SINGLE SWITCHED DUAL FIRING CONDITION COMBUSTION NAILER

• US 20100243699A1
• Filed: 03/31/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Largo, Marc
• Granted Patent: US 8,336,749 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/2
• CPC Class Codes: B25C 1/08 operated by combustion pressure

Abstract

A combustion tool is provided, including a combustion power source with a reciprocating valve sleeve moving between a rest position in which a combustion chamber is open, and a closed position in which the combustion chamber is sealed, a control system operatively connected to the power source, and a trigger switch connected to the control system and providing operator interface with the control system. The control system is configured such that operator manipulation of the trigger switch is the only operator initiated movement required for initiating repetitive spark generation.

Claims

1. A combustion tool, comprising:

a combustion power source including a reciprocating valve sleeve moving between a rest position in which a combustion chamber is open, and a closed position in which said combustion chamber is sealed;

a control system operatively connected to said power source;

a trigger switch connected to said control system and providing operator interface with said control system;

said control system being configured such that operator manipulation of said trigger switch is the only operator initiated movement required for initiating repetitive spark generation.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein said control system is configured such that a single manipulation of said trigger switch initiates repetitive ignition firings.

3. The tool of claim 2 wherein said repetitive ignition firings are turned on simultaneous with a fan motor associated with said power source reaching operational speed.

4. The tool of claim 2 wherein said control system is configured for operating said tool in one of a sequential firing condition and a repetitive firing condition.

5. The tool of claim 1 wherein said control system provides for a delay between said manipulation of said trigger switch and said spark generation.

6. The tool of claim 2 wherein said repetitive firings are initiated by said control system prior to said valve sleeve reaching said closed position.

7. The tool of claim 1 wherein said control system is configured for controlling at least one tool function of fan motor operation, fuel injection and combustion chamber control device operation, and said functions are initiated solely upon said manipulation of said trigger switch.

8. The tool of claim 1 further including a combustion chamber control device provided for holding said valve sleeve in said closed position for a predetermined period of time, and a sensing device for measuring movement of a piston for triggering operation of said control device, said control device and said sensing device being connected to said control system.

9. The tool of claim 8 wherein said combustion chamber control device is configured for being turned on once said sensing device senses said piston reaching a bottom out position.

10. The tool of claim 8 wherein said control system is configured such that when said sensing device fails to sense piston movement within a specified period of time, said spark generation is disabled.

11. The tool of claim 8 further including a fan disposed in said combustion chamber and being controlled by said control system, wherein said control system is configured such that when said fan is disabled, said spark generation is disabled.

12. The tool of claim 1 further including a combustion chamber control device configured to be energized upon manipulation of said trigger switch.

13. A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool, comprising:

a combustion-powered power source;

a workpiece contact element reciprocable relative to said power source between a rest position and a firing position, said workpiece contact element connected to a valve sleeve associated with said power source and being movable between an open position and a closed position;

a control system operationally associated with said power source;

a trigger switch connected to, and providing operator interface with said control system;

said control system being configured so that upon a user manipulating said trigger switch, multiple sparks are generated in said power source during the driving of a single fastener.

14. The tool of claim 13 further including a combustion chamber control device provided for holding said valve sleeve in said closed position for a predetermined period of time, and an accelerometer for measuring movement of a piston for triggering operation of said control device, said control device and said accelerometer being connected to said control system.

15. The tool of claim 14, wherein said control system is configured so that if no piston movement is sensed by said accelerometer for a specified period of time, said spark generation is temporarily terminated.

16. The tool of claim 14, wherein said control device is energized upon pulling of said trigger switch, but is activated only upon said valve sleeve reaching said closed position.

17. A combustion tool, comprising:

a power source;

a control system operatively connected to said power source and configured for operating said tool in one of a sequential firing condition and a repetitive firing condition;

a trigger switch connected to, and providing operator interface with said control system;

said control system being configured such that said tool generates combustion cycles in a selected one of said sequential firing condition and said repetitive firing condition based solely upon routine manipulation of said trigger switch.

18. The tool of claim 17 wherein said control system is configured such that both said firing conditions are allowed independent of any sensed valve sleeve position.