Patent Application
20180272489
The present invention relates to the controlled dispensing of fluids to avoid spillage of the fluids thereby eliminating work shut down time, massive contamination and extensive time consuming clean up. More particularly, the present invention relates to adjustable automatic dispensing apparatus for a variety of industrial fluids that will insure no spillage or over filling of the fluids to be dispensed.
This invention will be explained in the context of cooling and lubricating fluids used in CNC machining. There are many other applications of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention that will be explained later.
Computer numerical control (CNC) is the automation of machine tools by means of computers executing pre-programmed sequences of machine control commands. This is in contrast to machines that are manually controlled by hand wheels or levers, or mechanically automated by cams alone. In modern CNC systems, the design of a mechanical part and its manufacturing program is highly automated. The part's mechanical dimensions are defined using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and then translated into manufacturing directives by computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software. The resulting directives are transformed (by “post processor” software) into the specific commands necessary for a particular machine to produce the component, and then loaded into the CNC machine.
Since any particular component might require the use of a number of different tools—drills, saws, etc.—modern machines often combine multiple tools into a single “cell”. In other installations, a number of different machines are used with an external controller and human or robotic operators that move the component from machine to machine. In either case, the series of steps needed to produce any part is highly automated and produces a part that closely matches the original CAD design.
Motion is controlled along multiple axes, normally at least two (X and Y), and a tool spindle that moves in the Z (depth). The position of the tool is driven by direct-drive stepper motors or servo motors in order to provide highly accurate movements, or in older designs, motors through a series of step down gears. Open-loop control works as long as the forces are kept small enough and speeds are not too great. On commercial metalworking machines, closed loop controls are standard and required in order to provide the accuracy, speed, and repeatability demanded.
As the controller hardware evolved, the mills themselves also evolved. One change has been to enclose the entire mechanism in a large box as a safety measure, often with additional safety interlocks to ensure the operator is far enough from the working piece for safe operation. Most new CNC systems built today are 100% electronically controlled.
CNC-like systems are now used for any process that can be described as a series of movements and operations. These include laser cutting, welding, friction stir welding, ultrasonic welding, flame and plasma cutting, bending, spinning, hole-punching, pinning, gluing, fabric cutting, sewing, tape and fiber placement, routing, picking and placing, and sawing.
Cutting fluid is a type of coolant and lubricant designed specifically for metalworking processes, such as machining and stamping. There are various kinds of cutting and cooling fluids, which include oils, oil-water emulsions, pastes, gels, aerosols (mists), and air or other gases. They may be made from petroleum distillates, animal fats, plant oils, water and air, or other raw ingredients. Depending on context and on which type of cutting fluid is being considered, it may be referred to as cutting fluid, cutting oil, cutting compound, coolant, or lubricant. Most metalworking and machining processes can benefit from the use of cutting fluid, depending on workpiece material. Common exceptions to this are cast iron and brass, which may be machined dry (though this is not true of all brasses, and any machining of brass will likely benefit from the presence of a cutting fluid).
The properties that are sought after in a good cutting fluid are the ability to keep the workpiece at a stable temperature (critical when working to close tolerances). Very warm is acceptable, but extremely hot or alternating hot-and-cold are avoided. Maximizing the life of the cutting tip by lubricating the working edge and reducing tip welding is also important. Ensuring the safety for the people handling it (toxicity, bacteria, fungi) and for the environment upon disposal are also considerations. Preventing rust on machine parts and cutters is also a concern.
Every conceivable method of applying cutting fluid loaded into a cutting machine sump (e.g., flooding, spraying, dripping, misting, brushing) can be used, with the best choice depending on the application and the equipment available. For many metal cutting applications the ideal has long been high-pressure, high-volume pumping to force a stream of liquid (usually an oil-water emulsion) directly into the tool-chip interface, with walls around the machine to contain the splatter and a sump to catch, filter, and recirculate the fluid.
Cutting fluids degrade over time due to contaminants entering the lubrication system. A common type of degradation is the formation of tramp oil, also known as sump oil, which is unwanted oil that has mixed with cutting fluid. It originates as lubrication oil that seeps out from the slideways and washes into the coolant mixture, as the protective film with which a steel supplier coats bar stock to prevent rusting, or as hydraulic oil leaks. In extreme cases it can be seen as a film or skin on the surface of the coolant or as floating drops of oil. Skimmers are used to separate the tramp oil from the coolant. These are typically slowly rotating vertical discs that are partially submerged below the coolant level in the main reservoir. As the disc rotates the tramp oil clings to each side of the disc to be scraped off by two wipers, before the disc passes back through the coolant. The wipers are in the form of a channel that then redirects the tramp oil to a container where it is collected for disposal. Floating weir skimmers are also used in these situation where temperature or the amount of oil on the water becomes excessive.
Cutting fluids (or cooling and lubricating fluids) must be added to reservoirs in the CNC machines in the range of twenty gallons at a time. The cutting fluids may be contained in fifty-five (55) gallon drums or larger two hundred seventy-five to three hundred thirty (275-330) gallon totes. The drums or totes may be located near the CNC machines or may be centrally located in a storage room from which the fluid is plumed out to a location where the fluids are needed.
Dedicated care of dispensing the fluids from the storage containers into receptacles for later loading into the reservoirs or sumps of the machines is an absolute requirement for machine operators. While this effort is not complicated, the machinists have complicated control duties with loading raw material to be machined, running the CNC machines, and unloading the machined finished product, and repeating these tasks throughout their day.
The machinist typically places a bucket (suitably a 20 gallon bucket) below a manually controlled valve or spigot that will dispense the fluid into the bucket and then transferred to the CNC machine reservoir or sump and eventually into the work space. The bucket filling process is slow. If the machinist is extremely busy with the machining processes, it is easy for him or her to neglect the filling of the bucket which results in small to large spills which are very problematic to the safe working environment within the shop which requires the machinists to walk around the area. With slippery fluids on the floor, people can easily slip and fall injuring themselves and often requiring time off work to recooperate along with dealing with the work shut down time, massive contamination and massive time consuming clean up.
There is a need for an adjustable automatic dispensing apparatus that will prepare and adjustably automatically dispense the correct amount of cutting fluid into a bucket or CNC sump and then shut itself off without requiring constant oversite by the machinist.
An adjustable automatic fluid dispensing apparatus includes one or more inlets for receiving fluid or fluids to be mixed and dispensed. A flow sensor is provided in flow communication with the inlet for sensing the amount of fluid that is passing through the apparatus. A solenoid valve is in flow communication with the inlet and flow sensor for controlling the flow amount of fluid to be dispensed. An outlet is utilized in flow communication with the inlet and flow sensor for dispensing fluid out of the apparatus into a bucket or machine reservoir. A programmable control unit is utilized for adjustably controlling any mixing of the fluids, the flow sensor and solenoid valve to dispense a desired settable amount of the fluid from the apparatus.
A principal object and advantage of the present invention is that the apparatus only dispenses the desired amount of mixed fluid required to be dispensed as the apparatus shuts itself off when the measured amount of fluid has been dispensed.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the apparatus may have multiple paralleled inputs as to mixed two or more fluids to a desired ratio necessary for a particular machine application.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the apparatus avoids spillage of the fluids thereby eliminating work shut down time, massive contamination, work place injuries and extensive time consuming clean up.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the apparatus allows operators to focus on their duties and not require them to earnestly watch the dispensing process which is now automated by the dispenser or apparatus.
Referring to
The present invention is useful is dispensing a variety of fluids that may be mixed with other solutions to include cutting fluids, cleaning fluids, antifreeze, oils, pool chemicals and the like.
The above specification and accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only. The true scope of the present invention being defined by the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62474363 | Mar 2017 | US |
