Billet grinder apparatus, particularly for contour grinding of pipe

Claim 2

In a billet grinding machine including a cooperating unit for holding the workpiece wherein the combination has means for producing relative movement of the grinding wheel along the workpiece, and particularly the combination for contour grinding of rounds and pipe wherein the combination also simultaneously rotates the workpiece about its own axis, the improvement for maintaining a substantially constant force of the wheel against a work surface that changes its vertical position rapidly, comprising: a. a frame, b. a saddle, c. means for supporting the saddle in the frame, d. a boom extending outwardly from the saddle, e. a grinding wheel mounted for rotation about its central axis, on the outer end of the boom, f. means pivotally mounting the inner end of the boom on the saddle for moving the grinding wheel onto the workpiece, thereby also establishing a pivotal axis of the boom, g. a motor mounted on the saddle, h. means for driving the grinding wheel from the motor, i. an upper air bag actuator secured at its upper end to the saddle, j. a lower air bag actuator secured at its lower end to the saddle, k. main fluid power pressure means to control the force exerted by each actuator for producing a differential force between them, l. a boom control member between said actuators, secured to the lower end of the upper actuator and to the upper end of the lower actuator so as to move between them in response to the differential force exerted by said actuators, m. means for guiding the motion of said boom control member between the actuators, n. means for limiting the travel of the boom control member, o. means pivotally connecting said boom control member to the boom for producing a moment of the boom about the pivotal axis of the boom, p. emergency means having a lost motion connection to the boom, operable upon loss of pressure of main fluid power means to retract the boom for removing the grinding wheel from the workpiece, and q. power means for storing energy during the operation of the main fluid power means and for supplying energy to said emergency means during loss of pressure of main fluid power means.

Claim 3

The machine defined in claim 1, wherein the means for driving the grinding wheel from the motor includes, a. an intermediate shaft which is substantially coaxial with the pivotal axis of the boom, b. a driven sheave on one end of said shaft, c. a driving sheave on the other end of said shaft, d. a first set of belts connecting the motor and the driven sheave, e. a second set of belts connecting the driving sheave with the grinding wheel.

Claim 4

The machine defined in claim 2, wherein the means pivotally mounting the inner end of the boom on the saddle includes a hollow pivotal shaft, and the intermediate shaft passes through said pivotal shaft.

Claim 5

The machine defined in claim 1, wherein the moment of the boom produced by the bag actuators, boom control member, and connecting means has a short moment arm.

Claim 6

The machine defined in claim 1, wherein the bag actuators, the boom control member, and the means pivotally connecting the boom control member to the boom are so positioned with relation to the pivotal axis of the boom that the arcuate travel of the grinding wheel axis is no less than four times the corresponding travel of the boom control member.

Claim 7

The machine defined in claim 1, wherein the distance between the pivotal axis of the boom and the axis of the grinding wheel, to the distance between said pivotal axis and the pivotal connection on the boom of the connecting means, is in the ratio of no less than four to one.

Claim 8

The machine defined in claim 1, wherein the incremental volume of the actuator to the volume of the actuator at that end of its permitted stroke when its volume is greatest, is in the ratio of no more than six to ten.

Claim 9

The machine defined in claim 3, wherein the bag actuators, the boom control member, and the means pivotally connecting the boom control member to the boom are so positioned with relation to the pivotal axis of the boom that the arcuate travel of the grinding wheel axis is no less than four times the corresponding travel of the boom control member.

Claim 10

The machine defined in claim 8, where in the incremental volume of the actuator to the volume of the actuator at that end of its permitted stroke when it volume is greatest, is in the ratio of no more than six to ten.

Claim 11

In a billet grinding machine including a cooperating unit for holding the workpiece wherein the combination has means for producing relative moment of the grinding wheel along the workpiece, and particularly the combination for contour grinding of rounds and pipe wherein the combination also simultaneously rotates the workpiece about its own axis, the improvement for maintaining a substantially constant force of the wheel against a work surface that changes its vertical position rapidly, comprising; a. a frame, b. a saddle, c. means for supporting the saddle in the frame, d. a boom extending outwardly from the saddle, e. a grinding wheel mounted for rotation about its central axis, on the outer end of the boom, f. means pivotally mounting the inner end of the boom on thE saddle for moving the grinding wheel onto the workpiece, thereby also establishing a pivotal axis of the boom, said means including a hollow pivotal shaft, g. a motor mounted on the saddle, h. means for driving the grinding wheel from the motor, including an intermediate shaft which is substantially coaxial with the pivotal axis of the boom and which passes through the hollow pivotal shaft; a driven sheave on one end of said shaft; a driving sheave on the other end of said shaft; a first set of belts connecting the motor and the driven sheave; and a second set of belts connecting the driving sheave with the grinding wheel, i. An upper air bag actuator secured at its upper end to the saddle, j. a lower air bag actuator secured at its lower end to the saddle, k. main fluid power pressure means to control the force exerted by each actuator for producing a differential force between them, l. a boom control member between said actuators, secured to the lower end of the upper actuator and to the upper end of the lower actuator so as to move between them in response to the differential force exerted by said actuators, m. means for guiding the motion of the boom control member between the actuators, n. means for limiting the travel of the boom control member, o. means pivotally connecting said boom control member to the boom for producing a moment of the boom about the pivotal axis of the boom, said bag actuators, boom control member, and pivotally connecting means being so positioned with relation to the pivotal axis of the boom that the arcuate travel of the grinding wheel axis is no less than four times the corresponding travel of the boom control member, p. emergency means having a lost motion connection to the boom, operable upon loss of pressure of main fluid power means to retract the boom for removing the grinding wheel from the workpiece, and q. power means for storing energy during operation of the main fluid power means and for supplying energy to said emergency means during loss of pressure of main fluid power means.

Claim 12

In a billet grinding machine including a cooperating unit for holding the workpiece wherein the combination has means for producing relative moment of the grinding wheel along the workpiece, and particularly the combination for contour grinding of rounds and pipe wherein the combination also simultaneously rotates the workpiece about its own axis, the improvement for maintaining a substantially constant force of the wheel against a work surface that changes its vertical position rapidly, comprising; a. a frame, b. a saddle, c. means for supporting the saddle in the frame, d. a boom extending outwardly from the saddle, e. a grinding wheel mounted for rotation about its central axis, on the outer end of the boom, f. means pivotally mounting the inner end of the boom on thE saddle for moving the grinding wheel onto the workpiece, thereby also establishing a pivotal axis of the boom, said means including a hollow pivotal shaft, g. a motor mounted on the saddle, h. means for driving the grinding wheel from the motor, including an intermediate shaft which is substantially coaxial with the pivotal axis of the boom and which passes through the hollow pivotal shaft; a driven sheave on one end of said shaft; a driving sheave on the other end of said shaft; a first set of belts connecting the motor and the driven sheave; and a second set of belts connecting the driving sheave with the grinding wheel, i. An upper air bag actuator secured at its upper end to the saddle, j. a lower air bag actuator secured at its lower end to the saddle, k. main fluid power pressure means to control the force exerted by each actuator for producing a differential force between them, l. a boom control member between said actuators, secured to the lower end of the upper actuator and to the upper end of the lower actuator so as to move between them in response to the differential force exerted by said actuators, m. means for guiding the motion of the boom control member between the actuators, n. means for limiting the travel of the boom control member, o. means pivotally connecting said boom control member to the boom for producing a moment of the boom about the pivotal axis of the boom, said bag actuators, boom control member, and pivotally connecting means being so positioned with relation to the pivotal axis of the boom that the arcuate travel of the grinding wheel axis is no less than four times the corresponding travel of the boom control member, p. emergency means having a lost motion connection to the boom, operable upon loss of pressure of main fluid power means to retract the boom for removing the grinding wheel from the workpiece, and q. power means for storing energy during operation of the main fluid power means and for supplying energy to said emergency means during loss of pressure of main fluid power means.

Claim 13

In a billet grinding machine including a cooperating unit for holding the workpiece wherein the combination has means for producing relative moment of the grinding wheel along the workpiece, and particularly the combination for contour grinding of rounds and pipe wherein the combination also simultaneously rotates the workpiece about its own axis, the improvement for maintaining a substantially constant force of the wheel against a work surface that changes its vertical position rapidly, comprising; a. a frame, b. a saddle, c. means for supporting the saddle in the frame, d. a boom extending outwardly from the saddle, e. a grinding wheel mounted for rotation about its central axis, on the outer end of the boom, f. means pivotally mounting the inner end of the boom on the saddle so that substantially all of the weight of the boom and grinding wheel produces a moment of force about the pivotal axis in the same direction for moving the grinding wheel onto the workpiece, thereby also establishing a pivotal axis, said means including a hollow pivotal shaft, g. a motor mounted on the saddle, h. means for driving the grinding wheel from the motor, including an intermediate shaft which is substantially coaxial with the pivotal axis of the boom and which passes through the hollow pivotal shaft; a driven sheave on one end of said shaft; a driving sheave on the other end of said shaft; a first set of belts connecting the motor and the driven sheave; and a second set of belts connecting the driving sheave with the grinding wheel, i. an upper air bag actuator secured at its upper end to the saddle, j. a lower air bag actuator secured at its lower end to the saddle, k. main fluid power pressure means to control the force exerted by each actuator for producing a differential force between them, l. a boom control member between said actuators, secureD to the lower end of the upper actuator and to the upper end of the lower actuator so as to move between them in response to the differential force exerted by said actuators, m. means for guiding the motion of the boom control member between the actuators, n. means for limiting the travel of the boom control member, and o. means pivotally connecting said boom control member to the boom for producing a moment of the boom about the pivotal axis of the boom, said bag actuators, boom control member, and pivotally connecting means being so positioned with relation to the pivotal axis of the boom that the arcuate travel of the grinding wheel axis is no less than four times the corresponding travel of the boom control member.

