion and the coupling portion are made of a material which permits integral molding. The head portion, the handle portion and the coupling portion are integrally joined together.

Abstract: There is provided a dental handpiece capable of stably supporting a turbine during high-speed rotation thereof. A projection is provided at each corner portion of a polygonal end surface of a retainer. The projections prevent a conical spring washer from deviating from a centered position relative to the central axis of the turbine. First and second ball bearings for supporting the turbine are axially pressed with a sufficient force which is symmetrical about the central axis of the turbine. A sufficient axial pre-load can be applied to the first and second ball bearings by the conical spring washer, and the conical spring washer is prevented from being displaced.

Abstract: An autoclaving collar having a distal end and a proximate end is presented for fastening to the proximate end of a conventional dental handpiece to protect the impeller of the handpiece from the corrosive environment of autoclaving or sterilization. The collar has an opening at its distal end and an axially extending cavity that communicates with the opening and an annular shoulder which is concentric with the longitudinal axis of the collar for captively holding an O-ring member which seals the proximate threaded end of the conventional dental handpiece when the collar having internal mating thread is sufficiently threaded onto the proximate end of the dental handpiece.

Abstract: In a medical or dental treatment instrument, in particular a straight or angled handpiece (1), having a drive shaft (6) for a tool, which drive shaft is mounted in the forward end region of the treatment instrument, in at least one roller bearing (11, 12), rotatable around its middle axis (8), and is drivable for example by a turbine, whereby the roller bearing (11, 12) is blocked or sealed against contaminants with of a blocking ring (31) effective between its outer ring (37) and its inner ring (34). The blocking ring (31) bears with its surface facing the inner ring (34) on the inner ring (34) and is releasibly or non-releasibly attached thereon.

Abstract: A disposable dental prophylaxis handpiece 10 is provided having a rotor 90 with vanes 92 pivotably connected thereto. The handpiece 10 includes an entrance 30 for elevated pressure fluid and an outlet 40 for discharge of the fluid after contacting the rotor 90. The elevated pressure fluid passes from the entrance 30, into a high pressure chamber 80. The high pressure chamber 80 is in contact with inlet ports 74 accessing a cylinder 72 within the handpiece 10. The cylinder 72 supports the rotor 90 with a rotational axis M of the rotor 90 off center with respect to a central axis N of the cylinder 72. The elevated pressure fluid causes the rotor 90 and an attached output shaft 97 to rotate. This in turn pauses a prophylaxis cup 160, coupled to the output shaft 97, to rotate. The rotor 90 includes a trunk 24 with a plurality of posts 93 extending therefrom and with vanes 92 connected to the posts 93 through hinges 94.

Abstract: A high speed dental handpiece turbine spindle assembly in which a generally cylindrical spindle is rotatably mounted within a housing for actuation by a supply of pressurized air acting upon turbine blades associated with the spindle. The spindle includes a longitudinal bore which accommodates a drill bit or bur, with one end of the spindle being tapered and threaded to fit a matching chuck nut. The spindle and chuck nut have interfering geometry so that the chuck nut cannot be inadvertently removed while changing drill bits, and so that the chuck nut cannot be inadvertently tightened so far that the spindle is permanently deformed.

Abstract: A dental handpiece includes a head, a tubular chuck having an open-end axial bore for receiving the shank of a dental bur and a tubular bur tube having an outer surface and an axial bore therethrough for receiving the chuck therein. The bur tube has at least one inner raceway formed integrally along its outer surface. An outer race having an outer raceway is associated with the inner raceway. A plurality of ball bearings are mounted between the raceways. A rotor may be formed integrally with the outer surface of the bur tube.

Abstract: A dental turbine drive contains a rotor disk which is mounted for rotation in a rotor chamber in a head housing of a dental handpiece and is driven by compressed air from a nozzle in the known way. A control element for regulating the speed is arranged in the flow path of the exhaust air and is constructed to change shape or position upon rotation of the rotary disk as a consequence of centrifugal force so that the effective cross section of the exhaust path decreases with increasing speeds and will increase with decreasing speeds. In addition, an additional or second element is provided and includes a pressure chamber connected by channels to the rotor chamber so that the additional element will respond to changes in the pressure in the rotor chamber to support the effect of the control element. The second element can be a diaphragm valve having a valve member extending into either an exhaust channel or a delivery channel.

Abstract: A small handpiece with a fluid driven turbine is composed of a head portion and a neck portion connected continuously to the head portion. The head portion has a head defining a chamber therein, turbine blades mounted on a turbine rotor shaft and arranged within the chamber and the turbine rotor shaft rotatably supported in the head via bearing portions. The neck portion has a main body, a supply channel arranged in the main body to supply compressed fluid to the turbine blades within the chamber and an exhaust channel arranged in the main body to discharge the compressed fluid from the chamber. The supply channel has a single supply port. A positional relationship between the single supply port and an exhaust port of the exhaust channel is set so that the exhaust port is arranged at a position proximal to the supply port.

Abstract: An aspirating dental hand piece having at its distal end a vacuum scoop that circumscribes the work tool and automatically carries away cooling water and debris during operation of the hand piece. The hand piece includes a two-part handle. The distal portion of the handle terminates in a suction scoop or shroud within which the gas driven motor is housed. This portion of the handle is divided into two portions, one of which houses the cooling fluid, gas and fiber optic conduits, and the other of which forms a fluid passageway in communication with the suction scoop for carrying away the cooling fluid and the debris generated during the drilling and grinding operations. The fluid and debris passageway is sealed with respect to the conduit carrying portion of the handle.

Abstract: The dental handpiece includes a disposable head assembly and a reusable handle which are removably coupled together. The head assembly includes a housing formed of plastic material forming a cavity in which is located a turbine operated drill assembly with a drill burr extending out of a lower opening. The upper wall of the housing is formed against the top of the drill assembly to permanently fix the drill assembly in the cavity such that the bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting the turbine and drill burr is integral with the head assembly. The head assembly also has a neck with a cavity for removably receiving the proboscis of the handle by way of a rear opening. The handle supplies and removes air to and from the head cavity for operating the turbine and also supplies air, water and light from the proboscis which are directed toward the burr by way of an outlet opening. The handle is snap-locked to the head assembly when the proboscis is located in the neck cavity.

Abstract: A dental turbine drive which is provided with an arrangement to prevent suctioning of particles after deactivation of the drive air into the return air line. To accomplish this, the turbine space is closed during a run-out phase of the rotor except for an outflow channel that is arranged close to the axis of the rotor shaft adjacent the tool side and is connected to a return air channel. The return air channel can discharge directly into the outflow channel at a point spaced from the main portion of the rotor and a valve arrangement may be presented for closing the air opening once the input air has been interrupted.

Abstract: A controllable turbine drive for a dental handpiece has an adjustment member which rotates with the rotor disc and is deformable due to the centrifugal forces to constrict an exhaust channel extending along the disc to change the effective cross section of the channel so that with an increased speed of rotation, the effective cross section decreases and with a decreased speed, the effective cross section is increased. The member may be an elastic ring which is restrained by a rim formed by a recess on one side of the rotor disc or it may be an elastic spring washer, which has an upturned peripheral flange and which is bent or elastically deformed.

Abstract: A dental handpiece includes an end grip member gripped by an operator during use. The end grip member has a first end to be connected to an air supply and a second end on which is selectively detachably mounted a tool holder supporting a tool that is driven either by a mechanical structure or by an air turbine, depending upon the particular tool holder mounted on the end grip member. Within the end grip member is an air motor, and a first air line extends from the first end to the air grip motor. When the tool holder includes the mechanical structure, then the first air line supplies air to the air motor, thereby to transmit power to the mechanical structure. A second air line extends through the end grip member between the first and second ends thereof. When the particular tool holder mounted on the end grip member includes an air turbine, the second air line supplies air thereto.

