US3892092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic polishing apparatus
Assignee: Buehler Ltd
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Filing: 1974-05-17
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Granted: 1975-07-01
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Expires: 1994-05-17
Abstract
Abstract An automatic polishing apparatus for polishing the surface of a specimen for purposes of microstructural analysis, the apparatus comprising first and second eccentric drive means driven at different speeds from a single drive motor and acting through one end of a drive arm which is movable both pivotally and axially and is connected at its other outer end with a specimen holder so as to move a specimen through a multidirectional path over a flat, horizontal polishing surface preferably comprising the base of a cup-shaped member containing abrasive slurry or the like. One of the eccentric drive means imparts a relatively high speed circular motion to an inner end of the drive arm, while the other drive means imparts a relatively low speed circular motion thereto, the composite of such motions being transmitted to the outer end of the drive arm which guides the specimen over the flat polishing surface. The invention also relates to an improved mechanism for automatically controlling the loading of the specimen against the polishing surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Marvin W Keith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:33
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B37/00; B24B37/04; B24B37/07; B24B37/10; B24B37/105; G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
In an automatic polishing apparatus of the type for polishing specimens for purposes of microstructural analysis including a housing and a generally cup-shaped member mounted on the housing and having a flat base or polishing surface on which abrasive slurry or the like is dispersed and over which a specimen is moved during a polishing operation, the improvement comprising, in combination, a specimen drive arm supported on said housing for composite axial and pivotal movement and having an outer end engageable with a specimen for moving the same over said polishing surface, first drive means mounted in said housing for rotation about a fixed axis, a drive motor connected to said first drive means for rotating the same, second drive means rotatably mounted eccentrically on said first drive means, means interconnecting said first and second drive means causing said first drive means to rotate said second drive means relative to said first drive means, means connecting an inner end of said specimen drive arm to an eccentric portion of said second drive means, and guide means associated with said drive arm intermediate the ends thereof whereby a composite motion is imparted to said inner end of said drive arm and a related composite motion is imparted to said outer end of said drive arm and a specimen engaged therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
In an automatic polishing apparatus of the type for polishing specimens for purposes of microstructural analysis including a housing and a generally cup-shaped member mounted on the housing and having a flat base or polishing surface on which abrasive slurry or the like is dispersed and over which a specimen is moved during a polishing operation, the improvement comprising, in combination, a specimen drive arm supported on said housing for composite axial and pivotal movement and having an outer end engageable with a specimen for moving the same over said polishing surface, first drive means mounted in said housing for rotation about a fixed axis, a drive motor connected to said first drive means for rotating the same, second drive means rotatably mounted eccentrically on said first drive means, means interconnecting said first and second drive means causing said first drive means to rotate said second drive means relative to said first drive means, means connecting an inner end of said specimen drive arm to an eccentric portion of said second drive means, and guide means associated with said drive arm intermediate the ends thereof whereby a composite motion is imparted to said inner end of said drive arm and a related composite motion is imparted to said outer end of said drive arm and a specimen engaged therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 where said first drive means is rotated by said drive motor at a relatively low speed and said second drive means is rotated by said first drive means at a relatively high speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 where the eccentricity of said inner end of said drive arm relative to the axis of said second drive means is approximately equal to the eccentricity of said axis of said second drive means relative to the axis of said first drive means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 where said means interconnecting said first and second drive means includes third drive means rotatably mounted on said first drive means and connected with said second drive means for rotating the latter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including disc-shaped stationary drive means which imparts rotation to said third rotatable member upon rotation of said first drive means by said drive motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 including pinion means mounted on a common shaft with said third rotatable member and engageable with the circular periphery of said stationary drive member, said pinion being circumferentially movable around said stationary drive member in engagement therewith during rotation of said first drive means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 where said second and third drive means comprise pulleys interconnected by an endless belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 where said specimen drive arm comprises an elongated rod having a depending portion at its outer end which extends into said cup-shaped member and is engageable with a specimen disposed on said polishing surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 where said guide means comprises a vertically oriented cylindrical bearing fixedly mounted on said drive arm, and a pair of parallel spaced apart elongated guide walls, said bearing being slidable between said guide walls and being rotAtable to accommodate sliding and pivotal movement of said drive arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 where said means connecting an inner end of said drive arm to an eccentric portion of said second drive means comprises yoke means which permits said outer end of said drive arm to be raised and lowered during insertion of a specimen in said cup-shaped member and removal of a specimen therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including load means which applies a downward load on said specimen urging the same against said polishing surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 including load-reducing means for substantially continuously reducing the downward load applied by said load means during a polishing operation, said load-reducing means being actuated by one of said drive means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12 where said load means includes tension spring means one end of which is connected with said drive arm and the other end of which is movable by said load-reducing means to vary the load imposed on said drive arm by said spring means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 13 including means carried by said first drive means for actuating said load-reducing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 14 where said load-reducing means comprises rotatable cam means controlling the position of the lower end of said spring means thereby controlling the amount of load imposed on said drive arm and specimen, lever means connected with said cam means through one-way clutch means to rotate said cam means in a load-reducing direction, and means carried eccentrically on said first drive means for actuating said lever means at least once during each rotation of said drive 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) | 1978-06-30 | 1978-12-30 | 1979-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-12-30 | 1983-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-30 | 1986-12-30 | 1987-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |