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US 7,387,478 B2Granted
Machining system with integrated chip hopper
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsJames Anderson, Alexander Stoll, Thomas Loch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A machining system having a machining envelope, a housing, a hopper, and a seal. The housing defines at least a portion of the machining envelope. The hopper has a top surface defining an opening. The seal is disposed between the housing and the top surface. The hopper is configured to receive particulates when positioned below the machining envelope.
Claims12
A machining system having a machining envelope, the machining system comprising:
- a housing defining at least a portion of the machining envelope, a bottom portion of the housing having an access port;
- a hopper having a top surface defining an opening, the hopper adapted to be inserted through the access port into the bottom portion of the housing;
- and a seal extending from the top surface to the housing such that the seal is spaced apart from and does not extend into the opening and such that the seal extends completely around the opening;
- wherein the hopper is configured to receive particulates when positioned below the machining envelope.
1 more element
A machining system comprising:
- a housing including:
- an upper portion defining a machining envelope;
- a lower portion disposed proximate the upper portion, the lower portion having an access port;
- and
- a mating portion disposed proximate the upper and lower portions defining a first aperture, the mating portion having a bottom surface;
- and
- a chip hopper adapted to be inserted through the access port into the lower portion, the chip hopper including:
- a top surface defining a second aperture;
- and
- a seal disposed on the top surface such that the seal extends completely around and is spaced apart from the second aperture;
- wherein the seal engages the bottom surface of the mating portion to inhibit particulate s from exiting the housing.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.