Abstract: A guide system is provided to slidingly guide a reciprocating dynamic balancer weight within a press machine. An elongate stationary guide rail is disposed within a vertical channel formed at one side of the balancer mass. In this configuration, the guide rail is arranged in guide support relationship to the balancer mass. An arrangement of wear plates is mounted to the guide rail to provide additional bearing support to the reciprocating balancer mass. An arrangement of hydrostatic pads is mounted to the guide rail in facing opposition to the balancer mass to enable the formation of a hydrodynamic/hydrostatic lubricating action therebetween during reciprocation of the balancer mass. A machined steel plate is secured to the balancer mass at the same side where the guide rail is located and includes a set of lateral apertures formed therethrough that receive guide support members extending therethrough. The guide support members anchor the guide rail to the press crown.

Abstract: A shutheight adjustment system incorporating tie rods and accompanying hydraulic tie rod nut assemblies in connecting a bed to a bolster of a mechanical press for dynamically altering the tensioning of the tie rods. Each hydraulic tie rod nut assembly includes a cylinder with an inner sliding piston threadably engaging the tie rod. A pressurizing mechanism injects pressurized fluid within a chamber formed by the piston and cylinder. By increasing pressure within the chamber of the hydraulic tie rod nut assembly, compression between the press bed and press bolster may be increased, thereby increasing the press shutheight.

Abstract: A shutheight adjustment system incorporating tie rods and accompanying hydraulic tie rod nut assemblies in connecting a bed to a bolster of a mechanical press for dynamically altering the tensioning of the tie rods. Each hydraulic tie rod nut assembly includes a cylinder with an inner sliding piston threadably engaging the tie rod. A pressurizing mechanism injects pressurized fluid within a chamber formed by the piston and cylinder. By increasing pressure within the chamber of the hydraulic tie rod nut assembly, compression between the press bed and press bolster may be increased, thereby increasing the press shutheight.

Abstract: A lubrication vacuum system for a press includes a vacuum operated fluid leakage collector having a first vacuum device attached to the drive piston of the press, a wiper attached to the frame of the press and in surrounding relationship with the drive piston, and a second vacuum device attached to the frame of the press and adjacent the wiper. Alternately, a third vacuum device can be added adjacent the seal. Still alternately, the first vacuum device can have an inclined slope on its top surface for directing lubrication oil to the vacuum port.

Abstract: A guide system is provided to slidingly guide a reciprocating dynamic balancer weight within a press machine. An elongate stationary guide rail is disposed within a vertical channel formed at one side of the balancer mass. In this configuration, the guide rail is arranged in guide support relationship to the balancer mass. An arrangement of wear plates is mounted to the guide rail to provide additional bearing support to the reciprocating balancer mass. An arrangement of hydrostatic pads is mounted to the guide rail in facing opposition to the balancer mass to enable the formation of a hydrodynamic/hydrostatic lubricating action therebetween during reciprocation of the balancer mass. A machined steel plate is secured to the balancer mass at the same side where the guide rail is located and includes a set of lateral apertures formed therethrough that receive guide support members extending therethrough. The guide support members anchor the guide rail to the press crown.

Abstract: A wet-type flywheel brake system for use in a mechanical press includes a first and second brake assembly each installed within a respective brake housing space defined in a non-rotational quill. Each of the brake assemblies includes a brake lining element arranged in lateral facing relationship with the flywheel and an associated hydraulic seal-type piston that selectively moves the brake lining element into a friction-type braking engagement with the flywheel. The brake housing spaces are flooded with oil to immerse the brake lining elements. Oil for this purpose is provided from a flywheel bearing assembly integrated with the quill assembly and which is arranged for fluid communication with the quill-located brake housing spaces.

Abstract: A mechanical press having a wet clutch/brake assembly. The wet clutch/brake assembly is cooled and lubricated using a recirculating flow of lubricant. The entire press acts as a heat sink for the recirculating lubricant and effectively cools and lubricates the clutch/brake assembly. The recirculating flow of lubricant can be formed from press lubricant.

Abstract: A plurality of hydrostatic bearing pads are each integrally formed in a respective pin or journal member being used within a mechanical press machine. The hydrostatic bearing pads are supplied with pressurized fluid sufficient to create a combined hydrostatic and hydrodynamic effect between the opposed bearing surfaces of the pin and an associated bushing. The hydrostatic bearing pads are used in conjunction with rotational and oscillating bearings in which relatively little rotation, oscillation, or slow rotational speeds exist or where it is desired to minimize the effects of hydrodynamic action which creates bearing “lift off” on journal bearings. These types of bearings are particularly associated with crankshaft and connection journal bearings, connection pins, and pivot pins used by a rocker-type coupling assembly that couples a weight assembly to the press machine piston or slide assembly or drive assembly.

Abstract: A wet-type flywheel brake system for use in a mechanical press includes a first and second brake assembly each installed within a respective brake housing space defined in a non-rotational quill. Each of the brake assemblies includes a brake lining element arranged in lateral facing relationship with the flywheel and an associated hydraulic seal-type piston that selectively moves the brake lining element into a friction-type braking engagement with the flywheel. The brake housing spaces are flooded with oil to immerse the brake lining elements. Oil for this purpose is provided from a flywheel bearing assembly integrated with the quill assembly and which is arranged for fluid communication with the quill-located brake housing spaces.

