Follow-up control apparatus

Claim 2

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a fluid to and from said prime mover, each of said valves comprising an externally threaded portion meshing with an internally threaded portion of said housing and a valve member reciprocably received in said externally threaded portion and movable therein in response to axial displacement of said motion transmitting element.

Claim 3

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a fluid to and from said prime mover, each of said valves comprising a valve body received in a recess of said housing and a valve member reciprocably received in said valve body, and further comprising resilient means abutting against one end of at least one of said bodies and threaded adjustment means meshing with said housing and abutting against the other end of said one body so that the axial position of said one body can be changed in response to rotation of said adjusting means.

Claim 4

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a fluid to and from said prime mover, each of said valves comprising a valve body received in a recess of said housing and a valve member reciprocably received in said valve body, and further comprising resilient means abutting against one end of at least one of said bodies and threaded adjustment means meshing with said housing and abutting against the other end of said one body so that the axial position of said one body can be changed in response to rotation of said adjusting means.

Claim 5

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a fluid to and from said prime mover, each of said valves comprising a hollow valve body, a cylindrical insert received in said valve body, a threaded member for Fixing the axial position of said insert in said body, an annular feed provided in said insert, a valve member reciprocably received in said valve body, spring means for biasing said valve member against said seat, and follower means displaceable by said element to thereby move said valve member away from said seat, said follower means being reciprocably guided by said threaded member.

Claim 6

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a fluid to and from said prime mover, each of said valves comprising a hollow valve body, a cylindrical insert received in said valve body, a threaded member for Fixing the axial position of said insert in said body, an annular feed provided in said insert, a valve member reciprocably received in said valve body, spring means for biasing said valve member against said seat, and follower means displaceable by said element to thereby move said valve member away from said seat, said follower means being reciprocably guided by said threaded member.

Claim 7

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a fluid to and from said prime mover, said housing being provided with open ended recesses for said valves, and each of said valves comprising a hollow valve body having portions of different external diameters, each of said valve bodies being sealing received in the respective recess of said housing and said element comprising actuating means for said valves, at least one of said valves being disposed at each side of said actuating means and said valve bodies being insertable into the respective recesses in directions toward said actuating means.

Claim 8

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a fluid to and from said prime mover, said housing being provided with open ended recesses for said valves, and each of said valves comprising a hollow valve body having portions of different external diameters, each of said valve bodies being sealing received in the respective recess of said housing and said element comprising actuating means for said valves, at least one of said valves being disposed at each side of said actuating means and said valve bodies being insertable into the respective recesses in directions toward said actuating means.

Claim 9

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a fluid to and from said prime mover, said housing being provided with open ended recesses for said valves and with removable cover means for the open ends of said recesses; and threaded adjusting members meshing with said cover means and being rotatable to thereby change the position of said valves in the respective recesses.

Claim 10

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a fluid to and from said prime mover, said housing being provided with open ended recesses for said valves and with removable cover means for the open ends of said recesses; and threaded adjusting members meshing with said cover means and being rotatable to thereby change the position of said valves in the respective recesses.

Claim 11

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of fluid to and from said prime mover, each of said valves comprising a tubular valve body, a valve member reciprocably received in said valve body and having a conical sealing surface at one end and a cylindrical portion on the other end thereof, a hollow cylindrical insert in said valve body, and an annular seat provided in said insert, said sealing surface normally engaging said seat, said valve member being movable in said body to move said surface away from said seat in response to axial movement of said element in a predetermined direction, and said insert being arranged to reciprocablY guide said cylindrical portion of said valve member.

Claim 12

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of fluid to and from said prime mover, each of said valves comprising a tubular valve body, a valve member reciprocably received in said valve body and having a conical sealing surface at one end and a cylindrical portion on the other end thereof, a hollow cylindrical insert in said valve body, and an annular seat provided in said insert, said sealing surface normally engaging said seat, said valve member being movable in said body to move said surface away from said seat in response to axial movement of said element in a predetermined direction, and said insert being arranged to reciprocablY guide said cylindrical portion of said valve member.

