Live tooling systems for machine tools
First Claim
1. A tool adapted for use on a metal-fabricating press having a ram configured to strike and accelerate the tool, the tool having a generator adapted to transform dynamic energy from a stroke of the ram into electrical energy, wherein the dynamic energy comprises kinetic mechanical energy and wherein the tool includes a flywheel that undergoes rotary motion in response to axial movement of a shaft of the tool.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
In conventional ram-driven presses, the downward stroke of the ram into a tool causes acceleration of the tool, thereby facilitating an operation on a workpiece by the tip of the tool. While the ram stroke is found to impart sufficient dynamic energy to the tool to facilitate the necessitated operation by the tool tip, there are other more efficient, and in turn, more effective, means and methods of actuating the tool tip, with such means and methods being facilitated from energy derived from the tool'"'"'s acceleration or from energy from other external sources.
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Citations
52 Claims
- 1. A tool adapted for use on a metal-fabricating press having a ram configured to strike and accelerate the tool, the tool having a generator adapted to transform dynamic energy from a stroke of the ram into electrical energy, wherein the dynamic energy comprises kinetic mechanical energy and wherein the tool includes a flywheel that undergoes rotary motion in response to axial movement of a shaft of the tool.
- 19. A tool and a metal-fabricating press in combination, the tool being operably mounted on the press, the press having a ram configured to accelerate the tool, the tool having a generator adapted to transform dynamic energy, created when the ram accelerates the tool, into electrical energy, wherein the tool includes a reserve adapted to store electrical energy created by the generator, the reserve comprising a rechargeable battery carried on the tool.
- 36. A method of using a press, the method involving a tool and a metal-fabricating press in combination, the tool being operably mounted on the press, the press having a ram configured to strike and accelerate the tool, the tool having a generator adapted to transform kinetic mechanical energy, created when the ram accelerates the tool, into electrical energy, the method comprising actuating the ram of the press to accelerate the tool thereby causing the generator to transform said dynamic energy into electrical energy.
- 46. A tool adapted for use on a metal-fabricating press, the tool having a power source, the power source being adapted to deliver electric current so as to energize a component of the tool, thereby causing the tool to act on a workpiece, wherein the power source comprises a reserve and the tool is adapted to s provide a dual-charging capability characterized by the reserve being chargeable by either of two charging methods, a first of the charging methods involving use of a generator incorporated into the tool, the generator being adapted to transform dynamic energy, created when a ram of the press accelerates the tool, into electrical energy, the electrical energy being provided to the reserve, a second of the charging methods involving an external source of AC or DC power being connected to a power port on the tool so as to deliver electric current from the external source to the reserve.
Specification