US4351029A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tool life monitoring and tracking apparatus
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1979-12-05
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Granted: 1982-09-21
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Expires: 1999-12-05
Abstract
Abstract Net power consumed by one or more tools, continuously or intermittently is totalized and compared with a predetermined energy limit characterizing the life expectancy of a tool for optimum and safe use on a machine tool. Digital and computer techniques are used in order to keep track of the usage of the various tools within their respective life expectancies.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. L. Maxey
- 👤 James N. Brecker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:21
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/406; G05B19/4065; G01; G01N; G01N3/00; G01N3/58; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/37; G05B2219/37252; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/16; Y10T408/17; Y10T408/172
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A system for monitoring tool life on a machine tool having at least one operative tool thereon, comprising: means for instantaneously and recurrently deriving a measuring signal characteristic of power consumed by said machine tool for the purpose of relative motion between said workpiece and said tool; said measuring signal deriving means being operable in one of an idle position mode and a working position mode of said tool relative to said workpiece; means for combining an idle position measuring signal and a working position measuring signal for deriving a signal indicative of net power consumed by said tool; means for integrating said indicative signal as a function of time for obtaining a past history characteristic signal; means responsive to said integrating means for comparing said characteristic signal with a reference signal representative of the life expectancy of said tool.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A system for monitoring tool life on a machine tool having at least one operative tool thereon, comprising: means for instantaneously and recurrently deriving a measuring signal characteristic of power consumed by said machine tool for the purpose of relative motion between said workpiece and said tool; said measuring signal deriving means being operable in one of an idle position mode and a working position mode of said tool relative to said workpiece; means for combining an idle position measuring signal and a working position measuring signal for deriving a signal indicative of net power consumed by said tool; means for integrating said indicative signal as a function of time for obtaining a past history characteristic signal; means responsive to said integrating means for comparing said characteristic signal with a reference signal representative of the life expectancy of said tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
The system of claim 1 with said measuring signal deriving means comprising voltage to frequency converter means for providing a pulse train having a pulse rate characteristic of said measuring signal; counter means for counting pulses in said pulse train during a sample time interval, and offset storage means operative to store a count from said counter means when in the idle position mode; said combining means being operable to subtract said idle position count from a count derived from said counter means in the working position mode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 2 with means responsive to said power signal indicative means and to a predetermined maximum net power limit for setting an alarm when said net power limit is exceeded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 3 with said alarm setting being effective when said net power limit has been exceeded during a predetermined minimum time interval.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 2 with means responsive to said comparing means for providing a command signal for changing said tool when the threshold of said reference signal has been reached by said life status signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 5 with means responsive to said integrating means for providing an indication of excessive energy being used with said tool.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 5 with means for storing an indication of said life status signal operative after and before an interruption in the use of said tool.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-09-20 | 1986-03-22 | 1986-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-20 | 1990-03-22 | 1990-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-20 | 1994-03-22 | 1994-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |