US1705918A - Sheet surfacing - Google Patents

Description

March.19, 1929. HARRINGTON 1,705,918

' SHEET SURFACING Filed Aug. 16, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet l lNVENTOR March 19, 1929. A. HARRINGTON SHEET SURFACING Filed Aug. 16, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet INVBNTOR March 19, 1929. A. L. HARRINGTON 1,705,913

SHEET SURFACING Filed Aug. 16, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 6 :iiii:rwa A E; 555mm;EEEQEHEEEEEHE W f z Patented Mar. 19, 1929.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT o FIcE- ALFRED L HARRINGTON, OF nossLYN' FARMS, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR To PITTS- BURGH PLATE eL sscomrANY, A coE-roEATIoN or PENNSYLVANIA.

SHEET su'ma'AcIim.

The invention relates tosheet surfacing.

I a series of polishing machines, as set forth in my Patent No. 1,671,718, dated May 16, 1928, and it will be understood that the single machine here shown and" described is only one of a series,

tral station, and that the other machines of the system are similarly constructed. and controlled. The machine and its controlling means constitutes a modification -of the form of apparatus shown in Fig. 12 of said pending application, wherein electric motors are employed for raising and lowering the surfac-ing runners. The invention has for its principal objects; the provision of improved controlling means for raising and-lowering the surfacing runners; the provision of means whereby the up and down movement of the runnersand the pressure thereof on the glass is automatically controlled byvariations in the current supplied to the motors for rotating them, so that the runners rise slightly when the driving-force required rises above a certain point, and whereby the runners lower slightly when the driving force required drops below a certain point; and the provision of means whereby the successive runners may be caused to .lift

. from the tables and then return to surfacsheets or from which the glass may Wll'lllg. d1 agram of ing" position in order to skip any table or tables which-may carry a broken sheet or have been removed for any cause. One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figures 1 and 1": grinding machines in side elevation, and the the system. Fig. 2 is an enlar' ed vertical sectional view on the line 11- I of Fig. 1: Fig. 3 is an enlarged sec tion on the line IIIJ-IH of Fig.. 1. And Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the startall controlled from a centogether show one of the Application filed August 16, 1927. Serial lio.'2l3,273.

such cars being mounted upon the tracks 5, and moved below the series of grinding and polishing machines, by any suitable driving means, such as that shown in the application referred to and including the racks 6.(F1g 1) carried by the under sides of the car bodies and a pinion 6 driven from an are carried byspindles 8 driven. by the motors 9 through suitable reduction gearing in the casings 10 and 11. The spindle 8 is journaled in the. housing 12, whose weight and that of the motor, spindle and runner, are carried by the lever 13 pivoted at 14 upon sthe framework 15. A link 16, pivoted at:

one end to the framework and at its other end to thehousing 12, serves as a guide for the lower end of the housing. The lever 13 carries at its inner end the casing 17 and the motor 18. A sleeve 19 is journaled in the casing and has keyed thereto the worm wheel 20. This worm wheel isdriven from the motor throughthe intermediary of the worm 21 on the countershaft 22 and thechain 23 passing around the sprockets 24 and 25 carried by the motor shaftfand countersha-ft.

Lying below the casing. 17 and supporting it is the carried by t e lever 13 upon the trunnions 27. Extending upward through the yikeis the shaft 28, whose upper end 29 is square in cross sectionand fits slidingly into the sleeve 19. The shaft is supported by the antifriction thrust bearing 30 resting upon the cross head 31. This cross head is guided verticall by the sides of the yoke 26 and is yielding supported by the spring-32. The lower end of the shaft 28 is threaded through the hub of the spur gear 33 lying in the casing 34 and secured .to the flanges of the beam 35 forming a part of the framework 15 by means of bearings 34 and the trunnions 35. I A' thrust bearing 36 is interposed between the electric motor (not shown). The runners 7 yoke 26* (Fig. 2), which is itself 4:),ing of the relay coil 0,, as later described),

upper side of the hub of the gear and the hub 37 of the casing 34. The gear 33 may be turned by means of the handle 38 (Fig. 1) secured to the shaft 39, which shaft carries a pinion 40 meshing with the gear 33.. The lever -13 may thus be raised and lowered by hand, if this becomes necessary. The handle- 38 may be locked against movement by the pin 41, thus locking the gear 33 against rotation, and under these conditions, the lever 13 may be swung up and down by the operation of the motor 18 which rotates the shaft 28 in the hub of the gear 33, such gear thus acting as the nut for securing the longitudinal movement of the shaft 28.

