US3686992A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Turret indexing mechanism
Assignee: US Amada Ltd
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Filing: 1971-02-19
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1991-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A pneumatic-hydraulic control is coupled with either a manually or numerically controlled punch press to rotate the turrets of the press to the proper positions. Pneumatic pressure is directed selectively to one of two fluid accumulators to force fluid from that accumulator through an open deceleration valve to drive a piston which in turn is coupled to a rack and pinion drive for rotating the turrets. The other side of the piston is exhausted through an open deceleration valve to the other fluid accumulator. A slider switch having a central stop contactor and two deceleration contactors is secured to the rack and moves with the rack across a linear multi-contact slidebar. One of the contactors on the slidebar corresponding with the desired station on the turret is energized. A deceleration contactor engaging the energized contact closes the deceleration valve of the driving fluid accumulator forcing the fluid to go through a restricted passage thus decelerating the turret drive. The stop contactor engaging the energized contact exhausts both fluid accumulators to stop the turret drive.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis Daniels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:12
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D28/00; B21D28/02; B21D28/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/162; Y10T83/173; Y10T83/175; Y10T83/869; Y10T83/8727; Y10T83/8729; Y10T83/873; Y10T83/8732; Y10T83/8742
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
In a punch press having a pair of turrets provided with circumferentially spaced stations positionable beneath a punch striker, a turret indexing mechanism comprising drive means for rotating the turrets simultaneously to position a selected station beneath the punch striker, said drive means including a pair of fluid accumulators each having a reservoir of hydraulic fluid and an upper end for receiving pressurized air, control means coupled to each accumulator upper end for selectively pressurizing or exhausting the air on the hydraulic fluid, an hydraulic actuator having a powered member for rotating the turrets, means coupling the hydraulic fluid in said accumulators with said hydraulic actuator for moving said powered member selectively in opposite directions, flow control means in said coupling means operable to restrict the flow of fluid therein, first means for sensing the close approach of a station on the turrets to a punching position and operable to energize said flow control means for decelerating the powered member and for sensing the presence of a station on the turret at the punch location for stopping said powered member thus stopping said station beneath the punching position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a punch press having a pair of turrets provided with circumferentially spaced stations positionable beneath a punch striker, a turret indexing mechanism comprising drive means for rotating the turrets simultaneously to position a selected station beneath the punch striker, said drive means including a pair of fluid accumulators each having a reservoir of hydraulic fluid and an upper end for receiving pressurized air, control means coupled to each accumulator upper end for selectively pressurizing or exhausting the air on the hydraulic fluid, an hydraulic actuator having a powered member for rotating the turrets, means coupling the hydraulic fluid in said accumulators with said hydraulic actuator for moving said powered member selectively in opposite directions, flow control means in said coupling means operable to restrict the flow of fluid therein, first means for sensing the close approach of a station on the turrets to a punching position and operable to energize said flow control means for decelerating the powered member and for sensing the presence of a station on the turret at the punch location for stopping said powered member thus stopping said station beneath the punching position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
The punch press of claim 1 said coupling means including a lower fluid passageway connected to each accumulator and having a bypass leg, a deceleration control valve in said passageway and variable restriction valve in said bypasses in parallel with said deceleration valve, said sensing means for sensing the close approach of a station to the punch location being operable to energize said deceleration valve for forcing the flow through the flow restriction valve in the bypass leg.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The punch press of claim 1 wherein said hydraulic actuator is a linear cylinder and said powered means includes a piston and piston rod within said cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The punch press of claim 1 said hydraulic actuator including a rotary actuator, said powered means including a rotary output shaft of said rotary actuator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
The punch press of claim 1 said sensing means including a switch coupled to said powered member and having a central stop contactor and two deceleration contactors, a slider bar having a plurality of spaced contacts corresponding to the various stations of the turrets when positioned beneath the punch striker, the leading deceleration contactor, dependent upon the direction of travel of the powered member, first contacting the energized contact to signal the approach of the station beneath the punch striker, and said central stop contactor being operable to engage the energized contact for deenergizing said control means to exhaust the air in both accumulators to stop said powered means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |