Programmable coolant nozzle system
AssigneeDimensional Control, Inc.
InventorsMarc R. Warren, Stephen R. Gardner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A programmable coolant nozzle system includes a coolant fluid nozzle fixed to a manifold so that the centerline of the nozzle and the centerline of the manifold block are perpendicular. This feature allows coolant fluid to be rotatably directed from the nozzle at great pressure and/or volume with an actuator that does not have to withstand severe tortional force. The invention includes a method which allows coolant fluid to be rotatably directed from a nozzle assembly and to be commensurate with any change in position of the working tool of a machine tool center.
Claims9
A remotely controlled coolant fluid nozzle system for a machine tool center comprising:
- a mount with means for attachment to a machine tool center;
- an electromechanical actuator attached to the mount, and having an output shaft, and means for receiving electronic signals and converting the signals to movement of the shaft;
- a manifold block having a centerline axis and a fluid passage, said block being in mechanical contact with the shaft, the centerline axis and fluid passage being coincident, said block being rotatable around the centerline axis in response to movement of the shaft;
- a coolant fluid nozzle having a centerline axis bore, wherein said nozzle is attached to the block such that the nozzle bore is in fluid communication with and perpendicular to the fluid passage of the block;
- and
- a rotating coolant union attached to the mount and to the block, said union having a flow path in fluid communication with the block, a means to allow for block rotation around the centerline axis, and a coolant fluid input port in fluid communication with said flow path.
In a machine tool center with a working tool and a remotely controlled coolant fluid nozzle system, a method of controlling coolant fluid flow direction by rotating a nozzle commensurate with a changing position of the working tool, comprising the steps of:
- determining a location of an interface between the working tool and a surface upon which the tool performs work, and
- applying a stream of coolant fluid to the interface with the nozzle, and
- rotating the nozzle so as to maintain the application of coolant fluid to the interface as the working tool changes position relative to the work surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.