Centerless valve regrinder

Abstract

A centerless valve regrinder for resurfacing a worn valve having a face, a tulip connected to the face, a valve stem connected to the tulip, the stem having an axis, a first notch worn into the stem at a location spaced from the tulip, and a second notch worn into the stem at a second location spaced from a distal end of the stem. The regrinder is comprised of a power-driven means for resurfacing said valve face, and a chuck for supporting the valve stem in such an orientation as to cause contact between the valve face and the means for resurfacing at the angle of bevel of the valve face. The chuck is also comprised of a wheel for rotating the stem about its axis and simultaneously drawing the valve face into contact with the means for resurfacing. The chuck is further comprised of two fixed supports that are in parallel orientation and of sufficient length to cradle and support the stem from respective points adjacent the tulip to respective points past the first notch, and preferably past the second notch. Preferably, there is no stop member to contact the distal end of the stem to limit the regrinding.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.