Claim 13

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing and comprising substantially disc-shaped actuating means located in said housing and axially movable with said element, an axially movable portion which is rotatable with reference to said actuating means, and thrust bearing means interposed between said portion and said actuating means so that said portion is free to rotate relative to said actuating means but the latter is compelled to share all axial movements of said portion; means for holding said actuating means against rotation with said axially movable portion of said element; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a fluid to and from said prime mover.

Claim 14

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing and comprising substantially disc-shaped actuating means located in said housing and axially movable with said element, an axially movable portion which is rotatable with reference to said actuating means, and thrust bearing means interposed between said portion and said actuating means so that said portion is free to rotate relative to said actuating means but the latter is compelled to share all axial movements of said portion; means for holding said actuating means against rotation with said axially movable portion of said element; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a fluid to and from said prime mover.

Claim 15

A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said holding means comprises a pin mounted in said housing and extending into an axially parallel peripheral slot of said actuating means.

Claim 16

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing comprising a plurality of separable portions and coupling means separably connecting said portions to each other, each of said housing portions being provided with at least one recess; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing and comprising actuating means located within said coupling means and an axially movable portion which is rotatable relative to said actuating means; means forming part of said coupling means for holding said actuating means against rotation with said axially movable portion; a fluid operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven components; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves respectively mounted in said recesses of said housing portions and being selectively actuatable by said actuating means to thereby regulate the flow of the fluid to and from said prime mover.

Claim 17

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing comprising a plurality of separable portions and coupling means separably connecting said portions to each other, each of said housing portions being provided with at least one recess; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing and comprising actuating means located within said coupling means and an axially movable portion which is rotatable relative to said actuating means; means forming part of said coupling means for holding said actuating means against rotation with said axially movable portion; a fluid operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven components; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves respectively mounted in said recesses of said housing portions and being selectively actuatable by said actuating means to thereby regulate the flow of the fluid to and from said prime mover.

Claim 18

A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said portions of said housing are mirror symmetrical to each other with reference to said coupling means and said recesses have open ends remote from said coupling means, said housing further comprising cover means for the open ends of said recesses and threaded valve adjusting members supported by said cover means.

Claim 19

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing provided with at least one fluid discharge outlet and with at least one inlet for admission of pressurized fluid; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a flUid to and from said prime mover, said valves including at least one first valve interposed between said inlet and said prime mover and at least one second vlave interposed between said outlet and said prime mover; and pressure regulator means interposed between said second valve and said prime mover.

Claim 20

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing provided with at least one fluid discharge outlet and with at least one inlet for admission of pressurized fluid; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a plurality of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a flUid to and from said prime mover, said valves including at least one first valve interposed between said inlet and said prime mover and at least one second vlave interposed between said outlet and said prime mover; and pressure regulator means interposed between said second valve and said prime mover.

Claim 21

A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said pressure regulator means is a guage having a cylinder and a spool reciprocably received in said cylinder and defining therewith a flow restricting passage wherein the flow of fluid is throttled on its way from said prime mover to said second valve.

Claim 22

A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said gauge further comprises means for biasing said spool in a direction to reduce the flow restricting action upon the fluid flowing from said prime mover to said second valve.

Claim 23

A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein said gauge further comprises a casing for said cylinder, sealing means interposed between said cylinder and said casing, and an abutment for said spool, said abutment being threadedly connected with said casing and being adjacent to an open end of said cylinder, said biasing means being arranged to normally maintain said spool in engagement with said abutment.

Claim 24

A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein said spool comprises three axially spaced lands subdividing the interior of said cylinder into a pressure space, a supply space, a return space and a compartment for said biasing means, said passage being disposed between said supply space and said return space.

