GB1588422A

GB1588422A - Apparatus for turning forgings

Info

Publication number: GB1588422A
Application number: GB4833177A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: MAN Maschinenfabrik Augsburg Nuernberg AG
Current assignee: MAN AG
Priority date: 1976-12-15
Filing date: 1977-11-21
Publication date: 1981-04-23
Also published as: IT1088391B; RO74986A; IN148366B; AT354827B; ATA792377A; SU1118279A3; DE2656786A1; DE2656786C2; BR7708119A

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR TURNING FORGINGS (71) We, MASCHINENFABRIK AUGS BURG-NORNBERG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, of Katzwanger Strasse 101, 8500 Niirnberg, Germany (Fed.Rep.), a German Body Corporate, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The invention relates to apparatus for turning forgings under a forging hammer or a forging press by means of an endless chain.

In high-speed forging, there is not sufficient time for accelerating decelerating the rotating masses in each cycle. Therefore, in known apparatus a drive motor runs continuously and a connection between the motor rotor and the gearing is effected during a short period in each cycle by means of an electric-magnet clutch. Control signals for the clutch are supplied by a control system to which it is electrically coupled for the forging operation. The electric magnet has to be deenergized cyclically according to the position or speed of the ram of the forging press.

At very high cycling speeds (about 50 to 100 cycles per minute) difficulties are encountered due to the inertia of switching elements, which no longer pernit synchronous operation, i.e. disengagement of the clutch exactly at the moment the press ram hits the forging, so that overstressing and overloading of the apparatus result.

An object of the invention is to provide apparatus for turning forgings which will permit troublefree operation even at high cycling speeds during high speed forging, e.g.

finish forging.

The invention provides apparatus for turning forgings comprising a sprocket drivingly supporting an endless chain the sprocket being rotatable by means of a motor via a gear and a driver rotatable with the sprocket, the gear being rotatably connected to the driver by means of at least one preloaded flexible member, so that during a forging operation, when turning of the forging stops momentarily, the resulting loading on the chain is absorbed by the at least one flexible member. Thus, the flexible member or members will provide adequate overload protection; furthermore, they will ensure synchronous meshing of each drive pinion and the mating gear which is necessary for uniform tooth loading.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is part of a side elevation of the apparatus according to the invention with a front protective wall removed, Fig. 2 is a section along the line Il-Il in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the flexible members of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a partly-sectioned plan view of the flexible member of Fig. 3.

In Fig. 1, a turning device, which is usually suspendable from the hook of a crane serving the forging press, comprises essentially a drive motor 1 coupled to gearing 2, a sprocket unit 3 (Fig. 2) and an associated turning chain 4. The complete driving mechanism is spring-mounted in a support structure 5. The turning device is surrounded by a protective enclosure 6.

The sprocket unit 3 consists essentially of an axle 7 on which a sprocket wheel 8 is rotatable mounted, the axle 7 being mounted at both ends in the support structure 5. The sprocket wheel 8 is formed with two spaced rings of teeth 9, 10 which cooperate with the turning chain 4. The hub of the sprocket wheel 8 is formed with cylindrical spigots 11 on the right-hand and left-hand side of the tooth rings 9, 10. The spigots 11 are positively connected to the central bores of drivers 12 by means of force and/or form locking joints so as to transmit torque. In addition to the spigots 11, the hub of the sprocket wheel 8 has two further cylindrical spigots 13 whose diameters are smaller than those of the spigots 11. A spur gear 4 of relatively large diameter is mounted on each of the two spigots 13 via a bearing 15.The spur gears 14 each mesh in a manner known per se with an output pinion 16 of the gearing 2.

Each of the two drivers 12 consists of a hub 17, a web 18 and a driver pin 19 connected to the web. The driver pins 19 are fitted in holes 20 in the web 18 for which purpose the web 18 is reinforced by bosses 21 in this area. The bosses 21 and theiouter part of the driver pins 19 penetrate through cuts-outs 22 in webs 24 of the spur gears 14.

Each of the two Spur gears 14 is formed with a hub 23, a web 24 and an outer rim 25 formed 'with gear teeth. Web parts 26 are connected to each hub 23 and are arranged parallel to, and spaced from, the webs 24.

The web parts 26 are removable attached to the outer face of the hub 23. The webs 24 and the web parts 26 formed with holes 27 which are aligned with each other.

Flexible members 28 (Fig. I) are interposed between the spur gears 14 and the drivers 12, and are provided with a degree of preload. The design and arrangement of the flexible members 28 is identical for the two spur gear/driver elements.

Each flexible member 28 includes a mechanical spring formed from a plurality of oppositely-facing dished spring elements 29, a bar 30 on which the spring is threaded, a device for preloading the spring against a collar 31, which is axially located on the bar 30, and means providing an articulared connection to the associated driver 12 and the associated spur gear 14.

The device for preloading the springs 29 consists of a flanged sleeve 32 on the bar 30, an intermediate part 33 in the form of an open cup with a hole in its base, the inner surface of the base contacting the associated end face of the flanged sleeve 32 with the shell of the intermediate part 33 overlapping part of the flanged sleeve 32, and a nut 34 threaded on the bar 30 and contacting the outer surface of the base of the intermediate part 33. A body 35 is fitted on the flanged sleeve 32, and has two diametrically-opposed pins 36.

The pins 36 are supported in holes 27 of the associated spur gear 14 (Figs. 1 and 2), thus providing the articulated connection at one end of the flexible member 28.

To provide the articulated connection at the other end of the flexible member 28, the bar 30 is formed with a head 38 having a hole 37 which accommodates a concave-shaped ring 39 with a part-spherical sliding-contact face. The ring 39 in conjunction with a convex-shaped ring 40 mounted on the associated driver pin 19 forms a known type of self-aligning bearing. The ring 40 is fixedly connected to the pin 19. The ring 39 is located in any suitable manner against axial displacement.

A shell 41 enclosing the springs 29 is fixedly connected to each body 35. The other end of the shell is detachably fixed on a sleeve 42, which is axially slidable on the bar 30.

Four flexible members 28 are associated with each part consisting of driver 12 and spur gear 14. The number of members may, however, be other than four.

The flexible member 28 may under certain circumstances alternatively be formed by suitable hydraulic devices which are not specifically shown in the drawing.

Preloading of the flexible member 28 is chosen just high enough to cause the flexible members to act as a rigid connection during ingot turning, so that the sprocket wheel 8 can be turned via the spur gears 14 and the drivers 12 without slippage.

When a press ram (not shown) hits a forging, the forging and the chain 4 are held fast with the drive motor 1 running and connected via the coupling 43 with the gearing 2. At the moment when the turning chain 4 is held fast momentarily, the spur gears 14 compress the flexible members 28 (spring elements). If the press ram is not retracted after a brief period, the drive motor 1 will continue running until its stalling torque is reached with the torque applied including flywheel moment being absorbed by the flexible intermediate members 28. A frequency relay will then permit the turning apparatus to be shut down.

When the forging is released, acceleration of the turning chain can be initiated by the loaded flexible members 28 without motor action.

The flexible members 28 between the driver 12 and the spur gears 14 also ensure uniform tooth loading of the output pinions 16 of the gearing.

A forging press is usually served by two cranes working together, one crane being equipped with a motor-operated turning chain, and the second crane being equipped with a non-power-operated turning chain.

However, it is also possible to use two poweroperated turning chains.

Deviating from the embodiment illustrated, the sprocket unit 3 may be formed with only one spur gear 14 and one driver 12 and one or a plurality of flexible members 28, i.e. one of the two spur gears, drivers and associated members shown in Fig. 2 would be omitted.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for turning forgings comprising a' sprocket drivingly supporting and endless chain, the sprocket being rotatable by means of a motor via a gear and a driver rotatable with the sprocket, the gear being rotatably connected to the driver by means of at least one preloaded flexible member, so that during a forging operation, when turning of the forging stops momentarily, the resulting loading on the chain is absorbed by the at least one flexible member.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two gears each connected by at least one flexible member to a respec

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

20 in the web 18 for which purpose the web 18 is reinforced by bosses 21 in this area. The bosses 21 and theiouter part of the driver pins 19 penetrate through cuts-outs 22 in webs 24 of the spur gears 14.

Each of the two Spur gears 14 is formed with a hub 23, a web 24 and an outer rim 25 formed 'with gear teeth. Web parts 26 are connected to each hub 23 and are arranged parallel to, and spaced from, the webs 24.

The web parts 26 are removable attached to the outer face of the hub 23. The webs 24 and the web parts 26 formed with holes 27 which are aligned with each other.

Flexible members 28 (Fig. I) are interposed between the spur gears 14 and the drivers 12, and are provided with a degree of preload. The design and arrangement of the flexible members 28 is identical for the two spur gear/driver elements.

Each flexible member 28 includes a mechanical spring formed from a plurality of oppositely-facing dished spring elements 29, a bar 30 on which the spring is threaded, a device for preloading the spring against a collar 31, which is axially located on the bar 30, and means providing an articulared connection to the associated driver 12 and the associated spur gear 14.

The device for preloading the springs 29 consists of a flanged sleeve 32 on the bar 30, an intermediate part 33 in the form of an open cup with a hole in its base, the inner surface of the base contacting the associated end face of the flanged sleeve 32 with the shell of the intermediate part 33 overlapping part of the flanged sleeve 32, and a nut 34 threaded on the bar 30 and contacting the outer surface of the base of the intermediate part 33. A body 35 is fitted on the flanged sleeve 32, and has two diametrically-opposed pins 36.

The pins 36 are supported in holes 27 of the associated spur gear 14 (Figs. 1 and 2), thus providing the articulated connection at one end of the flexible member 28.

To provide the articulated connection at the other end of the flexible member 28, the bar 30 is formed with a head 38 having a hole 37 which accommodates a concave-shaped ring 39 with a part-spherical sliding-contact face. The ring 39 in conjunction with a convex-shaped ring 40 mounted on the associated driver pin 19 forms a known type of self-aligning bearing. The ring 40 is fixedly connected to the pin 19. The ring 39 is located in any suitable manner against axial displacement.

A shell 41 enclosing the springs 29 is fixedly connected to each body 35. The other end of the shell is detachably fixed on a sleeve 42, which is axially slidable on the bar 30.

Four flexible members 28 are associated with each part consisting of driver 12 and spur gear 14. The number of members may, however, be other than four.

The flexible member 28 may under certain circumstances alternatively be formed by suitable hydraulic devices which are not specifically shown in the drawing.

Preloading of the flexible member 28 is chosen just high enough to cause the flexible members to act as a rigid connection during ingot turning, so that the sprocket wheel 8 can be turned via the spur gears 14 and the drivers 12 without slippage.

When a press ram (not shown) hits a forging, the forging and the chain 4 are held fast with the drive motor 1 running and connected via the coupling 43 with the gearing 2. At the moment when the turning chain 4 is held fast momentarily, the spur gears 14 compress the flexible members 28 (spring elements). If the press ram is not retracted after a brief period, the drive motor 1 will continue running until its stalling torque is reached with the torque applied including flywheel moment being absorbed by the flexible intermediate members 28. A frequency relay will then permit the turning apparatus to be shut down.

When the forging is released, acceleration of the turning chain can be initiated by the loaded flexible members 28 without motor action.

The flexible members 28 between the driver 12 and the spur gears 14 also ensure uniform tooth loading of the output pinions 16 of the gearing.

A forging press is usually served by two cranes working together, one crane being equipped with a motor-operated turning chain, and the second crane being equipped with a non-power-operated turning chain.

However, it is also possible to use two poweroperated turning chains.

Deviating from the embodiment illustrated, the sprocket unit 3 may be formed with only one spur gear 14 and one driver 12 and one or a plurality of flexible members 28, i.e. one of the two spur gears, drivers and associated members shown in Fig. 2 would be omitted.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for turning forgings comprising a' sprocket drivingly supporting and endless chain, the sprocket being rotatable by means of a motor via a gear and a driver rotatable with the sprocket, the gear being rotatably connected to the driver by means of at least one preloaded flexible member, so that during a forging operation, when turning of the forging stops momentarily, the resulting loading on the chain is absorbed by the at least one flexible member.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two gears each connected by at least one flexible member to a respec

tive one of two drivers arranged on opposite sides of the sprocket.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each flexible member comprises a mechanical spring.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mechanical spring is a plurality of oppositely-facing dished spring elements.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein each spring is mounted on a bar which is articulated at one end to a pin of the, or the respective driver, the pin extending through a web of the associated gear, the other end of the bar having pins articulatedly supported on the associated gear.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pins at the said other end are respectively supported in the web of the associated gear and an additional web connected thereto.
7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein each spring is surrounded by a hollow protective shell.
8. Apparatus for turning forgings substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.