Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A rotary lapping system capable of grinding and polishing a workpiece using an abrasive slurry liquid, said rotary lapping system avoiding any tendencies to dig into the workpiece by generating a positive lift in its leading edge grinding surfaces causing them to hydroplane above the workpiece through hydrodynamic action with the abrasive slurry liquid, said rotary lapping system comprising: a supply of the abrasive slurry liquid, which is applied to the workpiece; a rotary means; a dish member connected to and being rotated by said rotary means; and a plurality of positive lift tools, each fixed beneath an outer edge of said dish member and producing said positive lift by presenting leading edge surfaces with a positive angle of attack in said abrasive slurry liquid, said leading edge surfaces generating a positive lift through hydrodynamic interaction with said abrasive slurry liquid, each of said plurality of positive lift tools presenting a grinding surface to said workpiece which, when rotated in said abrasive slurry liquid from said supply, is used to grind said workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A rotary lapping system capable of grinding and polishing a workpiece using an abrasive slurry liquid, said rotary lapping system avoiding any tendencies to dig into the workpiece by generating a positive lift in its leading edge grinding surfaces causing them to hydroplane above the workpiece through hydrodynamic action with the abrasive slurry liquid, said rotary lapping system comprising: a supply of the abrasive slurry liquid, which is applied to the workpiece; a rotary means; a dish member connected to and being rotated by said rotary means; and a plurality of positive lift tools, each fixed beneath an outer edge of said dish member and producing said positive lift by presenting leading edge surfaces with a positive angle of attack in said abrasive slurry liquid, said leading edge surfaces generating a positive lift through hydrodynamic interaction with said abrasive slurry liquid, each of said plurality of positive lift tools presenting a grinding surface to said workpiece which, when rotated in said abrasive slurry liquid from said supply, is used to grind said workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
A rotary lapping system, as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of positive lift tools comprises: a base which is fixed beneath the outer edge of the dish member; a plurality of leading edge tesserae, each presenting a grinding surface towards the workpiece and a positive angle of attack in said abrasive slurry liquid when said positive lift tool is rotated, said positive angle of attack causing said positive lift; and a flexible mounting means which attaches each of said plurality of tesserae to the base, said flexible mounting means causing each leading edge tesserae to present a positive angle of attack in said abrasive slurry liquid when said positive lift tool is rotated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A rotary lapping system, as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of leading edge tesserae each comprise a rectangular metal block having a plurality of equally spaced, parallel grooves forming its guiding surface at its bottom area, each of said plurality of tesserae having its top attached to said flexible mounting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
A rotary lapping system, as defined in claim 3, wherein each of said flexible mounting means comprises a flexible pad having its top surface bonded to said base, and its bottom surface bonded to a plurality of tesserae around its perimeter, each of said tesserae being separated from each other by a space, and each space being substantially filled by a flexible layer extended from said flexible pad causing a local stiffness in the middle of the plurality of leading edge tesserae, said local stiffness causing all leading edge tesserae to have a positive angle of attack in said abrasive slurry liquid during rotation, said positive angle of attack in said abrasive slurry liquid resulting in said positive lift in each positive lift tool.