Patents by Inventor Pierre Harmand

Pierre Harmand has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080152443
    Abstract: The single point machining head includes a probe that is removably mounted on a carriage that moves radially relative to a central axis of the machining head. A system controller moves the carriage in a radial direction while the machining head is fed in a vertical direction so that the probe contacts the surface of a workpiece. Each point of contact on the workpiece becomes a datapoint including the radial position and the vertical position when contact occurred. The surface of the workpiece is scanned with the probe and a profile is generated using the points of contact. A system controller calculates a difference between the measured profile and a desired profile to be machined to determine the amount of material to remove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Brice Harmand, Pierre Harmand
  • Patent number: 7153073
    Abstract: The single point machining head includes a probe that is removably mounted on a carriage that moves radially relative to a central axis of the machining head. A system controller moves the carriage in a radial direction while the machining head is fed in a vertical direction so that the probe contacts the surface of a workpiece. Each point of contact on the workpiece becomes a datapoint including the radial position and the vertical position when contact occurred. The surface of the workpiece is scanned with the probe and a profile is generated using the points of contact. A system controller calculates a difference between the measured profile and a desired profile to be machined to determine the amount of material to remove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Harmand Family Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Brice Harmand, Pierre Harmand
  • Publication number: 20060153652
    Abstract: The single point machining head includes a probe that is removably mounted on a carriage that moves radially relative to a central axis of the machining head. A system controller moves the carriage in a radial direction while the machining head is fed in a vertical direction so that the probe contacts the surface of a workpiece. Each point of contact on the workpiece becomes a datapoint including the radial position and the vertical position when contact occurred. The surface of the workpiece is scanned with the probe and a profile is generated using the points of contact. A system controller calculates a difference between the measured profile and a desired profile to be machined to determine the amount of material to remove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Brice Harmand, Pierre Harmand
  • Patent number: 6640410
    Abstract: A line transfer system with a contour machining head. The system includes a transmission arbor, a housing, a contour machining head, a driving system, and a system controller. The transmission arbor mounts within the housing, with the transmission arbor and housing sharing a common central axis. At least one contour machining head mounts to the housing. The contour machining head includes a bit tool, a slidable carriage, a linkage, a counterweight, and a pilot. The bit tool is configured for machining the workpiece, and mounts to the slidable carriage. The linkage connects to the carriage and transfers a force from the transmission arbor to the slidable carriage resulting in an independent radial movement of the bit tool with respect to the central axis. The counterweight links to the transmission arbor to dynamically counterbalance the radial movement of the slidable carriage and bit tool. Finally, the pilot connects to the contour machining head and aligns the contour machining head with the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Harmand Family Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Brice Harmand, Pierre Harmand
  • Publication number: 20030059266
    Abstract: A line transfer system with a contour machining head. The system includes a transmission arbor, a housing, a contour machining head, a driving system; and a system controller. The transmission arbor mounts within the housing, with the transmission arbor and housing sharing a common central axis. At least one contour machining head mounts to the housing. The contour machining head includes a bit tool, a slidable carriage, a linkage, a counterweight, and a pilot. The bit tool is configured for machining the workpiece, and mounts to the slidable carriage. The linkage connects to the carriage and transfers a force from the transmission arbor to the slidable carriage resulting in an independent radial movement of the bit tool with respect to the central axis. The counterweight links to the transmission arbor to dynamically counterbalance the radial movement of the slidable carriage and bit tool. Finally, the pilot connects to the contour machining head and aligns the contour machining head with the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Brice Harmand, Pierre Harmand
  • Patent number: 6530727
    Abstract: The machining head for machining valve seats comprises a driving system, a housing, a carriage feed assembly, a cutting tip mounted on the carriage, and a counterweight assembly. The driving system rotates a machining head on a spindle axis, and further provides independent vertical translation of each of a driving arbor and a spindle, both of which are independent of the rotation of the spindle. The carriage has both forward and backward feed capability for moving the cutting tip radially inward or outward as it cuts. Vertical movement of the arbor is converted into force for moving the carriage by a cantilever pivoting around a fixed point. The counterweight assembly, linked to the arbor by a second cantilever, counterbalances the shift in weight caused by the movement of the carriage in order to maintain dynamic balancing as the machining head rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Harmand Family Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Brice Harmand, Pierre Harmand
  • Patent number: 6382883
    Abstract: The cutting tool for machining valve seats comprises a driving system, a spindle assembly, and a system controller. The driving system provides rotational movement and vertical movement for the spindle assembly which is controlled by the system controller. The spindle assembly further comprises a spherical sheath providing capability to align a spindle to any valve seat orientation, the spindle for rotating a universal cutting blade, a machining head attachable to the spindle, a tool holder carriage for holding the universal cutting blade, and a pinion feed driving assembly or set of connecting rods for controlling the cutting radius of the universal cutting blade. The pinion feed driving assembly is driven by a servo motor which moves the spindle vertically and independent from the vertical movement of the spindle assembly and the rotational movement of the spindle. The system controller includes memory and programming for controlling the operation of the universal cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Harmand Family Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Brice Harmand, Pierre Harmand
  • Patent number: 6382884
    Abstract: The cutting tool for machining valve seats comprises a driving system, a machining head, a pilot, a depth gauge, and a system controller. The driving system provides rotational movement and vertical movement for the machining head which is controlled by the system controller. The machining head further comprises a pinion feed driving assembly and a universal cutting blade. The pinion feed driving assembly causes the cutting radius of the cutting tool to decrease as the machining head rotates. The pilot is attached to the bottom of the machining head to provide a means for centering the cutting tool. The depth gauge is disposed on the driving system and is electrically connected to the system controller. The depth gauge measures the distance between a valve seat and the cutting blade. The system controller includes memory and programming for controlling the operation of the cutting tool. An operator can input the parameters that define the geometry of the valve seat profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Harmand Family Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Brice Harmand, Pierre Harmand
  • Publication number: 20010018012
    Abstract: The machining head for machining valve seats comprises a driving system, a housing, a carriage feed assembly, a cutting tip mounted on the carriage, and a counterweight assembly. The driving system rotates a machining head on a spindle axis, and further provides independent vertical translation of each of a driving arbor and a spindle, both of which are independent of the rotation of the spindle. The carriage has both forward and backward feed capability for moving the cutting tip radially inward or outward as it cuts. Vertical movement of the arbor is converted into force for moving the carriage by a cantilever pivoting around a fixed point. The counterweight assembly, linked to the arbor by a second cantilever, counterbalances the shift in weight caused by the movement of the carriage in order to maintain dynamic balancing as the machining head rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Brice Harmand, Pierre Harmand
  • Patent number: 6113322
    Abstract: A universal roll-over cylinder head clamping fixture utilizes columns to support a first and a second pillow block. Each pillow block has a spherical recess that accepts a spherical joint. Spherical joints are positioned on extensions of a device that fastens to and/or supports a first end and a second end of a cylinder head. Each column of the fixture is free to move up or down independently form any other column of the clamping system. The spherical joint and independently operated columns provide a cylinder head clamping fixture that provides rotation and tilting of a cylinder head to any desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Harmand Family Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Brice Harmand, Pierre Harmand
  • Patent number: 6086293
    Abstract: The cutting tool for machining valve seats comprises a driving system, a machining head, a pilot, a depth gauge, and a system controller. The driving system provides rotational movement and vertical movement for the machining head which is controlled by the system controller. The machining head further comprises a pinion feed driving assembly and a universal cutting blade. The pinion feed driving assembly causes the cutting radius of the cutting tool to decrease as the machining head rotates. The pilot is attached to the bottom of the machining head to provide a means for centering the cutting tool. The depth gauge is disposed on the driving system and is electrically connected to the system controller. The depth gauge measures the distance between a valve seat and the cutting blade. The system controller includes memory and programming for controlling the operation of the cutting tool. An operator can input the parameters that define the geometry of the valve seat profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Harmand Family Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Brice Harmand, Pierre Harmand
  • Patent number: 5829928
