US3410029A - Stabilizing and supporting means for a rotating element - Google Patents

Stabilizing and supporting means for a rotating element Download PDF

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US3410029A
US3410029A US458023A US45802365A US3410029A US 3410029 A US3410029 A US 3410029A US 458023 A US458023 A US 458023A US 45802365 A US45802365 A US 45802365A US 3410029 A US3410029 A US 3410029A
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supporting means
rotating
rotating element
stabilizing
grinding wheel
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US458023A
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Edmund G Savage
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Warner and Swasey Co
Saint Gobain Abrasives Inc
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Norton Co
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Assigned to WARNER & SWASEY COMPANY, THE reassignment WARNER & SWASEY COMPANY, THE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: WARNER & SWASEY COMPANY,THE A DEL CORP.
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M1/00—Testing static or dynamic balance of machines or structures
    • G01M1/30—Compensating imbalance
    • G01M1/36—Compensating imbalance by adjusting position of masses built-in the body to be tested
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
    • B24B41/00—Component parts such as frames, beds, carriages, headstocks
    • B24B41/04—Headstocks; Working-spindles; Features relating thereto
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
    • B24B41/00—Component parts such as frames, beds, carriages, headstocks
    • B24B41/04—Headstocks; Working-spindles; Features relating thereto
    • B24B41/042—Balancing mechanisms
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M1/00—Testing static or dynamic balance of machines or structures
    • G01M1/02—Details of balancing machines or devices
    • G01M1/04—Adaptation of bearing support assemblies for receiving the body to be tested

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus including a rotating element selectively either fully constrained radially thereof for rotation below its critical speed about a predetermined fixed axis or yieldably constrained radially thereof for rotation above its critical speed about its center of gravity subject also to radial displacement from the fixed axis due to its weight, and an assembly incorporating a biasing mechanism operative when the rotating element is yieldably constrained radially thereof to limit radial displacement of the rotating element due to its weight.
  • the present invention relates to a stabilizing and supporting means for a rotating element and particularly to a stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means for a rotating element operable to limit the radial displacement of a rotating elementwhile it is yieldably supported for rotation above its critical speed, for example, during the operation of a balancing means supported by the rotating element and operable automatically to balance the rotating element.
  • the instant invention contemplates a stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means for a rotating element arranged so that it is inoperative and maintained out of engagement with a rotating element while the rotating element is supported for rotation below its critical speed about a predetermined fixed axis and automatically operable when the rotating element is yieldably supported for rotation above its critical speed to prevent unstable movement of the rotating element and to provide auxiliary support for the rotating element without interfering with the automatic operation of a balancing device mounted upon the rotating element.
  • An object of the present invention is the provision of a stabilizing means for a rotating element operable to prevent unstable perturbations of a rotating element yieldably supported for limited radial rdisplacement while it is rotating above its critical speed.
  • Another object is the provision of a stabilizing means for a rotating element operable to prevent objectionable instability while the rotating element is supported for rotation above its critical speed without interfering with the automatic operation of balancing means for the rotating element actuated while the rotating element is rotating above its critical speed.
  • Still another object is the provision of an auxiliary supporting means for a rotating element selectively rigidly supported for rotation about a predetermined fixed axis and alternatively yieldably supported for rotation above its critical speed, said auxiliary supporting means being effective to limit the radial displacement of the rotating element from its fixed axis of rotation while it is rotated above its critical speed.
  • Yet another object is the provision of an auxiliary supporting means for a rotating element yieldably supported for rotation above its critical speed operable to limit radial displacement of the rotating element due to its weight without interfering with the automatic operation of balancing means for the rotating element.
  • a further object is the provision of an auxiliary supporting means for a rotating element selectively supported by coacting releasable concentric load bearing means for rotation about a fixed predetermined axis and alternatively yieldably supported for rotation above its critical speed when the coacting load bearing means are released, said auxiliary supporting means being effective tofacilitate re-engagement of the concentric coacting bearing means.
  • a final object is the provision of a stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means for a rotating element otherwise supported upon -a yieldable support with a relatively high spring rate for rotation above its critical speed, said stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means including a biasing spring with a relatively very low spring rate.
  • FIG. 1 is a vertical section through a portion of a grinding machine illustrating the preferred embodiment of the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means of the instant invent-ion shown in operative relation to a rotating element comprising a grinding wheel mounted upon a grinding wheel spindle, and
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a grinding machine generally desiginated by the reference numeral 10 including a wheel guard assembly 11 which may be fixedly secured by attachment means not illustrated to a wheel slide assembly 12 supporting a wheel spindle assembly including a relatively fixed portion 13 thereof mounted for rotation about a fixed horizontal axis by means of suitable supporting means therefore such as the spaced load bearing assemblies described and illustrated in Patent No. 3,218,884 and provided with external conical load bearing surfaces 14 and internal cylindrical bearing surface 15. As illustrated in FIG.
  • the relatively movable portion 16 of the wheel spindle comprises a wheel mounting hub supporting a grinding wheel 20 and fixedly secured to a tapered elongated spring rod 21 in turn slidably supported concentrically within the relatively fixed portion 13 of the wheel spindle.
  • the relatively movable portion 16 of the wheel spindle also encloses and supports a balancing device 22 and a control rod 23 therefore arranged and operable as illustrated and described in detail in Patent No. 3,218,884.
  • FIG. 1 shows the relatively movable portion 16 positioned with the respective conical and cylindrical load bearing surfaces disengaged, so that the grinding wheel 20 is yieldably supported on tapered spring rod 21 for rotation above its critical speed, and shows the balancing device 22 released for an automatic balancing operation.
  • FIG. 1 also illustrates a cylindrical stub shaft 31 fixedly secured concentrically of the relatively movable portion 16 of the spindle assembly so that it extends through an opening 32 in the wheel guard 11, and the preferred embodiment of the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means of the instant invention generally designated by the reference numeral 40.
  • the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means consists of a supporting member 41 fixedly secured to the wheel guard 11 by suitable attachment means such as machine screws 42 and including a socket portion 43 closed at one end by a threaded plug 44.
  • the supporting member 41 includes a bracket portion 45 supporting a pivot pin 46 pivotally supporting an elongated lever 47 to which a suitable shoe 48 is fixedly secured for hearing engagement with the stub shaft 31.
  • the supporting member 41 also includes a lug portion 51 supporting a threaded adjustable stop member 52 secured by a lock nut 53.
  • the lever 47 is biased toward the stop member 52 by a biasing means comprising a compression spring 55 constrained within the socket portion 43 by the threaded plug 44.
  • the possibility of objectionable instability can be avoided by providing the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means 40 arranged as shown in FIGS, 1 and 2 to coact with the stub shaft 31 and having a compression spring 55 preloaded so that the lever 47 is biased against the stop member 52 by a force approaching but slightly less than the force exerted by the relatively movable portion 16 of the wheel spindle and the grinding wheel 20 due to the weight of this rotating assembly.
  • a desirable practical arrangement which does not require any design change in the tapered spring rod 21 makes use of a compression spring 55 selected so that it has a spring rate very much lower than the spring rate of the tapered spring rod 21.
  • the spring rate of the yieldable supporting structure is dependent almost entirely upon the spring rate of the tapered spring rod 21 so that the addition of a stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means 40 including such a compression spring 55 has a negligible effect on the yieldable supporting structure including both the tapered spring rod 21 and the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means 40.
  • the preload on compression spring 55 can be increased accordingly by substituting a longer compression spring with the same spring rate or by providing a suitable shim between the compression spring 55 and the threaded plug 44 to further compress the compression spring 55. If necessary, the preload on compression spring 55 may also be varied in a similar fashion from a relatively low preload for the relatively light worn stub of a grinding wheel 20 to a relatively high preload for a relatively heavy new grinding wheel 20.
  • the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means 40 will commonly produce an adequate stabilizing effect throughout the life of a given grinding wheel 20 if it is preloaded so that it exerts a force alrnost but not quite equal to the force exerted due to the minimum weight it must oppose, that is the weight of the relatively movable portion 16 of the wheel spindle and the weight of a fully worn stub of a grinding wheel 20.
  • the biasing means may be so arranged that it is dependent upon resistance supplied by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure to limit the radial displacement of the rotating assembly.
  • any one of these configurations will be sufli ciently resilient to accommodate the limited radial excursions of the rotating assembly indicated by the showing in phantom lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 which necessarily occur as an unbalanced rotating assembly is rotated above its critical speed so that it rotates about its center of gravity rather than about its geometric center.
  • the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means of the instant invention is particularly useful primarily to prevent objectionable instability in relatively small grinding machines where available space for mounting the stabilizing means is limited, the generally L-shaped configuration of the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means 40 best illustrated in FIG. 2 is the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.
