Workpiece adapter system for rotary machine
OwnerRobert Kyle Hughes, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A workpiece adapter system to support a workpiece rotated by a rotary machine, the system including a first drive member having a proximal end configured to be secured in a chuck of a rotary machine, at least one workpiece adapter configured to secure at least a portion of an end of a workpiece in a central opening of the workpiece adapter, an adapter mount configured to be connected to the at least one workpiece adapter, and a universal joint assembly arranged between the first drive member and the adapter mount, the universal joint assembly comprising a first fork member coupled to the first drive member, and a second fork member coupled to the adapter mount. An adapter ring may be provided to rotatably support a workpiece being machined.
Claims17
A workpiece adapter system to support a workpiece rotated by a rotary machine, the system comprising:
- a first drive member having a proximal end configured to be secured in a chuck of the rotary machine;
- at least one workpiece adapter configured to secure at least a portion of an end of the workpiece in a central opening of the workpiece adapter;
- an adapter mount configured to be connected to the at least one workpiece adapter;
- a universal joint assembly arranged between the first drive member and the adapter mount, the universal joint assembly comprising a first fork member coupled to the first drive member, and a second fork member coupled to the adapter mount;
- and
- one or more adapter rings to rotatably support the workpiece, each of the one or more adapter rings comprising first and second plates that are circular and have a common diameter, at least one middle portion connecting and maintaining a substantially uniform distance between the first and second plates, and a central opening substantially centered on a longitudinal axis of the adapter ring and sized to pass the workpiece therethrough.
A rotary machine system to rotate a workpiece during a machining operation, the system comprising:
- a rotary machine having a chuck and configured to be raised and lowered to a desired height;
- a first drive member having a proximal end configured to be secured in the chuck;
- at least one workpiece adapter configured to secure at least a portion of an end of a workpiece in a central opening of the workpiece adapter, the workpiece adapter having a plurality of set screws respectively configured to pass through at least two adjacent sides of the workpiece adapter to set the workpiece so as to be axially centered in the workpiece adapter;
- an adapter mount configured to be connected to the at least one workpiece adapter;
- a universal joint assembly arranged between the first drive member and the adapter mount, the universal joint assembly comprising a first fork member coupled to the first drive member, and a second fork member coupled to the adapter mount;
- one or more adapter rings configured to rotatably support the workpiece, each of the one or more adapter rings comprising:
- first and second plates that are circular and have a common diameter,
- at least one middle portion connecting and maintaining a substantially uniform distance between the first and second plates, and
- a central opening substantially centered on a longitudinal axis of the adapter ring and sized to pass the workpiece therethrough;
- and
- one or more roller cradles respectively provided for each of the one or more adapter rings, each of the one or more roller cradles configured with at least two rollers positioned to correspond to an outer diameter of the adapter rings such that the adapter ring is rotatably supported on the rollers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.