Abstract: A pick-and-place tool releasably retains a part during a pick-and-place operation by an automated device. The pick-and-place tool includes a front structure having a first bore disposed therein for receiving a shaft extending from the part. A plurality of locking mechanisms is disposed within the front structure. The plurality of locking mechanisms are evenly spaced around the inner surface and are in fluid communication with a common fluid source. Each locking mechanism in the plurality of locking mechanisms includes a bearing disposed proximate a hole in the inner surface, and a piston in mechanical communication with the bearing. Movement of the piston in response to a fluid pressure at the common fluid source forces the bearing to extend through the aperture and retain the shaft within the first bore. In one aspect, a resilient member is disposed between the front structure and a tool holder coupled to the automated device.

Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture for workpieces is disclosed. It utilizes a flat surface magnetic chuck with modular workpiece supporting, locating and clamping elements that are carefully located on it and held by magnetic attraction to it. These elements are precisely located to hold the workpiece in spaced relation to the chuck surface. Some locating elements are mechanically fixed to the chuck for securing the workpiece from transverse movement on the chuck surface. Preferably, each of the supporting, locating and clamping members are fixed to separate steel bases for magnetic attraction to the chuck. Each base may also carry its own hydraulic actuator for height adjustment of a support element or for height adjustment and closure of a clamping element. These modular elements can be selected from a storage magazine and located on a chuck by numerically controlled mechanisms.

Abstract: An automotive reciprocating engine design is disclosed preferably including an extruded cylinder bore block with cylinder bores and a surrounding coolant passage extending from a top flat surface to a bottom flat surface; a cast, closed bottom, open top crankcase with vertical walls having flat upper surfaces; and a stamped metal mid-plate interposed in sealing relationship between the bottom surface of the cylinder block and the flat top surfaces of the crankcase. The crankcase contains bearing supports for a crankshaft and the mid-plate contains holes for connecting rods attached to pistons in the cylinder bores. The design facilitates low cost manufacture of strong, light weight components and easier assembly of the engine, and permits flexible manufacture of a family of engines with different displacements by substitution of a cylinder block of different length or of different bore diameter.

Abstract: An automotive reciprocating engine design is disclosed preferably including an extruded cylinder bore block with cylinder bores and a surrounding coolant passage extending from a top flat surface to a bottom flat surface; a cast, closed bottom, open top crankcase with vertical walls having flat upper surfaces; and a stamped metal mid-plate interposed in sealing relationship between the bottom surface of the cylinder block and the flat top surfaces of the crankcase. The crankcase contains bearing supports for a crankshaft and the mid-plate contains holes for connecting rods attached to pistons in the cylinder bores. The design facilitates low cost manufacture of strong, light weight components and easier assembly of the engine, and permits flexible manufacture of a family of engines with different displacements by substitution of a cylinder block of different length or of different bore diameter.

Abstract: A mechanism for honing non round cylinder bores includes a tool body rotatable around a nonrotatable cam with a non round peripheral cam surface and a plurality of honing stones carried by supports for generally radial movement in the tool body. In a preferred embodiment, the supports are swing arms pivotally mounted so that the honing stones follow generally radially oriented arcuate paths determined by cam followers carried by the swing arms. A separately controlled expansion actuating rod axially adjusts expansion shoes that wedge outward stone shoes carried by the swing arms to progressively remove stock from the cylinder and to compensate for wear of the honing stones. Assembly with an associated machine adapter supports the honing mechanism and connects with a conventional honing machine to drive and orient the assembly for accurately honing non round cylinder bores.

Abstract: A honing tool for elliptical bores uses a unique rotary to linear to radial translation mechanism to translate the primary rotary motion of the drive shaft into axial motion of rods and sleeves within the drive shaft, which ultimately wedge the honing stones out, and pull them rigorously back in, in the desired elliptical pattern, with no loss of bore accuracy. A cam sleeve rotating with the drive shaft has undulating cam grooves that push and pull a pair of cam followers together and apart with every quarter turn. The cam followers shift a rod and sleeve up and down to wedge the honing stones in and out. The shape of the cam groove and the angle of the wedges are predetermined so as to create the proper elliptical pattern.