  • the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means 40 may be useful primarily as an auxiliary support, it may include an elongated supporting member mounted upon a fixed support such as the wheel guard 11 and disposed radially of the grinding wheel and vertically beneath the axis of the wheel spindle so that the compression spring is confined within a hollow plunger slidably mounted within a suitable socket portion of the supporting member to act against the closed end of the hollow plunger, fitted with a suitable shoe 48 and arranged to be engaged by a stop member either integral with or supported by the supporting member.
  • a suitable shoe 48 either integral with or supported by the supporting member.
  • Apparatus comprising,
  • a first rotatable supporting means for said rotating element mounted to rotate about a predetermined fixed axis
  • releasable coupling means having opposed load bearing surfaces operative when they are disposed in mutual engagement to fully constrain said rotating element radially relative to said first supporting means for rotation therewith about said fixed axis below the critical speed of said rotating element
  • a radially yieldable second rotatable supporting means t for said rotating element connected to said rotating element and operative when said coupling means is released to rotate said rotating element above its critical speed about its center of gravity
  • stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means for said rotating element constructed and arranged to be maintained inoperative when said releasable coupling means is operative and to be operative when said second supporting means is operative, yieldably to oppose and thereby limit radial displacement of said rotating element due to said predetermined force
  • said stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means comprising,
  • shoe supporting means mounted upon said support means for movement radially relative to said first supporting means
  • shoe means mounted upon said shoe supporting means for movement therewith and disposed for engagement with said rotating element
  • biasing means mounted upon said support means and operative to displace said shoe supporting means toward said rotating element
  • said biasing means comprises,
  • a spring having a spring rate negligible relative to that of said second supporting means and preloaded by a force substantially equal to but less than said predetermined force.
  • a machine tool comprising,
  • a first rotatable supporting means for said rotating tool assembly mounted to rotate about a predetermined fixed axis
  • releasable coupling means having opposed load bearing surfaces operative when they are disposed in mutual engagement; to fully constrain said rotating tool assembly radially relative to said first supporting means to secure said rotating element for rotation With said first supporting means about said fixed axis below the critical speed of said rotating tool assembly,
  • a radially yieldable second rotatable supporting means for said rotating tool assembly connected to said rotating tool assembly and operative when said coupling means is released to rotate said rotating tool assembly above its critical speed about its center of gravity
  • stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means comprises, support means fixedly mounted radially relative to said first supporting means,
  • shoe supporting means mounted upon said support means for movement radially upward relative to said first supporting means
  • shoe means mounted upon said shoe supporting means for movement therewith and disposed for engagement with said rotating tool assembly
  • biasing means mounted upon said support means and operative to displace said shoe supporting means toward said rotating tool assembly
  • said biasing means comprises,
  • said biasing means comprises,
  • a Spring having a spring rate negligible relative to that of said second supporting means and preloaded by a force substantially equal to but less than said predetermined force due to the weight of said rotating tool assembly.
  • a grinding machine comprising,
  • releasable coupling means having opposed load bearing surfaces operative when they are disposed in mutual engagement; to fully constrain said rotating grinding wheel assembly radially relative to said first supporting means to support said grinding wheel assembly for rotation with said first supporting means about said fixed axis below the critical speed of said rotating grinding wheel,
  • a fiexible radially yieldable second rotatable supporting means for said rotating grinding wheel assembly connected to said rotating grinding wheel assembly and operative when said coupling means is released to rotate said rotating grinding wheel assembly above its critical speed about its center of gravity
  • balancing means mounted upon said grinding wheel assembly operative to balance said grinding wheel assembly when said second supporting means is operative to rotate said grinding wheel assembly about its center of gravity
  • a grinding machine as described in claim 8, wherein said stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means comprises,
  • shoe supporting means mounted upon said support means for movement radially relative to said first supporting means
  • shoe means mounted upon said shoe supporting means for movement therewith and disposed for engagement with said rotating grinding machine assembly
  • biasing means mounted upon said support means and operative to displace said shoe supporting means toward said rotating grinding wheel assembly
  • said biasing means comprises,
  • said biasing means comprises,
  • a spring having a spring rate negligible relative to that of said second supporting means and preloaded by a force substantially equal to but less than said predetermined force due to the weight of said rotating grinding wheel assembly.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Constituent Portions Of Griding Lathes, Driving, Sensing And Control (AREA)
  • Grinding Of Cylindrical And Plane Surfaces (AREA)

Description

Nov. 12, 1968 E. G. SAVAGE 3,410,029
STABI LIZING AND SUPPORTING MEANS FOR A ROTATING ELEMENT Filed May 24, 1965 I VEN OR 71 EDMUND AVA 65 mg. 2 v
ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,410,029 STABILIZING AND SUPPORTING MEANS FOR A ROTATING ELEMENT Edmund G. Savage, North Brookfield, Mass, assignor to Norton Company, Worcester, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed May 24, 1965, Ser. No. 458,023 11 Claims. (Cl. 51-169) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus including a rotating element selectively either fully constrained radially thereof for rotation below its critical speed about a predetermined fixed axis or yieldably constrained radially thereof for rotation above its critical speed about its center of gravity subject also to radial displacement from the fixed axis due to its weight, and an assembly incorporating a biasing mechanism operative when the rotating element is yieldably constrained radially thereof to limit radial displacement of the rotating element due to its weight.
The present invention relates to a stabilizing and supporting means for a rotating element and particularly to a stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means for a rotating element operable to limit the radial displacement of a rotating elementwhile it is yieldably supported for rotation above its critical speed, for example, during the operation of a balancing means supported by the rotating element and operable automatically to balance the rotating element.
An automatic balancing device for a rotating element of the type illustrated in Patent No. 3,107,550 of Backer et al. and in eopending application Ser. No. 158,958 of Backer et al., now Patent No. 3,218,884, automatically operable to precisely balance a rotating element such as a grinding wheel or other cutting tool, when the rotating element is supported for rotation above its critical speed, is generally reliable and entirely satisfactory for applications such as those illustrated and described in Patent Nos. 1,967,163 of Thearle, 2,142,021 of Ernst et 211., 2,507,558 of Dall et al, and 3,107,550 of Backer et 211., all disclosing balancing devices operable on the principle described in Thearle 1,967,163.
However, it has been found that there are certain sizes and configurations of grinding wheel spindle assemblies, particularly relatively small sizes, in which the grinding wheel demonstrates an objectionable degree of instability when it is supported for rotation above its critical speed to provide for the automatic operation of the balancing device. Furthermore, it has been found that excessive initial unbalance in a grinding wheel, such as that caused by the weight of an accumulation of a grinding fluid in one sector of the grinding wheel, may cause momentary instability immediately after the grinding wheel spindle assembly has been released for rotation above its critical speed. In both such instances, it is [desirable to provide a stabilizing means effective to preclude unstable movement of the grinding wheel while it is supported for rotation above its critical speed and operable for this purpose without significantly interfering with the operation of the balancing device.
In addition, it has been found that the deflection of a relatively large grinding wheel is very substantial when the grinding wheel spin d-le is released for rotation above its critical speed, due to the combined weight of the grinding wheel itself and the associated grinding wheel mounting means. In this instance, it is desirable to provide an auxiliary supporting means effective to limit the radial displacement of the grinding wheel while it is supported 3,410,029 Patented Nov. 12, 1968 for rotation above its critical speed and operable for this purpose without significantly interfering with the operation of the balancing device.
The instant invention contemplates a stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means for a rotating element arranged so that it is inoperative and maintained out of engagement with a rotating element while the rotating element is supported for rotation below its critical speed about a predetermined fixed axis and automatically operable when the rotating element is yieldably supported for rotation above its critical speed to prevent unstable movement of the rotating element and to provide auxiliary support for the rotating element without interfering with the automatic operation of a balancing device mounted upon the rotating element.
An object of the present invention is the provision of a stabilizing means for a rotating element operable to prevent unstable perturbations of a rotating element yieldably supported for limited radial rdisplacement while it is rotating above its critical speed.
Another object is the provision of a stabilizing means for a rotating element operable to prevent objectionable instability while the rotating element is supported for rotation above its critical speed without interfering with the automatic operation of balancing means for the rotating element actuated while the rotating element is rotating above its critical speed.
Still another object is the provision of an auxiliary supporting means for a rotating element selectively rigidly supported for rotation about a predetermined fixed axis and alternatively yieldably supported for rotation above its critical speed, said auxiliary supporting means being effective to limit the radial displacement of the rotating element from its fixed axis of rotation while it is rotated above its critical speed.
Yet another object is the provision of an auxiliary supporting means for a rotating element yieldably supported for rotation above its critical speed operable to limit radial displacement of the rotating element due to its weight without interfering with the automatic operation of balancing means for the rotating element.
A further object is the provision of an auxiliary supporting means for a rotating element selectively supported by coacting releasable concentric load bearing means for rotation about a fixed predetermined axis and alternatively yieldably supported for rotation above its critical speed when the coacting load bearing means are released, said auxiliary supporting means being effective tofacilitate re-engagement of the concentric coacting bearing means.
A final object is the provision of a stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means for a rotating element otherwise supported upon -a yieldable support with a relatively high spring rate for rotation above its critical speed, said stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means including a biasing spring with a relatively very low spring rate.
Other objects and advantages of the instant invention will be evident from consideration of the following description and the showing in the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a vertical section through a portion of a grinding machine illustrating the preferred embodiment of the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means of the instant invent-ion shown in operative relation to a rotating element comprising a grinding wheel mounted upon a grinding wheel spindle, and
FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify like or corresponding parts, FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a grinding machine generally desiginated by the reference numeral 10 including a wheel guard assembly 11 which may be fixedly secured by attachment means not illustrated to a wheel slide assembly 12 supporting a wheel spindle assembly including a relatively fixed portion 13 thereof mounted for rotation about a fixed horizontal axis by means of suitable supporting means therefore such as the spaced load bearing assemblies described and illustrated in Patent No. 3,218,884 and provided with external conical load bearing surfaces 14 and internal cylindrical bearing surface 15. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the relatively movable portion 16 of the wheel spindle comprises a wheel mounting hub supporting a grinding wheel 20 and fixedly secured to a tapered elongated spring rod 21 in turn slidably supported concentrically within the relatively fixed portion 13 of the wheel spindle. The relatively movable portion 16 of the wheel spindle also encloses and supports a balancing device 22 and a control rod 23 therefore arranged and operable as illustrated and described in detail in Patent No. 3,218,884.
Since the spindle assembly and the co-operating balancing device illustrated in FIG. 1 are described in detail in Patent No. 3,218,884, neither the details of these features nor their modes of operation will be described in detail herein, However, it should be noted that FIG. 1 shows the relatively movable portion 16 positioned with the respective conical and cylindrical load bearing surfaces disengaged, so that the grinding wheel 20 is yieldably supported on tapered spring rod 21 for rotation above its critical speed, and shows the balancing device 22 released for an automatic balancing operation.
FIG. 1 also illustrates a cylindrical stub shaft 31 fixedly secured concentrically of the relatively movable portion 16 of the spindle assembly so that it extends through an opening 32 in the wheel guard 11, and the preferred embodiment of the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means of the instant invention generally designated by the reference numeral 40.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means consists of a supporting member 41 fixedly secured to the wheel guard 11 by suitable attachment means such as machine screws 42 and including a socket portion 43 closed at one end by a threaded plug 44. The supporting member 41 includes a bracket portion 45 supporting a pivot pin 46 pivotally supporting an elongated lever 47 to which a suitable shoe 48 is fixedly secured for hearing engagement with the stub shaft 31. The supporting member 41 also includes a lug portion 51 supporting a threaded adjustable stop member 52 secured by a lock nut 53. The lever 47 is biased toward the stop member 52 by a biasing means comprising a compression spring 55 constrained within the socket portion 43 by the threaded plug 44.
When the relatively movable portion 16 of the spindle assembly is displaced axially of the relatively fixed portion 13 of the spindle assembly into the position illustrated in FIG. 1 with the internal conical load bearing surfaces 17 out of bearing engagement with the external conical load bearing surfaces 14 and with the external cylindrical load bearing surface 18 out of engagement with the internal cylindrical load bearing surface 15 so that the rotating assembly including the grinding wheel 20 is yieldably supported upon and rotated above its critical speed by the tapered spring rod 21, the weight of this rotating assembly causes this assembly to be displaced radially from the fixed predetermined horizontal axis about which it rotates below its critical speed when the conical load bearing surfaces 17 are disposed in mutual engagement with the conical load bearing surfaces 14. This radial displacement of one end of the substantially elongated spring rod 271, if relatively large, interferes with the re-engagement of the cylindrical load bearing surfaces and produces angular displacement of the grinding wheel 20 about a horizontal axis which may result in unstable perturbations that subject the apparatus to excessive loads.
