Expandable holding device using a fusible alloy
AssigneeKennametal Inc.
InventorTed R. Massa
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An expandable holding device for holding a component in which the clamping force is brought about by the solidification and expansion of a fusible alloy. The alloy is contained in an expansion chamber defined in part by a thin-walled, expansion sleeve. The alloy has a low melting point and expands when it solidifies. The pressure caused by expansion of the fusible alloy radially expands the expansion sleeve causing the expansion sleeve to grip the component. To release the component, the alloy is heated and liquified so that the expansion sleeve returns to an unexpanded condition.
Claims19
An expandable holding device comprising:
- a) a first member having a bore;
- b) a resilient expansion sleeve secured to the first member within the bore for receiving a second member;
- c) an expansion chamber defined between the first member and the expansion sleeve for containing a fusible material which expands when it solidifies;
- d) wherein upon solidification of the fusible material, the expansion sleeve is deformed to engage the second member;
- and
- e) wherein upon liquification of the fusible material, the expansion sleeve returns to a relaxed condition to release the second member.
An expandable holding device comprising:
- a) a first member having an insertion portion for insertion into a bore of a second member;
- b) a resilient, expansion sleeve secured about the insertion portion of the first member;
- c) an expansion chamber defined between the first member and the expansion sleeve for containing a fusible material which expands when it solidifies;
- d) wherein upon solidification of the fusible material, the expansion sleeve is deformed to engage the second member;
- and
- e) wherein upon liquification of the fusible material, the expansion sleeve returns to a relaxed condition to release the second member.
A method for securing and releasing a component on an expandable holding device having a support member, a resilient expansion sleeve, and an expansion chamber defined between the support member and the expansion sleeve comprising:
- a) filling the expansion chamber with a liquid fusible material having the property of expanding when it solidifies;
- b) inserting the component onto the holding device while the fusible material is in a liquid state;
- c) cooling the fusible material sufficient to solidify the material and expand the expansion sleeve;
- whereupon the expansion sleeve grips the component;
- and
- d) heating the fusible material to melt the fusible material and allow the expansion sleeve to return to an unexpanded condition thereby releasing the component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.