US3841198A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gear cutting machine with means for continuously controlling the position of the tool in accordance with the position of the carriage
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-10-02
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1993-10-02
Abstract
Abstract Gear teeth are cut on the work face of a large annular workpiece by supporting the workpiece on a stationary mounting structure or foundation and mounting the cutter in a carriage which is guided for movement along the face of the workpiece to be machined and which is adapted to be propelled along said face, the position of the cutter relative to the carriage being continuously controlled in accordance with the position of the carriage so as to ensure a predetermined path of movement of the cutter with respect to the workpiece face. In this way a very accurate control of the cutting operation is maintained without the need for the elaborate and expensive drive systems used in conventional gear cutting machines.
Inventors
- 👤 A Cornford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:15
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23F; B23F5/00; B23F5/20; B23F5/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T409/00; Y10T409/10; Y10T409/100159; Y10T409/101431; Y10T409/10159; Y10T409/102226; Y10T409/102544; Y10T409/102703; Y10T409/102862; Y10T409/10318
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A system for cutting gear teeth on a large annular workpiece, comprising a stationary mounting structure defining a vertical axis; means for securing the workpiece on the mounting structure in coaxial relation therewith; a carriage guided for movement along the face of the workpiece to be machined; means for propelling the carriage along the face of the workpiece; a gear cutting tool mounted in the carriage; and means for continuously controlling the position of the tool in relation to the carriage in accordance with the position of the carriage so as to ensure a predetermined path of movement of the tool with respect to the workpiece face, said means for continuously controlling the position of the tool comprising motor means mounted on the carriage and connected to the tool for moving the tool in relation to the carriage, position sensing means for sensing the position of the carriage on the workpiece, and motor control means responsive to said position sensing means for controlling said motor means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
166 words
A system for cutting gear teeth on a large annular workpiece, comprising a stationary mounting structure defining a vertical axis; means for securing the workpiece on the mounting structure in coaxial relation therewith; a carriage guided for movement along the face of the workpiece to be machined; means for propelling the carriage along the face of the workpiece; a gear cutting tool mounted in the carriage; and means for continuously controlling the position of the tool in relation to the carriage in accordance with the position of the carriage so as to ensure a predetermined path of movement of the tool with respect to the workpiece face, said means for continuously controlling the position of the tool comprising motor means mounted on the carriage and connected to the tool for moving the tool in relation to the carriage, position sensing means for sensing the position of the carriage on the workpiece, and motor control means responsive to said position sensing means for controlling said motor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A system according to claim 1, comprising means providing an annular carriage-way coaxial with the mounting structure, a wheeled chassis mounted on the carriage-way for movement therealong, and support means mounted on the chassis for engaging the carriage, said support means being adapted to support the carriage for minimizing the load exerted by the carriage on the annular workpiece.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
176 words
A system for cutting gear teeth on a large annular workpiece, the workpiece providing a plurality of annular guide surfaces, a work face, and an annular securing flange, the system comprising: a stationary mounting structure defining a vertical axis, means for securing the annular flange of the workpiece to the mounting structure in coaxial relation therewith, a carriage guided for movement along the workpiece, the carriage including a plurality of guide rollers positioned to engage said annular guide surfaces, drive means mounted on the carriage for propelling the carriage along the workpiece, a gear cutting tool mounted on the carriage, positioning means connected to the gear cutting tool for positioning the tool in relation to the work face, and control means responsive to the position of the carriage along the workpiece, said control means being operatively connected to said positioning means for continuously controlling the position of the tool in accordance with the position of the carriage, whereby to ensure a predetermined path of movement of the tool with respect to the face of the workpiece.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
176 words
A system for cutting gear teeth on a large annular workpiece, the workpiece providing a plurality of annular guide surfaces, a work face, and an annular securing flange, the system comprising: a stationary mounting structure defining a vertical axis, means for securing the annular flange of the workpiece to the mounting structure in coaxial relation therewith, a carriage guided for movement along the workpiece, the carriage including a plurality of guide rollers positioned to engage said annular guide surfaces, drive means mounted on the carriage for propelling the carriage along the workpiece, a gear cutting tool mounted on the carriage, positioning means connected to the gear cutting tool for positioning the tool in relation to the work face, and control means responsive to the position of the carriage along the workpiece, said control means being operatively connected to said positioning means for continuously controlling the position of the tool in accordance with the position of the carriage, whereby to ensure a predetermined path of movement of the tool with respect to the face of the workpiece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein the stationary mounting structure comprises a foundation, and a plurality of support pedestals secured to the foundation, the support pedestals being disposed along a circle defining said vertical axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein the drive means comprises a drive motor mounted on the carriage and coupled to one of the guide rollers, means being provided to maintain frictional engagement of the guide rollers with the respective guide surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system according to claim 5, including a stationary hub positioned coaxially with the mounting structure, an indexing arm extending radially from the hub, the indexing arm being connected to the carriage so that the angular position of the indexing arm is determined by the carriage position, said control means being responsive to the angular position of the indexing arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system according to claim 3, including a base structure defining a horizontal circular carriage-way coaxial with the mounting structure, a wheeled chassis mounted on the carriage-way for movement therealong, means connecting the wheeled chassis to the carriage, and adjustable support means mounted on the chassis and engaging the carriage in supporting relation thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the adjustable support means comprises a plurality of hydraUlic jacks connected to a common hydraulic source at a predetermined pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein the gear cutting tool is a hob.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein the gear cutting tool is a milling cutter.
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) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |