Abstract:
A thrust bearing arrangement for use with a shaft which is subject to high rotational speeds and high axial thrust relative to a supporting housing. A number of angular contact thrust bearings are arranged in tandem between the shaft and housing and are independently pressurized by hydraulic fluid for developing equal internal counterbalancing pressure in the bearings. The internal counterbalancing force developed within each bearing is preferably somewhat in excess of the axial force transmitted between the shaft and housing with resilient backup means absorbing at least a portion of the internal counterbalancing force and axially stabilizing the shaft relative to the housing. The bearing arrangement is adaptable to a friction welding machine for use with its spindle and spindle housing with working fluid from a common source delivered both to the bearing and to a hydraulic load cylinder for developing the axial load.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is apparatus for winding substantially inextensible flexible filament material or extensible flexible rubber material on and about the body of a toroidal member of oval cross-section (in this particular embodiment a disintegrable tire core). The apparatus includes rollers which support the toroidal member with the mid-circumferential plane thereof substantially vertical. The apparatus also includes a guide ring encircling the body of the toroidal member and supported in a substantially horizontal disposition. Drive means are included for rotating the guide ring about its axis and about the body of the toroidal member, meanwhile rotating the toroidal member about its axis, so that the toroidal member is advanced through the rotating guide ring. A supply of filament material is mounted on the guide ring to travel therewith, and extends to the surface of the toroidal member, so that such rotation of the guide ring and toroidal member as described above winds the filament material about and along the body of the toroidal member. In cooperation with such supply of filament material, means are included for providing relatively constant and even tensioning of the filament material being applied to the surface of the toroidal member, taking into account the oval cross-section of the toroidal member. A supply of extensible rubber material may be mounted on the guide ring to travel with the guide ring in place of the supply of the filament material. The rubber material extends from the supply to the surface of the toroidal member, so that rotation of the guide ring and toroidal member as described above winds the rubber material about and along the body of the toroidal member. In cooperation with such supply of rubber material, means are included for extending or stretching the rubber material continuously a substantially constant amount before it is supplied to the surface of the toroidal member, and depositing on said surface a substantially uniformly stretched material, taking into account the oval cross-section of the toroidal member. The support roller system, on which the toroidal member rotates, includes a bogey system to allow for change in the size of the toroidal member due to the wrapping of the materials thereon.
Abstract:
A spindle-mounted chuck operated for engagement with a workpiece by an axially movable member and having a rotational drive for rotating the spindle-mounted chuck, the chuck assembly including a screw mechanism for coupling the rotational drive with the axially movable member for selectively engaging the chuck assembly with the workpiece.
Abstract:
Cluster gear assemblies are produced by a method and apparatus which join a plurality of premachined gears by a common joining member. The plurality of gears are held in relative nonrotative relationship by special holding means which further establish precise angular and axial alignment between the gears and axial alignment between the joining member and the gears. Joining of the various members to produce the assembly is accomplished by friction welding.
Abstract:
A portable friction welding machine is provided with a pair of ram mechanisms which provide the necessary axial pressure during a welding operation and also operate to move a spindle of the welding machine to a position where the spindle may be pivoted outside the main machine body so that flywheels may be easily attached or removed from the spindle. The machine is also provided with an automatic disconnect mechanism between the drive motor and the spindle which disconnects the motor from the spindle upon the application of welding pressure through the rams.
Abstract:
A friction welding machine has a direct center drive means wherein the rotor of the drive means functions as the workpiece holding spindle for one or more center driven workpieces; the machine is adapted for use as a dual welder wherein a movable tailstock is employed on each side of the center drive means and also for use with a single tailstock on one side of the center drive and a supplemental thrust bearing means on the other side of the center drive. One embodiment of the machine incorporates a free-floating center drive means. A special workpiece holding device is also provided wherein a special adjustable toggle linkage arrangement is adapted to provide gripping means for a large number of variously sized workpieces.
Abstract:
A friction welding machine is adapted to weld workpieces having a wide range of diameters by utilizing a unidirectional drive means, such as a one-way overrunning clutch, which is disposed between rotatable components of the machine and a rotatable workpiece holding spindle. The unidirectional drive means provides a driving connection between the rotatable components and the spindle when relative motion therebetween is in one direction and prevents a driving connection when relative motion therebetween is in an opposite direction. One embodiment of the invention has a dual-spindle arrangement in which the spindles may be operated independently or together to provide a machine which is capable of friction welding workpieces having a large range of diameters. The dual-spindle arrangement also permits workpieces of relatively large diameter to be loaded and unloaded from the machine while the input energy components of the machine are being accelerated to welding velocity.
Abstract:
A tailstock in which the work is firmly held in blocks which are biased together by hydraulic and/or spring means. A formula for determining whether the workpiece will be held within the blocks during friction or inertia welding. Work is fed into the rear of the tailstock from a hopper and delivery means when the pressure forcing the blocks together is temporarily relaxed.