Claim 25

A combination as defined in claim 15, wherein said cylinder has first port means connecting said supply space with said prime mover, second port means communicating with said return space and third port means communicating with said pressure space, said gauge further comprising conduit means connecting said second and third port means, said cylinder further having fourth port means connecting said compartment with said outlet.

Claim 26

A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said second valve has a tubular valve body defining an annular seat and a valve member reciprocable in said valve body and normally sealingly engaging said seat, said valve body having a first space communicating with said conduit means of said gauge and located at one side of said seat and a second space communicating with said outlet and located at the other side of said seat, said conduit means being free to communicate with said second space in response to movement of said valve member from sealing engagement with said seat under the action of said motion transmitting element.

Claim 27

A combination as defined in claim 17, further comprising second conduit means connecting said conduit means of said gauge with said first space in said valve body and third conduit means connecting said second space of said valve body with said outlet.

Claim 28

A combination as defined in claim 17, wherein said valve member comprises flow restricting means for throttling the flow of fluid from said first space to said second space on movement of said valve member from sealing enegagement with said seat.

Claim 29

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a pluraity of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a fluid to and from said prime mover, each of said valves comprising a hollow body defining a seat, a valve member reciprocably receiVed in said body and having a conical sealing surface; spring means for biasing said surface into sealing engagement with said seat, and axially guided pin-shaped follower means for displacing said valve member against the opposition of said spring means in response to axial movement of said element in a predetermined direction, each of said bodies defining two spaces located at the opposite sides of the respective seat and said valve members being provided with bores which establish communication between such spaces in the corresponding bodies.

Claim 30

In a follow-up apparatus for transmitting motion to at least one driven component of a machine tool or the like, a combination comprising a housing; a motion transmitting element axially movably received in said housing; a fluid-operated prime mover having an output member arranged to transmit motion to said driven component; means for moving said element axially with reference to said housing in accordance with a predetermined program; and operating means for effecting movements of said output member in response to axial movements of said element with reference to said housing, including a pluraity of valves mounted in said housing and being selectively actuatable by said element to thereby regulate the flow of a fluid to and from said prime mover, each of said valves comprising a hollow body defining a seat, a valve member reciprocably receiVed in said body and having a conical sealing surface; spring means for biasing said surface into sealing engagement with said seat, and axially guided pin-shaped follower means for displacing said valve member against the opposition of said spring means in response to axial movement of said element in a predetermined direction, each of said bodies defining two spaces located at the opposite sides of the respective seat and said valve members being provided with bores which establish communication between such spaces in the corresponding bodies.

Claim 31

A combination as defined in claim 20, further comprising a safety device for influencing the operation of said means for moving said element axially in response to predetermined axial displacements of said element with reference to said housing.

Claim 32

A combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said safety device comprises a first electric switch which is actuated in response to a predetermined axial movement of said element in a first direction and a second electric switch which is actuated in response to predetermined axial movement of said element in a second direction counter to said first direction.

Claim 33

A combination as defined in claim 22, wherein said element comprises actuating means which shares the axial movements thereof and is arranged to actuate said valves, said actuating means being further arranged to actuate said switches.

Claim 34

A combination as defined in claim 23, wherein said actuating means comprises cam means and further comprising trip means movably mounted in said housing to actuate said switches in response to displacement by said cam means when said element completes said predetermined axial movements in the respective directions.

Claim 35

A combination as defined in claim 24, wherein said cam means comprises two discrete can faces, one for each of said switches, and said cam faces are arranged to move the respective trip means substantially at right angles to the axis of said element.

Claim 36

A combination as defined in claim 23, wherein said actuating means has a neutral position in which said valves are closed and said switches are located without said housing, said housing being provided with first and second trip means for said first and second switches, one of said trip means being arranged to actuate the respective switch in response to movement of said actuating means to one side of said neutral position and the other trip means being arranged to actuate the respective switch in response to movement of said actuating means to the other side of said neutral position.