US2993364A - Pneumatic gaging apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July 25, 1961 D. B. KIRK PNEUMATIC GAGING APPARATUS Filed May 13, 1959 32 l VENTOR partd fi- K179i rwcew w ATTORNEY Patented July 25, 1961 2,993,364 PNEUMATIC GAGING AriPARATUS David B. Kirk, Oreland, Pa, assignor to Moore Products (10., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvama Filed May 13, 1959, Ser. No. 813,023 8 Claims. (Cl. 73-375) This invention relates to pneumatic gaging apparatus and more particularly to pneumatic gaging apparatus for use with grinders and the like for determining the general dimensional trend of a series of parts between limits, for repetitively measuring a single part as the size is gradually changed to terminate operations at a desired size, or for other purposes.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide pneumatic gaging apparatus in which an improved pneumatic circuit is provided with the structure for determining the time constant more compact than heretofore.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide pneumatic gaging apparatus in which the separation of the responsive portion of the apparatus from the measuring portion, which is rendered necessary in gaging apparatus employed with grinders and the like, is accommodated in an improved manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide pneumatic gaging apparatus having separated measuring and responsive portions in which the responsive portion is isolated in a simple but effective manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pneumatic gaging component in which requisite parts of the apparatus are combined in a compact but effective manner.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view of a gaging circuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view showing a preferred form of the pneumatic gaging apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, enlarged, taken approximately on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 66 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 7-7 of FIG. 4.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a pneumatic gaging circuit is there shown which includes a connection 10 to a source of fluid under pressure and preferably filtered air under pressure, which is connected to a pressure regulator PR.

A fluid connection 1 1 is provided from the pressure regulator PR to an upstream orifice or restriction 12 which is preferably fixed, and a fluid connection 13 is provided from the restriction 12 to a nozzle 14.

The fluid connection 13 can also have a branch connection 13a extending therefrom to a nozzle 15, the nozzles 14 and 15 serving for external linear opposite face, or diametrical or out of round, dimension measurement.

The fluid connection 13 at a location between the restriction 12 and the nozzles 14 and 15, has a fluid connection 16 connected thereto for transferring the pressure effective in the fluid connection 13. The pressure in the connection 13 is determined by the dimensions of the work to be gaged, the pressure being affected between certain limits by the positioning of the work in its relation to the terminals of the nozzles 14 and 15 and thereby controlling the discharge therefrom.

The fluid connection 16 is connected to any desired fluid pressure responsive apparatus.

For purposes of indication, the fluid connection 16 can have a visual indicating dial type pressure gage 17 connected thereto.

For purposes of control, the fluid connection can have a controller 18 connected thereto, the controller 18 having a separate pressure fluid supply connection 19 and a regulated pressure fluid delivery connection 20 to apparatus (not shown) to be controlled.

The fluid connection 16 can also be connected to a fluid pressure actuated electric switch 21, if desired.

The fluid connection 16 has an adjustable bleed 22 connected thereto for determining the rate of discharge of the fluid in the fluid connection 16.

The fluid connection 16 between its place of connection to the fluid connection 13 and other fluid pressure responsive equipment, such as the dial gage 17, the controller 18 or the switch 21, is provided with a check valve 25 permitting flow towards the pressure responsive instruments and preventing any return flow.

Referring now moreparticularly to FIGS. 2 to 7, inclusive, in which a particular embodiment of the invention is shown, a mounting plate is provided having a vertical slot 31 for adjustably securing the same with studs (not shown) at the desired position of adjustment. The mounting plate 30 has a frame 32 secured thereto in any desired manner, such as by adjusting bolts 33 extending through horizontally elongated slots 34 in the mounting plate 30 with nuts 35 thereon in a horizontal groove 36 at the rear of the mounting plate 30. The frame 32 has a horizontal opening 37 therethrough for the passage of the work piece and may have rails 38 therein for supporting the work piece P to be gaged.

An upper nozzle body 40 is provided, shown in more detail in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7. The upper nozzle body 40 is vertically adjustably mounted in the frame 32 for relatively coarse adjustment by interiorly disposed locking blocks 41 drawn into gripping engagement therewith by a threaded stud 42 accessible on the exterior of the frame 32 (see FIG. 5.)

The upper nozzle body 40 can be constructed in any desired manner, but as illustrated in FIG. 4 is preferably made of a plurality of parts capable of more easy manufacture and assembly in the completed form and includes upper and lower sections 40a and 40b in threaded engagement as at 43 with each other, the upper section 40a having an extension 44 into a bore 45 in the lower section 40b. A packing ring 46, such as an O ring is provided for preventing fluid leakage and the lower end of the extension 44 has cross slots 47 communicating with a central bore 48 therein. A connector 49 is provided at the upper end for the attachment of a fluid connection 116 such as a flexible tube which extends to the responsive means and corresponds to the fluid connection 16 of FIG. 1.

The lower section 40b of the upper nozzle body 40 is provided with a central bore 50 aligned with the bore 49 and having an enlargement 51 at its lower end for the insertion of a nozzle 114 terminated inwardly with respect tothelower end of the body 40- to prevent wear thereof. Radially extending air exhausting. openings 52 may also be provided for the free discharge of air delivered through the nozzle 114. The body section 40b is provided with a bore 53 in intersecting relation to the bore 50 with a fluid connection 111 having a fixed restriction 112 therein, this restriction corresponding to the restriction 12 illustrated in FIG. 1, and being connected to a source of pressurefluid, such as air at regulated pressure available from the pressure regulator PR.

The bore 50 also has in communication therewith an inserted connector 55 with a fluid connection 113a, flexible in type, extending to the lower nozzle 115, as hereinafter explained.

The upper nozzle body 40 opposite the location of the insert in which the restriction 112 is provided, can have a screw plug 56 removable for access to the restriction 112 for cleaningthe same.

The lower end of the bore 45 of the upper nozzle body 46 has a packing member 57, such as an O ring, therein, the extension 44 is terminated in spaced relation to the packing ring 57 and a valve disc 58 of light weight non-corrosive material, smaller in diameter than the bore 45, and preferably of synthetic plastic resistant to corrosion, such as mylar, teflon, nylon or the like, is provided. The disc 58, with the packing ring 57 provides a check valve opening upward, corresponding to the check valve 25, and closing by gravity and pressure thereon from above for preventing downward-or return flow.

A lower nozzle body 60 is also provided preferably having a head 61 at the lower end and a threaded portion 62 for fine adjustment extending thereabove and in threaded engagement in the frame 32. A look nut 63 is carried thereon for locking the same in adjusted position.

The frame 32. has a fluid connection 64 extending thereinto and to which the flexible tube 113a extends, with a port 65 intersecting a bore 66 in the frame 32.

The upper end of the lower nozzle body 60 extends upwardly within the bore 66, and has an annular recess 67 for positioning in communication with the port 65 for establishing communication therewith. The nozzle body 60 also has an interior passageway 59 with an enlargement at the upper end into which the nozzle 115 is inserted. The nozzle 115 is terminated inwardly from the end of the nozzle body 60 to avoid wear thereof.

The nozzle body 60 above and below the groove 67 preferably has packing rings 68 and 69 such as rings, carried thereby for preventing fluid leakage.

The mode of operation will now be pointed out.

Air under regulated pressure is supplied through the fluid supply connection 11 or 111 and through the restriction 12 or 112 for simultaneous discharge through the upper nozzle 14 or 114 and through the fluid connection 13a or 113a to and through the lower nozzle 15.

or 115. The orifices, determined by the position of the work piece P with respect to the terminal ends of the upper nozzle 14- or 114 and the lower nozzle or 1 15, will determine the pressure prevailing in the fluid connection 16 or 116 between the restriction 12 or 112 and the nozzles 14 or 114 and 15 or 115. This pressure is effective through the check valve 25 or disc 58 and ring 57 and at the measuring elements such as the dial gage 17, controller 18 and/ or switch 211. The bleed 22 will permit the pressure in the fluid connection 16 or 116 to fall until restored by a subsequent gaging operation with interposition of a work piece between the nozzles14 or.114 and 15 or 1.15.

As successive work pieces pass between the gaging nozzles 14 and 15, the pressure rises in line 13 corresponding to the maximum dimension of each piece. To reach the ultimate pressure possible, in a short time, requires that the volume of line 13 be kept small. As the pressure rises in line 13, it will eventually exceed the pressure in line 16, and the check valve 25 will open. Because of the added volume of line 16, the subsequent rise of pressure in line 13 will be slower but after several pieces have passed through the gage, the pressure in line 16 will have been increased nearly to the peak pressure in line 13. The bleed valve 22 provides for a slow reduction of the pressure in line 16 but does not bleed off enough fluid to cause a substantial drop in line 16 between successive peaks of pressure in line 13. By making the bleed smaller at the bleed valve 22, the average pressure in line 16 can be made to approach the peak pressure in line 13 as closely as desired. In this condition, line 13 is isolated from line 16 except for an instant when it has approached its peak pressure as closely as desired, and its time constant will be determined almost entirely by the volume of line 13 and will not be influenced by the much larger volume of line 16 and the associated equipment.

With optimum adjustments as described above, the gage will measure the trend of part size rather than individual part sizes. A badly undersize part will result in a low peak pressure in line 13, out the rate of bleed from valve 22 is such that the pressure in line 16 would not drop oil an appreciable amount before a succeeding normal part again raised the peak pressure to the normal range and restored the pressure in line 16. Similarly, a single successive oversize part passing through the gage would cause the pressure in line 13 to rise to the normal peak value at the high rate determined by the time constant of, line 13. The pressure would continue to rise beyond this point at the much lower rate determined by the time constant of combined lines :13 and 16, and the total rise for one oversize part would be small. The succeeding normal'part would produce the normal peak pressure in line 13 and any slight excess in line 16 caused by the previous part would bleed off through valve 22.

If the trend of part size should increase, however, then all of the parts coming through the gage would be large, and the peak pressure on each successive part would be higher causing a gradual increase in the pressure in line 16 until it equaled the peak pressure in line 13 corresponding to the changed size.

Departures from a predetermined lower limit, or upper and lower limits, of dimensions of the work piecel will be visibly indicated at the instrument 17, and can be employed at the instruments 18 or 21 for a control function, so that if other than an occasional departure from predetermined dimensions occurs with a work piece P, the trend will be noticeable and utilized by the control instrument 18 or 21 for any desired purpose, such for example as changing the positioning of a cutting element (not shown) to overcome the trend and restore conditions to the desired operating level, or for changing the positioning of a cutting element (not shown) in a step by step change.

I claim:

1. In measuring apparatus, a source of fluid under regulated pressure, a gage member having a discharge opening controlled by the dimension of the work to be measured, a first fluid connection between said source and said gage member having a restriction therein, a

r second fluid connection connected to said first fluid connection between said gage member and said restriction, a fluid pressure responsive means to which said second fluid connection is connected, and a non-return valve interposed in said second fluid connection in advance of said responsive means, said non-return valve having inlet and outlet connections for the passage of fluid therethrough, and seating means responsive to the differential pressure betweensaid inlet and outlet connections.

2. Measuringapparatusas defined in. claiml: inwhich said second fluid connection has a bleed device connected thereto in communication with the said non-return valve and said fluid pressure responsive means.

3. In measuring apparatus, a body having an interior bore and having an end portion, a connection communicating with said bore and extending from said body and connected to a source of pressure regulated fluid, said connection having a restriction therein, a gaging memher at said end portion of said body in communication with said bore and having a discharge opening controlled by a dimension of the work to be measured, said bore having a non-return valve therein, said non-return valve having inlet and outlet connections for the passage of fluid therethrough, and seating means responsive to the differential pressure between said inlet and outlet connections said body having a fluid connection for the delivery of pressure fluid passing said valve.

4. In measuring apparatus, a body having an interior bore and having an end portion, a connection communicating with said bore and extending from said body and connected to a source of pressure regulated fluid, said connection having a restriction therein, a gaging member at said end portion of said body in communication with said bore and having a discharge opening controlled by a dimension of the work to be measured, said bore having an enlarged portion with a packing member therein, and a disc in said bore engageable with said packing member to provide a non-return valve in said body, said body having a fluid connection for the delivery of pressure fluid passing said valve.

5. In measuring apparatus, an elongate body having two longitudinally aligned portions with an interior bore and having an end portion, a connection communicating with said bore and extending from said body and connected to a source of pressure regulated fluid, said connection having a restriction therein, a gaging member at said end portion of said body in communication with said bore and having a discharge opening controlled by a dimension of the work to be measured, said body between interior parts of said aligned portions having a chamber with which said bore is in communication, said chamber having a packing member therein, a disc in said chamber engageable with said packing member to provide a nonreturn valve in said body, said body having a fluid connection for the delivery of pressure fluid passing said valve.

6. Measuring apparatus comprising a frame having an opening therethrough, a first gaging member carried by said frame in intersecting relation to said opening, said first gaging member having a first nozzle, a second gaging member in intersecting relation to said opening, said sec- 0nd gaging member having a second nozzle, said first and second nozzles having discharge openings facing towards each other and controlled by a dimension of the work to be measured interposed therebetween, said first gaging member having a connection to a source of pressure regulated fluid in communication with an interior bore therein through a restriction, said interior bore being in communication with said first nozzle, a fluid connection from said first gaging member to said second gaging member, said first gaging member having a non-return valve therein and a fluid delivery connection for the delivery of fluid passing said valve, said non-return valve having inlet and outlet connections for the passage of fluid therethrough and seating means responsive to the difierential pressure between said inlet and outlet connections.

7. In measuring apparatus, a source of fluid under regulated pressure, a gage member having a discharge opening controlled by the dimension of the work to be measured, a first fluid connection between said source and said gage member having a flow controlling device therein, a second fluid connection connected to said first fluid connection between said gage member and said device, fluid pressure responsive means to which said second fluid connection is connected, and a non-return valve interposed in said second fluid connection in advance of said responsive means, said non-return valve having inlet and outlet connections for the passage of fluid therethrough, and seating means responsive to the differential pressure between said inlet and outlet connections.

8. In measuring apparatus, a body having an interior bore and having an end portion, a connection communicating with said bore and extending from said body and connected to a source of pressure regulated fluid, said connection having a restriction therein, a gaging member at said end portion of said body in communication with said bore and having a discharge opening controlled by a dimension of the work to be measured, a non-return valve with which said bore is in communication, said nonreturn valve having inlet and outlet connections for the passage of fluid therethrough and seating means responsive to the differential pressure between said inlet and outlet connections, and a fluid connection for the delivery of pressure fluid passing said valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,285,220 Kerstein Nov. 19, 1918 2,448,653 Aller Sept. 7, 1948 2,845,791 Loxham et a1 Aug. 5, 1958

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