Abstract: A universal interface unit is provided for use with a pneumatic drill having an axially extendable tool holder, the interface unit being adaptable for use with `valve in head` type and `thru head` type pneumatic drills of different sizes. The interface unit includes a compact housing which fastens to the pneumatic drill and houses one or more proximity sensors for sensing the position of extendable tool holder and also houses valves for controlling air flow to the extend and retract ports of the drill. The proximity sensors sense the position of the extendable tool holder and send signals to a remote controller. The valves receives signals from the remote controller and communicate with the drill extend and retract ports to control the tool holder position. The valves are plumbed to be easily convertible for use with either the `valve in head` type of `thru head` type pneumatic drills by removing two plugs and changing a fitting.

Abstract: A positive feed drill having a spindle drive gear train and a spindle feed gear train coupled to the drive gear train is provided with means for uncoupling the feed coupling gear from the drive coupling gear, and locking the feed coupling gear when the spindle has been fed a predetermined extent, thereby placing the drill in retract mode, and for unlocking the feed coupling gear, once the spindle is retracted, without recoupling it to the drive gear train, thereby placing the feed gear train in an idle mode until the aforesaid uncoupling means is manually reset. The drill is further provided with a rapid advance coupling gear keyed to drive a shaft which turns the drive coupling gear and with a rapid advance idle gear meshed with the rapid advance coupling gear. The gear ratio of the rapid advance coupling gear to the rapid advance idle gear is selected to be greater than the gear ratio of the feed coupling gear to the normal idle feed gear.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a sheet of optical fibers having different lengths so that the fiber ends are distributed uniformly over a given area. The device is mounted in a digitizer tablet above or below its electrode array. When light is pumped into the free fiber ends, a pattern of light spots are formed which can be spread out to illuminate the tablet's working surface. When driven by a light pen, a similar optical device can be used to locate the light pen for menu-picking functions.

Abstract: A gear train between an input shaft and an output shaft includes an output gear, through which the output shaft moves axially, and an intermediate gear coaxial with a control shaft carrying an idler gear meshing with a nut threaded on the output shaft. The idler gear is axially movable between a first position in which a first dog clutch connects the idler gear to the intermediate gear so that the nut rotates relative to the output shaft, thereby causing the shaft to be fed to the right, and a second position in which the first dog clutch is disengaged and a second dog clutch connects the idler gear to a fixed member, thereby causing the rotating shaft to be fed to the left. A collar on the shaft acts on a lever which moves the control shaft together with the idler gear from the first position to an intermediate position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a torque-limiting clutch for use in combination with a positive feed drill that has a reversible motor and reversible driving means. A preferred use of the clutch is in combination with a drill that has a reversible motor rapid advance system. The clutch provides direct drive in a forward mode and is torque-limiting in a reverse mode so as to protect the gears from breaking due to excessive torque while the gears are turning in reverse during the rapid advance mode. In the reverse mode, the torque-limiting clutch protects the drill bit as it bears on the workpiece and prevents unscrewing of the drilling and mounting components. In a preferred embodiment the clutch is mounted on a shaft and is comprised of two clutch jaws that drive through lugs mounted on the jaws. The lugs provide direct drive in a forward rotation, but are shaped so as to allow the jaws to disengage when the torque is excessive in a reverse rotation.

Abstract: The automatic feed drill includes a spindle mounted therein for rotating in reciprocating movement. The spindle is rotated by spindle rotation gear that is engaged with the main drive gear which is ultimately driven by an air motor or the like. The feed and retraction movement (reciprocation) is caused by a spindle feed gear that is threaded onto the spindle. The spindle feed gear is engaged with a feed gear which, during feed movement, is driven by the main drive gear, and during retraction movement, is shifted into a position wherein the feed gear is prevented from rotating. The spindle also carries a collar or other abutment that engages a shift lever at the end of the feed movement. The shift lever is moved by the collar, and, due to its interconnection with the feed gear, moves the feed gear out of engagement with the main drive gear and into the position wherein it is prevented from rotating. The apparatus also includes a yieldable stop device that holds the feed gear stopped during retraction movement.

Abstract: A positive feed drill having a spindle drive gear train and a spindle feed gear train coupled to the drive gear train by side teeth on coupling gears mounted on the same shaft is provided with actuatable means for uncoupling the feed coupling gear from the drive coupling gear, and locking it when the spindle has been fed a predetermined extent, thereby retracting the spindle, and for unlocking the feed gear train, once the spindle is retracted, without recoupling it to the drive gear train, thereby holding the feed gear train in an idle mode until the automatic means is manually reset.

Abstract: A hand-held pneumatic-hydraulic drill unit employs modular drilling and clamp-up assemblies to perform a complete drilling cycle. The drilling cycle consists of: (1) clamping the drill unit to a work piece and/or a template that positions the drill unit relative to the workpiece; (2) advancing a rotating tool bit to perform the desired machining operation; (3) withdrawing the tool bit from the machined opening; and (4) releasing the clamping mechanism that secures the drill unit to the workpiece. The drill unit includes a pneumatic motor subassembly that is advanced toward and retracted from a workpiece by a hydraulically actuated feed cylinder. The motor subassembly and feed cylinder are axially aligned with one another. The clamp-up assembly of the drill unit also includes a clamp cylinder that is activated solely by hydraulic pressure. A modular, pneumatically actuated hydraulic pump is mounted on the drill unit and supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to the feed and clamp cylinders.

Abstract: The automatic feed drill includes a spindle mounted therein for rotating in reciprocating movement. The spindle is rotated by spindle rotation gear that is engaged with the main drive gear which is ultimately driven by an air motor or the like. The feed and retraction movement (reciprocation) is caused by a spindle feed gear that is threaded onto the spindle. The spindle feed gear is engaged with a feed gear which, during feed movement, is driven by the main drive gear, and during retraction movement, is shifted into a position wherein the feed gear is prevented from rotating. The spindle also carries a collar or other abutment that engages a shift lever at the end of the feed movement. The shift lever is moved by the collar, and, due to its interconnection with the feed gear, moves the feed gear out of engagement with the main drive gear and into the position wherein it is prevented from rotating. The apparatus also includes a yieldable stop device that holds the feed gear stopped during retraction movement.

Abstract: The automatic feed drill includes a spindle mounted therein for rotating and reciprocating movement. The spindle is rotated by a spindle rotation gear that is engaged with the main drive gear which is ultimately driven by an air motor or the like. The feed and retraction movement (reciprocation) is caused by a spindle feed gear that is threaded onto the spindle. The spindle feed gear is engaged with a feed gear which, during normal feed movement, is driven by the main drive gear, and during retraction and rapid feed movement, is shifted into a position wherein the feed gear is prevented from rotating. During rapid feed the motor direction is reversed by a reversing valve. The apparatus also includes a yieldable stop device that holds the feed gear stopped during retraction and rapid feed movement.

Abstract: A positive feed drill having a spindle drive gear train and a spindle feed gear train, coupled to the drive gear train by side teeth on respective drive and feed coupling gears mounted on a common shaft, is provided with a spring between the feed coupling gear and a housing to bias the feed coupling gear against the drive coupling gear to feed the spindle forward as it drills. A positive stop prevents the spindle from feeding beyond a predetermined point, thus causing the feed coupling gear to be driven by the spindle. A slope on the faces of the side teeth engaging the drive and coupling gears in order to allow the feed coupling gear to ratchet over the drive coupling gear when the spindle feed reaches the positive stop.

Abstract: A submerging ramming arrangement has a housing, an impacting body axially displaceable in the housing for delivering ramming impacts against a ramming pile, a hydraulic drive for displacing the impacting body in the housing, a hydraulic cylinder-and-piston unit arranged in an upper portion of the housing and having a cylinder, a piston sealingly displaceable in the cylinder and subdividing the same into first and second chambers, a piston rod connected with the piston and having a portion extending from the first chamber coaxially outwardly beyond the cylinder, a holding element for mounting the arrangement on a supporting element and provided on the outwardly extending portion of the piston, a hydraulic accumulator communicating with the first chamber of the cylinder-and-piston unit and arranged for receiving excess hydraulic medium under pressure, and an indicating element actuated by the piston of the cylinder-and-piston unit within a predetermined distance from a respective end of the cylinder-and-piston

Abstract: Hydraulic fluid pressure moves a piston (22) against a body of incompressible fluid (14), compressing a spring (42). The pressure is released, and the force of the stored energy in the spring (42) is transmitted to the piston (22) by the body of fluid (14) and drives the piston (22) through its power stroke. The fluid (14) is vented to an outlet (8) before the piston (22) reaches the end of its power stroke, removing the force from the piston (22) and allowing it to free travel through the remainder of the stroke. When the motor (2) is operating and the load is removed from the piston (22), the hydraulic fluid inlet (10) is short-circuited to the outlet (8) and the motor (2) automatically shuts off.