Abstract: A turbine for a dental handpiece. The turbine (10) includes a rotor housing (16) having at least first and second opposite end portions fabricated of a ceramic material, the rotor housing defining a cylindrical rotor chamber (18) therein. At least one inlet port (20) is provided in the rotor housing (16) for placing the rotor chamber in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, and an outlet port (22) is provided for exhausting the pressurized fluid from the rotor chamber (18). The turbine (10) also includes a rotor member (24) mounted in the rotor chamber (18) of the rotor housing, the rotor member also being fabricated of a ceramic material. The rotor member (24) defines a first end portion (28) which is received through an opening (38) provided in the first end portion (28) of the rotor housing (16) for engaging and supporting a dental tool member (14).

Abstract: A dental handpiece contains a sleeve for rotatably accommodating and securing a dental treatment tool therein, bearings for rotatably holding the sleeve with respect to stationary handpiece casing members, a rotatable rotor fixed to the sleeve for rotating the sleeve under action of a compressed fluid, and stationary convexed and concave protective members for sheathing the bearings exposed to an annular spacing defined by the bearings and the rotatable rotor. The rotatable rotor contains rotatable concave and convexed disc portions. The rotatable concave and convexed disc portions are arranged in proximity to the stationary convexed and concave protective members in a mating relation therewith for defining therebetween at least a first gap and a second gap communicating with the first gap and disposed radially outwardly of the first gap.

Abstract: A transparent dental tube unit contains a transparent turbine gas supply passage for allowing a pressurized gas supplied from a pressurized fluid supply source to be passed to a dental handpiece for driving a turbine provided in the handpiece, a transparent liquid supply passage for allowing a pressurized liquid from the pressurized fluid source to be passed to the dental handpiece for dissipating the heat generated by friction, a transparent enclosure tube for enclosing the transparent turbine gas supply passage and the transparent liquid supply passage therein, and a fixing device for fixing the transparent turbine gas supply passage and the transparent liquid supply passage.

Abstract: A dental handpiece having a cleaning unit contains a turbine gas supply passage for supplying a gas under pressure to a turbine for rotationally driving a dental tool, a rinsing liquid supply passage for supplying a rinsing liquid to a turbine head, a chip-scattering gas supply passage for supplying a gas for scattering cut chips produced by operation of the dental tool, and a cleaning unit for cleaning at least one of the gas and the liquid provided in at least one of the turbine gas supply passage the rinsing liquid supply passage and the chip-scattering gas supply passage.

Abstract: An integrally formed disposable dental hand piece drive mechanism and prophylaxis fitting which renders less likely cross-contamination of patients by providing an economic, sterile prophy angle which can be discarded after only one use. An output shaft is supported for rotation within a housing. The shaft has an output end which is configured to couple with any of a variety of working tools such as a dentifrice holding cup, a brush, or other dental instrumentality. The output shaft is stimulated into rotation by means of an air stream which is directed on a surface of the output shaft which is within the housing which supports the output shaft. Thus, air, directed to the output shaft via an inlet passage, impinges against the shaft causing rotation. Thereafter the air exits through an outlet passage. An end of the housing remote from the output shaft removably attaches to both a source of air and a duct to receive exiting air.

Abstract: An aspirating dental hand piece having at its distal end a vacuum scoop that circumscribes the work tool and automatically carries away cooling water and debris during operation of the hand piece. The hand piece includes a two-part handle. The distal portion of the handle terminates in a suction scoop or shroud within which the gas driven motor is housed. This portion of the handle is divided into two portions, one of which houses the cooling fluid, gas and fiber optic conduits, and the other of which forms a fluid passageway in communication with the suction scoop for carrying away the cooling fluid and the debris generated during the drilling and grinding operations. The fluid and debris passageway is sealed with respect to the conduit carrying portion of the handle.

Abstract: In order to prevent invading of blood, saliva and other impurities inside of an elongated hand piece of a dental instrument for preventing infection, the inside contamination-free elongated hand piece has rectilinear means in the airholes of upper and lower lids of its head housing, thereby assuring that air flowing out from the head housing is rectified to helical stream, thereby causing no Karman's vortex street behind. The rectilinear means may be given in the form of helical ridges or slots formed on the inner surface of each airhole.

Abstract: A dental handpiece comprises a handle section and a detachable head section. The head section to which a burr is mounted is made entirely of plastic except for ball bearings so that vibrations are absorbed via its own elasticity. The head section is disposed after use, thus avoiding the secondary infections of, for example, AIDS and hepatitis.

Abstract: A high speed dental drill includes a drill head having a housing including a bottom and a cavity, and a turbine assembly mounted in the cavity for supporting a dental tool extending outwardly from the bottom of the housing, the turbine assembly including a rotor shaft and an annular turbine drive mounted thereon. The outer surface of the annular turbine drive has blades with an outer shape of a substantially inverted D-shaped chordal segment cut out therefrom so that rotation of the rotor shaft occurs at high speed when air impinges against the part-circular cut-away surfaces of the blades.

Abstract: A turbine for a dental handpiece. The turbine (10) includes a rotor housing (16) fabricated of a ceramic material, the rotor housing defining a cylindrical rotor chamber (18) therein. An inlet port (20) is provided in the rotor housing (16) for placing the rotor chamber in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, and an outlet port (22) is provided for exhausting the pressurized fluid from the rotor chamber (18). The turbine (10) also includes a rotor member (24) mounted in the rotor chamber (18) of the rotor housing, the rotor member also being fabricated of a ceramic material. The rotor member (24) defines a first end portion (28) which is received through an opening (38) provided in the rotor housing (16) for engaging and supporting a dental tool member (14). The rotor member (24) also includes a rotor disk (32) which carries a plurality of blades (34), and which is selectively rotated by the flow of pressurized fluid within the rotor chamber (18).

Abstract: A dental handpiece having a turbine rotatable in reverse contains a main handpiece body, a turbine head mounted at a distal end of the main handpiece body, a plurality of turbine vanes for rotatably driving a dental tool romovably mounted within the turbine head, a first air supply passage for ejecting compressed air to one surface of each of the turbine vanes for rotating the turbine vanes in one direction, a second air supply passage for ejecting compressed air to the other surface of each of the turbine vanes for rotating the turbine vanes in the other direction, and an air discharge passage for discharging the compressed air.

Abstract: A housing of the device receives a pressurized air flow which is filtered and directed past a pressure reducing valve prior to delivery to a purge valve assembly. The purge valve assembly includes a connector configured for endwise engagement with the specific handpiece being purged. The connector is removably mounted in the purge valve assembly which also includes a valve member displaced by the connector during a purging operation from a spring biased closed position. Various connectors are interchangeable to adapt the device to service a variety of dental handpieces.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving the turbine and for purging debris from the air and water spray channels of an air driven turbine-type dental handpiece in preparation for sterilizing the handpiece includes a purging chamber for confining the aerosol together with any microorganisms, bacteria, or other contaminents issuing from a handpiece being purged.

Abstract: The present invention provides a handpiece for dental medical treatment in which a head portion encasing therein an air turbine is detachably mounted on a handpiece body whereby the handpiece body capable of being subjected to high temperature sterilization by boiling is repeatedly used whereas the head portion is discarded after use to maintain the aseptic state of the whole handpiece and positively prevent secondary infection such as AIDS, hepatitis, etc. in an actual medical site. Furthermore, the construction of the air turbine and molding of various parts are simplified so that the head portion can be provided at extremely low cost to effectively prevent infection of AIDS, hepatitis, etc. as mentioned above.

Abstract: A typical turbine handpiece comprises a housing accommodating the air-driven rotor, and in the head disclosed, the base of this housing is extended to create an annular seating connected at bottom with the water line of the spray circuit and occupied by a first ring exhibiting an annular cavity connected by way of a lateral orifice to the spray air line. A portion of the ring not occupied by the cavity is shaped so as to fill the annular seating only in part, thereby creating a gap admitting water from the spray circuit; the ring also affords a set of through holes connecting the cavity both with the gap and with a corresponding set of angled outlet holes in the bottom part of the head, from which sprays are directed convergently onto the tip of the bur. The seating and the cavity are enclosed by a second ring inserted from the turbine side to a fluid-tight fit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning clogged dental equipment lines, such as water and air lines and drains, for a wide variety of dental equipment such as cuspidors and handpieces. One embodiment has an air hose connected to a connector for a handpiece for a drill, etc., wherein the connector has an interior plastic insert which closes off air to the holes in the drill for drive and exhaust air and allows air through two holes which connect with the spray air and water ports of the handpiece for the drill whererby the air blows out the clogged slits. Another embodiment uses the air hose with a rubber nozzle to blow clogged suction lines. Another embodiment has a rubber element with a hole in its middle which fits over the discharge hole in the cuspidor, whereby the air blows out the debris clogging the cuspidor hole and connecting lines.

Abstract: A handpiece particularly suited for medical/dental applications in which a rotary tool is used upon and in proximity with anatomical structures. The handpiece has an anti-friction bearing assembly which mounts the rotary tool. At least the rolling elements of the bearing assembly are formed of ceramic material. The instrument may be sterilized repeatedly without requiring lubrication either in use or between sterilization cycles.

Abstract: A dental chuckless handpiece of the compressed air drive type includes a body having a head in which bearings are attached to the upper and lower portions of a shaft provided with a turbine impeller, and a rotary member fixedly provided to the lower end of the shaft is mounted in place through the upper and lower bearings. At least portions of the body excepting the head is formed of a synthetic resin discriminably colored with a color including transparent color.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning clogged dental equipment lines, such as water and air lines and drains, for a wide variety of dental equipment such as cuspidors and handpieces. One embodiment has an air hose connected to a connector for a handpiece for a drill, etc., wherein the connector has an interior plastic insert which closes off air to the holes in the drill for drive and exhaust air and allows air through two holes which connect with the spray air and water ports of the handpiece for the drill whereby the air blows out the clogged slits. Another embodiment uses the air hose with a rubber nozzle to blow clogged suction lines. Another embodiment has a rubber element with a hole in its middle which fits over the discharge hole in the cuspidor, whereby the air blows out the debris clogging the cuspidor hole and connecting lines.

Abstract: A disposable hand tool for performing dental and other health care procedures in which the entire tool is thrown away and disposed of after use with a single patient. The tool is made of relatively inexpensive materials such as plastic, and since durability and re-use are not requirements the operating mechanism can itself be constructed of disposable materials, including non-metallic materials. In the embodiment described herein, the disposable hand tool has a rotatable working member such as a rotatable buffer for polishing and cleaning teeth known in the dental profession as a prophylactic angle or cup, a rotatable burr also for use by dentists, and the like. The rotatable operating mechanism includes a small turbine of plastic or other disposable material mounted for rotation in a hand held housing which is also made entirely of disposable material and connectable to a hose which in turn is connected to a source of compressed air to drive the turbine.

Abstract: A disposable rotary tool assembly for cleaning teeth comprising what is known in the dental profession as a prophylactic angle, a small cup-like member made of rubber or similar material having a frusto-conical shape which is placed against a patient's teeth and rotated for cleaning and polishing, and a disposable operating assembly for rotating the same which is connected to a dentist's air syringe and powered by pressurized air instead of being connected to the dentist's hand piece as at present which requires a relatively expensive shaft driven connector, not practical to dispose of after each use with a single patient.

Abstract: A dental handpiece which includes a high speed compressed-air driven turbine at the distal end thereof which serves to drive a dental drill, or other element. The handpiece includes an internal conduit for supplying compressed air to the turbine and an exit port for exhausting the compressed air. In accordance with the concepts of the invention, the exit port is coupled to a vacuum pump, or other vacuum source, to enhance the turbine efficiency and to provide for increased power output with significant noise suppression, and also to facilitate the use of in-line oil mist lubrication.