Claim 14

In a billet grinding machine including a cooperating unit for holding the workpiece wherein the combination has means for producing relative moment of the grinding wheel along the workpiece, and particularly the combination for contour grinding of rounds and pipe wherein the combination also simultaneously rotates the workpiece about its own axis, the improvement for maintaining a substantially constant force of the wheel against a work surface that changes its vertical position rapidly, comprising; a. a frame, b. a saddle, c. means for supporting the saddle in the frame, d. a boom extending outwardly from the saddle, e. a grinding wheel mounted for rotation about its central axis, on the outer end of the boom, f. means pivotally mounting the inner end of the boom on the saddle so that substantially all of the weight of the boom and grinding wheel produces a moment of force about the pivotal axis in the same direction for moving the grinding wheel onto the workpiece, thereby also establishing a pivotal axis, said means including a hollow pivotal shaft, g. a motor mounted on the saddle, h. means for driving the grinding wheel from the motor, including an intermediate shaft which is substantially coaxial with the pivotal axis of the boom and which passes through the hollow pivotal shaft; a driven sheave on one end of said shaft; a driving sheave on the other end of said shaft; a first set of belts connecting the motor and the driven sheave; and a second set of belts connecting the driving sheave with the grinding wheel, i. an upper air bag actuator secured at its upper end to the saddle, j. a lower air bag actuator secured at its lower end to the saddle, k. main fluid power pressure means to control the force exerted by each actuator for producing a differential force between them, l. a boom control member between said actuators, secureD to the lower end of the upper actuator and to the upper end of the lower actuator so as to move between them in response to the differential force exerted by said actuators, m. means for guiding the motion of the boom control member between the actuators, n. means for limiting the travel of the boom control member, and o. means pivotally connecting said boom control member to the boom for producing a moment of the boom about the pivotal axis of the boom, said bag actuators, boom control member, and pivotally connecting means being so positioned with relation to the pivotal axis of the boom that the arcuate travel of the grinding wheel axis is no less than four times the corresponding travel of the boom control member.

Claim 15

In a billet grinding machine including a cooperating unit for holding the workpiece wherein the combination has means for producing relative movement of the grinding wheel along the workpiece, and particularly the combination for contour grinding of rounds and pipe wherein the combination also simultaneously rotates the workpiece about its own axis, the improvement for maintaining a substantially constant force of the wheel against a work surface that changes its vertical position rapidly, comprising: a. a frame, b. a saddle, c. means for supporting the saddle in the frame, d. a boom extending outwardly from the saddle, e. a grinding wheel mounted for rotation about its central axis, on the outer end of the boom, f. means pivotally mounting the inner end of the boom on the saddle so that substantially all of the weight of the boom and grinding wheel produces a moment of force about the pivotal axis in the same direction for moving the grinding wheel onto the workpiece, thereby also establishing a pivotal axis, said means including a hollow pivotal shaft, g. a motor mounted on the saddle, h. means for driving the grinding wheel from the motor, i. an upper air bag actuator secured at its upper end to the saddle, j. a lower air bag actuator secured at its lower end to the saddle, k. main fluid power pressure means to control the force exerted by each actuator for producing a differential force between them, l. a boom control member between said actuators, secured to the lower end of the upper actuator and to the upper end of the lower actuator so as to move between them in response to the differential force exerted by said actuators, m. means for guiding the motion of said boom control member between the actuators, n. means for limiting the travel of the boom control member, and o. means pivotally connecting said boom control member to the boom for producing a moment of the boom about the pivotal axis of the boom.

Claim 16

In a billet grinding machine including a cooperating unit for holding the workpiece wherein the combination has means for producing relative movement of the grinding wheel along the workpiece, and particularly the combination for contour grinding of rounds and pipe wherein the combination also simultaneously rotates the workpiece about its own axis, the improvement for maintaining a substantially constant force of the wheel against a work surface that changes its vertical position rapidly, comprising: a. a frame, b. a saddle, c. means for supporting the saddle in the frame, d. a boom extending outwardly from the saddle, e. a grinding wheel mounted for rotation about its central axis, on the outer end of the boom, f. means pivotally mounting the inner end of the boom on the saddle so that substantially all of the weight of the boom and grinding wheel produces a moment of force about the pivotal axis in the same direction for moving the grinding wheel onto the workpiece, thereby also establishing a pivotal axis, said means including a hollow pivotal shaft, g. a motor mounted on the saddle, h. means for driving the grinding wheel from the motor, i. an upper air bag actuator secured at its upper end to the saddle, j. a lower air bag actuator secured at its lower end to the saddle, k. main fluid power pressure means to control the force exerted by each actuator for producing a differential force between them, l. a boom control member between said actuators, secured to the lower end of the upper actuator and to the upper end of the lower actuator so as to move between them in response to the differential force exerted by said actuators, m. means for guiding the motion of said boom control member between the actuators, n. means for limiting the travel of the boom control member, and o. means pivotally connecting said boom control member to the boom for producing a moment of the boom about the pivotal axis of the boom.