US2618517A - Spindle-construction - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 18, 1952 G. ERIKSON ET AL 2,618,517

SPINDLE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 21, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 18, 1952 G. ERIKSON ET AL 2,613,517

SPINDLE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 21, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 w/a wNm 7 5 v 1 .1. 6 w 0cm, h u 1 I; m MK 2 e w i/ s Q LN mm. m S 0 SW ME RL EM .I 6%

Nov. 18, 1952 Flled May 21, 1947 Nov. 18, 1952 G. ERIKSON ET AL SPINDLE CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 21, 1947 Nov. 18, 1952 G. ERIKSON ET AL SPINDLE CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 21, 1947 G. ERIKSON ET AL SPINDLE CONSTRUCTION Nov. 18, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 21, 1947- Patented Nov. 18, 1952 ED; OFFICE SPINDLE-CGNSTRUCTION Gustaf 'Erilison, Benton Harbon'an'd Eddie Chris tian Filstrup, St; Joseph, Mich., assignors to (level Mfg. 00.; Benton Harbor, Mich; acorpo ration of Michigan Application May 21, 1947, Serial Nr 749,452

4 Claims:

This invention relates to improvements" in" spindle construction; particularly adapted,

though" not necessarily limited. in its use; fer grinding andiprecision'boring machines,iandorre of the objectsbfthe inventionis to 'provideimr proved means whereby, accurate machining of "the work maybe accomplished by controlling'or regulating'the'film of oil between thebearingsr and spindle.

Another object'is to provide'improved" means for preventin ,Wobbling of the spindle, whereby close "work and accurate machinin fmay be per formed.

A further 'object'is to provide improved -means whereby flexible hydraulic pressure 'mayjibe ex';

erteduponithe bearings, to provide tighter "fit.

between the bearings and spindle.

A still further' object is to provide improved means whereby flexible. hydraulic" end? thrust uponithe spindle maybe'obtain'ed.

To the attainment of these ends, andftheaccomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear;the invention consists inthefeatures of novelty in" substantially the constructionjcombination andarrangement 'of' the severalparts;

hereinafter more fully described and "claimed "and shown 'in'the accompanying drawings exemplifyiing this invention, in which drawings Fig. 1 is a. longitudinal sectional view of a' spindleof this character,'construct'ed in accord ance'with the principles of this invention.

Fig." 2"is anenlargeddetailsectional view of F the motor 'end of the spindle;

Fig.13 isan' enlarged detail sectional view of I the grinder ortool end'of the spindle.

Fig. 4'isan enlarged detail transverse sectional view taken on line F-4, Fig; 2.

Fig.5 "is a sectional viewon line .55, Fig. 3.

Fig; dis a detail sectional view takenonjm 6-6; Fig; 5.

Fig; 7 isa longitudinal sectional View of a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 8'is'a top plan'viewiof Fig.7.

Fig. 9 is asectional view :on line fl- -9,Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional viewtaken on line ill-l0; Fig. '7;

Referring more particularly to the drawings;

the numeral 1 designates a spindle or shaft journaled in "a'bearing designated generally by the numeral 16' (Fig; 1), located adjacent one end. and in a hearing I! adjacent the other end there of. If the spindle is of sufficient length, intermediate-bearings mayalso be provided. On'one end of the spindle is a suitable tool, which", in 'the' present exemplification of the invention; is shown as a grinding. element I8. This element is secured in position many suitable manner, suchlas by. means. of clampingmembers [9-29. one of which secured to'the spindle, and the'clamping members may be separably secured together. by means-ofv suitable fastening devices such as screws 2 I; or the like.

Mounted nearthe other end 'ofthe spindle'is a motor 22, here shown as of the electric type, the motor being preferably. disposed between the bearings I 6-'l 1.

Anoil reservoir 23;..ofany suitable size and configuration, is suitably mounted, and forms a art of the bearing 16, or maybe separate therefrom. A pump has an inlet'supply' pipe 25 which communicates with the reservoir, and also a discharge pipe 26 that leads through a branch pipe 21; to an oil channel 28 that has communication'w'ith a space29 between the spindle [E and the inner surface of the bearing; whereby a of bilfor lubricant in? e suppliedyto eficompass. or surround th' m within the bearing. Tfie discharge pipe 26 "is a1so' provided with aiiothel branch 30 which 'latt'ei has communication-with ani'oil passage 3 I in the end bearing ll of the spindle, for'the purpose of creating pressure upon" an end thiust'bearing for the spindle, in amanher to belater described.-

A ressure gauge "33is' provided'in the pipe 25" toindi'cate thepre'ssure exerted "by the 'oil upon the bearings. In the branch pipe 2'l'th'ere is providedan adjustable pressure regulating and relief valve '34,'an'd apressure gauge 35, and'leadingflffom the reliefvalve is areturn pipe 34*, which discharges back into the reservoir 23; In the pipe 3!]"is also provided 'an'adjustablepressure regulating and relief .valve 38 an'd a pressure gauge 3fl fand leadingfrom therelief valve 3fl 'is apipe 30"that discharges back into the reservoir 23;

Anextension 30 leads" from the pipe 30, andcommunicates with'a passage 65, which'latter communicates with cylinders 5|, to operate the pistons 53 ,'"as willbe later described. In the pipe 30 is arranged an adjustable pressure regulating... andrelief .valve3fl' l'from which leads a pipe 30 around the relief- 'valve 30 and communicates with the pipe 30 that leads back to the reservoir 23.' Apressure gauge 36 is also arranged in the pipe 30 With this arrangement, oil pressure at the bearings [61' I1, 35"and 36 and at theend 55 of spindle 15' (Figs. 2 and 4) may be determined by settingthe relief valves 34,30 and 30 It has beenfo'und-th'at, in operation, the steadiness of the action of a spindle of this character,

under high speed, can be controlled by regulating or controllin the volume or thickness of the film of oil which surrounds the spindle within the bearings. That is, the thicker the film, the more the spindle will wobble under high speed of rotation. However, by reducing the thickness of this film, the more steady the spindle will rotate, and wobbling will be reduced to a minimum. This is very desirable, especially when the tool is used for accurate machining. To that end there is provided improved means whereby the thickness of the oil film about the spindle, as well as the lubrication of .the spindle, may be readily controlled.

As shown in Figs. i and 5, the spindle bearing proper is formed of two members 35-36, which are slightly spaced from each other, as at 31, to provide a space to permit the oil to flow into and from the space directly surrounding the spindle, oil grooves 38 being also provided for that purpose.

The members 9535 of the bearing are pre vented from rotation, in any suitable manner. such as by means of keys 31 Arranged also within the housing portion of the bearing, are a plurality of cylinders 38*, any number of which may be provided, and arranged in any suitable position and at any desired angle. In Figs. 4 and 5, two such cylinders are shown, which are arranged in inclined positions with respect to each other. In Fig. 4, each of these cylinders has communication through passages 39, with the oil passage 3|, and, in Fig. each cylinder 33 communicates through passages 39 with the oil passage 28. If desired, the ends of the cylinders may be closed by plugs 49, or in any other suitable manner.

Within each of the cylinders is a piston member 4|, the end of which may be shaped to form a. reduced portion 42, to contact and bear against the bearing member 36. With this construction it will be seen that when the oil is forced from the tank or reservoir 23, by the pump 24, it will flow through the pipe 21 when the valve 34 is properly set, and into the oil passage or channel 28, from where it will flow, under pressure, into the cylinders 38 to act upon the pistons 4|, which in turn will force the bearing member 36 toward the bearing member 35.

This will create a pressure upon the film of oil which encompasses the spindle between the bearing members 35-36, reducing the thickness of the oil film. This will be accomplished, as some of the oil film will be forced or squeezed out through the spaces 31 between the bearing members 35-36 and into the circulating oil system. Oil gets into the bearings by seepage through the pistons, and any excess oil will flow out through a drain pipe 43, suitably arranged.

At the forward end of the spindle there may be provided a suitable fluid seal, one form of which is shown in Fig. 2, wherein a diaphragm 44 is clamped between two members 45-46 by means of screws 41, and this diaphragm supports a member 48, that contacts and cooperates with another seal member 49.

At the other end of the spindle, means are provided for effecting an end thrust upon the spindle, shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 2, wherein an end member 50 is provided with cylinders 5:, any member of which may be employed, which cylinders may be arranged in any suitable manner with respect to the end of the spindle. These cylinders may be closed by plugs 52, and movable in each of the cylinders is a piston 53. The adjacent end of the spindle I5 is preferably reduced, as at 54, and encompassing said reduced portion, so as to abut the shoulder 55 which is formed by said reduced portion, is a collar 56. This collar is keyed or otherwise fastened to the spindle, as at 51, and is provided with a peripheral flange 58, of a thickness preferably considerably less than the lengthwise dimension of the collar.

Encompassing the collar, and on each side of the flange 58, are collars or annular members 59-60. The collar 59 is secured to the bearing element 35 by means of a pin 92, so that the elements 35 and 59 will both be maintained against rotation. The collar or annular member 60 is disposed on the opposite side of the flange 59, and in a position to be engaged by the reduced end 53 of the pistons 53. As the bearing element 36 is keyed to the bearing member I! by means of a key 31 these parts will be maintained against rotation.

Communicating with the oil passage 3|, are passages 65, that lead to the cylinders 5|, so that oil pressure may be exerted upon the pistons 53, to force them against the collar 60, which in turn will cause the collars 59 and 59 to be forced together to provide an end thrust upon the shoulder of the spindle. In addition to the lubrication obtained by seepage, a passage 69 is provided for oil for lubrication, and passages 6'! form communications with the inside of the spindle bearing. An additional passage 98 may be pro- Vided for supplying oil to the end of the spindle, and this latter passage has communication with the passage 63.

Suitable sealing means may be provided for the spindle between the bearing I and the rotor, and may embody a diaphragm 59, clamped between the bearing I and a collar 19 by means of screws 7|, and this diaphragm supports a sealing element 72 that cooperates with a sealing element 13.

The rotor 14 of the motor may be secured to the spindle I5 in any suitable manner, such as by being clamped between two collars '|5'|6, the latter being threaded upon the spindle, as at Tl, the collar being anchored, as at 18, and the rotor being splined on the spindle by a key, as at 19.

Figs. 7-10 illustrate a modified form of the invention in which the spindle 81 is mounted in a frame 88 having a removable head portion 89, the parts 88 and 89 being held together by fastening devices 83. The frame member 88 supports spaced bearings at the opposite ends of the spindle. Each of these bearings comprise lower and upper bearing elements 99 and 9|, which are similar to the elements 35 and 36. The frame 88, however, provides generally rectangular cavities 8| for receiving the elements 90 and 9|, the general contour of which is rec tangular. These elements 99 and 9| are adapted to be forced together, for the same purpose as the elements 35 and 36, by means of piston elements 92 operating in cylinder cavities 93 formed in the head 89, oil under pressure being supplied in the cylinders 93 behind the pistons 92, through supply conduits 94, channels 95 and cylinder connecting ducts 99. The pistons 92 may thus be thrust under hydraulic pressure, to press elements 99 and 9| together upon the spindle, oil being forced or squeezed out through the openings or spaces 86 between the elements 90 and 9|.

Within the bearing support member 88, there is provided a chamber 91, in which is arranged a collar 98, supported by the spindle, and secured thereto by fastening devices such as screws99. A collar I having an oil groove-IN; also encompasses the spindle, and is disposed adjacent the collar 08. A support I02 encompasses the spindle and abuts a shoulder I03 in the member 88. Disposed between the support I02 and the collar I00, is a cylinder and piston carrying member 504, in which there is provided a plurality of cylinders and pistons I05I06, of a construction similar to the cylinderv and piston elements 38-4], and the cylinders receive oil, under pressure, from a supply pipe I01, and suitable connecting passages. A fluid tight connection or adjustable joint I08 is provided for the supply pipe I01.

Thus when fluid pressure is admitted into the cylinders I 05, the pistons I06 will force the collar I00 against the collar 98, to provide end thrust for the spindle.

At each end of the spindle 81, there is provided suitable sealing means. At one end of the spindle the seat embodies a collar I09, which abuts a sealing element H0, and is held in engagement therewith by means of a coiled spring I I I that is suitably supported by the spindle and is held in position longitudinally of the spindle by the bearing members 90 and SI at one side of the spring and an annular member H3 at the other side of the spring. The annular member H3 is held in position through the medium of screws H4. One end of the spring engages a bearing surface H5 on the collar I09, and the other end contacts a shoulder I IS on the bearing 0|. The member H3 is provided with a recess III in its outer face, and an annular member H8 has a recess H9 in its inner face, positioned that the recessed portions II'II I9 interfit.

At the other end of the spindle is a somewhat similar seal embodying a coil spring Ill sealed in a recess 88 one end of the spring abutting a shoulder Ilfi and the other end contacting a bearing surface 5 carried by a collar I09 This collar is provided with a sealing surface Iilfi that abuts a sealing surface on a collar 87 sealed in an opening in an annular member H3 held in place by screws H4. Another collar M3 is threaded upon the spindle, as at 01', for holding these parts in assembled relation, and the collar I00 is maintained against rotation preferably by anchoring pins II3 If desired, the hearing may be water-cooled by providing a water circulation chamber or passage I2I, having an inlet I22, and an outlet I23, the bottom of the chamber being closed by a suitable closure I24, such as a plate or the like.

It is thought that the operation of this improved spindle construction will be clearly understood from the foregoing, but, briefly stated, it is as follows:

The bearings are filled with the lubricant by the seepage of oil through the pistons. The oil seepage past the pistons ll (Fig. 4) will enter the cavity around the bearings and 36, and will travel to the left-hand end of the bearings, viewing Fig. 2, within the seal I2, and will travel through the grooves 08, to lubricate the spindle. A return pipe it is provided, which leads back to the reservoir 23. A similar return pipe 13 is provided at the other end of the spindle (see Fig. 1).

The portion of the spindle within the bearings will be coated with a film of oil, which, under ordinary working conditions, is of a thickness:

somewhat greater than the I thickness; of; the film when-the deviceisused for-accurate mae chi-hing; When employed for; general or rough' work, it isnot as; important to, controlthe;

which encompass the spindle will be forced together; that is, the movable member willbe forced towards the othermember, to reduce'the thickness of the oil film. Undersuch pressure, the excess oil will be forced or squeezed out of the bearings through the spaces between the bearing elements andinto the circulating system. Therefore, the action of the spindle can be controlled by controlling the thickness of the oil film.

Similarly, an end thrust is obtained through the medium of the end cylinder and piston elements. This is also accomplished without any detriment to the general lubricating system for the spindle.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that the bearings are adjustably flexible, so that when the spindle gets hot and expands, the bearings will also be permitted to expand slightly, so that, regardless of the temperature, the load will be uniform in regard to the setting of the relief valves.

While the preferred forms of the invention have been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In combination, a frame providing spaced spindle bearings, a rotatable spindle journaled in said bearings, means forming a, shoulder on the spindle, between said bearings and intermediate the ends of the spindle, a piston support member embracing said shaft adjacent said shoulder, said member being formed with piston cavities opening toward said shoulder, piston elements supported in said cavities, means to apply fluid pressure in said cavities behind said pistons to thrust the same toward said shoulder to impart end thrust on said spindle.

2. In combination, a frame providing spaced spindle bearings, a rotatable spindle journaled in said bearings, means forming a shoulder on the spindle, between said bearings and intermediate the ends of the spindle, a piston support member embracing said shaft adjacent said shoulder, said member being formed with piston cavities opening toward said shoulder, piston elements supported in said cavities, means to apply fluid pressure in said cavities behind said pistons to thrust the same toward said shoulder to impart end thrust on said spindle, said piston support member being formed as an element separate from the frame and mounted on a seat formed in the frame in position spaced from and facing said shoulder.

3. In combination, a frame providing a spindle bearing, a rotatable spindle journaled in said bearing, means forming a shoulder on the spindle, a piston support member formed. with piston cavities opening toward said shoulder, piston elements supported in said cavities, means to apply fluid pressure in said cavities, behind said pistons, to force same toward said shoulder to impart end thrust on the spindle.

4. In combination, a frame providing a spindle bearing, a rotatable spindle journaled in said bearing, means forming a, shoulder on the spindle, a piston support member formed with piston cavities opening toward said shoulder, piston elements supported in said cavities, means to apply fluid pressure in said cavities, behind said pistons, to force same toward said shoulder to impart end thrust on the spindle, said piston support member being formed as an element separate from said frame and removably secured on an annular seat formed in said frame in position axially spaced from said shoulder.

GUSTAF ERIKSON. EDDIE CHRISTIAN FILSTRUP.

8 REFERENCES siren The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 418,123 Grimm Dec. 24, 1889 1,272,041 Hert July 9, 1918 1,690,425 Norton Nov. 6, 1925 2,028,487 Asbridge Jan. 21, 1936 2,344,571 Turrettini Mar. 21, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS 15 Number Country Date 410,961 Great Britain May 31, 1934 482,627 Great Britain Apr. 1, 1938 240,960 Germany Nov. 21, 1911 623,429 Germany Dec. 20, 1935

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