The possibility of objectionable instability can be avoided by providing the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means 40 arranged as shown in FIGS, 1 and 2 to coact with the stub shaft 31 and having a compression spring 55 preloaded so that the lever 47 is biased against the stop member 52 by a force approaching but slightly less than the force exerted by the relatively movable portion 16 of the wheel spindle and the grinding wheel 20 due to the weight of this rotating assembly.
When the tapered spring rod 21 is displaced to the left as seen in FIG. 1 by a suitable actuating means, its initial displacement disengages the respective conical load hearing surfaces 14 and 17 and moves stub shaft 31 into a position overhanging the surface of shoe 48 before the respective cylindrical load bearing surfaces 15 and 18 are completely disengaged. Thereafter, continued displacement of the tapered spring rod 21 into the position illustrated in FIG. 1 completely disengages the respective cylindrical load bearing surfaces 15 and =18 and finally results in operation of the control rod 23 to release the balancing device 22.
When the rotating assembly including stub shaft 31 assumes the position illustrated in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2 with the stub shaft 31 rotating in bearing engagement with shoe 48, the angular displacement of lever 47 counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 2 is opposed by the compression spring 55 so that radial deflection of the rotating assembly is relatively more limited than would otherwise be the case with the result that angular displacement of the grinding wheel 20 about a horizontal axis is substantially reduced.
Since successful opertaion of the balancing device 22 depends upon the rotation of the rotating assembly about its center of gravity, this rotation should desirably be at a speed substantially above the critical speed of the rotating assembly, this critical speed being dependent upon the spring rate of the entire structure upon which the rotating assembly is yieldably supported. Accordingly, when a stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means 40 including a compression spring 55 is used as described above in association with the tapered spring rod 21, the contribution of the compression spring 55 to the overall resilience of the supporting arrangement must be taken into account in designing the supporting arrangement to assure the proper operation of the balancing device 22. A desirable practical arrangement which does not require any design change in the tapered spring rod 21 makes use of a compression spring 55 selected so that it has a spring rate very much lower than the spring rate of the tapered spring rod 21. In this case, the spring rate of the yieldable supporting structure is dependent almost entirely upon the spring rate of the tapered spring rod 21 so that the addition of a stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means 40 including such a compression spring 55 has a negligible effect on the yieldable supporting structure including both the tapered spring rod 21 and the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means 40.
When the weight of the rotating assembly is increased substantially as by the use of a thicker grinding wheel 20, the preload on compression spring 55 can be increased accordingly by substituting a longer compression spring with the same spring rate or by providing a suitable shim between the compression spring 55 and the threaded plug 44 to further compress the compression spring 55. If necessary, the preload on compression spring 55 may also be varied in a similar fashion from a relatively low preload for the relatively light worn stub of a grinding wheel 20 to a relatively high preload for a relatively heavy new grinding wheel 20. However, as a practical matter, the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means 40 will commonly produce an adequate stabilizing effect throughout the life of a given grinding wheel 20 if it is preloaded so that it exerts a force alrnost but not quite equal to the force exerted due to the minimum weight it must oppose, that is the weight of the relatively movable portion 16 of the wheel spindle and the weight of a fully worn stub of a grinding wheel 20.
While the preferred embodiment of the instant invention is illustrated and described as including a conventional coil compression spring 55 as the biasing means, a constant force spring may be substituted. Alternatively, the biasing means may be so arranged that it is dependent upon resistance supplied by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure to limit the radial displacement of the rotating assembly. Clearly any one of these configurations will be sufli ciently resilient to accommodate the limited radial excursions of the rotating assembly indicated by the showing in phantom lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 which necessarily occur as an unbalanced rotating assembly is rotated above its critical speed so that it rotates about its center of gravity rather than about its geometric center.
Since the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means of the instant invention is particularly useful primarily to prevent objectionable instability in relatively small grinding machines where available space for mounting the stabilizing means is limited, the generally L-shaped configuration of the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means 40 best illustrated in FIG. 2 is the preferred embodiment of the instant invention. Alternatively, where space permits, and particularly on relatively large grinding machine assemblies, where the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means 40 may be useful primarily as an auxiliary support, it may include an elongated supporting member mounted upon a fixed support such as the wheel guard 11 and disposed radially of the grinding wheel and vertically beneath the axis of the wheel spindle so that the compression spring is confined within a hollow plunger slidably mounted within a suitable socket portion of the supporting member to act against the closed end of the hollow plunger, fitted with a suitable shoe 48 and arranged to be engaged by a stop member either integral with or supported by the supporting member. However, either of these configurations will perform both the stabilizing and the supporting functions. Therefore, it should be understood that this alternative embodiment of the stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means 40 will function in the same manner as the embodiment described in detail above in connection With the showing in FIG. 2.
