Inventors:
Andrew L. Moore - Chicago IL
Assignee:
Rockwell International Corporation - El Segundo CA
International Classification:
B41F 3114, B41G 2728, B41G 2716
Abstract:
An oscillator apparatus for imparting axial oscillations to a roller (10). The roller (10) has at least a cylindrical outer core (12) rotatable about a stationary shaft (14), that is, the shaft (14) is stationary relative to the outer core (12) of the roller (10). The oscillator apparatus is connected to a supply (46) for providing a pressurized medium. The oscillator apparatus has at least one reciprocating assembly (30, 32) having a substantially stationary portion attached to the stationary shaft (14) and a moveable portion attached to the outer core (12), the reciprocating assembly (30, 32) also having at least first and second ports (52, 54) connected to the supply (46). The supply (46) alternately provides the pressurized medium to the first and second ports (52, 54) to activate the reciprocating assembly (30, 32). The reciprocating assembly (30, 32) is a piston assembly having a piston (30) moveable within a housing (32) between a first area (34) connected to the first port (52) and a second area (36) connected to the second port (54). Either, the housing (32) can be the substantially stationary portion and the piston (30) can be the moveable portion, or the housing (32) can be the moveable portion and the piston (30) can be the substantially stationary portion.