Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6511201
-
Patent Number
6,511,201
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, December 5, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, January 28, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- O'Shea; Sandra
- DelGizzi; Ronald E.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 362 119
- 362 109
- 362 112
- 362 110
- 362 96
- 362 192
- 124 56
- 081 5714
- 081 54
- 081 467
- 081 429
- 081 472
- 081 473
- 081 474
- 081 476
- 081 63
- 173 935
- 173 93
- 173 176
- 173 178
- 239 390
- 239 391
- 239 396
- 239 289
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An air blast tool having an air nozzle and integrated air powered electrical generator with electric lamp is disclosed. Compressed air supplied to the air blast tool is also supplied to the air powered generator within the tool to produce electricity. Light produced by the electric lamp is directed in the same direction as the air blast nozzle to enable the user to readily see machined surfaces and the like.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to pneumatically powered hand tools and more specifically to an air blast hand tool including an air powered generator that produces an electrical signal supplied to a source of illumination such as an incandescent bulb
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Lathes, mills, and other similar material removal machining devices are typically used to produce custom machined parts. Oftentimes, the machinist operating such machinery desires to remove the machined away metal chips from the work area to perform visual inspection of the machined surfaces. Removal of the machined chips by hand is dangerous due to the sharp edges of the chips. Common techniques for removing machined chips from the work piece include hand held brushes and air blast tools. For the machinist, an air blast tool is perhaps the most convenient and most commonly used tool for chip removal. After the chips are removed from the work piece the machinist typically desires to visually inspect the machined surfaces to evaluate the machining operation and its quality and progress. A hand held “drop light” or a flashlight are currently the best mechanisms for illuminating the work piece in its mounted position within the machining station. A combination air blast tool having a light integrated into the air blast tool would simplify the machinists work by providing a light source that illuminates the machined surfaces during and after chip removal. Further, since a source of pressurized air is.already present where an air blast tool is in use, a light producing device that derives its power from a miniature pneumatically driven electric generator within the air blast tool improves efficiency of motion for the machinist while eliminating the power cord necessary for supplying power to a hand held drop light.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An air blast tool having an integral light source, according to one aspect of the present invention, comprises a body having an inlet aperture, a first outlet aperture and a second outlet aperture and wherein said first outlet aperture and said second outlet aperture are in fluid communication with said inlet aperture, first valve means partially disposed within said first outlet aperture for controlling air flow therethrough, an air powered electrical generator having a rotor and a stator, said air powered generator being disposed within said second outlet aperture, said air powered electrical generator producing an electrical signal in response to pressurized air supplied from said inlet aperture to said second outlet aperture, an electric light attached to said body and receiving said electrical signal to illuminate said electrical light, and air nozzle means attached to said body and disposed over said first outlet aperture.
One object of the present invention is to provide an improved air blast hand tool for use with machining or woodworking operations.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an air blast tool with an integrated light that is powered by an air driven electrical generator incorporated into the air blast tool.
Yet another object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for electrical power cords and drop lights in the area of a machining operation, yet take advantage of the presence of an air blast tool necessary to remove metal chips or sawdust.
These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of an air gun with integral air powered light according to one aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a side elevational view of the air gun with integral air powered light of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is a. cross-sectional view of the air gun with integral air powered light of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 4
is cross-sectional view of the air powered generator.
FIG. 5
is an exploded perspective view of the air powered generator.
FIG. 6
is a bottom view of the body portion.
FIG. 7
is a cross-sectional view of the body looking in the direction of the arrows labeled A—A in FIG.
6
.
FIG. 8
is a cross-sectional view of the body looking in the direction of the arrows labeled B—B in FIG.
6
.
FIG. 9
is a front elevational view of end plate
68
.
FIG. 10
is a cross-sectional view of end plate
68
.
FIG. 11
is a front elevational view of end plate
64
.
FIG. 12
is a cross-sectional view of end plate
64
.
FIG. 13
is a side elevational view of trigger valve body
42
.
FIG. 14
is a plan view of trigger valve body
42
.
FIG. 15
is a cross-sectional view of trigger valve body
42
looking in the direction of arrows A—A in FIG.
14
.
FIG. 16
is a cross-sectional view of trigger valve body
42
looking in the direction of-the arrows labeled A—A in FIG.
13
.
FIG. 17
is a partial cross-sectional view of body
12
depicting valve
60
.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Referring now to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, a perspective view and a front elevational view of an air gun with integral air powered light
10
, according to the present invention, are shown. Air gun
10
includes a body
12
made from metal, plastic or other suitable material. Fitting
14
is rotatably inserted into a threaded aperture in body
12
and secured thereto. A source of compressed air (not shown) is attached to fitting
14
. A directional exhaust assembly
16
is rotationally inserted into a threaded aperture in body
12
(discussed in more detail below). Trigger
18
is movably mounted to body
12
and is depressable by the user to engage a valve (see
FIG. 3
) within body
12
to enable the internal flow of compressed air from fitting
14
to air nozzle
20
within body
12
. Valve
22
, attached to body
12
, is positionable to enable and disable the delivery of compressed air to an air powered electrical generator (shown in more detail below) within body
12
. A source of light, such as an incandescent bulb or suitable substitute, is disposed within light tube
24
. A lens
26
is mounted on the distal end of tube
24
. Lens
26
focuses light emanating from within tube
24
onto objects aligned with tube
24
. Hook portion
28
extends upwards and turns back towards body
12
to provide a convenient mechanism for removably hanging device
10
on a suitable mounting location in the users workplace.
Operationally speaking, compressed air is delivered to fitting
14
so that apertures (also referred to as fluid passages or cavities) within body
12
are filled with compressed air. Trigger
18
activates a valve (discussed below and shown in
FIG. 3
) within body
12
to deliver compressed air to air nozzle
20
. Valve
22
enables and disables the flow of compressed air to an air powered electric generator (see below) within body
12
that produces electricity for powering the lamp within tube
24
.
Referring now to
FIG. 3
, a partial cross-section of the air gun with integral air powered light
10
is shown. Body
12
includes apertures shown at
30
and
32
. Hollow compressed air fitting
14
includes a threaded portion
14
a
that mates with a threaded portion
12
a
of body
12
. Standard tapered threads are formed at
12
a
and
14
a
to provide an air tight seal. Directional exhaust
16
is comprised of a threaded fitting
34
having a fluid channel
36
therethrough enabling compressed air in aperture
30
to escape to the atmosphere through channel
36
. An exhaust deflector ring
38
is rotatably disposed over fitting
34
. Ring
38
, includes a slot
38
a
formed therein so that compressed air escaping aperture
30
via channel
36
may be redirected in any direction desired by the user of device
10
by rotating ring
38
about fitting
34
. Fitting
34
includes a threaded portion
34
a
that mates with corresponding threads
30
a
formed in aperture
30
.
Trigger
18
is attached to valve stem
40
via threaded portion
18
a
of trigger
18
and threaded portion
40
a
of valve stem
40
. Valve body
42
receives valve stem
40
therein. Trigger
18
, when depressed, forces valve stem
40
toward spring
44
and compresses spring
44
. When valve stem
40
is moved toward spring
44
, compressed air in apertures
32
and
56
passes over valve stem
40
and into the interior of valve body
42
when o-ring seal
46
is separated from contact with valve body
42
. Apertures
32
and
56
are in fluid communication with each other. An aperture in valve body
42
(see
FIGS. 13-16
) enables compressed air within valve body
42
to flow into aperture
48
and out through nozzle
20
. O-ring seals
50
prevent compressed air in aperture
32
from escaping past valve body
42
through trigger aperture
52
. Roll pin
54
is inserted into aperture
55
and through body
12
transverse to valve stem
40
through a cutout in valve body
42
to retain valve body
42
in position with respect to body
12
. Nozzle
20
is shown having a threaded portion
20
a
that mates with corresponding threads
48
a
formed within aperture
48
.
Aperture
32
is in fluid communication with apertures
56
and
58
. Compressed air travels through aperture
58
and encounters motor valve
60
. Motor valve
60
enables and disables the flow of compressed air in aperture
58
to aperture
62
. Aperture
62
provides a conduit through which compressed air is delivered to electrical generator
63
. Set screw or plug
81
provides an air seal of aperture
62
. To machine aperture
62
, a hole is drilled vertically downward into body
12
and aperture
62
is sealed by set screw
81
. Generator
63
is an air powered electricity generating device discussed in more detail below. See
FIGS. 4-5
and the discussion below for more detail on the configuration and operation of motor valve
60
. Compressed air in aperture
62
travels through end plate
64
to engage rotor
66
. Compressed air flowing over rotor
66
exits through end plate
68
and travels though slot
112
in end plate
68
(see
FIG. 9
) into aperture
104
(see
FIG. 7
) and on to aperture
30
, the exhaust aperture, and out into the atmosphere. Bearings
70
and
71
support rotor
66
and enable rotor
66
to rotate freely. Rotor housing
65
surrounds rotor
66
. Magnet spacer
77
is mounted on rotor
66
. Magnet
72
is attached to one end of rotor
66
and rotates between stator poles
74
. Stator poles
74
are attached to bobbin
76
via staked or riveted stator core
75
. Bobbin
76
includes a multitude of wire windings
78
wrapped thereabout. Magnetic flux field deviations generated by the rotation of magnet
72
are routed through stator poles
74
to induce a current to flow in windings
78
. Windings
78
are electrically connected to rivet
82
Contact spring
84
is attached to rivet
82
and provides a path for electricity to travel to insulated conductor
86
. Conductor
86
is electrically connected to disk shaped metal contact
87
that physically contacts spring
84
. Metal spring
90
is attached to metal rivet
88
and conductor
86
is electrically attached to rivet
88
. Insulator
89
centers or fixes contact
87
in position and encourages physical contact between contact
87
and spring
84
. Incandescent bulb
80
receives an electrical signal from contact spring
90
, and metal tube
24
provides a return path for electricity to windings
78
. Insulator cap
92
is attached with adhesives or the like over stator poles
74
. Rivet
82
is attached to plastic insulator cap
92
via adhesives or molded integrally therewith. Rivet or contact lug
88
is supported in position and surrounded by insulator
94
. Threaded adapter
96
mates with threads in body
12
to secure insulator cap
92
and stator poles
74
in a fixed position within aperture
98
. Threaded adapter plug
100
mates with threads in body
12
and secures rotor
66
and magnet
72
in position as shown within aperture
98
. Also shown are lens
26
mounted to adapter
102
which matingly engages external threads
24
a
of tube
24
, groove pin
69
that attaches end plates
64
and
68
to one another, and hook
28
of body
12
. Various o-ring fluid seals
97
are also shown in FIG.
3
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 4 and 5
, an enlarged cross-sectional view of the air powered generator
63
and an exploded view of the generator
63
are shown. Rotor shaft
67
is inserted through bearing
70
and is press fit into a mating hole in rotor
66
. Bearing
70
is mounted in end plate
64
and bearing
71
is mounted in end plate
68
. Groove pin
69
is inserted through a hole in rotor housing
65
and pressed into apertures in end plates
64
and
68
. Air vanes
73
are fixedly attached into slots in rotor
66
. Spacer
77
is disposed on the rotor shaft
66
a
and provides a predetermined mounting location on shaft
66
a
for magnet
72
. Bobbin
76
and windings
78
are disposed between stator poles
74
. Stator core
75
is inserted through bobbin
76
and staked or riveted to stator poles
74
. Insulator cap
92
receives and is attached to stator poles
74
with adhesive or the like. Electrical contact rivet
82
is attached to insulator cap
92
and contact spring
84
attaches to rivet
82
. Windings
78
are electrically connected to contact rivet
82
and solder lug
79
. Solder lug
79
makes electrical contact with body
12
via stator poles
74
to provide a return path for electricity generated by motor*generator
63
.
Operationally, compressed air enters orifice
64
a
in end plate
64
, travels within rotor housing
65
, over vanes
73
, through orifice
65
a
in rotor housing
65
and along channel
68
a in end plate
68
. The force of the compressed air on vanes
73
causes rotor
66
to rotate. Magnet
72
, fixedly attached to rotor
66
, rotates accordingly. Magnet
72
varies in magnetic intensity rotationally around the lateral surface thereof so that rotation of magnet
72
causes a varying magnetic field to impinge upon stator poles
74
. A varying magnetic field impinging upon stator poles
74
induces a current to flow in coil or windings
78
.