The description provided above is to be considered ill-ustrative rather than in a limiting sense, since various modifications of this device are contemplated within the scope of the appended claims.
I claim:
1. Apparatus comprising,
a rotating element so disposed as to be subject to a predetermined force applied radially thereto in a predetermined direction,
a first rotatable supporting means for said rotating element mounted to rotate about a predetermined fixed axis,
releasable coupling means having opposed load bearing surfaces operative when they are disposed in mutual engagement to fully constrain said rotating element radially relative to said first supporting means for rotation therewith about said fixed axis below the critical speed of said rotating element,
a radially yieldable second rotatable supporting means t for said rotating element connected to said rotating element and operative when said coupling means is released to rotate said rotating element above its critical speed about its center of gravity,
and stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means for said rotating element, constructed and arranged to be maintained inoperative when said releasable coupling means is operative and to be operative when said second supporting means is operative, yieldably to oppose and thereby limit radial displacement of said rotating element due to said predetermined force, said stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means comprising,
support means fixedly mounted radially relative to said first supporting means,
shoe supporting means mounted upon said support means for movement radially relative to said first supporting means,
shoe means mounted upon said shoe supporting means for movement therewith and disposed for engagement with said rotating element,
biasing means mounted upon said support means and operative to displace said shoe supporting means toward said rotating element,
and fixed stop means mounted on said support means disposed so as to limit displacement of said shoe supporting means and thereby maintain said biasing means inoperative when said coupling means is operative.
2. Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises,
a spring preloaded by the application thereto of a force less than but close to said predetermined force.
3. Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises,
a spring having a spring rate negligible relative to that of said second supporting means and preloaded by a force substantially equal to but less than said predetermined force.
4. A machine tool comprising,
a rotating tool assembly so disposed as to be subject to a predetermined force applied radially thereto in a downward direction due to the weight of said rotating tool assembly,
a first rotatable supporting means for said rotating tool assembly mounted to rotate about a predetermined fixed axis,
releasable coupling means having opposed load bearing surfaces operative when they are disposed in mutual engagement; to fully constrain said rotating tool assembly radially relative to said first supporting means to secure said rotating element for rotation With said first supporting means about said fixed axis below the critical speed of said rotating tool assembly,
a radially yieldable second rotatable supporting means for said rotating tool assembly connected to said rotating tool assembly and operative when said coupling means is released to rotate said rotating tool assembly above its critical speed about its center of gravity,
and stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means for said rotating tool assembly, constructed and arranged to be maintained inoperative when said releasable coupling means is operative and to be operative when said second supporting means is operative, yieldably to oppose and thereby limit downward radial displacement of said rotating tool assembly due to the weight of said rotating tool assembly.
5. A machine tool as described in claim 4, wherein said stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means comprises, support means fixedly mounted radially relative to said first supporting means,
shoe supporting means mounted upon said support means for movement radially upward relative to said first supporting means,
shoe means mounted upon said shoe supporting means for movement therewith and disposed for engagement with said rotating tool assembly,
biasing means mounted upon said support means and operative to displace said shoe supporting means toward said rotating tool assembly,
and fixed stop means mounted on said support means disposed so as to limit displacement of said shoe supporting means and thereby maintain said biasing means inoperative when said coupling means is operative.
6. A machine tool as described in claim 5, wherein said biasing means comprises,
said biasing means comprises,
a Spring having a spring rate negligible relative to that of said second supporting means and preloaded by a force substantially equal to but less than said predetermined force due to the weight of said rotating tool assembly.
