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US 5,564,872 AGranted
Implement for machine tools and process for generating electric power in one such implement
OwnerWilfried Veil, Wolfgang Madlenerinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Mechanical energy is supplied to an implement on a rotating spindle, and a generator on the implement converts the mechanical energy into electric power. Preferably the energy is supplied in the form of rotary motion via the work spindle. Alternatively, a fluent medium, for example, coolant or compressed air, can be supplied, in which case the medium is used to drive a turbine wheel coupled to the generator.
Claims9
A machine tool element comprising:
- a housing (10) having a coupling element (11) for connecting the housing to a work spindle (19) of a machine tool,
- at least one electrical consumer (32, 33, 34), and
- a generator (2) for generating electric power for said electrical consumer (32, 33, 34),
- said generator (2) comprising a stator (12) and a rotor (13), the stator (12) being affixed to the housing (10), so that it rotates in unison with the housing,and
- a flywheel mass (8) mounted for freewheeling rotation within the housing (10),
- the axis of rotation of the flywheel mass coinciding substantially with the axis of the coupling (16), and
- an overrunning clutch (17) within the housing for rotationally accelerating the flywheel mass as the housing turns,
- whereby said flywheel mass is rotated by the overrunning clutch (17) as the housing and stator turn, and continues to turn, driving the rotor so as to generate electricity, after the housing and stator are stopped.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.