US 5,277,468 A · Vacuum control apparatus

Abstract

A vacuum control apparatus is positioned remote from the vacuum operated work holding devices themselves, thereby allowing for a remote control system over a plurality of vacuum operated work holding devices. The apparatus also provides the ability to increase the vacuum flow rate available to the vacuum operated work holding devices within the system by increasing the number of vacuum generating venturis engaged in the system. The apparatus includes a venturi manifold and a plurality of venturi nozzles in fluid communication with the manifold. A venturi control valve controls the flow of pressurized air into the manifold and venturi nozzles. The system is fluidly connected to vacuum operated work holding devices by various passages and ports in the manifold. The manifold, venturi valve and venturi nozzles are stackable in two different ways. When the manifolds are stacked in the same orientation with respect to one another, the central vacuum passages communicate with one another to provide the ability to increase vacuum flow rate and thereby to decrease system response time. When the manifolds are stacked in a rotated orientation with respect to one another, the central passages are independent of one another to provide two separate, independently controlled vacuum systems.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A vacuum control apparatus for generating and controlling a source of vacuum produced from a source of pressurized air for communication with at least one vacuum operated work holding device, the vacuum control apparatus comprising:

at least two venturi means for generating sub-atmospheric pressure in response to flow of pressurized air;
first valve means for selectively supplying a flow of pressurized air to said venturi means;
manifold passage means for connecting said at least two venturi means to one another, said manifold passage means including a pressurized air passage and a vacuum passage, said pressurized air passage connecting said at least two venturi means to said source of pressurized air through said first valve means and said vacuum passage connected to said at least two venturi means for communicating said sub-atmospheric pressure with at least one vacuum operated work holding device, said manifold passage means further including at least one stackable passage for connecting a plurality of said manifold passage means to one another, said stackable passage extending through said manifold passage means with openings on each end for connection to another manifold passage means;
second valve means for selectively supplying a flow of pressurized air to said vacuum passage;
and
valve control means for selectively controlling said first and second valve means.

3 more elements

A vacuum control apparatus assembly for applying and releasing vacuum to a vacuum operated work holding device engaging a workpiece, said vacuum control apparatus comprising:

a venturi manifold having opposing passages and a central passage traversing a common plane with said central passage in fluid communication with the opposing passages, and first and second passages extending through said venturi manifold perpendicular to said central passage and said opposing passages;
a base for supporting said vacuum control apparatus, said base having at least one port for connecting said vacuum operated work holding device to said sub-atmospheric pressure means;
a venturi control valve disposed adjacent to and in fluid communication with said venturi manifold and said sub-atmospheric pressure means, said venturi control valve having a valve body with a first flow passage through said valve body, first and second opposing T-shaped cavities extending from opposite ends of said valve body, a flow passage interposed between said opposing first and second T-shaped cavities and connected to a source of air under pressure, first and second outwardly-biased spools housed within said first and second T-shaped cavities respectively for regulating flow of said pressurized air between first and second passages respectively, end cap means for securing each of said first and second spools within said first and second T-shaped cavities, said end cap means including first and second manual actuators for manual application of pressurized air;
a manifold disposed adjacent to and in fluid communication with said venturi control valve and a source of air under pressure;
check valve means for maintaining said sub-atmospheric pressure within said vacuum operated work holding device;
control means for selectively controlling application of vacuum to said vacuum operated work holding device and application of pressurized air to said vacuum operated work holding device, said control means including a plurality of solenoid operated valves mounted on said manifold;
sub-atmospheric pressure means having a dual-stage venturi body disposed on either side of said venturi manifold;
a primary nozzle cartridge disposed within said dual-stage venturi body and in fluid communication with said opposing and central passages;
a primary receiver cartridge disposed within said dual stage venturi body and in fluid communication with said primary nozzle for producing a first region of sub-atmospheric pressure between said primary receiver cartridge and said primary nozzle in response to flow of pressurized air therethrough;
and
a secondary receiver cartridge disposed within said dual-stage venturi body and in fluid communication with said primary receiver cartridge for producing a second region of sub-atmospheric pressure between said secondary receiver cartridge and said primary receiver cartridge in response to flow of pressurized air therethrough.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vacuum control apparatus

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Vacuum control apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26