Apparatus for drilling composite structures
US5096342A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 24, 1990 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 24, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T408/566
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
There is provided by this invention an apparatus for drilling composite materials which provides controlled depth drilling. In a first embodiment of the invention, a drill motor is integrated within a microstop cage and retained by a lock nut, such that by extending or shortening the microstop cage the depth of the hole drilled is decreased or increased, respectively. The drill motor is urged towards the composite surface against spring pressure which, in conjuntion with a stop collar, limits the depth of the hole drilled. Furthermore, the spring facilitates the retraction of the drill bit from the composite surface. Alternatively, the depth of a hole may be incrementally controlled by the amount that a stop cage is threaded onto an attachment sleeve that in turn is attached to the drill motor. The further the stop cage is threaded onto the attachment sleeve, the deeper the hole drilled will be as more of the drill bit will be exposed beyond the stop cage. Conversely, the less the stop cage is threaded onto the attachment sleeve, the more shallow the hole will be as less of the drill bit will be be exposed beyond the stop cage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.