Abstract: A control device for use in an air turbine dental handpiece comprising an air turbine which is integrated with a spindle supporting a cutting tool and is rotatably supported in a head housing by bearings, an air supply passage which supplies compressed air to the air turbine and an exhaust passage which discharges air spent to drive the air turbine, the control device being characterized in that the control device comprises a pressure or flowrate regulating device disposed in the exhaust passage to control the speed of the turbine in the range of stop to high-speed operation by changing the back pressure of the air turbine.

Abstract: A dental handpiece having a low noise level consisting of: an elongated main housing having a head portion at the forward end thereof; a drive shaft located within the main housing and supported by fore and aft bearings mounted within the main housing; a rotor/burr holder located within the head portion of the main housing and supported by bearings mounted within the head portion, the rotor/burr holder being adapted to receive a burr drill or the like; an air-driven axial flow turbine wheel located and supported within the rear portion of the main housing, the turbine wheel being operably connected to the drive shaft; and, a coupling system for operably coupling the forward portion of the drive shaft to the rotor/burr holder. In one embodiment of the invention, the coupling system consists of a set of cylindrical driving magnets mounted on the forward portion of the drive shaft and a corresponding set of cylindrical driven magnets mounted on the rotor/burr holder.

Abstract: Machine tool having a jet turbine driving a rotatable spindle with a tool holder, said spindle is comprised in a spindle housing, said jet turbine consisting of a disc-shaped turbine rotor being closely enclosed by a turbine housing, said turbine rotor having peripherally arranged discrete recesses, each recess having a concave front actuation wall for the jet and one sidewardly arranged outlet opening which opens in the axial direction of the rotor, said housing having at least one inlet nozzle for the jet directed into the recesses and having at least one outlet opening for the spent jet medium. Known machine tools suffer under strong speed losses when the load increases or varies. This disadvantage results from a constant interference between spent air within the recesses and the working jet. Thus, the energy of the jet cannot be used with good efficiency.

Abstract: An air driven dental handpiece has a turbine housing mounted on one end of a handle and an outwardly and upwardly tapered annular surface around the inner bottom surface of the housing. A turbine cartridge is removably mounted in the turbine housing and has an outwardly and upwardly tapered annular surface around the periphery of the bottom thereof abutting the tapered annular surface on the inner surface of the housing and an outwardly facing outwardly and downwardly tapered annular surface around the periphery of the top. An air turbine is rotatably mounted in ball bearings in the turbine cartridge, the turbine being resiliently mounted in the cartridge in the direction of the length of the turbine shaft.

Abstract: An improvement in an air bearing device of an air drive, air journal type dental handpiece is disclosed, wherein a radial gap for journaling a rotor in the radial direction comprises partially enlarged gaps which, serving as air pools, improve the handpiece's cutting performance and prevent abnormal noise and vibration of the turbine blade caused by the whirl phenomenon.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved method for driving a hand-piece of the air drive type to improve its cutting performance, and to increase its cutting load in a low range of rotational speed in particular, and also relates to a device for practicing the method. The disclosed method employs compressed high-velocity fluid exhausted to one side of an annular space in which blades rotate after having once been jetted at said blade guided along the rotating direction of said blades and then causing it to reenter the annular space in a diagonal direction with respect to the rotational direction of the blades for further driving the running blades in the same sense. The device includes a simply machined ring-shaped adapter.

Abstract: A single-unit turbine cartridge assembly for a gas-driven dental handpiece includes a pair of bearing assemblies mounted on a turbine rotor shaft and a ring of resilient material around each bearing assembly. The resilient ring provides radial support for the turbine cartridge assembly within the housing of the handpiece and substantially dampens the transfer of vibration from the cartridge assembly to the handpiece during use of the handpiece. The turbine cartridge assembly may optionally include bearing axial pre-load means in association with one or more of the bearing assemblies. The turbine cartridge assembly also includes means for retaining the resilient radial support means and the bearing axial preload means, when used, in association with the bearing assemblies, so as to permit removal, and reinstallation, of the cartridge assembly as an entire unit from, and to, the housing in the dental handpiece.