The motor 9 is operated by three phase alternating current from the supply lines 42, 43, and 44, via the lines 45, '46 and 47, which pass through the control panel 48, as later described, while the motor 18 is supplied with direct current from the supply lines 49 and 50 via the lines 51, 52, and 53, the motor 18 being of the split field type having the two field coils 54 and 55, arranged so that, when current flows through the coil 54, the motor is rotated in a direction to lower the runner, and when current flows through the coil 55, the motor is rotated in a direction to raise the runner.

The section of the field coil of the motor 18, through which the current flows, is controlled by the contact arm 56 of the watt meter 57. This watt meter is operated from the three phase circuit, which drives the motor 9. When the resistance to the rotation of the runner 7 is just the right amount for which the instrument is set, the arm 56 occupies the neutral position shown, and no current flows through the motor 18 or the coils 54 or 55. If this resistance becomes less than the desired amount, the arm 56 swings down and engages the contact 58 completing the circuit through the motor 18 and coil 54 via the lines 51 and 52, (due to the energizso that the motor 18 and shaft 28 are rotated to lower the runner lightly, and so increase the grinding effect an the resistance to rotation of the runner. WVhen the resistance is thus increased to the desired point, the arm 56 is swung up to neutral position again, thus interrupting the rotatio rof the motor. 011 the other hand, if the grinding effect becomes greater than the desired amount and the current flow increases accordingly, the arm 56, swings upward and engages the contact 59. This completes the circuit through the field coil 55 of the motor via the lines 51, 53, 52 (due to the energizing of the relay coil 6, as later described), causing the motor to rotate slightly in a direction to raise the runner and decrease thegrinding pressure on the glass,after which the arm 56 moves back to neutral position again, thus interrupting the circuit and stopping the motor.

As the watt meter 57, is the same in construction as any commercial Watt meter, aside from the fact that the contact arm 56 is substituted for the pointer or indicator on the regulation watt meter,the details of construction of such meter, whereby the arm '56 is swung back and forth, as the flow of current through the runner drive motor 9 varies, depending on the resistance encoun tered by the grinding runner, are not shown vor described. In addition to this watt meter, ;the runner drive motor circuit 1s provided with another watt meter 60 of regulation .type provided with the usual graduations and pointer for indicating the amount of current.

In order to operate the watt meters 57 and matter of economy. The potential coil terminals 65 and 66 and 67 and 68 of the meters are connected to'the lin 61 and the neutral 64 by the lines 69 and 70. The current coils of the meters have their terminals .71 and 72 and 73 and 74 connected to the line 45 of the three phase circuit, which operates the runner drive motor 9, as heretofore referred to. I

The coils a and b of the relays (heretofore referred to as energized when the arm 56 swings down and uprespectively), serve to move the contact bars 75 and 76 up so that they engage and connect the contacts 77, 77 and 78, 78. The current for this purpose is supplied from the line 49 and when the arm 56 is in down position, the circuit energizing the coil a is as follows: line 51, coil (1, arm 56, line 52, switch 0, line 52, switches in and i, line 52, switch 94, line 52", line 52, switch it and line 52. \Vhen the arm 56 is in up position, the circuit energizing the coil 6 is as follows: line 51, coil 5, arm 56, and line 52, etc. as just above stated. In order to short circuit the watt meters, when the runner is in its upper most position, and the motor 9 is being started, the-switch ais provided in the circuit 45. This switch is normally held open by the spring 79, but is closed on the downward movement of the lever 13, which engages a stop 80 on the connection 81, such connection being secured ,-'to a crank arm carriedby the switch arm.

This protects the meters from the overload incident to the starting of the motors. A companion switch f similar to the switch 6 is similarly operated by the movement of the lever 13 for a purpose, as later explained.

T he up and down movement of the runner,

may be controlled by hand from the switches k and 2', operating in-conjunction with the starting panel 48, or may be controlled from a point remote from the machine by direct current from the line 82, whichreturns to the negative line 50 via the line 52 in conjuncheretofore referred to, from which point all the bar to the right, closes the relay arms of the grinding and polishing machines are controlled. This station includes a sequence panel, which regulates in timed relation the application of current first to the line 86 to operate the relay 84, and then to theline 82 and the starter panel 48.

The starter'panel comprises the solenoid bar 87, yielding ly held to the left by the spring 88, but movable to the right by the energizing of the coil 89. The movement of 90, 91, 92and 93, and opensone arm ofv the switch 94 while closing the other. The members 95, 95, 95 are thermo-relay switches well known in the art, which open the control circuits 96 and 97 in case of an overload in the circuits 45, 46, 47 and thus protect the motor. When current is supplied through the line 85 to the coil 98 of the relay 84, the arm'99 is closed, and current flows to the coil 89 of the starter 48 from the line 82 via the line 96, start button g, line 100, arm 99, line 101, line 102, switch arm *f and line 103. The return circuit from the coil 89 to the" negative line 50, comprises the line 97 the hand safety switch it, and the line 52.

This causes the\bar 87 to move to theright,

closing the arms 90, 91,92 and 93, and opening the upper arm of-th'e switch 94 and closing the other-arm.- The'closing of the arms 90, 91 and 93 completes the circuits 45, 4e and 47 of the motor 9, so that'it' starts rotating.

The motor 18 is also started rotating. as soon as current is supplied to the" motor 9, as the arm 56 of the watt meter 57 is at this time in its lower position engaging the contact 58, and direct current from the line .51,

therefore, flows through the 'coil a and contact arm -56, returning to the negative line 50 via the switch 0, line 52, switch switch '5, line 52, switch arm 94, line 52", switch h and line 52. The closing of contact bar 75, thus completes the circuit through the motor 18, and the downfield coil 54, via the line 51, line 52, switch j, line 52, barf75, line 52, switch 0, line 52, switches 7c and i, line'52, etc.,- as just described. The runner, therefore, starts to move down and keeps on moving until it engages the glass and the pressure is increased so that the current requirement for driving it causes the arm 56 of thev watt meter 57 to move to the'neutral position shown, thus interrupting the circuit through the motor 18. and its down feed coil 54.

The operation of the starter panel 48 by the coil 89 also closes a holding circuit through the coil 89, which is maintained after the relay 84 opens, and interrupts the circuit 103. The opening of the arm 99 of the relay 84 occurs-when current through the coil 98 from the circuit 85 is discontinued, such interru tion occuring at the sequence panel hereto ore mentioned, almost immediately after the energizingof the coil 89.

This holding circuit between the lines 49 and 50 and through the coil 89, comprises the line 96, button g, line '96, arm 92, line 105, coil 89, line 97, switch It and 1111s 52.-- N

This circuit may be interruptedto stop the motor 9 by-pressing the button g andmay be started again by pressing the button Z} The motor '18 may also be started to move the runner up by pressing the button-k, which completes the circuit comprising the line 51,

.motor 18and its field coil 55, line 53, limit switch m, line 53, line 53, contact bar of button 70,- line 52, switch it, and line 52.,- The switch 7 also lies in the circuit 96, 102, 103 which energizes the coil 89 closing the starter relay'48, and this switch is "closed when the runner is in up position and open when it is in down position. This insures. that the starter relay cannot be closed, and the rotation of the runner started in any position, except the upper position, for the reason set forth in my pending application heretofore referred to.

In order to prevent the runner from ever striking the table beneath it, the limit switch y is provided operated from the rod .106 pivotally connected to the lever 13. The opening of this switch interrupts the circuit 52.past the down field coil 54. Similarly, the limit switch m is opened by the rod 106 interrupting the circuit through the up field coil 55, when the runner reaches the proper I upper extreme limit of movement.

As heretofore indicated, the arm 56 of the watt meter 57 regulates the vertical position, of the runner and its pressure, and rinding effect on the glass beneath it. TVhen the drag of theTrunner'increases beyond a predetermined point, the-current increase is such that the arm 56 swings up and engages the contact 59, causing the relay 76 to close and completing the circuit 52 through the up field coil 55 of the motor 18, and such motor-makes a few turns to move the runner up, thus reducing the pressure on the glass, so'that; the driving current is reduced and the arm 56 swings back to the neutral shown. When the drag between the runner andglass decreases beyond a predete'rmined amount, the'current drop is registered by the downward movement of the arm 56 until it engages the contact 58, causing the energizing of the relay a, so that it closes, thus completing the circuit through the down field coil 54 of the motor 18, via the circuits 53, 52. The motor 18 then rotates a few turns causing the downward movement of the runner until the drag .reaches a point where the current requirement moves the arm 56 up to neutral position again. 7

The switches 0 come into play when it becomes desirable, to have all of the runners raise and lower, one after the other, to permit the passage of a table carrying cracked or broken glass, or one from which the glass has been removed. The switch is of the four pole type, adapted to connect the contacts 107 and 108 when in the position shown, and when rotated 180 degrees, to connect the contacts 109 and 110. His operated by the arm 111 pivoted at 112 and connected to the movable part of the'switeh by the chain 113. After the arm has "been swung to the right to rotate the switch 180 degrees, it is returned again to the position shown by the spring 114. The switch includes a ratchet or clutch for permitting this operation, on

the order of the ordinary pull chain light socket, and is so well known in the art that its details are not shown. The tables or cars; 2, 3,4, etc. are each provided with a pair of tripping devices at the ends thereof adapted to engage the arm 111 controlling the switch. These devices include brackets 115 secured to the table and provided with the removable pins 116. These pins are adapted to engage the arm 111 and swing it laterally to-move the switch from one position to the other position.

If table 2 has on it a sheet of broken glass which it is desired the grinder and polisher runners shall all skip, the pins 116 are placed in position in the brackets 115 at each end of the table. When the forward pin strikes the handle 111 of the switch 0, the switch is shifted 180degrees, so that the switch arm engages and conencts the contacts 109, 110. This completes the circuit through the up coil 55, such circuit comprising the line 51, motor 18 and coil 55, switch m, line-53, switch 0, line 52, switches 7." and 2', line 52, switch 94, line 52", switch it, and line 52. The motor 18, therefore,'rotates to lift the runner, and this movement continues until the table- 2 passes beneath the runner and the second pin 116 engages the handle of i the switch a and moves it to shift the switch back to the position shown, interrupting the circuit through the up coil 55 of the motor *and completing a circuit through the down coil 54. At this time, the arm 56 of thewatt meter 57 engages the contact 58, since there is no load on the motor 9, so that the of a runner mounted for rotation above the table and movable vertically, an electric motor for rotating the runner, a second electric motor and connections arranged to raise and lower the runner, and means controlled by the current supplied to the first motor for controlling the direction of rotation of the second motor.

2. The combination with a surfacing table, of a runner mounted for rotation above the table and movable vertically, an electric motor for rotating the runner, a second elec-' tric motor and connections arranged to raise and lower the runner, means for reversing the direction of rotation of the second motor, and means controlled by the current supplied to the first motor for controlling said reversing means.

3. The combination with a surfacing table, of a runner mounted for rotation above the table and movable vertically, an electric motor for rotating the runner, a second electric motor and connections arranged to raise and lower the runner, and a. contact making watt meter controlled by the current which operates the first motor for controlling the direction of rotation of the sec- 0nd motor.

4. The combination with a surfacing table,

of a runner mounted for rotation above the table and movable vertically, an electric motor for rotating'the runner, a second elecraise and lower the runner, and meanscon trolledby the current for operating the first motor for controlling the direction of rotation of said second motor by shifting the flow of operating current to such motor from one portion of said split field to another portion thereof.

6. The combination with a surfacing table, of a runner mounted for rotation above the table and movable vertically, an electric motor for rotating the runner, a second. split field motor and connections arranged to raise and lower the runner, depending upon which part of the field receives the operating current to the motor, and means controlled by the current for operatin the first motor and including a contact ma ng watt meter, for governing the application of the operating current to said parts of said split field, and in this manner controlling the direction "of rotation of said second motor 7 The combination with a surfacing ta-" ble, of a runnermoulited for rotationabove the table and .movable vertically, an electric motor for rotating the runner, a second split field motor and connections arranged to raise and lower the runner, depending upon which part of the field receives the operating current to the motor, and means controlled by the current for operatin the first motor and including a contact ma ing watt meter, and a pair of relays for governing the application of the operating current to sa d parts of said split field, and in this manner controlling the direction of rotation of said second motor.

8. The combination with a surfacing table, of a runner mounted for rotation above the table, and" movable vertically, an electric motor for rotating the runner, a second electric motor and connections arranged to raise and lower the runner,,means controlled by the current supplied to the firstmotor for controlling the direction oi rotatlon of the second motor and a limit switch controlling the flow-of current to said second motor and arranged to be opened by the downward controlling the direction of rotation of the second motor and limit switches controlling the flow of current to said second motor and" arranged to be opened by the up and down? movement of the runner when such runner reaches certain predetermined levels.

10. In' apparatus .for continuously surfacing sheets of material, a series of surfacing machines, each having a vertically movable driven runner, a prime mover for lifting each runner,'suporting means for carrying a series of sheets of. material continuously beneath the runners, a series of control v continuously beneath the runners, a pluraldevices arranged along the line of movement of said supporting means, and a series of actuating abutments for operating said control.devices carried by said supporting means and adapted to be positioned so as to operate said devices, or to avoid operating them, the said control devices being arranged to gov-.

able driven runner, an electrically controlled prime mover for lifting each runner, a supporting train of cars or tables for carrying a series of sheets of material continuously beneath the runners, aiplurality of switchesfor controlling the application of electric current to secure the actuation of said prime movers, arranged in series along theline of travel of said train, and switch actuating abutments arranged in series along the train, and adapted to be positioned to operate said switches or to avoid operating them, the said switches being arranged to govern the application of power to said prime movers, so that the series of runners may be raised and lowered successivelyto permit any desired section of the train to pass beneath runners without being" engaged thereby.

1 12. In apparatus for continuously surfacing sheets of material, a series of surfacing machines, each having a vertically movable driven runner, an electric motor and connections for moving each of the runners up and down, a supporting train of cars or tables for carrying a series of sheets o'fmaterial continuously'beneath the runners, a plurality of switches for controlling the application of electric current to secure the acutation of said motors arranged in series along the line of travel of said train, and switch actuating abutments arranged in series along the'train 'and adapted to be positioned to operate said switches or to avoid operating them, the said switches being arranged to govern the flow of current to said, motors, in one position directing the current so as to cause the motors to lower the runners, and in another position directing the current so as to cause the motors to lower the runners.

" 1 3. In apparatus for continuously surfacing sheets o'fmaterial, a series of surfacing machines, each having a vertically movable driven runner, an electric split field motor and connections for moving each runner up and down depending upon which of the coils of the split field is supplied with operating current, a supporting. train of cars or tables for carrying a series of sheets of'material ity of switches for controllying the application of electric current to said motors, arranged in seriesalong the line of travel of the train, and switch actuating .abutments arranged in series along the train and adapted to be positioned, either to operate said switches or to avoid operating them, each of said switches being arranged so that in one position it directs the'current through one of the field coils of the split field motor 5 to cause the motor to rotate so as to lower the runner and-so that in another position it directs the current through the other of the field coils of the motor to cause the motor to rotate in the reverse direction so as to raise the runner.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 9th day of Aug.,

ALFRED L. HARRINGTON.

Images