Machine tool chip removal

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12059763-B2
Application number	US-202318112441-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 21, 2023
Priority date	Jan 19, 2017
Publication date	Aug 13, 2024
Grant date	Aug 13, 2024

Abstract

A machine tool chip removal device including a coupling interface to couple with a rotatable spindle of a machine tool to facilitate rotation of the machine tool chip removal device about an axis at a rotational speed. The chip removal device can also include a main fluid channel with an opening to receive pressurized fluid from the machine tool. The chip removal device can further include a first fluid delivery channel and a second fluid delivery channel to direct fluid in different directions. Each fluid delivery channel can be in fluid communication with the main fluid channel. In addition, the chip removal device can include one or more valves associated with the first and second fluid delivery channels to selectively allow fluid passage from the main fluid channel to the fluid delivery channels. The one or more valves can be actuated by varying fluid pressure and/or rotational speed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A machine tool chip removal device, comprising:
a spindle coupling interface to couple with a rotatable spindle of a machine tool to facilitate rotation of the machine tool chip removal device about a rotational axis at a rotational speed;
a main fluid channel with an opening to receive pressurized fluid from the machine tool;
a first fluid delivery channel having a single outlet and a second fluid delivery channel having a single outlet to direct fluid in different directions from the device, each fluid delivery channel in fluid communication with the main fluid channel; and
a single valve associated with the first and second fluid delivery channels that directs fluid passage from the main channel to the first and second fluid delivery channels based on a rotational speed of the rotatable spindle,
wherein the single valve comprises a plug that is movable from a first position blocking the first fluid delivery channel to a second position blocking the second fluid delivery channel.

2. The machine tool chip removal device of claim 1 , wherein the plug is movable between the first and second positions by varying the rotational speed of the rotatable spindle, such that a first rotational speed of the spindle causes the plug to move to the first position, and a second rotational speed of the spindle causes the plug to move to the second position.

3. The machine tool chip removal device of claim 1 , wherein the first rotational speed is sufficient so as to cause the plug to move to the first position under the influence of gravity.

4. The machine tool chip removal device of claim 1 , wherein the second rotational speed is sufficient so as to cause the plug to move to the second position via centrifugal force.

5. The machine tool chip removal device of claim 1 , wherein the plug is a free-floating plug.

6. The machine tool chip removal device of claim 1 , wherein the plug comprises a spherical shape.

7. The machine tool chip removal device of claim 1 , wherein the first fluid delivery channel extends along an axis collinear with the rotational axis of the machine tool chip removal device.

8. The machine tool chip removal device of claim 1 , wherein the second fluid delivery channel extends along an axis oriented transverse to the rotational axis of the machine tool chip removal device.

9. The machine tool chip removal device of claim 1 , further comprising a ramp having a ramp surface, wherein the plug is configured to move up and down the ramp based on the rotational speed of the rotatable spindle.

10. The machine tool chip removal device of claim 9 , wherein the ramp extends between the first and second fluid delivery channels.

11. The machine tool chip removal device of claim 9 , further comprising a first stop surface extending from the first fluid delivery channel in a direction away from the ramp, wherein the plug is configured to move along the ramp and contact the first stop surface at the first position that blocks an orifice of the first fluid delivery channel, wherein fluid is caused to pass from the main channel through the second fluid delivery channel.

12. The machine tool chip removal device of claim 11 , wherein the plug seals against the ramp and the first stop surface with the plug in the first position.

13. The machine tool chip removal device of claim 9 , further comprising a second stop surface extending from the second fluid delivery channel in a direction away from the ramp, wherein the plug is configured to move along the ramp and contact the second stop surface at the second position that blocks an orifice of the second fluid delivery channel, wherein fluid is caused to pass from the main channel through the first fluid delivery channel.

14. The machine tool chip removal device of claim 13 , wherein the plug seals against the ramp and the second stop surface with the plug in the second position.

15. The machine tool chip removal device of claim 9 , wherein the plug moves along the ramp in a bi-directional manner in accordance with the rotational speed of the rotatable spindle.

16. A method for configuring a machine tool chip removal device, the method comprising:
forming a coupling interface operable to couple with a rotatable spindle of a machine tool, the coupling interface comprising a main fluid channel having an inlet port operable to receive pressurized fluid therein;
forming a first fluid delivery channel having a single outlet in the coupling interface operable to direct fluid from the device;
forming a second fluid delivery channel having a single outlet in the coupling interface operable to direct fluid from the device;
forming a ramp in the coupling interface that extends between the first and second fluid delivery channels;
configuring a single valve to be associated with the first and second fluid delivery channels, the single valve being operable to direct fluid passage from the main fluid channel to the first and second fluid delivery channels based on a rotational speed of the rotatable spindle, the single valve comprising a plug movable along the ramp from a first position blocking the first fluid delivery channel to a second position blocking the second fluid delivery channel.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising forming a first stop surface to be adjacent the first fluid delivery channel, and a second stop surface to be adjacent the second fluid delivery channel.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising configuring the plug to seal against the first stop surface and the ramp in the first position, and to seal against the second stop surface and the ramp in the second position.

19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising configuring the plug to comprise a spherical shape.

20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising configuring the first fluid delivery channel to extend along an axis collinear with a rotational axis of the machine chip removal device, and configuring the second fluid delivery channel to extend along an axis oriented transverse to the rotational axis.

Assignees

• Raytheon Co

Inventors

• Dale Erik T
• Nowakowski Paul D
• Blanco Raymundo

Classifications

• B05B1/3006

  the controlling element being actuated by the pressure of the fluid to be sprayed (B05B1/323 takes precedence; single-unit outlet valves actuated by the pressure of the fluid to be sprayed B05B11/0062) · CPC title

• B05B12/04

  for sequential operation or multiple outlets · CPC title

• B05B12/08

  responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material {to be} discharged, of ambient medium or of target {; responsive to condition of spray devices or of supply means, e.g. pipes, pumps or their drive means} · CPC title

• B05B13/0421

  with rotating spray heads · CPC title

• B23Q11/0075

  for removing chips or coolant from the workpiece after machining · CPC title