    Abstract: The valve seat and guide machine comprises a base structure which supports a pantograph having a major arm and minor arm which moves slidably with respect to the major arm. A spherical head is supported by a number of sphere seats attached to the pantograph arm so that the spherical head can pivot around its centerpoint. A stepper motor provides small z-axis translation of the spindle which is contained in the spherical head and has a cutting bit and a pilot which extend from the bottom of the spherical head. A drive motor rotates a transmission linkage which is coupled to the spindle which rotates the cutting bit to cut the valve seat. Small x,y displacements are enabled by moving the entire spherical housing and its supporting sphere seats with respect to the support frame. The pantograph provides large z-axis displacement to remove the spindle from the cutting position and to provide clearance for movement to another machine site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Harmand Family Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Brice Harmand, Pierre Harmand
  • Patent number: 5725335
    Abstract: The valve seat and guide machine comprises a base structure on which is pivotally supported a pantograph having a major arm on which is mounted a drive motor and minor arm which moves slidably with respect to the major arm. Pivotally attached to each arm of the pantograph is a head portion with a support frame which retains a spherical head and a plurality of sphere seats for supporting the spherical head so that it can pivot around its centerpoint at the center of the sphere. A stepper motor is disposed at the top of the spherical head and a spindle disposed with the spherical head retains a cutting bit and a pilot which extend from the bottom of the spherical head. Small z-axis displacement and spindle feed/retraction along the z-(vertical) axis is provided by the stepper motor. The drive motor rotates a transmission linkage which, in turn, rotates the spindle using cone-shaped pinions to cause the cutting bit, typically carbide, to cut the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Harmand Family Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Brice Harmand, Pierre Harmand
  • Patent number: 5613809
    Abstract: The valve seat and guide machine comprises a base structure on which is pivotally supported a pantograph having a major arm on which is mounted a drive motor and minor arm which moves slidably with respect to the major arm. Pivotally attached to each arm of the pantograph is a head portion with a support frame which retains a spherical head and a plurality of sphere seats for supporting the spherical head so that it can pivot around its centerpoint at the center of the sphere. A stepper motor is disposed at the top of the spherical head and a spindle disposed with the spherical head retains a cutting bit and a pilot which extend from the bottom of the spherical head. Small z-axis displacement and spindle feed/retraction along the z-(vertical) axis is provided by the stepper motor. The drive motor rotates a transmission linkage which, in turn, rotates the spindle using cone-shaped pinions to cause the cutting bit, typically carbide, to cut the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventors: Brice Harmand, Pierre Harmand
  • Patent number: 5001871
    Abstract: Machine for precision machining, with a rod for the determination of the ctical mean axis of a hole of cylindrical general contour. The present invention relates to a machine for precision machining, in particular for the grinding of valve seatings of heat engines, which is in accordance with the described in the European Patent EP-B-No. 0,022,796. According to the invention, the pilot rod (11) comprises various annular recesses (11a), in which various rings (13) which are resiliently deformable in the radial direction are respectively mounted. The invention is applicable to all types of machines for machining necessitating the presence of a pilot rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Societe d'Etude de Realisation et de Diffusion Industrielles - SERDI
    Inventor: Pierre Harmand
  • Patent number: 4852306
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toolholder device for a machine tool.A device according to the invention integral with a table (3) moveable in two directions perpendicular to one another comprises a toolholder spindle (1), a sleeve (2) with a lower bearing surface (2a) of convex sphericity, a housing (3) with a seat (3a) of concave sphericity, and means (4) for generating a magnetic field which repel or attract the bearing surface of the sleeve and which are associated with the seat (3a).The invention is used particularly in toolholder spindles for valve-seat grinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Inventor: Pierre Harmand
  • Patent number: 4374497
    Abstract: A balanced adjustable support in which the plane of the support surface for an object or piece to be machined can be altered with great precision. The adjustable support comprises a table, a base, a central leg rigidly fixed to the base and jointed to the underside of the table, and four corner telescopic legs, the length of which is adjustable by means of a pneumatic jack. Each end of each of the legs is fixed to the base and to the underside of the table with a ball and socket joint immobilized by means of a pneumatic joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1983
    Inventor: Pierre Harmand
  • Patent number: 4365917
    Abstract: An adjustable guide for a tool holder for use in high precision machining which includes a housing, a guide seat located within the housing and a guide element movable with respect to the housing. A casing is disposed in the housing and positioned between the guide seat and guide element, the casing having a center portion and first and second end portions shaped to mate with internal surfaces of the guide seat and guide element respectively. Actuating means is provided for engaging the internal surface of the guide element with the second end portion of the casing. Fluid is delivered to the housing to support the casing when the internal surface of the guide element is out of engagement with the second end portion of the casing to permit displacement of the casing to a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Inventor: Pierre Harmand