Ultrasonic tool confirmation sensor
First Claim
1. A tool detection system comprising:
- a sensor nozzle for directing a stream of fluid to impinge against a tool;
a generator in said nozzle for propagating a signal wave in said stream of fluid;
a detector in said nozzle for detecting an echo wave of said signal wave reflected from the tool in said stream of fluid;
a timing module for timing an actual time period between propagation of said signal wave and detection of said echo wave; and
an alarm generator responsive to said detector for generating an alarm signal in response to the absence of said echo wave within a predetermined time.
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Abstract
A tool detection system combines a sensor nozzle with an ultrasonic transducer capable of propagating and detecting ultrasonic waves. A wave is propagated in a coolant fluid stream directed at a tool to be monitored. A control unit powers the ultrasonic transducer and contains circuits for analyzing the ultrasonic waves detected by the ultrasonic transducer. The control compares the actual time between the propagation of an ultrasonic wave and detection of an echo wave reflected from the tool, to an expected time. An alarm is generated when the tool is not present as indicated by the actual time exceeding the expected time. An alarm signal generated by the alarm generator either stops the tool or signals an operator that the tool is absent.
21 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A tool detection system comprising:
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a sensor nozzle for directing a stream of fluid to impinge against a tool; a generator in said nozzle for propagating a signal wave in said stream of fluid; a detector in said nozzle for detecting an echo wave of said signal wave reflected from the tool in said stream of fluid; a timing module for timing an actual time period between propagation of said signal wave and detection of said echo wave; and an alarm generator responsive to said detector for generating an alarm signal in response to the absence of said echo wave within a predetermined time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A tool detection system comprising:
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a wave generator in a fluid nozzle for propagating an ultrasonic wave in a stream of fluid directed at a tool; a detector associated with said generator for detecting an echo wave of said ultrasonic wave reflected from said tool in the path of said ultrasonic wave; and a control for monitoring the time between said propagation of said wave, and receipt of said echo wave, and said control being operable to generate an alarm signal if said echo wave is not detected within a predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A method of detecting the presence of a tool comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning a tool adjacent a workpiece; (b) impinging a stream of fluid against the tool; (c) propagating a signal wave a first distance to the tool in the stream of fluid; (d) detecting an echo wave of said signal wave reflected a second distance from the tool in the stream of fluid; (e) generating an alarm signal in response to the absence of the echo wave within predetermined limits. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification