US3724059A — Method of and means for separating interference-f…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 85 words

A method of separating from an elongated hollow metal carrying member a selected one of a plurality of shorter annular metal members interference-fitted on the outer perimeter of the elongated member, comprising: effecting chilling and shrinking said elongated member selectively in the area thereof encompassed by the endmost of said annular members whereby to effect loosening of the endmost member from the elongated member; maintaining the interference fit of the remaining of said annular members; and separating the loosened endmost member from the elongated member.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 85 words

A method of separating from an elongated hollow metal carrying member a selected one of a plurality of shorter annular metal members interference-fitted on the outer perimeter of the elongated member, comprising: effecting chilling and shrinking said elongated member selectively in the area thereof encompassed by the endmost of said annular members whereby to effect loosening of the endmost member from the elongated member; maintaining the interference fit of the remaining of said annular members; and separating the loosened endmost member from the elongated member.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method according to claim 1, comprising supporting said elongated member vertically with said endmost member at the bottom, and receiving said separated endmost member on a transporting device.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method according to claim 1, comprising inserting a nozzle into said elongated hollow member and issuing heat-abstracting gas to the selective area encompassed by the endmost annular member.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 43 words

A method according to claim 3, including positioning about said endmost member a heating ring device, and heating said endmost member to increase the heat differential between the endmost member and said area of the elongated member to enhance separation of the members.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 43 words

A method according to claim 1, including positioning about said endmost member a heating ring device, and heating said endmost member to increase the heat differential between the endmost member and said area of the elongated member to enhance separation of the members.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 45 words

A method according to claim 1, including heating said endmost annular member to improve the separation of the members, and to avoid overheating said endmost annular member, applying thermo couple means thereto and reading the temperature conditions thereof to enable proper control of the heating.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 53 words

A method according to claim 1, comprising successively removing additional of the annular members, including chilling and shrinking contiguously successive areas of the elongated member encompassed by successive ones of the annular members and removing the successive annular members while maintaining the remaining annular members in the interference-fitted relation to the elongated member.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 39 words

A method according to claim 7, comprising effecTing the chilling by issuing heat-abstracting gas from a nozzle inserted into said elongated member, and progressively moving said nozzle to apply the gas to the successive areas of the elongated member.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 43 words

A method according to claim 7, comprising effecting the chilling by issuing heat-abstracting gas from a nozzle inserted into said elongated member, and moving said elongated member relative to said nozzle to align the nozzle with the successive areas of the elongated member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 42 words

A method according to claim 7, comprising effecting the chilling by issuing heat-abstracting gas from a nozzle inserted into said elongated member, and relatively moving said nozzle and said elongated member to effect alignment of the nozzle with the respective successive areas.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 91 words

A method according to claim 1, wherein said elongated member comprises a heavy tool shaft and said annular members comprise heavy tools and spacers carried by said shaft, supporting said shaft vertically with said endmost annular member on the lowest portion of the shaft, and inserting into said elongated member through a bore therein opening through its upper end and extending through said area encompassed by the lower endmost annular member and positioning the nozzle in alignment with said lower endmost member encompassed area, and issuing chilling gas from said nozzle.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method according to claim 11, comprising receiving the separated lower endmost annular member on a transporting device and removing the separated lower endmost member away from the shaft.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 68 words

A method of separating a member carried in interference-fitted relation on the outer perimeter of a shaft, comprising: supporting said shaft vertically; effecting a temperature differential between the shaft and member, including abstracting heat from and shrinking the shaft relative to said member, until they are loose from each other; separating said member by dropping it from the shaft; and receiving the dropped member on a transporting device.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 68 words

A method of separating a member carried in interference-fitted relation on the outer perimeter of a shaft, comprising: supporting said shaft vertically; effecting a temperature differential between the shaft and member, including abstracting heat from and shrinking the shaft relative to said member, until they are loose from each other; separating said member by dropping it from the shaft; and receiving the dropped member on a transporting device.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 111 words

A method according to claim 13, wherein said shaft is hollow and has a bore extending therethrough from end to end, comprising applying a closure plate across the lower end of said bore, applying a supporting device to the upper end of said shaft leaving the upper end of said bore open and suspending said shaft with its lower end elevated in free hanging relation to facilitate reception of the separated outer member on and removal of the outer member from the shaft by said transporting device, and inserting through the open upper end of said bore means for introducing heat-abstracting gas into said bore for chilling and shrinking the shaft.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 118 words

