WO2011112390A1

WO2011112390A1 - Cutting apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2011112390A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/026639
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daryl Villa; Michael Castelluccio
Original assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, Llc
Priority date: 2010-03-09
Filing date: 2011-03-01
Publication date: 2011-09-15
Also published as: EP2544823A1; EP2544823A4

Abstract

A cutter that includes a cutting jaw, linkage and a driver for cutting a thru-fastener or a ring from a device. The cutting jaw is configured to cut the thru-fastener from the device. The linkage is coupled to the cutting jaw and configured to convey a force to move the cutting jaw. The driver coupled to the linkage and configured to apply the force to the linkage.

Description

CUTTING APPARATUS

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

61/312,212, filed on March 9, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/312,214, filed on March 9, 2010, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] This disclosure is directed to a cutting apparatus, and particularly to an apparatus for cutting thru-nuts, rods, pins, rings, o-rings, clips or the like, from a device, such as, for example, a fuel injector.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Devices such as fuel injectors are can operate under extreme conditions. For example, a diesel fuel injector may be supplied with pressurized oil from a high pressure oil pump to generate the actual force which injects fuel into an engine. The oil supplied to the fuel injector may be pressurized at a pressure of about, for example, 3,700 PSI. The fuel injector may increase the pressure of the pressurized oil by a factor of about, for example, 7: 1 for an injection pressure of about 26,000 PSI. Thus, if the oil is not regularly replaced, or the oil becomes contaminated, fuel injectors may fail and need replacement.

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[0004] Since fuel injectors can be relatively expensive to replace, it is frequently desirable to remanufacture or rebuild failing or faulty fuel injectors. The present disclosure provides a novel device that may be used in remanufacturing or rebuilding fuel injectors.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a cutter is disclosed, which comprises a cutting jaw configured to cut a thru- fastener from a device, a linkage that is coupled to the cutting jaw and configured to convey a force to move the cutting jaw, and a driver that is coupled to the linkage and configured to apply said force to the linkage. The linkage may comprise at least one of: a pivoting linkage member; a pivoting driver linkage member; and a pivoting driver support linkage member. The driver may comprise an actuator rod and a cylinder.

[0006] The cutter may further comprise: a cutting blade that is affixed a first end of the cutting jaw; a release actuator that is configured to exert a force on the cutting jaw; an adjusting spacer that is configured to limit movement of the cutting jaw; a guide post that is configured to rotatably support the cutting jaw; a receiver that is configured to receive and hold the device while the thru-fastener is cut; and/or a ring cutter that is configured to cut a ring on the device. A second end of the cutting jaw may be pivotally coupled to the linkage. The ring cutter may comprise: a holding pin that is configured to engage and hold the ring; and/or a shearing pin that is configured to engage and shear a portion of the ring.

[0007] According to a further aspect of the disclosure, a cutter is disclosed, which comprises a receiver that is configured to hold a device, a holding pin that is configured to engage and hold a ring on the device, and a shearing pin that is configured to engage and shear a portion of the ring. The cutter may further comprise: a pneumatic actuator that is configured to D6901 eject the holding pin; a pneumatic actuator that is configured to eject the shearing pin; and/or a cutting jaw that is configured to engage a thru- fastener on device.

[0008] According to still further aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided for cutting a thru-fastener or a ring on a device. The method comprises: providing the device to a receiver; actuating a cutting jaw to engage a first portion of the device; actuating a holding pin to engage a second portion of the device; and cutting one of said first and second portions of the device. The said first portion of the device may include a thru-fastener and the said second portion of the device may include an O-ring. The second portion of the device may be sheared by ejecting a shearing pin to engage and shear the second portion.

[0009] Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the disclosure may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the disclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the disclosure as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. No attempt is made to show structural details of the disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosure and the various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings: [0011] Fig. 1 shows a cross-section view of an example of a device;

[0012] Fig. 2 shows a front view of an example of a cutter that is constructed according to the principles of the disclosure;

[0013] Fig. 3 shows a side view of the cutter shown in Fig. 2;

[0014] Fig. 4 shows an enlarged front view of the cutter shown in Fig. 2; and

[0015] Fig. 5 shows an example of a process that may be carried out using the cutter of

Fig. 2, according to principles of the disclosure.

[0016] The present disclosure is further described in the detailed description that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0017] The embodiments of the disclosure and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the disclosure. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the disclosure may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

[0018] A "computer", as used in this disclosure, means any machine, device, circuit, component, or module, or any system of machines, devices, circuits, components, modules, or the like, which are capable of manipulating data according to one or more instructions, such as, for example, without limitation, a processor, a microprocessor, a central processing unit, a general purpose computer, a super computer, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a palmtop computer, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a workstation computer, a server, or the like, or an array of processors, microprocessors, central processing units, general purpose computers, super computers, personal computers, laptop computers, palmtop computers, notebook computers, desktop computers, workstation computers, servers, or the like. Further, the computer may include an electronic device configured to communicate over a communication link. The electronic device may include, for example, but is not limited to, a mobile telephone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a mobile computer, a stationary computer, a smart phone, mobile station, user equipment, or the like.

[0019] The terms "including", "comprising" and variations thereof, as used in this disclosure, mean "including, but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0020] The terms "a", "an", and "the", as used in this disclosure, means "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0021] Devices that are in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries. [0022] Although process steps, method steps, algorithms, or the like, may be described in a sequential order, such processes, methods and algorithms may be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of the processes, methods or algorithms described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously.

[0023] When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single device or article may be used in place of the more than one device or article. The functionality or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality or features.

[0024] A "computer-readable medium", as used in this disclosure, means any medium that participates in providing data (for example, instructions) which may be read by a computer. Such a medium may take many forms, including non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media may include dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Transmission media may include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch

6 cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

[0025] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying sequences of instructions to a computer. For example, sequences of instruction (i) may be delivered from a RAM to a processor, (ii) may be carried over a wireless transmission medium, and/or (iii) may be formatted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, including, for example, WiFi, WiMAX, IEEE 802.11, DECT, 0G, 1G, 2G, 3G or 4G cellular standards, Bluetooth, or the like.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a cross-section view of an example of a fuel injector 100. The fuel injector 100 includes, for example, a control valve body 110, an intensifier body 120, and a nozzle 130. The control valve body 110 may include a thru- fastener 112 that may be secured by a fastener lock 114. The intensifier body 120 may further include a recess for receiving and hold an O-ring 125. Similarly, the nozzle 130 may include a recess for receiving and holding an O- ring 135. The thru-fastener 112 may include, for example, a bolt, a pin, a rod, or the like. The fastener lock 114 may include, for example, a nut, a clip, a weld, or the like.

[0027] Figs. 2 and 3 show front and side views, respectively, of an example of a cutter

200 that is constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. The cutter 200 is configured to cut, for example, a thru-nut, a rod, a pin, a ring, an O-ring, a clip, or the like, from a device, such as, for example, the fuel injector 100. For instance, the cutter 200 may be used to cut the thru-fastener 1 12 and/or the O-rings 125, 135 on the fuel injector 100. The cutter 200 may be configured to cut the thru-fastener 112 and the O-rings 125, 135 at substantially the same time, or at different times. [0028] Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the cutter 200 includes a device receiver 205, a pair of cutting jaws 210, 220, and a driver 230. The device receiver 205 may include an opening for receiving and holding a portion the device (e.g., the intensifier body 120 and the nozzle 130 of the fuel injector 100, shown in Fig. 1) while the thru-fastener 112 is positioned between a pair of cutting blades 215, 225 provided on the cutting jaws 210, 220, respectively. The cutting blades 215, 225 may be removal from the cutting jaws 210, 220, respectively, to allow for easy replacement. The cutting blades 215, 225 may be replaced with replacement blades that may have various configurations, depending on the desired implementation of the cutter 200, including, for example, straight edges, different angles on the blades, serrated edges, or the like. The driver 230 may include a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electro-mechanical actuator, a mechanical actuator, or the like.

[0029] In an alternative embodiment, the cutter 200 may include only a single cutting jaw

210 (or 220) and a stationary block (not shown) instead of the second cutting jaw 220 (or 210). In this regard, a cutting blade 215 (or 225) provided on the single cutting jaw 210 (or 220) may be moved toward the stationary block until it substantially contacts the stationary block, thereby cutting, for example, the thru-fastener 114 placed between the cutting blade 215 (or 225) and the stationary block.

[0030] The cutting jaws 210, 220 may be pivotally affixed to a pair of respective fixed guide posts 214, 224 that allow for rotational movement of the cutting jaws 210, 220, about a longitudinal axis of each respective guide post 214, 224 (i.e., an axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 2). The guide posts 214, 224 may be affixed to or integrally formed with, for example, a machine chassis 238. The cutting jaws 210, 220 may be linked to, and driven by the driver 230 through a linkage, including, for example, a pair of pivoting linkage members 212, 222, a pivoting driver linkage member 232, and a pivoting driver support linkage member 236. The linkage members 212, 222, and 232 may be configured to move the cutting jaws 210, 220, so that the cutting blades 215, 225 are moved toward each other when the driver 230 operates in a first direction, and so that the cutting 215, 225 are moved away from each other when the driver 230 operates in a second direction.

[0031] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the driver 230 includes a linear pneumatic (or hydraulic) actuator that is pivotally affixed to a first support 234 at one end and a second support 239 at the other, opposite end through the pivoting driver support linkage member 236. As seen in Fig. 3, the support 234 may be affixed to, or integrally formed with, for example, the machine chassis 238. Similarly, the support 239 may be affixed to, or integrally formed with, for example, the machine chassis 238.

[0032] In the case of a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator, the driver 230 may be supplied with a pressurized gas or a pressurized fluid from a supply source (not shown), such as, for example, a pump, a compressor, or the like. The driver 230 may include one or more relays or switches (not shown), valves (not shown), or the like, to provide controlled movement of, for example, an actuator rod 231.

[0033] To close the cutting jaws 210, 220, the driver 230 may operate, for example, to eject the actuator rod 231 in a first direction from a cylinder and drive the linkage member 232 to pivot and move, causing the linkage members 212, 222 to pivot and move, which in-turn would cause the cutting jaws 210, 220 to pivot about the longitudinal axes of the guide posts 214, 224, thereby moving the cutting blades 215, 225 toward each other. The cutting blades 215, 225 may be moved toward each other until the blades contact, or substantially contact each other.

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[0034] To open the cutting jaws 210, 220, the driver 230 may retract the actuator rod 231 into the cylinder body in the second direction, which may be substantially opposite to the first direction, thereby driving the linkage member 232 to pivot and move, causing the linkage members 212, 222 to pivot and move, which in-turn would cause the cutting jaws 210, 220 to rotate about the longitudinal axes of the guide posts 214, 224, moving the cutting blades 215, 225 away each other.

[0035] Additionally (or alternatively), the cutter 200 may include a plurality of release actuators 217, 227 to open (or assist in opening) the cutting jaws 210, 220. The release actuators 217, 227 may include ejecting members 2171, 2271, respectively, which may be ejected from, e.g., corresponding cylinders 2172, 2272 (shown in Fig. 4), to exert a force on each other, thereby causing the upper portions of the cutting jaws 210, 220, including the cutting blades 215, 225, to move away from each other. The cylinders 2172, 2272 may be supplied with a pressurized gas (e.g., air) or a pressurized fluid (e.g., oil) via supply lines 2173, 2273 (shown in Fig. 4) to operate the cylinders 2172, 2272 to eject (or retract) the ejecting members 2171, 2271 from the cylinders 2172, 2272, respectively.

[0036] The force exerted by the release actuators 217, 227 on each other may be conveyed through the cutting jaws 210, 220, and the linkage members 212, 222, 232 to the actuator rod 231 to drive (or aid in driving) the actuator rod 231 back into its corresponding cylinder. Similarly, the force exerted by the driver 230 on the linkage members 212, 222, 232 and cutting jaws 210, 220 may be conveyed to the ejecting members 2171, 2271 to force the ejecting members 2171, 2271 into their respective cylinders 2172, 2272.

[0037] While the release actuators 217, 227 are shown as including a pneumatic actuator or a hydraulic actuator, it is noted that the release actuators 217, 227 may, instead (or in D6901 addition), include an electro-mechanical actuator, a mechanical actuator, or the like. Furthermore, the operations of the release actuators 217, 227 may be carried out by control of one or more valves (not shown), one or more relays or switches (not shown), or the like, which may control the supply of the pressurized gas or fluid to the supply lines 2173, 2273 from the supply source (not shown).

[0038] The cutter 200 may further include a ring cutter 240 that may be driven by a driver 250. The ring cutter 240 may include, for example, a plurality of pins, including a pair of holding pins 242, 244 and a pair of shearing pins 246, 248 (shown in Fig. 3). The holding pins 242, 244 may be configured, for example, to engage and hold the O-rings 125, 135 of the device (shown in Fig. 1) from rotating when the shearing pins 246, 248 engage and shear the O-rings 125, 135. The driver 250 may include a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electromechanical actuator, a mechanical actuator, or the like.

[0039] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the driver 250 includes a pneumatic actuator that provides pressurized gas (e.g., air) to the plurality of holding pins 242, 244 causing the pins to eject and engage the O-rings 125, 135, thereby holding the O-rings 125, 135 and preventing them from, for example, rotating. The driver 250 also provides pressurized gas to the plurality of shearing pins 246, 248 causing the pins to eject and shear the O-rings 125, 135.