8, A grinding machine comprising,
a rotating grinding wheel assembly so disposed as to be subject to a predetermined force applied radially thereto in a downward direction due to the weight of said rotating grinding wheel assembly,
a rigid first rotatable supporting means for said rotating grinding wheel assembly mounted to rotate about a predetermined fixed axis,
releasable coupling means having opposed load bearing surfaces operative when they are disposed in mutual engagement; to fully constrain said rotating grinding wheel assembly radially relative to said first supporting means to support said grinding wheel assembly for rotation with said first supporting means about said fixed axis below the critical speed of said rotating grinding wheel,
a fiexible radially yieldable second rotatable supporting means for said rotating grinding wheel assembly connected to said rotating grinding wheel assembly and operative when said coupling means is released to rotate said rotating grinding wheel assembly above its critical speed about its center of gravity,
balancing means mounted upon said grinding wheel assembly operative to balance said grinding wheel assembly when said second supporting means is operative to rotate said grinding wheel assembly about its center of gravity,
and stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means for said grinding wheel assembly, constructed and arranged to be maintained inoperative when said releasable coupling means is operative and to be operative when said second supporting means is operative, yieldably to oppose and thereby limit downward radial displacement of said rotating grinding wheel assembly due to the weight of said rotating grinding wheel assembly, without precluding operation of said balancin g means.
9. A grinding machine as described in claim 8, wherein said stabilizing and auxiliary supporting means comprises,
support means fixedly mounted radially relative to said first supporting means,
shoe supporting means mounted upon said support means for movement radially relative to said first supporting means,
shoe means mounted upon said shoe supporting means for movement therewith and disposed for engagement with said rotating grinding machine assembly,
biasing means mounted upon said support means and operative to displace said shoe supporting means toward said rotating grinding wheel assembly,
and fixed stop means mounted on said support means disposed so as to limit displacement of said shoe supporting means and thereby maintain said biasing means inoperative when said coupling means is operative.
10. A grinding machine as described in claim 9, wherein said biasing means comprises,
a spring preloaded by the application thereto of a force less than but close to said predetermined force due to the weight of said rotating grinding machine assembly.
11. A grinding machine as described in claim 9, wherein said biasing means comprises,
a spring having a spring rate negligible relative to that of said second supporting means and preloaded by a force substantially equal to but less than said predetermined force due to the weight of said rotating grinding wheel assembly.
References Cited JAMES L. JONES, J R., Primary Examiner.
US458023A 1965-05-24 1965-05-24 Stabilizing and supporting means for a rotating element Expired - Lifetime US3410029A (en)

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GB14054/62A GB968558A (en) 1965-05-24 1962-04-11 Dynamically actuated balancing means
US458023A US3410029A (en) 1965-05-24 1965-05-24 Stabilizing and supporting means for a rotating element
GB19396/66A GB1114619A (en) 1965-05-24 1966-05-03 Stabilizing and supporting means for a rotating element such as a grinding wheel

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US8882454B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2014-11-11 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Ram air fan bearing housing
US8887486B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2014-11-18 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Ram air fan inlet housing
US8961127B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2015-02-24 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Shaft cap
US9028220B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2015-05-12 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Tie rod
US9057386B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2015-06-16 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Ram air fan inner housing
US9140272B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2015-09-22 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Ram air fan outer housing
US9188136B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2015-11-17 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Fan rotor with cooling holes
US9228593B2 (en) 2012-08-15 2016-01-05 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Ram air fan outer housing
US9267512B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2016-02-23 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Ram air fan diffuser with perforated side walls
US9556885B2 (en) 2012-08-23 2017-01-31 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Inlet shroud assembly
US10982682B2 (en) 2018-03-16 2021-04-20 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Fan rotor for ram air fan

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Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9188136B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2015-11-17 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Fan rotor with cooling holes
US8887486B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2014-11-18 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Ram air fan inlet housing
US8961127B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2015-02-24 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Shaft cap
US9028220B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2015-05-12 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Tie rod
US9057386B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2015-06-16 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Ram air fan inner housing
US9140272B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2015-09-22 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Ram air fan outer housing
US8882454B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2014-11-11 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Ram air fan bearing housing
US9267512B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2016-02-23 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Ram air fan diffuser with perforated side walls
US10247197B2 (en) 2011-10-24 2019-04-02 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Fan rotor with cooling holes
US9228593B2 (en) 2012-08-15 2016-01-05 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Ram air fan outer housing
US9556885B2 (en) 2012-08-23 2017-01-31 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Inlet shroud assembly
US10982682B2 (en) 2018-03-16 2021-04-20 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Fan rotor for ram air fan
US11434923B2 (en) 2018-03-16 2022-09-06 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Fan rotor for ram air fan

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GB1114619A (en) 1968-05-22

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