Patent US4567797A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4567797A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic cutting apparatus and methods
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-01-30
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Granted: 1986-02-04
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Expires: 2004-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A precisely controllable cut is made in a workpiece by ultrasonic equipment including a horn or other element which is vibrated at ultrasonic frequency along a predetermined axis, and which carries a cutter mounted for vibration with the horn along the axis, with the cutter having a leading cutting edge disposed at an angle of between about 30 degrees and 40 degrees (preferably between about 33 degrees and 37 degrees), with respect to the specified axis of vibration. The cutting edge should desirably be disposed approximately perpendicularly with respect to the surface of the workpiece as the cut is made, the preferred angle with respect thereto being between about 85 degrees and 105 degrees.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald C. Folk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:54
CPC Classifications
B; B28; B28D; B28D5/00; B28D5/04; B28D5/047; B26; B26D; B26D7/00; B26D7/08; B26D7/086; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S83/00; Y10S83/956; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/04; Y10T83/0605; Y10T83/647; Y10T83/6584; Y10T83/6592; Y10T83/6593; Y10T83/6603; Y10T83/97
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
Apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic generator including a vibratory element and means for vibrating said element along an axis at ultrasonic frequency; a cutter connected to said element for vibration therewith along said axis and having a leading edge with a cutting portion disposed at an angle of between about 33° and 37° with respect to said axis of vibratory movement; means for supporting said ultrasonic generator and a workpiece in sheet form in a predetermined relative angular orientation in which said axis of vibration is disposed at a predetermined oblique angle to a surface of said sheet form workpiece, and said cutting portion of the leading edge which is disposed at said angle of between about 33 and 37 degrees to said axis is positioned to cut the workpiece and is disposed at an angle of between about 85 and 105 degrees to said surface of the workpiece; said supporting means being constructed to move said generator and supported workpiece relative to one another in a predetermined direction essentially parallel to said surface of the workpiece in a relation causing said leading edge to make a cut in the workpiece, while maintaining said axis of vibration at said oblique angle to said surface and maintaining said cutting portion of the leading edge at said angle between about 85 and 105 degrees to said surface of the workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
Apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic generator including a vibratory element and means for vibrating said element along an axis at ultrasonic frequency; a cutter connected to said element for vibration therewith along said axis and having a leading edge with a cutting portion disposed at an angle of between about 33° and 37° with respect to said axis of vibratory movement; means for supporting said ultrasonic generator and a workpiece in sheet form in a predetermined relative angular orientation in which said axis of vibration is disposed at a predetermined oblique angle to a surface of said sheet form workpiece, and said cutting portion of the leading edge which is disposed at said angle of between about 33 and 37 degrees to said axis is positioned to cut the workpiece and is disposed at an angle of between about 85 and 105 degrees to said surface of the workpiece; said supporting means being constructed to move said generator and supported workpiece relative to one another in a predetermined direction essentially parallel to said surface of the workpiece in a relation causing said leading edge to make a cut in the workpiece, while maintaining said axis of vibration at said oblique angle to said surface and maintaining said cutting portion of the leading edge at said angle between about 85 and 105 degrees to said surface of the workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said leading edge of the cutter is disposed at an angle of about 35° with respect to said vibratory axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which the cutter is attached to said element by a fusion bond.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which the cutter is connected rigidly to said vibratory element by a fusion bond formed of a material having a melting point between about 1,150 degrees F. and 1,200 degrees F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said cutter is heat treated and is attached rigidly to said element by a fusion bond formed of a material having a melting point lower than the heat treat temperature of the cutter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5, in which said vibratory element is a vibration amplifying horn which has a large diameter end connected to and driven by said mentioned means and which tapers progressively to a small diameter end to which said cutter is connected.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as rectied in claim 1, in which said vibratory element is a horn which has a large diameter end connected to and driven by said mentioned means and which tapers progressively to a small diameter end to which said cutter is connected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 7, in which said small diameter end of the horn contains a slot extending diametrically of said axis and within which a portion of said cutter is received, said cutter being attached rigidly to said horn within said slot by a fusion bond.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said cutter is heat treated at a temperature of between about 1,150 degrees F. and 1,250 degrees F., and said cutter is secured rigidly to said element by a fusion bond formed of a material having a melting temperature between about 1,150 degrees F. and 1,200 degrees F.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
132 words
The method that comprises: vibrating along a predetermined axis a cutter having a leading edge disposed at an angle of between about 33 and 37 degrees with respect to said vibratory axis; moving said cutter and a workpiece in sheet form relative to one another in a predetermined direction essentially parallel to a surface of the workpiece and in a relation causing said leading edge of the cutter to make a cut in the workpiece; maintaining said axis of vibration of the cutter at a predetermined oblique angle to said surface of the workpiece as the cut is made; and maintaining the portion of said leading edge which makes said cut at an angle of between about 85 and 105 degrees to said surface of the workpiece as the cut is made.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
132 words
The method that comprises: vibrating along a predetermined axis a cutter having a leading edge disposed at an angle of between about 33 and 37 degrees with respect to said vibratory axis; moving said cutter and a workpiece in sheet form relative to one another in a predetermined direction essentially parallel to a surface of the workpiece and in a relation causing said leading edge of the cutter to make a cut in the workpiece; maintaining said axis of vibration of the cutter at a predetermined oblique angle to said surface of the workpiece as the cut is made; and maintaining the portion of said leading edge which makes said cut at an angle of between about 85 and 105 degrees to said surface of the workpiece as the cut is made.
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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) | 1989-02-03 | 1989-08-05 | 1990-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-03 | 1993-08-05 | 1994-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-03 | 1997-08-05 | 1998-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |