Electrical guide for tight tolerance machining
US5023991A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jun 18, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/5303
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Method and apparatus for determining present machining height during machining of a workpiece includes an analog resistive sensor, a discrete resistive sensor and a resistive integrity sensor. Analog sensor preferably has a plurality of resistive elements. Discrete sensor includes contact break points on resistive legs, each leg having a different resistive value to create a step-wise incremental change in resistance of discrete sensor as contacts are lapped away. Integrity sensor has resistive value in fixed relation to resistive value of discrete sensor such that ratio is indicative of integrity before machining. Invention enables use of electronic lapping guide with electrically conductive lap without shorting out. Discrete sensor value used to determine location of rear plane of analog sensor and analog sensor value used to confirm identity of break point as part of method for determining current lapping height. Formulae disclosed enable computation of lapping height from measured resistances based on a known height of the analog sensor prior to lapping.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.