US 2011/0209529 A1 · Measuring Apparatus and Method

Abstract

An apparatus for obtaining information about a workpiece may include a measuring device having a nozzle defining an orifice in fluid communication with a source of incompressible fluid. A fluid monitoring apparatus may monitor a parameter of the substantially incompressible fluid, and a pump may be fluidly coupled to the source and configured to supply incompressible fluid to the orifice. The pump may have a pump chamber with a first displacement setting having a first fixed volume, so that operation of the pump at a first pump speed with the pump chamber in the first displacement setting generates a first fluid flow having a substantially constant first volumetric rate. The pump may have more than one displacement setting, or the pump may be operated at different speeds to change the volumetric flow rate. The nozzle may include multiple, independent orifice sets that may be selectively provided fluid, thereby to obtain information on different parts of the workpiece with a single placement of the nozzle. Additionally, the apparatus may be incorporated into a CNC machine to perform simultaneous measurement and machining operations.

Claims24

Dependent claims

Apparatus for obtaining information about a workpiece comprising:

a first holder configured to support the workpiece;
a second holder movable relative to the first holder;
a computer control system operatively coupled to the first holder and the second holder and including a computer readable medium having disposed thereon executable code which, when executed, is configured to cause relative movement of the first holder and the second holder;
and
a measuring device including:
a source including substantially incompressible fluid;
a nozzle disposed in the second holder and extending along a longitudinal axis, the nozzle defining a first orifice fluidly communicating with the source;
a fluid monitoring apparatus associated with the measuring device for monitoring a parameter of the substantially incompressible fluid;
and
a pump fluidly coupled to the to the source and configured to supply incompressible fluid to the first orifice, the pump having a pump chamber with a first displacement setting having a first fixed volume, so that operation of the pump at a first pump speed with the pump chamber in the first displacement setting generates a first fluid flow having a substantially constant first volumetric rate.

7 more elements

Apparatus for obtaining information about a workpiece comprising:

a first holder configured to support the workpiece;
a second holder movable relative to the first holder;
a computer control system operatively coupled to the first holder and the second holder and including a computer readable medium having disposed thereon executable code which, when executed, is configured to cause relative movement of the first holder and the second holder;
and
a measuring device including:
a source including substantially incompressible fluid;
a nozzle coupled to the second holder, the nozzle defining a first nozzle conduit fluidly communicating between a first nozzle inlet and a first nozzle orifice, and a second nozzle conduit fluidly communicating between a second nozzle inlet and a second nozzle orifice, the first nozzle conduit being separate from the second nozzle conduit, wherein the first nozzle inlet is spaced from the second nozzle inlet;
an adapter slidably coupled to the nozzle, the adapter including an adapter conduit having an adapter inlet fluidly communicating with the source and an adapter outlet, the adapter movable between a first position, in which the adapter outlet fluidly communicates with the first nozzle inlet, and a second position, in which the adapter outlet fluidly communicates with the second nozzle inlet;
a fluid monitoring apparatus associated with the measuring device for monitoring a parameter of the substantially incompressible fluid;
and
a pump fluidly coupled to the source and configured to supply incompressible fluid to the adapter inlet.

8 more elements

A method of obtaining information about a workpiece as the workpiece is machined, comprising:

providing a measuring device having a source of substantially incompressible fluid, a nozzle defining an orifice in fluid communication with the source, a fluid monitoring apparatus for monitoring a parameter of the substantially incompressible fluid, and a pump fluidly coupled to the source and configured to supply incompressible fluid to the orifice;
providing a cutting tool configured to remove material from the workpiece;
securing the workpiece in a first holder;
securing the nozzle in a second holder;
securing the cutting tool in a third holder, wherein the second and third holders are supported for movement relative to the first holder;
performing a measurement operation including:
moving the second holder relative to the first holder to position the nozzle orifice proximal to the workpiece;
dispersing incompressible fluid from the source through the nozzle orifice to contact the workpiece;
and
monitoring the parameter of the substantially incompressible fluid as the fluid contacts the workpiece;
and
performing a machining operation simultaneously with the measurement operation, the machining operation including:
moving the third holder relative to the first holder to place the cutting tool in contact with the workpiece;
and
moving at least one of the first holder and the third holder so that the cutting tool removes material from the workpiece.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Measuring Apparatus and Method

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Measuring Apparatus and Method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24