Gordon D Cook
Engineers in Sandy, UT
License number
Utah 189525-2202
Issued Date
Oct 13, 1992
Expiration Date
Dec 31, 2004
Category
Engineer/Land Surveyor
Type
Professional Engineer
Address
Address
Sandy, UT
Professional information
Active Centering Apparatus With Imbedded Shear Load Sensor And Actuator
US Patent:
5938503, Aug 17, 1999
Filed:
Nov 25, 1997
Appl. No.:
8/977791
Inventors:
Gordon Douglas Cook - Sandy UT
Richard Andrew Daley - Salt Lake City UT
Richard Andrew Daley - Salt Lake City UT
Assignee:
Edo Western Corporation - Salt Lake City UT
International Classification:
B24B 4900
US Classification:
451 10
Abstract:
An apparatus for sensing and correcting force levels and vibrational frequencies in a cylindrical grinding machine which has active centers. The active centers have imbedded shear load sensors and imbedded actuators. The sensors provide real time grinding information and allow for a determination of undesirable force levels and vibrational frequencies. The actuators are a pair of piezoelectric stacks disposed on opposing sides of the center body in indentations. A voltage applied by a controller causes the piezoelectric stacks to expand and contract. The action of the piezoelectric stacks causes the tip of the center to laterally displace and apply a lateral force to the workpiece. An AC voltage waveform may be applied for force control. A DC voltage may be applied for displacement; for example, to rapidly remove the workpiece from the grinding wheel or to correct for misalignment between the workpiece and the wheel. Because the sensors and actuators are imbedded, they do not interfere with the work space or machine components.