US3989537A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for vibration cleaning of workpieces such as engine blocks
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1975-07-11
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Granted: 1976-11-02
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Expires: 1995-07-11
Abstract
Abstract A method and means are disclosed for vibration cleaning of casting and manufacturing debris from engine blocks and similar articles. The method involves resonant torsional vibration of the workpiece around a longitudinal axis, preferably in the first torsional vibration mode. The workpiece may also be rotated at the same time to permit loosened debris to fall from the walls and cavities. A vibration cleaning stand is also disclosed including a rotatable frame with resilient supports, for holding and rotating an engine block, together with a small eccentric shaker, which is secured to the main bearing caps at one end of the block and rotated by a motor to resonantly vibrate the block in its first torsional mode of vibration.
Inventors
- 👤 Edgar W. Sickmeier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:19
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B77/00; F02B77/04; B; B08; B08B; B08B7/00; B08B7/02; F02B3/00; F02B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for cleaning debris from a workpiece, such as an engine block, said method comprising supporting a workpiece to be cleaned in a manner permitting limited torsional movement of such workpiece about a longitudinal axis through its center of gravity, applying an unbalanced shaking force to said workpiece at a point distant from said longitudinal axis, said force being applied at a frequency and magnitude sufficient to cause said workpiece to resonante in a torsional mode with an amplitude sufficient to loosen debris from the surfaces of said workpiece but below a level which will damage said workpiece, and rotating said workpiece about an axis while in said resonating condition to permit loosened debris to fall from said workpiece surfaces.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for cleaning debris from a workpiece, such as an engine block, said method comprising supporting a workpiece to be cleaned in a manner permitting limited torsional movement of such workpiece about a longitudinal axis through its center of gravity, applying an unbalanced shaking force to said workpiece at a point distant from said longitudinal axis, said force being applied at a frequency and magnitude sufficient to cause said workpiece to resonante in a torsional mode with an amplitude sufficient to loosen debris from the surfaces of said workpiece but below a level which will damage said workpiece, and rotating said workpiece about an axis while in said resonating condition to permit loosened debris to fall from said workpiece surfaces.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for cleaning manufacturing debris from a workpiece having walls and cavities, such as an engine block, said method comprising resiliently supporting a workpiece to be cleaned so as to prevent substantial translational movement of said workpiece while permitting limited torsional movement of the workpiece about a longitudinal axis through its dynamic center of gravity, applying an unbalanced shaking force to said workpiece at a point near one end and distant from said longitudinal axis, said shaking force being applied at a frequency and with a magnitude that will cause said workpiece to vibrate in its first torsional mode of resonance with an amplitude sufficient to loosen debris from the walls and cavities of said workpiece but below a magnitude that will damage said workpiece, and rotating said workpiece about a longitudinal axis while in said resonating condition to permit debris to fall from said workpiece walls and cavities.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for cleaning manufacturing debris from a workpiece having walls and cavities, such as an engine block, said method comprising resiliently supporting a workpiece to be cleaned so as to prevent substantial translational movement of said workpiece while permitting limited torsional movement of the workpiece about a longitudinal axis through its dynamic center of gravity, applying an unbalanced shaking force to said workpiece at a point near one end and distant from said longitudinal axis, said shaking force being applied at a frequency and with a magnitude that will cause said workpiece to vibrate in its first torsional mode of resonance with an amplitude sufficient to loosen debris from the walls and cavities of said workpiece but below a magnitude that will damage said workpiece, and rotating said workpiece about a longitudinal axis while in said resonating condition to permit debris to fall from said workpiece walls and cavities.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
131 words
A workpiece cleaning stand comprising a rotatable frame adapted to receive and retain a workpiece for rotation about a longitudinal axis, resilient supports in said frame and adapted to retain such workpiece in said frame with freedom for limited torsional movements about a longitudinal axis of said workpiece, some of said supports being retractable so as to release such workpiece for installation in or removal from said frame, mechanical shaker means mountable on such workpiece adjacent one end and distant from such longitudinal axis, means for driving said shaker means at a speed capable of torsionally vibrating such workpiece in a first order torsional mode to loosen debris therein, and means for rotating said frame during operation of said mechanical shaker means to permit loosened debris to fall from said workpiece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
131 words
A workpiece cleaning stand comprising a rotatable frame adapted to receive and retain a workpiece for rotation about a longitudinal axis, resilient supports in said frame and adapted to retain such workpiece in said frame with freedom for limited torsional movements about a longitudinal axis of said workpiece, some of said supports being retractable so as to release such workpiece for installation in or removal from said frame, mechanical shaker means mountable on such workpiece adjacent one end and distant from such longitudinal axis, means for driving said shaker means at a speed capable of torsionally vibrating such workpiece in a first order torsional mode to loosen debris therein, and means for rotating said frame during operation of said mechanical shaker means to permit loosened debris to fall from said workpiece.
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) | 1979-11-02 | 1980-05-03 | 1980-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-02 | 1984-05-03 | 1984-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-02 | 1988-05-03 | 1988-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |