Abstract A method and apparatus for guiding rapidly moving power saw blades to insure accuracy of cut and minimize blade deflection and vibration. A pair of saw guides having flat, parallel faces are mounted in opposed relationship to one another with a saw blade sandwiched between them, the space between the two guides being sufficient to provide respective predetermined gaps between the blade and the face of each guide. Near the center of each guide face is a port through which a pressurized fluid, which is preferably a finely atomized oil-air mixture, is introduced into the respective gaps, such fluid flowing radially outwardly from the port through the gap toward the periphery of the respective guide face. The predetermined size of each gap is such that, for the particular pressure and flow of fluid involved, regions of subatmospheric pressure pursuant to the Bernoulli effect are created on either side of the saw blade in the respective gaps, the suction tending to increase if a respective gap widens and decrease if the gap narrows due to blade deflection. During operation the blade normally remains in a central position of equilibrium between the two guides with the respective suction pressures on each side of the blade balancing one another. Momentary deflection of the blade increases the suction on one side and decreases it on the other, thereby providing a rapidly acting restoring force to return the blade to its central position.
A method of guiding a saw blade which comprises: a. exposing one side of said saw blade to a suction; b. exposing the opposite side of said saw blade to a suction equal in magnitude to said first suction; c. decreasing the suction on one side of said blade in response to the deflection of said blade toward said side, while simultaneously increasing the suction on the opposite side of said blade in response to said deflection; and d. utilizing the suction imbalance so created to restore said blade to its undeflected position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of guiding a saw blade which comprises: a. exposing one side of said saw blade to a suction; b. exposing the opposite side of said saw blade to a suction equal in magnitude to said first suction; c. decreasing the suction on one side of said blade in response to the deflection of said blade toward said side, while simultaneously increasing the suction on the opposite side of said blade in response to said deflection; and d. utilizing the suction imbalance so created to restore said blade to its undeflected position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1, further including mounting a pair of flat-faced saw guides in opposed relationship to one another on either side of said blade with the face of each guide substantially parallel with said blade and separated therefrom by a respective gap, and flowing a fluid through each of said gaps with sufficient velocity to create said suction pursuant to the Bernoulli effect.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said fluid comprises air mixed with an atomized liquid lubricant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said fluid further includes a wood pitch solvent.