Device for supplying fluid to tool

• US 5,358,360 A
• Filed: 05/06/1993
• Issued: 10/25/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nikken Kosakusho Works, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nikken Kosakusho Works, Ltd.
• Inventors: Mai, Tsunetaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Bishop, Steven C.
• Application Number:
  US08/060,184
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 407/11, 408/56, 408/61, 279/20, 409/136
• US Class Current: 408/61
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 11/1084 specially adapted for being fitted to different kinds of machines
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/17111 Fluid-conduit drill holding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 407/14 with means to apply fluid to cutting tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/46 including nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/304032 Cutter or work

Abstract

A device for accurately supplying a fluid such as a cutting fluid to the cutting portion of a tool of any of a wide variety of tools includes a tool holder having an internal fluid passageway and a forward end formed to include an annular fluid supply groove in communication with the fluid passageway, a nozzle ring having nozzles communicating with the annular fluid supply groove, and a coupling ring, which is screwed onto the forward end of the tool holder, for fixedly fastening the nozzle ring to the tool holder in an attachable and detachable manner. A cutting fluid from a fluid supply source is fed under pressure to the nozzles of the nozzle ring through the fluid passageway and the annular fluid supply groove, and the cutting fluid is jetted from the nozzles toward the cutting portion of the tool, such as a drill, held by the tool holder. The number of nozzles in the nozzle ring and the direction thereof can be changed to make it possible to supply the fluid to the cutting portions of a wide variety of tools.

Claims

1. A device for supplying a fluid to a tool with a shank for machining a workpiece, said device comprising:

a tool holder for receiving and holding the shank of the tool in an attachable and detachable manner, said tool holder having a forward end formed to include an annular fluid supply groove open at said forward end, and an interior provided with a fluid passageway for communicating said fluid supply groove with a supply source of the fluid; and

a nozzle ring having a forward side and provided with a plurality of nozzles which are unadjustably formed in said nozzle ring and which are open to said forward side and communicating with said fluid supply groove, said nozzle ring being fixed to the forward end of said tool holder in an attachable and detachable manner, wherein said nozzle ring is designed to be used with a particular tool, and the nozzle ring and tool it is used with are chosen depending on the machining requirements of the workpiece, and wherein each said nozzle is oriented such as to direct the fluid to different points along the length of the tool the device is being used with, to thereby ensure that the tool is properly lubricated along its length during its use, especially at a tip of the tool and at a base portion of the tool.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle ring is fixedly tightened in an attachable and detachable manner by a coupling ring threadedly engaged with the forward end portion of said tool holder.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle ring has, as an integral part thereof, a coupling portion mated with the forward end portion of said tool holder in an attachable and detachable manner.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of said nozzles are disposed in said nozzle ring to lie adjacent to the shank of the tool, and wherein said nozzles thus direct fluid to the tool along trajectories lying close to the tool, and thus provide effective fluid supply to the tool even when the tool is bored deep into a workpiece.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of nozzles are adjustably positioned on said nozzle ring to allow the angle at which the fluid is directed to the tool to be adjusted as desired.

6. A device for supplying a fluid to a milling tool for machining a workpiece, said milling tool having a straight shank and a cutting portion with a plurality of grooves formed therein, said device comprising:

a tool holder for receiving and holding the straight shank of the milling tool in an attachable and detachable manner, said tool holder having a forward end formed to include an annular fluid supply groove open at said forward end, and an interior provided with a fluid passageway for communicating said fluid supply groove with a supply source of the fluid; and

a nozzle ring having a forward side and provided with a plurality of nozzles which are unadjustably formed in said nozzle ring and which are at least equal in number to said number of grooves in said milling tool, said nozzles being open at said forward side and communicating with said fluid supply groove, said nozzle ring being fixed to the forward end of said tool holder in an attachable and detachable manner, wherein each said nozzle is disposed in said nozzle ring to lie adjacent to the shank of the milling tool, and each nozzle is oriented such as to direct the fluid to different grooves at different longitudinal positions along the length of the milling tool, to thereby ensure that the milling tool is properly lubricated along its length during its use, especially at a tip of the milling tool and at a base portion of the milling tool, even when a deep hole is to be bored in a workpiece, wherein said nozzle ring is designed to be used with a particular milling tool, and the nozzle ring and milling tool it is used with are chosen depending on the machining requirements of the workpiece.