Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
In apparatus of the character described for forming a precision machined surface on an end of a hollow cylindrical work piece such as a length of large diameter pipe and the like, the combination which comprises an elongated internal expanding clamp having a hollow tubular support adapted to be arranged axially of the hollow work piece, two widely spaced rings of clamping shoes on said support for firmly engaging said hollow work piece, the length of said clamp axially of the work piece and the spacing of said rings of clamping shoes being sufficient to insure accurate axial alignment of the clamp with at least the engaged part of said hollow work piece, means for operating said clamp between clamping and non-clamping positions, a relatively non-rotatable sleeve or spider on said tubulAr support, a face plate supported by precision bearings on said sleeve or spider for rotation in a plane transverse and substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of said clamp, a plurality of arms each pivotally attached to said face plate at a point well inside the inner periphery of said work piece, a machine cutting tool on each arm adapted to perform a cutting operation on the annular end surface of said work piece, and a rotatable follower guide also carried by each arm in close association with said tool and adapted to engage the cylindrical inside surface of said work piece close to said annular end surface as the face plate is rotated with respect to the work piece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
In apparatus of the character described for forming a precision machined surface on an end of a hollow cylindrical work piece such as a length of large diameter pipe and the like, the combination which comprises an elongated internal expanding clamp having a hollow tubular support adapted to be arranged axially of the hollow work piece, two widely spaced rings of clamping shoes on said support for firmly engaging said hollow work piece, the length of said clamp axially of the work piece and the spacing of said rings of clamping shoes being sufficient to insure accurate axial alignment of the clamp with at least the engaged part of said hollow work piece, means for operating said clamp between clamping and non-clamping positions, a relatively non-rotatable sleeve or spider on said tubulAr support, a face plate supported by precision bearings on said sleeve or spider for rotation in a plane transverse and substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of said clamp, a plurality of arms each pivotally attached to said face plate at a point well inside the inner periphery of said work piece, a machine cutting tool on each arm adapted to perform a cutting operation on the annular end surface of said work piece, and a rotatable follower guide also carried by each arm in close association with said tool and adapted to engage the cylindrical inside surface of said work piece close to said annular end surface as the face plate is rotated with respect to the work piece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Combination according to claim 1 which includes a brush mounted on a moving element for clearing a path inside the work piece for the follower guides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
Combination according to claim 1 wherein each arm carries a rotatable contact roller for following the inner cylindrical surface and wherein resilient means are disposed between the face plate and the arms to help, force the follower against said cylindrical surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Combination according to claim 1 wherein the face plate carries a driven gear for rotating said face plate and driving the cutters in an orbital path around the central axis of the annular work piece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
Combination according to claim 1 which includes a single hydraulic system to operate the clamp and also to feed the machine tool and its associated follower guide into operating position with respect to the annular surface to be machined.