A method of separating from an elongated shaft having a longitudinal bore therein a plurality of outer members mounted in interference fit on the shaft in series relationship, comprising: supporting said shaft vertically; inserting a cold gas discharge nozzle into said bore; supplying said nozzle with cold gas from a liquified gas supply; relatively vertically moving said nozzle and said shaft to locate said nozzle in said bore at the area of the shaft on which the lowest in the series of said outer members is located on the shaft; issuing cold gas from the nozzle to abstract heat from said area and thereby shrink said area; and removing said lowest in the series of said outer members.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 118 words

A method of separating from an elongated shaft having a longitudinal bore therein a plurality of outer members mounted in interference fit on the shaft in series relationship, comprising: supporting said shaft vertically; inserting a cold gas discharge nozzle into said bore; supplying said nozzle with cold gas from a liquified gas supply; relatively vertically moving said nozzle and said shaft to locate said nozzle in said bore at the area of the shaft on which the lowest in the series of said outer members is located on the shaft; issuing cold gas from the nozzle to abstract heat from said area and thereby shrink said area; and removing said lowest in the series of said outer members.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 38 words

A method according to claim 15, including surrounding said lowest outer member by heating means thereabout, and applying heat from said heating means to said member to be removed to facilitate separating of the shaft and lowest member.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 15 words

A method according to claim 16, comprising dropping the separated lowest member from the shaft.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 16 words

A method according to claim 17, including receiving the dropped lowest member onto a transporting device.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method according to claim 15, including surrounding said lowest member in the series by a flame ring, and applying heating flames from said flame ring Onto said lowest member.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 89 words

A method according to claim 16, including successively relatively moving said nozzle and said shaft to locate the nozzle at the next succeeding upper area of the shaft on which the next succeeding of said members is located, issuing cold gas from the nozzle to abstract heat from said next succeeding area, relatively moving said shaft and said heating means to surround said next succeeding member to be removed, applying heat from said heating means onto said next succeeding member, and removing said next succeeding member from the shaft.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 38 words

A method according to claim 16, including applying sensing means to said member to be removed for determining the degree to which the member to be removed is heated by said heating means to facilitate controlling the heating.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 100 words

Apparatus for separating from an elongated hollow metal carrying member a selected one of a plurality of shorter annular metal members interference-fitted on the outer perimeter of the elongated member, comprising: means for effecting chilling and shrinking of said elongated member selectively in the area thereof encompassed by the endmost of said annular members whereby to effect loosening and separating of the endmost member from the elongated member while the interference fit of the remaining of the annular members is maintained; and means for supporting the elongated member to enable separating of the loosened endmost member from the elongated member.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 100 words

Apparatus for separating from an elongated hollow metal carrying member a selected one of a plurality of shorter annular metal members interference-fitted on the outer perimeter of the elongated member, comprising: means for effecting chilling and shrinking of said elongated member selectively in the area thereof encompassed by the endmost of said annular members whereby to effect loosening and separating of the endmost member from the elongated member while the interference fit of the remaining of the annular members is maintained; and means for supporting the elongated member to enable separating of the loosened endmost member from the elongated member.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 34 words

Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said supporting means are adapted to support the elongated member vertically with said endmost member at the bottom, and a transporting device to receive the separated endmost member.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 46 words

Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said means for effecting chilling and shrinking comprise a nozzle adapted to be inserted into the elongated hollow member, and means supplying said nozzle with heat-abstracting gas to be issued to the selective area encompassed by the endmost annular member.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 45 words

Apparatus according to claim 24, including a heating ring device adapted to be positioned about said endmost member for heating the endmost member to increase the heat differential between the endmost member and said area of the elongated member to enhance separation of the members.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 45 words

Apparatus according to claim 22, including a heating ring device adapted to be positioned about said endmost member for heating the endmost member to increase the heat differential between the endmost member and said area of the elongated member to enhance separation of the members.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 52 words

Apparatus according to claim 22, including means for heating said endmost annular member to improve separation thereof from said elongated member, and thermocouple means adapted to be applied to said endmost annular member enabling reading the temperature conditions thereof for proper control of the heating to avoid overheating the endmost annular member.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 57 words

Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said means for effecting chilling and shrinking is adapted to effect chilling and shrinking of contiguously successive areas of the elongated member encompassed by successive ones of the annular members for removal of the successive annular members while maintaining the remaining annular members in the interference-fitted relation to the elongated member.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 44 words

Apparatus according to claim 28, comprising issuing heat-abstracting gas from a nozzle comprising said means for effecting chilling and shrinking inserted into said elongated member, and means for progressively moving said nozzle to apply the gas to the successive areas of the elongated member.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 52 words

Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said means for effecting chilling and shrinking comprise a nozzle inserted into said elongated member and means for issuing heat-abstracting gas from said nozzle, and said supporting means are adapted to move said nozzle to align the nozzle with the successive areas of the elongated member.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 51 words

