US3932962A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control apparatus for a machine for grinding the edges of a workpiece
Assignee: INTERNATIONAL TRADING Co
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Filing: 1974-07-01
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Granted: 1976-01-20
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Expires: 1994-07-01
Abstract
Abstract The invention concerns a control apparatus for machines designed to operate on a workpiece. The apparatus comprises a programming element consisting of a disc which has concentric tracks of varying transparency or reflectance; an optical scanner comprising an emitter unit emitting light beams to the programming element and a receptor unit for the light beams which have been transmitted or reflected; drive means for rotating the disc by the relative displacement of a tool and the workpiece; and an electric circuit connected to the receptor unit and to a motor for controlling the speed of rotation of the motor as a function of the intensity of the signal given by the receptor unit. The apparatus is applicable in particular to machines for working on plates, pieces of glass or plastics material, for example window panes, plate glass or lenses.
Inventors
- 👤 Julien Devillers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:44
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/12; G05B19/124; C; C03; C03B; C03B33/00; C03B33/02; C03B33/04; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02; Y10; Y10S; Y10S83/00; Y10S83/929; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/02; Y10T83/0333; Y10T83/0385; Y10T83/162; Y10T83/166
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
Control apparatus for a machine for grinding the edges of a workpiece by means of at least one rotary grinder during the displacement of the workpiece, which control apparatus is operable to impose a programme of speeds on the displacement of the workpiece, the said machine comprising: an endless linear conveyor defining a path of displacement for the workpiece; a motor for driving the conveyor; and at least one rotary grinder placed on one side of the conveyor so as to come into contact with one of the edges of the workpiece in the course of the displacement of the workpiece; the said apparatus comprising: a programming element having zones of varying transparency or reflectance; an emitter unit for emitting light beams to the programming element and an associated receptor unit for receiving the light beams which have been transmitted or reflected; means for turning the programming element so that one complete rotation corresponds to one complete movement along the path; an electric circuit connected to the receptor unit and to the motor of the conveyor for controlling the speed of rotation of the motor as a function of the intensity of the signal provided by the receptor unit so that the speed of displacement of the workpiece varies during the movement along the path according to the programme defined by the zones of the programming element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
Control apparatus for a machine for grinding the edges of a workpiece by means of at least one rotary grinder during the displacement of the workpiece, which control apparatus is operable to impose a programme of speeds on the displacement of the workpiece, the said machine comprising: an endless linear conveyor defining a path of displacement for the workpiece; a motor for driving the conveyor; and at least one rotary grinder placed on one side of the conveyor so as to come into contact with one of the edges of the workpiece in the course of the displacement of the workpiece; the said apparatus comprising: a programming element having zones of varying transparency or reflectance; an emitter unit for emitting light beams to the programming element and an associated receptor unit for receiving the light beams which have been transmitted or reflected; means for turning the programming element so that one complete rotation corresponds to one complete movement along the path; an electric circuit connected to the receptor unit and to the motor of the conveyor for controlling the speed of rotation of the motor as a function of the intensity of the signal provided by the receptor unit so that the speed of displacement of the workpiece varies during the movement along the path according to the programme defined by the zones of the programming element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the programming element is a disc and the zones are sectors of concentric tracks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the disc is driven by the motor with a reduction ratio such that one complete rotation of the disc corresponds to one complete displacement of the workpiece along its path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the programming element is a band and the zones are formed by portions of parallel tracks.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the band is an endless band driven by the motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the programming element is a photographic negative.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an emitter and associated receptor is provided for each track.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an emitter and associated receptor is provided for each track.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the programming element has zones of low transparency or reflectance and zones of high transparency or reflectance, and the receptor unit comprises at least one photoelectric cell which responds to zones of low or high transparency or reflection, respectively, by two different levels of electric output potential.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the electric circuit comprises at least one electric contact the open or closed state of which is controlled according to the two levels of output voltage to define two states of signal provided by each photoelectric cell.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the electric circuit comprises: a plurality of contacts; a plurality of resistances having, respectively, consecutive values taken from a geometric progressing of factor 2, each of the said contacts being connected in parallel to one of the respective resistances; and means for supplying the said motor across the resistances and contacts which are in parallel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the motor is a continuous current motor supplied from a source of continuous current and the resistances and contacts in parallel are coupled between the supply and an electronic variable speed control electrically connected to the motor.
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) | 1979-01-19 | 1979-07-21 | 1980-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-19 | 1983-07-21 | 1984-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-19 | 1987-07-21 | 1988-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |