Patents Assigned to Kearney
  • Patent number: 4145816
    Abstract: A probe is mounted on the nose of a toolholder which fits into the spindle of a numerically controlled machine tool. An oscillator is mounted within the toolholder and is powered by a battery within the toolholder. The output of the oscillator is coupled to a primary coil on the toolholder which is inductively coupled to a ring-shaped secondary coil on the spindlehead of the machine tool. Switches within the toolholder are wired to the oscillator to cause it to shift frequency when the probe stylus makes contact with a workpiece when moving along any one of the X, Y or Z axes. The ring-shaped secondary coil is coupled to the machine tool's NC circuits to indicate when the probe makes contact with the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Stobbe, Richard Johnstone
  • Patent number: 4135848
    Abstract: A pair of gripper jaws are pivotally mounted on a machine tool spindle within a central bore that opens into the toolholder socket on the outer end of the spindle. The gripper jaws have serrated outer ends that extend into the toolholder socket in position to engage a threaded opening in the inner end of a toolholder which is to be clamped in the toolholder socket. Cam surfaces on a drawbar which extends between the gripper jaws interact with cam follower surfaces on the gripper jaws to cause the gripper jaws to move radially outwardly to clamp the toolholder within the toolholder socket when the drawbar is moved axially away from the toolholder socket. The gripper jaws have axial play therein. The drawbar is spring biased axially away from the toolholder socket to clamp the toolholder in the toolholder socket and press the toolholder against the margins of the toolholder socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Hughes, Theodore F. Lis, John W. Turner, Joseph P. Bliss
  • Patent number: 4133423
    Abstract: A pair of substantially identical shuttle tables are mounted on the bed of a vertical spindle machine tool on opposite sides of the worktable thereof. A first pallet is mounted on the worktable and a second pallet is mounted on one of the shuttle tables. Both pallets have a tunnel therein that extends all the way through the pallet. A hydraulic ram with an elongated piston rod is mounted on each shuttle table. Each piston rod is long enough to pass completely through the tunnel in an adjacent pallet and to bear against a pallet on the worktable while the base of the piston rod bears against the adjacent pallet. When the piston rod is extended, both pallets are simultaneously pushed in the same direction so that the pallet on the worktable is shifted to the empty shuttle table while the pallet on the other shuttle table is shifted onto the worktable. When the piston rod is subsequently retracted, both pallets remain in their shifted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Zankl
  • Patent number: 4126819
    Abstract: Two transistors each have their emitter-collector circuits coupled in series between one end of a motor field winding and the opposite terminals of a D.C. voltage source to switch current flow in either direction through the winding. Two current sensors are provided, one coupled in series with each emitter-collector circuit. The voltage developed across each current sensor is applied through a driver circuit to the base of the other transistor so as to cut one transistor off when the other is conducting and vice versa, thereby eliminating the possibility of having both transistors conduct simultaneously which would short out the voltage source and burn out one or both transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Stobbe, Michael R. Cesarz
  • Patent number: 4125932
    Abstract: A plurality of multiple spindle toolheads are stored in a carousel-type toolhead magazine on top of a machine tool which includes a toolhead driver for driving any selected one of the toolheads. The toolhead driver is mounted for movement along a Z axis toward and away from a worktable. A rotary toolhead changer arm for transferring toolheads from the toolhead magazine to the toolhead driver and vice versa is mounted on the machine for rotation about an axis which is inclined at an angle of 45.degree. to the Z axis. The toolhead changer arm has two diametrically opposed ends which are each inclined at an angle of 45.degree. to the rotary axis of the toolhead changer arm. Clamps are mounted on both ends of the toolhead changer arm for clamping toolheads thereto. When the toolhead changer arm is rotated through 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventors: Ervin J. Kielma, Albin J. Schabowski
  • Patent number: 4126233
    Abstract: A tool transfer arm is pivotally mounted on a tool transfer housing which is movable between a tool storage magazine and the spindle of a machine tool to transfer tools between the tool storage magazine and the spindle. The tool transfer arm has two pair of toolholder jaws, one pair on each end thereof. One toolholder jaw of each pair is movable and the other jaw is fixed. Each movable jaw is pivotable between an open and closed position by a clamp arm which is pivotally connected to the corresponding movable jaw and slidably engages an arcuate guide slot in the tool transfer arm. A cylindrical abutment on the spindle head near the spindle and on the tool storage magazine bears against the adjacent clamp arm when the tool transfer arm approaches either the tool storage magazine or the spindle in one angular orientation to close the corresponding movable jaw and clamp a toolholder in the jaws for removal from the tool storage magazine or spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventor: Richard G. Jeske
  • Patent number: 4120030
    Abstract: The data address portions of a set of computer instructions are scrambled in accordance with a predetermined cipher key before the instructions are loaded into the instruction memory. The instructions with the scrambled data address portions are then loaded into the instruction memory at addresses corresponding to the original program sequence. The data involved in the program is loaded into a separate data memory at the addresses specified in the original unscrambled program. An unscrambler circuit which operates in accordance with the cipher key is coupled in series with the data memory address input conductors and is mounted on the data memory unit and is encapsulated therewith to prevent anyone from examining the unscrambler to determine the cipher key or from electrically interrogating the unscrambler in such a manner as to determine the cipher key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1978
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Johnstone
  • Patent number: 4118871
    Abstract: An inspection probe is mounted in the spindle of a numerically controlled machine tool and is moved toward a workpiece therein by the numerical controls until it makes contact with the workpiece. Contact with the workpiece is indicated by change in the output signal of a portable transmitter mounted within the toolholder that carries the inspection probe. The change in output amplitude causes the instantaneous position of the spindle to be recorded in the numerical controls at the instant of contact between the inspection probe and workpiece to indicate the corresponding dimension of the workpiece. Movement of the spindle is stopped after contact between the inspection probe and workpiece to avoid damage to either the inspection probe or the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1978
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventor: Edward E. Kirkham
  • Patent number: 4109309
    Abstract: An analog signal which occurs in a computer controlled machine tool is converted to digital form at the machine tool site and is stored in a memory portion of the machine tool computer. The digitized analog signal is subsequently read out of the memory and is transmitted to a remote diagnostic unit via a conventional digital transmission link. The digitized analog signal received by the diagnostic unit is stored in a memory portion of the diagnostic computer and is subsequently read out and converted back to analog form for display on an oscilloscope in the diagnostic unit to aid in the diagnosis of existing or incipient faults in the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Johnstone, Lyle D. Ostby
  • Patent number: 4091294
    Abstract: In apparatus for controlling the speed and torque of a multiphase a.c. motor in accordance with digital control signals, a first regulation circuit regulates the frequency of the a.c. electrical signal applied to the motor and another regulation circuit regulates the voltage of the a.c. signal. Both regulation circuits are controlled by digital control signals in a series of discrete steps over a range of control values and the control signals are supplied periodically to the regulation circuits. The speed and torque are controlled in accordance with an algorithm relating speed and torque to the frequency and voltage of the source of electric power which is applied to the motor, calculated by computing apparatus on a periodic basis. In one embodiment the position of the magnetic flux of the stator is controlled directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1978
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Zankl, Edward E. Kirkham, Richard E. Stobbe, John J. Schachte
  • Patent number: 4090287
    Abstract: A machine tool has a worktable slidably mounted on a bed for movement along a horizontal X axis opposite a spindle which is journalled for rotation about a horizontal Z axis perpendicular to the X axis, the spindle being slidably mounted on the bed for movement along the Z axis toward and away from the worktable and for movement along a vertical Y axis perpendicular to both the X and Z axes. A workpiece storage support is rotatably mounted on a frame adjacent to the worktable on the side thereof opposite the spindle. The worktable and workpiece storage support have guideways thereon for slidably receiving a pallet carrying a workpiece, the guideways being positioned so that they can be aligned to permit a pallet to be slid from the workpiece storage support to the worktable and vice versa along the Z axis. A pallet transfer bar is provided which is dimensioned on one end to fit in the spindle and is dimensioned on the other end to engage a pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1978
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas S. Selander
  • Patent number: 4087901
    Abstract: The tool change mechanism includes a tool storage magazine having a plurality of tool storage sockets disposed in two concentric circles. A tool transfer arm is mounted within the inner circle of sockets. The transfer arm may be rotated and extended or retracted and moved toward and away from the magazine for extracting a previously used tool from a ready socket and inserting such tool into a designated socket of the magazine. In like manner, the transfer arm will operate to extract a selected tool from any one of the sockets in the magazine and transfer it to the ready socket. The latter is mounted on a carrier which also supports a tool change arm. The carrier is pivotable between a loading position and a tool change position. When the carrier is in the loading position, the ready socket is located at the magazine where it is accessible to the tool transfer arm for extracting previously used tools from the ready socket and inserting new tools into it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventors: Earl R. Lohneis, Frank Zankl
  • Patent number: 4077736
    Abstract: An electric motor driven drill and a battery therefor are mounted within a toolholder for a machine tool. The battery is coupled to the motor through a centrifugal switch which closes when the toolholder is rotated about its axis above a predetermined speed and opens when the rotary speed of the toolholder falls below the predetermined speed. The toolholder is mounted in the spindle of a machine tool and the drill turns on when the spindle is rotated and turns off when the spindle stops, the rotary speed of the spindle being added to the rotary speed of the drill in one direction of spindle rotation and subtracted from the rotary speed of the drill in the opposite direction of spindle rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1978
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventor: Morris L. Hutchens
  • Patent number: 4065988
    Abstract: This invention relates to a greatly simplified workpiece changer mechanism in combination with a simplified tool storage and changing mechanism for a machine tool. To accomplish this, a rotatable work carrying spindle is adapted to support a workpiece for selective rectilinear movement relative to an associated rotary cutting tool, and to support the same workpiece for selective rotational movement relative to a rectilinearly movable cutting tool carried by the same spindle. The work receiving spindle is mounted in spaced apart relationship to a storage support adapted to releasably carry a workpiece for selective interchange with a workpiece carried by the work spindle. To effect a selective interchange of workpieces between the work spindle and the storage support, a work transfer arm is pivotally supported between the work spindle and the work support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1978
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventors: Earl R. Lohneis, John J. Schachte
  • Patent number: 4060785
    Abstract: An enclosing structure for an electric fuse having a fusible element disposed within a tubular casing of insulating material and interconnected at its ends with terminals mounted on the casing ends comprises an elongated tubular enclosure formed of insulating and semiconducting material and disposed about the fuse with its inner surface in heat transferring surface contacting relation therewith and a rigid metallic heat absorbing sleeve imbedded in the elongated enclosure to absorb heat therefrom and to impart a degree of mechanical strength thereto. Semiconducting sleeves which form parts of the tubular enclosure include an outer sheath which is grounded and inner sleeve elements arranged so as to isolate the fuse and the contacts of the fuse enclosing structure thereby to inhibit corona discharge from the conducting parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1977
    Assignee: Kearney-National Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Earl Hanke, Ned Rees
  • Patent number: 4028599
    Abstract: In apparatus for controlling the speed and torque of a multiphase a.c. motor in accordance with digital control signals, a first regulation circuit regulates the frequency of the a.c. electrical signal applied to the motor and another regulation circuit regulates the voltage of the a.c. signal. Both regulation circuits are controlled by digital control signals in a series of discrete steps over a range of control values and the control signals are supplied periodically to the regulation circuits. The speed and torque are controlled in accordance with an algorithm relating speed and torque to the frequency and voltage of the source of electric power which is applied to the motor, calculated by computing apparatus on a periodic basis. In one embodiment the position of the magnetic flux of the stator is controlled directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Zankl, Edward E. Kirkham, Richard E. Stobbe, John J. Schachte
  • Patent number: 4013176
    Abstract: This invention relates to a greatly simplified workpiece changer mechanism in combination with a simplified tool storage and changing mechanism for a machine tool. To accomplish this, a rotatable work carrying spindle is adapted to support a workpiece for selective rectilinear movement relative to an associated rotary cutting tool, and to support the same workpiece for selective rotational movement relative to a rectilinearly movable cutting tool carried by the same spindle. The work receiving spindle is mounted in spaced apart relationship to a storage support adapted to releasably carry a workpiece for selective interchange with a workpiece carried by the work spindle. To effect a selective interchange of workpieces between the work spindle and the storage support, a work transfer arm is pivotally supported between the work spindle and the work support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1972
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1977
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventors: Earl R. Lohneis, John J. Schachte
  • Patent number: 4002949
    Abstract: A current limiting fuse and an oil expulsion or weak link type fuse are connected in series with each other and with a transformer primary winding and a grounded element having a part disposed adjacent one end of the expulsion fuse is arranged so that an arc drawn upon operation of the expulsion fuse is directed to the grounded element in such manner as to cause the current limiting fuse to operate and interrupt the flow of current through the primary winding. The system is applicable to single phase or multiple phase arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1977
    Assignee: Kearney-National, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur C. Westrom
  • Patent number: D244445
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventors: Earl R. Lohneis, Frank Zankl, Clifford Brooks Stevens, Thomas J. Green
  • Patent number: T977007
    Abstract: by utilizing a set of program modification registers, a numerically controlled machining program can be written with loops and branches like a computer program. The order and action of the program blocks can be made dependent upon data contained in the program modification registers. The register data may be altered by the program as it runs or by external inputs to the control circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1978
    Assignee: Kearney & Trecker Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas S. Selander