Apparatus accordinG to claim 28, wherein said means for effecting chilling and shrinking comprise a nozzle inserted into said elongated member and means for issuing heat-abstracting gas from said nozzle, and said nozzle and said elongated member being relatively movable to effect alignment of the nozzle with the respective successive areas.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 102 words

Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said elongated member comprises a heavy tool shaft and said annular members comprise heavy tools and spacers carried by said shaft, said supporting means supporting the shaft vertically with the endmost annular member on the lowest portion of the shaft, said elongated member having a bore therein opening through its upper end and extending through said area encompassed by the lower endmost annular member, and said means for effecting chilling and shrinking comprising a nozzle positioned in alignment with the area encompassed by the lower endmost member, and means for issuing chilled gas from said nozzle.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 25 words

Apparatus according to claim 32, including a transporting device adapted to receive the separated lower endmost member for removing the same away from the shaft.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 69 words

Apparatus for separating a member carried in interference-fitted relation on the outer perimeter of a shaft, comprising: means for supporting said shaft vertically; means for effecting temperature differential between the shaft and member by abstracting heat from and shrinking the shaft relative to the member until they are loose from each other and the separated member drops from the shaft; and a transporting device for receiving the dropped member.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 69 words

Apparatus for separating a member carried in interference-fitted relation on the outer perimeter of a shaft, comprising: means for supporting said shaft vertically; means for effecting temperature differential between the shaft and member by abstracting heat from and shrinking the shaft relative to the member until they are loose from each other and the separated member drops from the shaft; and a transporting device for receiving the dropped member.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 120 words

Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said shaft is hollow and has a bore extending therethrough from end-to-end, comprising a closure plate applied across the lower end of said bore, means for securing the supporting means to the upper end of said shaft leaving the upper end of said bore open and suspending the shaft with its lower end elevated in free hanging relation to facilitate reception of the separated outer member on and removal of the outer member from the shaft by said transporting device, and said means for effecting a temperature differential being inserted through the open upper end of the bore and being adapted for introducing heat-abstracting gas into the bore for chilling and shrinking the shaft.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 139 words

Apparatus for separating from an elongated shaft having a longitudinal bore therein a plurality of outer members mounted in interference-fit on the shaft in series relationship, comprising: means for supporting the shaft vertically; a cold gas discharge nozzle being arranged to be inserted into said bore; means for supplying said nozzle with cold gas from a liquified gas supply; said nozzle and said supporting means being related to enable relative vertically moving the nozzle and shaft to locate the nozzle in the bore at the area of the shaft on which the lowest in the series of said outer members is located on the shaft; and said nozzle being operable to issue cold gas to abstract heat from said area and thereby shrink said area for loosening and separating the lowest member by removing it downwardly from the shaft.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 139 words

Apparatus for separating from an elongated shaft having a longitudinal bore therein a plurality of outer members mounted in interference-fit on the shaft in series relationship, comprising: means for supporting the shaft vertically; a cold gas discharge nozzle being arranged to be inserted into said bore; means for supplying said nozzle with cold gas from a liquified gas supply; said nozzle and said supporting means being related to enable relative vertically moving the nozzle and shaft to locate the nozzle in the bore at the area of the shaft on which the lowest in the series of said outer members is located on the shaft; and said nozzle being operable to issue cold gas to abstract heat from said area and thereby shrink said area for loosening and separating the lowest member by removing it downwardly from the shaft.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 38 words

Apparatus according to claim 36, including heating means for surrounding said lowest outer member and being adapted to apply heat to said member to be removed to facilitate separating of the shaft and lowest member to be removed.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 27 words

Apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said separated lowest member is adapted to drop from the shaft, and a transporting device to receive the dropped lowest member.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 27 words

Apparatus according to claim 36, including a flame ring to surround said lowest member in the series and adapted to apply heating flames onto said lowest member.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 94 words

Apparatus according to claim 37, including means for successively relatively moving said nozzle and said shaft to locate the nozzle at the next succeeding upper area of the shaft on which the next succeeding of said members is Located, said nozzle being adapted to issue cold gas to abstract heat from said next succeeding area, said shaft and said heating means being adapted for relative movement to effect surrounding of the next succeeding member to be removed by said heating means for application of heat from said heating means onto said next succeeding member.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 39 words

Apparatus according to claim 37, including sensing means to be applied to the member to be removed for determining the degree to which the member to be removed is heated by said heating means to facilitate controlling the heating.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1976-04-02	1976-10-02	1977-04-03	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1980-04-02	1980-10-02	1981-04-03	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1984-04-02	1984-10-02	1985-04-03	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method of and means for separating interference-fitted members

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