Abstract: A drill employed for drilling holes in airframes is provided with means to rotate the drill bit during retraction and means to control the rate of retraction of the drill bit from the hole in a manner to prevent the formation of axial scratches in the wall of the hole.

Abstract: In a positive feed power drill having a spindle drive gear train and a spindle feed gear train, and having hydraulic (air) means for actuating a piston to disengage the feed gear train for automatic retraction of the spindle, provision is made for field alteration of a valve in the hydraulic system, and associated actuating mechanism, to automatically reverse the positive feed when the spindle has been driven either (1) a predetermined extent set by a nut on the spindle which engages an arm over a valve stem and pushes the valve stem to a reversing position or (2) to a predetermined stop when countersinking, at which time the spindle stops advancing, thereby causing the spindle feed gear to have a tendency to move upwardly in the spindle actuator housing.

Abstract: A rock drill having a hydraulic system for controlling a striking, rotating and advancing movements of a drilling rod. The advancing or forward feeding conduit for a feed actuator is provided with a relief valve which is responsive to the pressure in the positive rotating conduit for a rotary actuator so that the pressure in the forward feeding conduit is relieved to weaken the advancing force when the load on the rotary actuator is increased. A further relief valve is also provided for relieving the pressure in the striker conduit to weaken the striking force. A switching valve is provided between the advancing and retreating conduits for the feed actuator so that the direction of movement of the feed actuator is automatically changed when there is an abrupt decrease in the pressure in the striker conduit.

Abstract: A soil sampling device adapted to be mounted on a motor vehicle. The soil sampling device includes a tubular probe which is operated by means of a hydraulic cylinder and piston. A mechanism linking the probe with the piston causes the probe to swing from a horizontal position to a vertical position and then to move vertically downward into the soil. Upon withdraw from the soil the probe is caused to move vertically upward until clear of the soil and then to swing to a horizontal position with the end of the probe adjacent a sample collecting container. A second hydraulic piston and cylinder serves to eject the soil sample from the probe and into the collecting container. The controls for operation of the device are adapted to mounted at the vehicle operator's station.

Abstract: A rock drill feed system moves a drill toward and away from a wall with a reciprocating hydraulic motor powered by pressurized fluid. The pressurized fluid is controlled by a movable control valve that has a first position obtained manually to move the drill inwardly to drill, a second position obtained automatically when the drill has completed drilling, and a third position obtained automatically when the drill has been completely withdrawn. The sensing of the location of the drill to position the control valve is accomplished by measuring the pressure and flow rate of the hydraulic fluid delivered to the motor with pressure responsive switches. When the pressure exceeds a preselected level and the flow rate drops below a preselected level, the two pressure switches close to produce a signal that moves the valve to another position.

Abstract: A pressure fluid powered machine tool comprising a rotary motor unit displaceably guided in a cylinder bore of a housing to accomplish a combined rotary and linear movement of a working tool such as a drilling or tapping tool. The motor unit is provided with an external pressure fluid supply tube which is rigidly connected to the motor unit in a parallel offset position and which cooperates with a pressure chamber in the housing to establish a controlled fluid communication between the housing and the motor unit. The feed tube also serves as a torque reaction support bar by means of which the torque reaction arising in the motor unit is transferred to the housing.

Abstract: Operating means comprise an air cylinder and a hydraulic cylinder mounted in axial alignment. A rod passes through both cylinders, and a piston in the air cylinder is mounted on the rod. A hollow member which is positioned about the rod passes through the hydraulic cylinder and extends from the ends thereof, and a piston in the hydraulic cylinder is mounted on the hollow member and divides the interior of the hydraulic cylinder into first and second chambers. First and second axially adjustable engagement members are mounted on the rod to engage the ends of the hollow member upon movement of the rod in opposite respective directions, whereby movement of the piston in the air cylinder is accompanied by movement of the piston in the hydraulic cylinder. The first and second chambers of the hydraulic cylinder are connected by first and second passageways, each of which is provided with a non-return valve and a flow rate controlling valve. The non-return valves are biased in opposite respective senses.

Abstract: This application discloses an improved quill feed unit of the type used in automatic or semi-automatic machines for holding and advancing the tool during the machining operation, wherein the rapid advance, feed, and rapid retract movements present in each machine cycle are performed entirely mechanically.Previously, substantially all of such guill feed units have been operated by the use of a hydraulic or pneumatic power, or a combination thereof, i.e., a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder would advance and retract the tool, while a suitable motor would rotate the tool.Despite efforts to solve them, severe problems were and are still encountered with these units. Problems such as leakage, poor start up, tool breakage and ease of tampering are commonplace.