[0040] The cutter 200 may further include a plurality of adjusting spacers 213, 223 for adjustably limiting the travel of the cutting jaws 210, 220. The adjusting spacers 213, 223 may each include, for example, a nut-bolt combination, or the like, which may be adjusted to limit the travel of the cutting jaws 210, 220 to prevent, for example, the cutting blades 215, 225 from damaging each other or placing unnecessary strain on cutter 200 components. D6901

[0041] Fig. 4 shows an enlarged front view of the device receiver 205, a portion of the ring cutter 240, and a portion of the cutting jaws 210, 220, including the cutting blades 215, 225, respectively. As seen in Fig. 4, the cutting blades 215, 225 may be affixed to the cutting jaws 210, 220 by means of fasteners 2151, 2251, respectively. The fasteners 2151, 2251 may include, for example, a bolt, a nut, a screw, pin, a clip, a rivet, a weld, or the like. Further, the shearing pins 246, 248 may be driven by a linear actuator 255, which may include, for example, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electro-mechanical actuator, a mechanical actuator, or the like.

[0042] Fig. 5 shows an example of a process 300 that may be carried out using the cutter

200, according to principles of the disclosure. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the nozzle-end of the fuel injector 100 may be placed into the opening of the receiver 205 (Step 310). The fuel injector 100 may be aligned so that the thru-fastener 112 is positioned between the cutting blades 215, 225 (Step 310). The cutting jaws 210, 220 may be actuated, causing the cutting blades 215, 225 to move toward each other and cut the thru-fastener 112 from the fuel injector 100 (Step 320). The thru-fastener 112 may be allowed to fall into, for example, a collection receptacle (not shown). The holding pins 242, 244 may be actuated to engage and hold the O-rings 125, 135 on the fuel injector 100 and prevent the O-rings from rotating (Step 330). The holding pins 242, 244 may be actuated at substantially the same time (or at a different time) as the cutting jaws 210, 220 are actuated to cut the thru-fastener 112. The cutting pins 246, 248 may be actuated to engage and shear a portion of the O-rings 125, 135 (Step 340). The fuel injector 100 may then be removed from the receiver 205 (Step 350).

[0043] According to an aspect of the disclosure, the process 300 may be automated and carried out under the control of a computer (not shown). In this regard, a computer readable D6901 medium may be provided that includes a computer program tangibly embodied therein. The computer program may include a section (or segment) of code that, when executed on the computer, may cause some or all of the Steps 310 to 350 of Fig. 5 to be carried out.

[0044] While the disclosure has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of the appended claims. These examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications or modifications of the disclosure.

Claims

D6901 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A cutter, comprising:

a cutting jaw configured to cut a thru-fastener from a device;

a linkage coupled to the cutting jaw and configured to convey a force to move the cutting jaw; and

a driver coupled to the linkage and configured to apply said force to the linkage.

2. The cutter of Claim 1 , further comprising:

a cutting blade that is affixed a first end of the cutting jaw.

3. The cutter of Claim 1, wherein a second end of the cutting jaw is pivotally coupled to said linkage.

4. The cutter of Claim 1, wherein the linkage comprises at least one of:

a pivoting linkage member;

a pivoting driver linkage member; and

a pivoting driver support linkage member.

5. The cutter of Claim 1, wherein the driver comprises:

an actuator rod; and

a cylinder.

6. The cutter of Claim 1 , further comprising: D6901 a release actuator that is configured to exert a force on the cutting jaw.

7. The cutter of Claim 1 , further comprising:

an adjusting spacer that is configured to limit movement of the cutting jaw.

8. The cutter of Claim 1 , further comprising:

a guide post that is configured to rotatably support the cutting jaw.

9. The cutter of Claim 1 , further comprising:

a receiver that is configured to receive and hold the device while the thru- fastener is cut.

10. The cutter of Claim 1, further comprising:

a ring cutter that is configured to cut a ring on the device.

11. The cutter of Claim 10, wherein the ring cutter comprises:

a holding pin that is configured to engage and hold the ring.

12. The cutter of Claim 10, wherein the ring cutter comprises:

a shearing pin that is configured to engage and shear a portion of the ring.

13. A cutter, comprising:

a receiver that is configured to hold a device;

a holding pin that is configured to engage and hold a ring on the device; and D6901 a shearing pin that is configured to engage and shear a portion of the ring.

14. The cutter of Claim 13, further comprising:

a pneumatic actuator that is configured to eject the holding pin.

15. The cutter of Claim 13, further comprising:

a pneumatic actuator that is configured to eject the shearing pin.

16. The cutter of Claim 13, further comprising:

a cutting jaw that is configured to engage a thru- fastener on device.

17. A method for cutting a thru-fastener or a ring on a device, comprising:

providing the device to a receiver;

actuating a cutting jaw to engage a first portion of the device;

actuating a holding pin to engage a second portion of the device; and

cutting one of said first and second portions of the device.

18. The method of Claim 17, wherein said first portion of the device includes a thru- fastener.

19. The method of Claim 17, wherein said second portion of the device includes an O-ring.

20. The method of Claim 19, wherein said cutting said second portion of the device comprises ejecting a shearing pin to engage and shear the second portion of the device.