US2225292A - Work-handling mechanism - Google Patents

Description

17, 1940- R. w. ANDREWS, JR., EI'AL 92 WORK-HANDLING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 5, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Ray/1a! M. AndrewSfi finar L lverson ZIKWQ ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 EI'AL R. W. ANDREWS, JR,

WORK-HANDLING MECHANISM Filed Au 5, 1939 Dec. 17, 1940.

INVENTORS 51/101 M. Andrews JF: if; L. [verson W ATTORN 0- R. w. ANDREWS, JR., EIAL ,2

I WORK-HANDLING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 3, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORYS Reyna! WA/ldrews J.-

s BY Emar Live/son ATTORN E Y 0- R. w. ANDREWS, JR., ETAL 2,225,292

WORK-HANDLING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 3, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Ray/1a! M Andrews 1!:

a BY E mar L. Ive/50!! g r ATTORN EY Patented Dec. 17, 1940 PATENT oFF ca 2,225,292. WORK-HANDLING MECHANISM ltaynai W. Andrews, Jr., and'ltinar Lars lverson, New Kensington, Pa., assignors to ,Aluminnm Company of ration of Pennsylvania America, Pittsburgh, la., a' corpo- Application August 3, 1939, Serial No. 288,162

18 Claims.

Our invention relates to apparatus for effecting removal or separation of one body or mem-' her from .another, such as separating castingsfrom molds, and more particularly to apparatus for removing or ejecting the cores of hollow cast billets or ingots.

Pierced or hollow ingots, i. e., ingots having longitudinal bores, such as those used for the extrusion of seamless tubing, are usually cast Considerable adhesion exists between the metal ingot and the core, so that high working pressures are required to effect loosening and removal of the core from the ingot. Machines heretofore proposed for this purpose usually comprise a supportfor the ingot, an abutment'and a.hydraulically actuated plunger adapted to push the core from the ingot. In these machines, prior to and duringthe ejecting operation, difflculty has been experienced in supporting and maintaining the ingot in position with the core aligned with the plunger. In some cases, clamping mechanism has been employed, but usually such clamps operated in directions parallel to the axis of the ingot and plunger so that there existed the danger of lateral shifting of the ingot with consequent bending or breaking of the plunger or .other parts of'the equipment, In another type, the clamps operated perpendicularly to the axis of the ingot, but required-overhead framework obstructing eflicient manipulation .of the work. Considerable time was lost in adjusting and releasing the.clamps, and, since such machines were manually operated, constant supervision 35 was required by the operator. For these and other reasons, such machines had a lowoperating efiiciency.

One object of our invention is to provide an improved automatic power implement.\ Another object is to provide a stripping apparatus having a high operating eillciency and one in which castings may be separated from their cores rapidly.

A further object is to provide means operable during advance movement of the work-engaging tool or plunger for centering and clamping the work-piece, in which the tool is supported by such centering and clamping means while the tool performs its operation upon the work-piece. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved ejecting orextracting machine that is automatically operable through an ejecting cycle, i n which the ingot is automatically positioned to align its core for engagement with a reciprocable plunger and the ingot automatically clamped upon advance of the plunger, together around a core consisting of asteel bar or pipe.

(CI. 22-93) a with means for automatically eflecting return movement of the plunger after the core has been extracted and to effect release of the ingot during retraction of the plunger. 'Still another object of the invention is to provide an automatic core- 5' extracting machine of generally simplified and improved form.

Briefly stated, the invention herein described comprises a power tool, a tool-supporting member which, upon relative movement between the work-piece and the tool, automatically clamps the work-piece in proper position during the working operation and automatically releases the work-piece after completion of said operation, and means for automatically controlling the movement of said 'power tool.

In the interest of convenience, the invention is hereinafter described and-illustrated with refer ence to a power tool for ejecting cores from ingots. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitedto such use but is capable and adaptable to other uses. For example, it maybe employed for ejecting castings or ingots from molds, and by substituting suitable tools for the pusher element herein shown, hole-punching, breaching or reaming, and similar operations, in the shaping and forming of objects may be effected.

In the accompanying drawings, some of the forms which our invention may take are shown,

wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine with a part of the frame cut away; Fig. 2 is a plan ygw of the machine of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view on a :..enlarged scale taken on the line III--III of Figf'2; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a view taken on the line VV of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a view on an enlarged scale taken on the line VIVI of Fig. 1; 'Fig. 7 is a view taken on the line VII-VII of-Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is an end view of the centering and clamping member of Fig. 3; Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the control valve employedior controlling fiow oi fluid to the power-actuated tool; Fig. 10 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing a modified ingot-clamping arrangement; Figs. 11 and 12 are side and end elevational views, respectively, of the ingot support employed in the structure of Fig. 10; and Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a modified apparatus, the control mechanism therefor being shown somewhat diagrammatically.

Referring to. Figs. 1 to 9 of the drawings, a

suitable supporting frame is provided and is here shown as comprising two parallel-channels 2 that are connected at suitable longitudinally spaced points by transverse members or diaphragms 3. At the rear end of the framework, uprights 4 are secured to the channels 2 and support an ele'- vated platformor table 5. A motor 8 and a pump 9 are supported on the table 5, the shafts of the motor and the pump being connecterfby a coupling I ll.

Beneath the table 5 is a cradle or small platform 8. A power cylinder II is disposed with its axis parallelto the channels 2, and at one end, is provided with a cylinder head 12 which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the cradle 6. At its other end, the cylinder H is provided with a collar I3 which is secured by means of bolts l4 to a supporting bracket l5. Axial movement of the cylinder H is resisted by the bracket l5, while the head I 2 is permitted to move slightly relative to the cradle 8 to take care of stretch of the cylinder under load. The cylinder H is provided with the usual stuiiing box l6 which extends forwardly through the upright portion of the bracket I5, through which stuffing box a piston rod l1 operates. The piston rod I1 is secured to a suitable piston contained within the cylinder H. The bracket I5 is supported on a transverse plate l8, the bracket and the plate being secured to the topflanges of the side rails or channels 2.

The forward end of the piston rod I! has screw-threaded connection with an enlarged shank portion of a plunger 2l', a locking nut 22 being provided to prevent loosening of the plunger relative to the piston rod I'I. At its forward end, the plunger 2| extends through, and is supported by, a bushing 23 which is carried by a centering and clamping head 24. The bushing is firmly held by a suitable means such as a bolt 23a (Fig.1

3) and is easily removed so that suitable bushings for diiferent diameters of 'plungers may be substituted when desired. The head 24 is carried by a clamping slide indicated generally by the numeral 25. i

As shown more clearly in Figs. 3, 4, and 6, the slide 25 comprises a plate 28, along each edge of which is secured a bar 21 that operates in a slide way' 28. The slide ways 28 are disposed on a stationary supporting plate 30, the ways 28 and the plate 30 being secured to the top flanges of the channels 2 by means of suitable bolts 3|. The clamping slide member 25 is provided with a longitudinally extending supporting web 32 which at its forward end supports'the aforementioned block 24 in an upright position, and at its rear end is secured to a cross plate 34, which in turn is suitably secured to the base plate 25. The cross plate 34 is provided with an opening 35 which is sufliciently large to accommodate the lock nut 22, but is, however, of smaller diameter than the enlargedportion 20 of the plunger 2|. As will be hereinafter seen, the plunger 2lmay be moved forwardly, together with the slide 25. and the plunger can also be advanced appreciably relative to the slide. Likewise, upon return or retractive movement of the piston and plunger,

the enlargement 20 of the plunger will engage the cross plate 34 and cause the slide 25 to be retracted.

At its forward edge, the stationary plate 38 is cut away at points between the channels 2, as indicated by the numeral 38 (Fig. 2). Secured to the underside of the plate 25 of the slide 25 is a bracket or arm 31 which extends downwardly through the cut-out portion 35 of the plate 30.

motion. A spring 42 is carried by the tube 29 and l1 and plunger 2|.

The arm 31 is perforated for slidably receiving therein a tube or bar I! which is disposed in parallelism with the plunger 2 I. At-its rear end, the bar 89 is supported by a pair of transversely extending plates 40 that are secured to the under- 5 side of the plate 30 and to the webs of the channels 2. Pins 4| extend through the tube adjacent to the sides of the plates 48, thereby holding the tube against shifting movement in an axial di- 10 is disposed between the arm 31 and its adjacent cross plate 40. This spring is under compression for all positions of the slide 25, whereby the spring will cause the slide to move forwardly from its normal retracted position in unison with forward movement of the, plunger 2|.

The face of the head 24 is provided with an annular bevelled recess 44 so that when the slide moves forwardly the convex or arcuate shaped end of a work-piece will be received in the recessed face of the clamping head 24 and the work-piece brought into axial alignment with theplunger 2|. The work is adapted to be supported on a cradle 48 which is supported on a stationary cross plate 48. An abutment or anvil 28 41 is also supported on the plate 48, the abutment and the plate being'keyed together by means of a transversely extending key 48, and they are also bolted or otherwise secured to the frame members 2.

The cradle 48 is provided with a pair of downwardly extending pins 48 that extend through openings provided therefor in the plate 48, whereby the cradle may be adjusted vertically with respect to the axis of the plunger by suitable means, 35 such as vertical adjusting screws or shims interposed between the cradle and the plate 48. Thus the position of the cradle may be adjusted to accommodate the machine to operate upon ingots or work-pieces of various diameters. Since, for a 40 given size ingot, the diameters do notvary materially. this adjustment needs to be made only once when working upon ingots of a given weight, and it can be adjusted to the proper position to receive ingots of other weights and diameters when the occasion arises.

From the description thus far set forth,'it will be apparent that with the plunger and clamp slide in retracted position, a casting or ingot containing a core to be extracted may be positioned 50 upon the saddle 48, whereupon fluid under DIES-r sure may be admitted to the rear end of the cylinder I l to eflect forward movement of piston rod As the plunger moves forwardly, the spring 42 causes the slide 28 to advance in unison therewith. When the plunger engages the end of the ingot, it forces the ingot against the abutment 41 while the clamping head.

24 engages the convex end of the ingot: and by reason of the contour of the recessed face thereof, the ingot is caused to be centered with respect to 'the axis of the plunger and also securely clamped in position against lateral or radial shifting relative to the plunger 2 I. The slide clamp 25 also serves to clamp the ingot against the abutment to prevent axial shifting thereof. The abutment 4! is provided with an aperture 82 which is of a diameter-to permit e of the core therethrough, this aperture being in alignment with the plunger.

As the pressure in the cylinder ll builds up to a point sufficient to-overcome the adhesion of. the metal of the ingot with the core, the core is loosened and the plunger moves forwardly relative to the clamping device and the ingot a disment of the plunger,

20 engages'the member 84 of the slide 25'and retance suflicient to push the core completely through the aperture 52, whereupon fluid pressure is admitted to the front end'of the cylinder ll, exhaust from the other end thereof being provided for in a manner hereinafter described, and the plunger retracted. During retractive movethe shoulder or enlargement turns the slide to normal position against the pressure of the spring 42, J i I Thus during preliminary movement of "the plunger 2| and clamp slide 25, the ingot is forced against the abutment 41 and is automatically positioned to align its core for engagement with the plunger, while at the same time the ingot is automatically clamped in position to be operated upon by the plunger. Also, theingot is automatically released upon retraction of the plunger. Prior to and during the actual ejecting operation, the bushing 28 supports the plunger 2| against displacement in lateral directions and also guides the plunger as it moves through the ingot during extraction of the core.-

Control of flow of fluid pressure to-the cylinder II. is eflected by means of valve mechanism that is preferably supported upon the plate 88. Referring more particularly to Figs. 4, 6, and 9, the valve mechanism comprises a suitable housing 54 in which is slidably mounted a valvespool member 55. A spring 58 is interposed between one end of the'member 55 and a wall of the casing or housing 54- so as to normally urge the member 55 to the left, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 9. At its opposite end, the valve-spool, carries a suitable stem 51 which extends through a suitable packing gland secured to the housing 58, and at its outer end is pivotaliy connected to an operating lever 58. A link 58 is pivotally connected to the lever 58 and to the valve housing 54, whereby the lever 58 may be rocked about the point 88 to shift the spool 55 tothe right against the pressure of the spring 58; or

by releasing the lever 58, the spring 58 will shift the spool to its other extreme position.

The spool 55 is provided with a pair of axially spaced enlargements forming valve members 8| and 82 that cooperate with annular ports 88 and 64.- respectively, to control flow of fluid through pipes or conduits 85 and 88, respectively. The pipe 65 connects with the front end of the cylinder ll and the pipe 88 connects with the rear end thereof. Fluid under pressure is delivered by the pump 9 through a conduit 81 to sport 88. .(Fig. 4) in the valve housing intermediate the spaced ports 58 and 88. Exhaust ports 18 and II are formed in the housing 58 adjacent to the ends thereof, and are connected by a passageway 12, a duct 18 establishing commimication between the passageway 12 and an exhaust pipe or conduit 18 leading to the low pressure side of the pumpa With the spool 55 in its neutral position, that is, with the lever 58 in upright position N, as indicated in Fig. 9, the valve member 82 cuts off flow through the associated port 54, while the valve member 8|, which is of narrower axial width than the annular "port opening 88, is cen- "tered with respect to its port opening, thereby forming a by-pass for flow of the fluid through the valve. Fluldflows, therefore, through pipe 61, port 88, past valve member 8| to valveexhausting means 10, I2 and I8, from whence it flows through pipe ll to the low pressure side of the pump. Thus, the pump may be constantiy operated, the fluid merely being circulated position It (Fig.

- clamped thereon by through the system when the valve is in its neutral or by-passing position.

. When it is desired to admit fluid pressure to the rear side of the cylinder ll, the\lever 58 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction to the dotted line position F in Fig. 9, thereby shifting the spool member 55 so that its valve members 8l-52 are positioned to the right of the ports 88-44. In this position of the valve, the member 8| is moved out of by-passing position relative to port 83 and the port 54 is uncovered, so that fluid under pressure is no longer diverted but flows through the port 84 and pipe 88 to the rear end of cylinder Ii. Exhaust from the opposite end of the cylinder H is effected through conduit 85, port 83, along the valve stem to exhaust port 10' and through passageway 12, duct I3, and pipe 14 to the low pressure side of the pump. V g

Likewise, when the spool 55 is moved to its reverse position, with the lever 58 in dotted line 9), the valve members iii and 62 are positioned to the left of ports 63-84, whereupon fluid under pressure is directed through port 58 to the forward end of the cylinder ll while exhaust from the rear end thereof is effected through the conduit 88, .port 84, to exhaust port ll communicating with the return line 14.

Means are provided for automatically actuat-- ing the control valve in order to eflect automatic operation of the plunger 2l through a complete ejecting cycle. Referring more particularly to Figs. 4, 5'and 6, the mechanism for automatically bifurcated at one end portion I9 of the boss curved arm 18 which is and embraces a reduced or enlargement 28 of the plunger 2|, and'is means of' a bolt 88. The other end of the arm 18 is slotted, as indicated at 8| (Fig. 6), and slidably engages the upper side of a drag bar 82. The bar 82 is slidably, supported on the plate blocks 88, and is provided with a projection 84 which extends downwardly through a slot 85 in said plate 88. The drag bar 82 is provided with an upstanding lug 88 which is located behind the arm 18 so that when theplunger 2i is retracted the arm 18 will retract the bar 82 also.

"One end of a spring 81 is secured to the plate 30, while its other end is secured to the depending arm portion 84 so that the drag bar 82 will be moved forwardly, that is, toward the ingot, when the plunger 2| advances. An arm 88 is secured at one end to the member 84, and at its other end carries a roller 88 which is supported on a track 98 suitably secured to the underside of the plate 88. The arm 88 carries (Figs. 4 and 5) that is adapted to engage a roller 92 secured to the lower end'of the valve lever 58, which lever extends downwardly through a slot provided in the plate 30.

With the slide and plunger in their retracted positions (extreme right as viewed in Fig. 3), the drag bar 82 is maintained in such a position that the block 8| will maintain the valve lever 58 "in its neutral position so that the pump is by-passed By the valve connections heretofore described. When it'is desired to move the plunger through an ejecting cycle, the lever 58 is manually moved to the dotted line position F (Fig. 9), whereupon the valve-spool member 55 is moved into position to establish pressure flow to the rear end of the cylinder H and exhaust from the front end, as

88 by means of guide V engage the lug 88 and a block 8! heretofore described. As shown more clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, the lever 58 moves behind a latch 04 which is pivotally mounted at 05 upon the plate 30fthe latch serving to retain the lever in its forward position F against the tension of the spring 58. The latch 84 is yieldably maintained in latched position by a spring 06, a stop 91 serving to limit swinging movement of the latch in one direction. A push rod 98 is pivotally connected at one end to the latch 94, and at its other end to a release lever 99 which, is pivotally mounted at I00 on the plate 30. The lever 09 is provided with an arm IOI that is disposed in the path of movement of a screw stud I02 that is adjustably supported in the curved arm I8.

During forward travel of the plunger (toward the left as viewed in Fig. 3), the clamping slide 25 and the drag bar 82, and the parts connected thereto, move forwardly toward the ingot, the block member 9I carried by the drag bar 82 being moved a suflicient distance to permit the valve lever 58 to move from its position F to its position R under the influence of spring 56, when the latch 94 is released. IIJ'he forward movement of the drag bar is terminated by engagement of the depending portion 84 thereof with the end wall of the slot 85 in the plate .30 through which it extends, the lug 88 of the drag bar 82. and the enlargement 20 of the plunger 2| preventing over-travel of the drag bar and the clamp slide during early stages of movement of the plunger.

The ingot is brought intocentered position relative to the plunger and clamped in such position by the movement of the clamping block 24 into engagement with the convex end of the ingot, as heretofore described, whereupon the plunger continues its traveling movement to effect ejectment of the core from the ingot. During this movement, the arm I8 merely slides along the drag bar 82. As the plunger approaches the point where complete ejectment of the core is effected, the stud I02 engages the arm IOI of the lever 99 and moves the bar 98 in a direction to cause the latch to be swung in a clockwise direction, thereby releasing the valve lever 58.

The spring 56 thereupon moves the valve member 55 to its other extreme position so that fluid pressure is cut oil from the rear side of the cylinder II, and such pressure is directed to the front side of said cylinder to effect retraction of the plunger. During'retraction of the plunger, the boss 20 thereof engages the cross piece 34 of the clamp slide 25, and the arm 18 engages the lug 8B of the drag bar 82, thus causing these parts to be returned in unison with the plunger. During return movement of the drag bar 82, the block 9I engages the roller 82 and moves the valve lever 58 to its neutral position N. Thus the valve 55 is shifted to its by-passing position,

. and retractive movement of the piston in cylinder II ceases with the plunger and the clamping device in normal retracted position.

The ingot with its core extracted may readily be removed from the cradle 45 and another ingot brought into position to be worked upon, the

* him to position an ingot on the cradle 40 and move the valve lever to latched position, the operations of centering, clamping, and supporting the plunger during ejectment of the core being automatically carried out and the parts returned to retracted position because of the above-described interlocking arrangement between the valve lever 58 and slide 25.

v In the preferred form of the invention, a pump is employed which provides for flow of fluid under relatively low pressure and high volume when the load is low; but when the load increases to a certain point, it will automatically supply fluid under high pressure but at lower volume or pumping rate. Such pumps are of well known construction and are readily available. By using a pump of this type, the plunger 2I may be actuated at relatively high speed into engagement with an ingot and the high pressure employed only to effect loosening and ejection of the core from the ingot, whereupon the travel of the plunger is accelerated through delivery by the pump of fluid under high volume but low pressure. This eil'ects a considerable saving in time in a core-ejecting cycle. The plunger is, of course, retracted by the use of the high volume rate fluid flow and is, therefore, returned more quickly than otherwise would be the case.

Referring tothe modification shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 12, the abutment I05, which corresponds to the abutment 41 of Fig. 3, has in its face an ingot-centering recess I06 which conforms with the rounded end of the ingot and is concentric with an aperture I01 through which the core is pushed. The abutment I05 carries an auxiliary clamp I08 comprising a fluid cylinder I00 that contains a piston which is connected to a piston rod IIO provided on its lower end with a clamping member III of suitable shape. In this form of the invention, the ingot is supported on a support which preferably has a Y cross section, as shown more clearly in Fig. 12, the support being adjustably mounted in the frame of the machine in the same manner as is the previously described cradle 45. A clamping head II 2 corresponds to the clamping head 24, but it may be plunger are then actuated in the mannenheretofore set forth, the clamping head and plunger engaging the ingot and forcing it into engagement with thecentering recess in the abutment I05. Fluid pressure is then admitted to-the upper end of the cylinder I08 to force the clamping member III into engagement with the upper side of the ingot. The plunger is then further advancedto eject the core from the ingot in the same manneras described in connection with the operation of the machine of Figs. 1 to 9. Sue cessive ingots of substantially the same size may be aligned, clamped, and the cores removed therefrom without further adjustment of the ingot support. Theform of the invention shown in Fig. 10 is particularly useful in cases where the cord tapers down toward the flat end of the ingot and must therefore be ejected through the rounded end.

In the modified structure shown in Fig. 13, the core-ejecting mechanism is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to 9, and the same 2,225,292 reference characters have been applied to cor-' responding elements. In this structure, however, instead ofemploying the spring 42 for advancing clamp slide 25, we employ a cylinder II5 which 5 contains a piston that is connected to a depending bracket IIS secured to the slide plate 25. Pipe II1 connects the rear end of the cylinder I I5 to the feed line leading to the rear end of the power cylinder II. Thus, when fluid pressure is I admitted to the cylinder I I to advance the plunger 2|, the pressure is admitted also to the cylinder H5, and the clamping slide 25 advances in unison with the plunger.

Over-travel of the slide relative to the plunger I5 is prevented by the cross plate '34. 'Theingot, therefore, is centered and clamped in position for ejectment of itscore. Since, as heretofore. described, greater fluid pressure is utilized to initially. loosen the core than that employed sub- !0 seq uently to ejectth'e core, it will be apparent that the clamping forces will be greatest while the core is being loosened.

Automatic operation of the mechanism" through an ejecting cycle is effected by means of a sim- 25 plified control system, which includes a control valve H8 and an'auxiliary valve H9. The valve H8 is provided with a slidable spool member I that is pivotally connected to an operating lever I2I having a pivoted fulcrum link I22. The spool I20 has two positions of control, and is shifted directly from one position to its other position.

A spring-pressed detent I23 serves to retain the spoolin each of its control positions. The spool is provided with a stem: I24 which extends 35 through the valve housingand is adapted to actuate a. limit switch I25 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The valve-spool I20 is provided with spaced valve members I25 and I2I that cooperate with ports I28 and I29, respectively, to control flow of fluid through pipes or conduits I30 and I3I, respectively. The pipe I 3| is connected to the rear end of the cylinder II, and the pipe I30 is connected to the auxiliaryvalve I1 9. The fluid from the pressure side of the pump? (not shown) is delivered through a conduit-or pipe .I32 to a port I33 in the valve housing intermediate the ports I28 and I29. 'An exhaust conduit I34 is connected to a passageway I35 in the valve housilrg which connects with exhaustports I35 and Thus, with the spool membe" 10 in its plungerretracting position of control, as shown in Fig. 13, the valve members I28 and I21 are disposed to the left of their associated valve ports I28 and I29, and pressure is admitted to the pipe I30 leading to the auxiliary valv II9. In this position of the valve II3, the stem I24 is in retracted position relative to the switch I25, and' the switch remains in its normal open position.

The auxiliary valve H9 is provided with a valve-spool I38 which is normally, yieldably maintained in one position by aspring I39. A solenoid or electromagnetv I40 is operatively con- 05 nected to the spool I38 in order to shift the spool against the pressure of the spring I39 when the coil of the electrcmagnet is energiged., 'In the normal position of the valve communication is established between the pipe I30 and a conduit 10 I which is connected to the exhaust conduit I34, thereby normally forming a by-pass for circulation of the fluid-from the high pressure side of the pump to the low pressure side thereof, so that the pump can be constantly operated.

When it is desired to initiate a complete cycleof ejecting movement, the 1ever'I2I is moved in a counterclockwise direction, thereby shifting the spool 'I20 to its plunger-advancing position, wherein the members I25 and I2Iv thereof are positioned to the right of the ports I28 and I29. 5 During such shifting movement of the spool, the stem I24 thereof operates the limit switch I25 to close an energizing circiut for the coil of the solenoid I40. This circuit extends from one side of a power line I43, conductor I44, through the 10 closed contacts of the limit switch I25, conductor I45, through the winding of the solenoid I40, and' through conductor I46L-to the other side of the line I43. The solenoid, I40 is thus energized to shift the spool I38, thereby'interrupting circula- 15 tion of fluid through the system by cutting off communication of the conduit I4I with the pipe I30. Shifting the spool I38 also establishes communication between the pipe I30 and a pipe I48 which is connected to the front end of the cylinder II.

It will thus be seen that with the valves H8 and H8 actuated, as just described, fluid under pressure is permitted to flow through the pipes I3I and III to the rear ends of the cylinders II and H5, respectively, and fluid is periiiitted to exhaust from the front end of the cylinder II through pipes I48 and I30 to the exhaust port I38 in the valve 8, which is in communication with the exhaust conduit I34.- Thereupon, the 30 plunger 2I and the clamp slide 25 are moved toward an ingot, the ingot first being rigidly clamped and held in centered'position relative to the plunger by the clamping head, the plunger continuing its movement relative to the slide to 35 effect ejectment of the core.

As the slide 25 moves from its normal retracted position, a limit switch I50, which is held in open position when the slide is retracted, is permitted to operate and close a holding circuit for the 0 solenoid I40, so that the spool I20 may be shifted to its plunger-retracting position. The holding circuit through the limit switch I50 extends from the line I43 through conduit I44, conductor I5I, through the closed contacts of the switch I50, through conductor I52 to the coil of the solenoid I40, and thence to the other side of the line through conductor I48.

As the plunger approaches the point where complete ejectment of the core is effected, an adjustable stud I53, carried by the bifurcated arm I8, actuates a switch I54. The switch I54 completes a circuit for a solenoid I55 which is operatively connected to the'lever I2I, thereby causing the lever I2I to be swung in a clockwise 55- 'direction and shift the valve-spool I20 to its plunger-retracting position. Flow of fluid under pressure to the rear ends of the cylinders H5 and II is thereby discontinued and exhaust from such cylinders effected through the port I28 and 00 the exhaust port I31. Also, fluid pressure is admitted through the port I28, through the auxiliary valve 9 in its actuated position to the front side of the cylinder II, thereby eflecting retractive movement of the plunger 2I. During such retractiv'e movement, the enlargement 20 engages the cross piece 04 and causes the slide to be retracted. Thus the ingot is automatically released and-the switch I54. is permitted to return to its normal open position, thereby breaking the circuit for the solenoid I55.

As the plunger and slide approach their normal retracted position, the slide plate 20 actuates the. limit switch I50 to open the holding circuitior the solenoid I40. 'I'hereupon, the spool I30 is shifted by the spring I39 to its normal by-passing position, and interrupts fluid flow to the front end of the cylinder ll, whereby residual pressure in the cylinder will maintain the plunger and clamping device in normal retracted position.

Thus the mechanism can be maintained in retracted position even when a power spring, such as the spring 42 (Fig. 3), is employed.

When it is again desired to initiate a complete cycle of operations, the lever IN is shifted'in a counter-clockwise direction, as heretofore described, and the control apparatus operates automatically to effect advance and return of the mechanism to their retracted positions.

Since clamping, aligning, core ejection, retraction of plunger, and releasing of the ingot are automatic in the machine above described, time is saved and efilciency increased. Further elliciencies are gained by automatic retraction of the plunger and clamping head, and the automatic termination of the plungers return travel, thus adording more time for the operator to change ingots. This, in combination with theprovision for rapid advance of the plunger and clamping head before contacting the core and the rapid ejection and retraction of the plunger after the core has been loosened, gives improved operating characteristics in apparatus of this type.

Various modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit thereof, or the scope of the claims, and, therefore, the exact form shown is to be taken as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense, and it is desired that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art, or are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

We claim: 1

1. In a machine for performing operations upon objects by relative movement between said 40 objects and a tool in engagement therewith, comprising the combination with said tool, of a clamping means including a movable member in slidable engagement therewith, means carried by said member in position to engage and align an l object with said tool, and means operable upon said relative movement for moving said member into engagement with an object, whereby said object is maintained clamped in alignment with said tool during the performance of said operations. 1

2. In a machine for performing operations upon objects by a reciprocable tool which engages said objects, the combination with said reciprocable tool, of clamping means including a movable member, and means operable to advance said tool and saidmember in unison into engagement with an object to maintain said object in position for the performance of said operations, said tool being adapted to further advance relative to said member to perform said operations.

, 3. In apparatus for removing cores from ingots, the combination with a plunger having a normal retracted position, ;of means operable to impart advancing movement to the plunger and effect 55 ejectment of a core, means operable to impart retractive movement to the plunger, means for controlling the operation of said plunger-retracting means, and a member movable with said plunger and operable during said retractive move- 70 ment thereof for actuating said control means, thereby rendering said plunger-retracting means inoperative when the plunger reaches said nor-- mal retracted position.

4. In a machine for separating adhering objects wherein the objects are separated by means of a plunger, the combination with said plunger and means for actuating the same, of a reciprocable member slidably supporting said plunger and operable to ppsition said objects for separation, and means for advancing and holding B said member in operative position eiIective upon' advance of said plunger.

5. In a core-ejecting machine, the combination with a core-ejecting plunger, of advancing and retracting means for the plunger, control mechanism for said means including a shiftable member having an intermediate position in which said mechanism is neutral and being movable alternately in opposite directions to actuate said mechanism, thereby to control operation of said advancing and retracting means, resilient means for urging said member in a direction to effect operation of said retracting means, and means movable with said plunger for engaging said member during retraction of the plunger for moving said-member to said intermediate position, whereby to terminate retraction of said plunger. i

6. Apparatus for removing cores from ingots comprising an ingot support, an abutment having an aperture, a plunger aligned with said aperture, a slidably supported clamp block, the forward end of said plunger being slidably supported in said block for movement therethrough, means for moving the plunger and the block in unison toward saidabutment to clamp an ingot endwise therebetween, said block having .a bevelled ingot-engaging recess in its forward face concentric with said plunger for centering the ingot relative to said plunger and for maintaining the ingot against lateral shifting movement relative to said plunger.

7. A machine for ejecting cores from ingots comprising a reciprocable core-engaging plunger, a reciprocable member slidably supporting said plunger, means for forcing said member into engagement with one end of said ingot upon advance of said plunger, an abutment member having a perforation therein, said abutment. member being positioned at the other end of the ingot to receive the force exerted by said plunger and reciprocable member whereby the ingot is clamped longitudinally, means associated with said member for engaging said ingot and aligning the core thereof with the said perforation and the said plunger, and means for advancing the plunger while the ingot is so clamped and aligned, wherebythe core is ejected from the ingot through the perforation.

- 8. In apparatus for removing cores from in- 55 and slidably supporting the forward end of said plunger, and means for moving said plunger and said member in unison into engagement with an ingot, whereby to align the core thereof with said plunger and to maintain the ingot against shiftingin axial and lateral directions during removal of said core by continued advance movement of said plunger.

9. Apparatus for removing cores from ingots comprising a support for an ingot, a fixed member at one end of the support, a movable member at the other end of the support. means for forcing said movable member toward said fixed member to clamp the ingot 'endwise therebetween, a plunger slidably supported at one end in said movable member, one of said members having an annular bevelled recess in'one face 75 concentric with the plunger for engagement with an exterior surface of the ingot to align the core thereof with said plunger and to maintain the ingot against lateral shifting movement during continued movement of said plunger through the ingot to push the core therefrom.

10. Ina core-extracting machine, the combination with a normally retracted plunger, of advancing and retracting means for the plunger, manually operable means for actuating said advancing means for moving the plunger to eject a core, means for holding said manual means in actuating position, means actuated by said plunger during its ejecting stroke for releasing said holding means, means operable in response to release of said holding means for rendering said advancing means inoperative and for actuating said retracting means, and means actuated by said plunger during retractive movement thereof for rendering said retracting means inoperative when said plunger reaches its normal retracted position. 7

11. In a core-ejecting machine, the combination with a core-ejecting plunger, a hydraulic cylinder having a piston for advancing and retracting the plunger, a plurality of valve means for controlling flow of fluid pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, an operating member associated with said valve meansand having an intermediate position wherein said valve means are inoperative, said member being movable in opposite directions alternately whereby one of said valve means is operative and the other is inoperative, means for holding said member in one position to eflect advancement of said plunger, releasing means for said holding means actuated by said plunger during advance movement thereof, resilient means for moving said member to its other position to effect retraction of said plunger, and means movable with said plunger for engaging said member during retraction of the plunger for moving said member to its intermediate position.

12. In apparatus for ejecting cores from ingots,

the combination comprising a core-engagingplunger, means for actuating the plunger to eject the core of an ingot, clamping. means including a movable member for clamping the ingot during ejectment of its core, and actuating means connectedwith said movable member and operable in response to ejecting movementof said plunger for forcing said member into clamping engage ment with said ingot.

13. In apparatus for ejecting cores from ingots, the combination comprising a core-engaging plunger, means for actuating the plunger to eject the core of an ingot, clamping means including a. movable member for clamping the ingot durin ejectment of its core, and actuating means connected with said movable member and operable in response to ejecting movement of said plunger for forcing said member into clamping engagement with said ingot, the said member bein movable in a path substantially paralleling the path of movement of said plunger.

14. In apparatus for ejecting cores from ingots, the combination comprising an axially-movable core-engaging plunger, means for actuating the plunger to eject the core of an ingot, means including'a movable member for clamp the ingot in a position with its core in alignment with forv movement in'a path substantially paralleling said plunger, means. for supporting said member the path of movement of the plunger, said plunger extending through said member and being slidably supported thereby in a complete circumferential direction, and means effective upon advancing movement of said plunger for moving said member into clamping engagement with said ingot,

15. In by action of a plunger, the combination with said plunger, of means for clamping the ingots including a movable member slidably associated with said plunger, means effective upon advancement of the plunger for moving said member into clamping engagement with an ingot, and lostmotion-connecting means between said plunger and said member for accommodating forward movement of said plunger'with respect to said member after the latter has engaged the ingot and for retracting said member during retraction of said plunger. 16. In apparatus for ejecting cores from ingots, the combination with a core-ejecting plunger, of a support therefor in slidable engagement therewith, a multiple pressure source of fluid pressure. means for forcing said plunger and said support a machine for ejecting cores from ingots into engagement with the core and an ingot,

respectively, by means of fluid from said source under low pressure, said pressure being automatically increased to high pressure after said ingot and its core have been engaged by said support and said plunger.

"17. In ejecting apparatus, the combination with a reciprocable tool having a normal retracted position, of means for movingsaid tool comprising a piston and cylinder, reversible valve means movable into alternate positions to control flow of fluid pressure alternately to the opposite ends of said cylinder, to advance and retract said tool, said valve means being manually movable into onev position to initiate advancement of said tool, means actuated by said advancing tool to shift said valve to its alternate position to retract the tool, and means actuated by said retracting tool to interrupt flow of fluid from said valve means, thereby rendering said tool-retracting means inoperative when said tool reaches said normal'retracted position.

18. In ejecting apparatus, the combination with a reciprocable tool having a normal reto said valve means for shifting the same from said one position to its alternate position, means 1 controlled by said advancing tool for actuating said" fting means, to effect retraction of said tool, a second valve means interposed between said valve means and the retracting end of said cylinder for controlling flow of 'retractive pressure to said cylinder, means controlled by said. tool whenever it is out of said normal retracted position for maintainingsaid second valve open for flow of fluid therethrough, and means responsive to return of said tool to said normal position to close said second valve and cut off said retractive pressure to said cylinder.

RAYNAL W. ANDREWS, Jii.

EINAR. LARS IVERSON.

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