Patent · US Expired

Apparatus having a controllable dwell and associated method

US6371701B1 · kind B1 · utility

6Cited by
12References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 7, 2000
Grant dateApr 16, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 7, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T408/56245
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus having a controllable dwell for drilling and or countersinking a hole in a workpiece is provided which generally comprises a feed mechanism, a retraction mechanism, and a dwell mechanism. The feed mechanism is configured to feed a spindle from a starting position to a predetermined feed limit during a feed cycle. The retraction mechanism is configured to retract the spindle from the feed limit to the starting position to complete the feed cycle. The dwell mechanism is in communication with the retraction mechanism and comprises a mechanical bias member that stores energy during at least a portion of the feed cycle, wherein the mechanical bias member releases at least a portion of the energy once the spindle reaches the feed limit. The retraction mechanism is only actuated once the spindle reaches the feed limit and the mechanical bias member releases at least a portion of the energy. A predetermined dwell period is thereby provided between the spindle reaching the feed limit and the retraction mechanism being actuated. An associated method is also provided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.