Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
293 words
An apparatus for returning cooling lubricant adhering to swarf produced when machining metals in a machine tool, said apparatus adapted to be positioned under a working bed of said machine tool, comprising: a swarf conveyor comprising an endless conveyor belt, and a swarf conveyor guide frame guiding said conveyor belt, said swarf conveyor guide frame defining said swarf conveyor and having a straight substantially horizontal section with a free end to be positioned below said working bed and an ascending section terminating in a first discharge head whereby swarf removed from said cooling lubricant by said conveyor belt is discharged at said discharge head; a filter unit for separating cooling lubricant from swarf comprising an endless scraper belt, and a filter unit guide frame guiding said endless scraper belt, said filter unit guide frame having a straight substantially horizontal section with a free end positioned below the straight substantially horizontal section of said swarf conveyor guide frame, and having an ascending section positioned below the ascending section of said swarf conveyor guide frame, said filter unit guide frame ascending section terminating in an upper and with a second discharge head; a filter band storage roll disposed at said upper end of said filter unit and supplying filter band to an upper side of an upper run of said scraper belt, said filter band extending around said scraper belt and emerging as used filter band from said upper end of said filter unit; a connection between said straight section of said swarf conveyor and said straight section of said filter unit for permitting cooling lubricant to flow from said swarf conveyor to said filter unit; and a pump for producing a vacuum in said filter unit for drawing cooling lubricant through said filter band.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
293 words
An apparatus for returning cooling lubricant adhering to swarf produced when machining metals in a machine tool, said apparatus adapted to be positioned under a working bed of said machine tool, comprising: a swarf conveyor comprising an endless conveyor belt, and a swarf conveyor guide frame guiding said conveyor belt, said swarf conveyor guide frame defining said swarf conveyor and having a straight substantially horizontal section with a free end to be positioned below said working bed and an ascending section terminating in a first discharge head whereby swarf removed from said cooling lubricant by said conveyor belt is discharged at said discharge head; a filter unit for separating cooling lubricant from swarf comprising an endless scraper belt, and a filter unit guide frame guiding said endless scraper belt, said filter unit guide frame having a straight substantially horizontal section with a free end positioned below the straight substantially horizontal section of said swarf conveyor guide frame, and having an ascending section positioned below the ascending section of said swarf conveyor guide frame, said filter unit guide frame ascending section terminating in an upper and with a second discharge head; a filter band storage roll disposed at said upper end of said filter unit and supplying filter band to an upper side of an upper run of said scraper belt, said filter band extending around said scraper belt and emerging as used filter band from said upper end of said filter unit; a connection between said straight section of said swarf conveyor and said straight section of said filter unit for permitting cooling lubricant to flow from said swarf conveyor to said filter unit; and a pump for producing a vacuum in said filter unit for drawing cooling lubricant through said filter band.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ascending section of said vacuum filter includes a regeneration tank for providing a supply of clean cooling lubricant while said filter band is being changed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second discharge head comprises a swarf slide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the length of the straight substantially horizontal section of said swarf conveyor is sufficient to extend under several machine tools located one behind the other, and wherein said straight substantstantially horizontal section of said swarf conveyor projects beyond said filter unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connection comprises at least one overflow outlet provided in a side of said swarf conveyor, an inlet opening provided in a side of said filter unit, and channel connecting said overflow outlet to said inlet opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said filter unit has a clean liquid chamber and a contaminated liquid chamber, said clean liquid chamber being separated from said contaminated liquid chamber by a lower run of said scraper belt and said filter band, said filter pump having suction pipes extending into said clean liquid chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said endless conveyor belt is a hinged belt.