Abstract: A mechanical press having a wet or oil shear clutch/brake drive unit is provided including elimination of undamped clearances. Lubrication oil utilized in the press flywheel bearing is ported and communicated into the clutch brake unit for use therein, eliminating the use of two separate lubrication or oil transport systems. A hydrostatic oil bearing on the brake/clutch actuator member (actuation plate) eliminates the use or need of an anti-friction bearing between the actuator member and the brake and clutch members.

Abstract: A flywheel quill with thrust plate and axial rotor guiding. Bronze thrust plates are attached to the hub of a flywheel and hydrostatic pads secured to the frame of a press are adjoining the bronze thrust plates, such that axial motion of the flywheel with attached thrust plates is limited and reduced.

Abstract: A fluid control system for a rotating shaft which provides a seal to limit fluid leakage from around the shaft and which vacuums away any fluid leaking past the provided seal. The fluid control system may be installed around a rotating shaft such as a flywheel in a press. The fluid control system includes a housing which forms a clearance space with the rotating shaft in which fluid, such as oil being used to create or service the flywheel bearing, can be collected. A seal is provided between the rotating shaft and the housing to prevent fluid leakage from the clearance space. A vacuum mechanism positioned along a leakage path beyond the seal is provided with an air duct through which passes a vacuum induced air flow which vacuums away fluid leaked from the seal.

Abstract: An adjustment stroke connection for a mechanical press with an eccentric bushing is disposed within a press connection member with a second eccentric member disposed within the eccentric bushing. A rotatable crankshaft is connected to the second eccentric member. A mechanism is included for connecting the eccentric bushing with the press connection member to prevent rotation therebetween and permitting rotation of the second eccentric member with the eccentric bushing whereby rotation of the crankshaft, when the mechanism is activated, causes a press stroke adjustment.

Abstract: The invention includes a press having two slides disposed in opposed relationship to each other with a single crankshaft connected to each slide whereby rotation of the crankshaft causes each slide to move toward and away from the other slide. A drive mechanism is utilized to rotate the crankshaft. The drive mechanism is located under the two slides to provide protection against oil leaks. Dynamic balancers are utilized to substantially balance press inertia forces during operation, to where over 90 percent of vertical press inertia forces are balanced. By balancing such press inertial, the press may be stopped within one crankshaft revolution.

Abstract: A dynamic oil control mechanism for a press including a vacuum inducing ejector or jet-pump to vacuum oil leaking from about an oil seal. The oil seal is located around the drive piston on the press slide to prevent oil migration from the press crown to the die area or slide of the press. A drain port is located about the housing in which the drive piston reciprocates. The ejector maintains a low pressure area within the drain port to pull oil leaking from the seal into the drain port and away from the drive piston. The vacuumed oil is then transferred to an oil reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid control system for a rotating shaft which provides a seal to limit fluid leakage from around the shaft and which vacuums away any fluid leaking past the provided seal. The fluid control system may be installed around a rotating shaft such as a flywheel in a press. The fluid control system includes a housing which forms a clearance space with the rotating shaft in which fluid, such as oil being used to create or service the flywheel bearing, can be collected. A seal is provided between the rotating shaft and the housing to prevent fluid leakage from the clearance space. A vacuum mechanism positioned along a leakage path beyond the seal is provided with an air duct through which passes a vacuum induced air flow which vacuums away fluid leaked from the seal.

Abstract: An oil mist eliminator filter used with a dynamic oil control mechanism consisting of a vacuum-inducing jet-pump to vacuum oil leaking from about an oil seal, an oil seal located around the drive piston on the press slide, a drain port located about the housing in which the drive piston reciprocates. The oil mist eliminator filter, downstream of the jet pump, separates the oil from the air with 99.97% efficiency allowing the cleaned air to escape freely to atmosphere without causing pressurization of the press reservoir and leaks at the press reservoir, and allowing the oil to constantly recirculate back to the press reservoir thus permitting use of the oil control system without the need to shut the oil control system off to drain accumulated leakage oil.

Abstract: A hydrostatic/hydrodynamic flywheel for a press including a flywheel mounted for rotation about a non-rotating quill. A bronze bushing is disposed between the quill and flywheel. Hydrostatic pad areas are located on the quill opposite the bushing. These pad areas are flooded with pressurized oil or liquid to create a hydrostatic bearing area. During operation, flywheel and bearing rotation cause a hydrodynamic bearing effect to occur. The hydrostatic/hydrodynamic bearing eliminates the need for conventional anti-friction roller or ball bearings, provides indefinitely long life with full-film lubrication, high shock load capacity, high vibration damping, and a high value of radial and tipping stiffness.

Abstract: A dynamic oil control mechanism for a press including a vacuum inducing ejector or jet-pump to vacuum oil leaking from about an oil seal. The oil seal is located around the drive piston on the press slide to prevent oil migration from the press crown to the die area or slide of the press. A drain port is located about the housing in which the drive piston reciprocates. The ejector maintains a low pressure area within the drain port to pull oil leaking from the seal into the drain port and away from the drive piston. The vacuumed oil is then transferred to an oil reservoir.

Abstract: A shutheight adjustment mechanism of a mechanical press including a piston member restrained from moving vertically by a sealed liquid-filled chamber of relatively short height. The chamber acts as a stiff liquid-spring that limits deflection and movement of the piston member and ultimately the slide or bolster. Seals define the chamber to assure that the chamber is filled with liquid. The liquid-filled chamber damps free movement between parts thereby helping to resist changes in shutheight. Liquid also is injected between the piston member and both the adjustment nut and the housing. This liquid reduces torque requirements for shutheight adjustment.