Referring now to
FIG. 6
, a bottom view of the handle portion of body
12
is shown. From this view, it is more apparent that aperture
30
is in fluid communication with apertures or fluid channels
104
and
106
. Also shown in
FIG. 6
is aperture or fluid channel
32
. Aperture
104
provides a fluid flow path for exhaust of pressurized air from generator
63
. Aperture
106
is a channel or fluid passage through which compressed air is delivered to air blast nozzle
20
from aperture
52
. A fluid path from compressed air supply aperture
32
to aperture
52
is established through valve body
42
when valve stem
40
is actuated toward spring
44
(see FIGS.
3
and
13
-
14
).
Referring now to
FIGS. 7 and 8
, cross-sectional views of the body
12
are shown.
FIG. 7
is a cross-sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows labeled A—A in
FIG. 6
, and
FIG. 8
is a cross-sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows labeled B—B in FIG.
6
. Various fluid channels or apertures wherein compressed air flows within body
12
are shown in more detail in
FIGS. 7 and 8
. Compressed air is supplied to aperture
32
Which is in fluid communication with apertures
52
and
58
. Compressed air that encourages motor-generator
63
to rotate is supplied via apertures
58
,
61
and
62
to aperture
98
. Fluid passage or aperture
104
provides a channel for compressed air to pass from aperture
98
, through aperture
52
, and on to exhaust aperture
30
. Similarly, aperture
106
provides a fluid passage for compressed air to flow between aperture
52
and aperture
48
. Valve body
42
(see
FIG. 3
) prevents compressed air flow between apertures
52
and
30
yet allows air to flow between aperture
30
and aperture
98
via aperture
104
. Also shown are roll pin slot or aperture
55
into which roll pin
54
is inserted and aperture or through hole
61
wherein motor valve
60
(see
FIGS. 3 and 17
) is received.
Body
12
is preferably cast from aluminum or other suitable metal and then machined on various- surfaces to establish desired dimensional tolerances with internal components and to form various threads therein.
Referring now to
FIGS. 9 and 10
, end plate
68
is shown in a front elevational view and a cross-sectional view. End plate
68
includes bore
108
for receiving bearing
71
(see
FIG. 5
) therein. Hole
110
receives pin
69
(
FIG. 5
) to maintain rotational alignment of end plate
68
with respect to end plate
64
(
FIG. 5
) and rotor housing
65
(FIG.
5
). Slot
112
provides a channel for compressed air to flow past end plate
68
and into aperture
98
and on through aperture
104
to exhaust aperture
30
(see FIG.
7
).
Referring now to
FIGS. 11 and 12
, a front elevational view and a cross-sectional view of end plate
64
are shown. Bore
114
receives bearing
70
(
FIG. 5
) therein. Compressed air from aperture
62
(
FIGS. 7
) flows through slot
116
and into the rotor housing
65
(
FIG. 3
) to engage vanes
73
of rotor
66
(see
FIG. 5
) and exits the rotor area via slot
112
in end plate
68
(FIG.
9
). Hole
118
receives pin
69
(FIG.
5
). It should be apparent that slot
116
and slot
112
are not in alignment due to the location of hole
110
(
FIG. 9
) and hole
118
so that an offset angle of about ninety degrees is established therebetween. The non-alignment of slot
116
and slot
112
establishes a non-direct path so that air must flow over rotor
66
(
FIG. 5
) and vanes
73
(
FIG. 5
) and thereby encourages rotor
66
to rotate.
Referring now to
FIGS. 13-16
, trigger valve body
42
is shown in detail.
FIG. 13
is a front elevational view,
FIG. 14
is a plan view,
FIG. 15
is a cross-sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows labeled A—A of
FIG. 14
, and
FIG. 16
is a cross-sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows labeled A—A in FIG.
13
. Slot
55
engages roll pin
54
(
FIG. 3
) to secure valve body
42
in position within aperture
52
(FIG.
7
). When trigger
18
(
FIG. 3
) is depressed inward, compressed air in aperture
32
(
FIG. 3
) is supplied to the interior
120
of valve body
42
. Compressed air from interior aperture
120
flows out through aperture
122
through aperture
106
(
FIG. 8
) and into aperture
48
(
FIG. 8
) and from there through air nozzle
20
(FIG.
3
). Cutout portion
124
establishes a fluid passage for exhaust air from aperture
98
(
FIG. 8
) to flow through aperture
104
(FIG.
8
), past valve body
42
(FIG.
3
), and into exhaust aperture
30
(FIG.
3
). Annular groove
126
receives o-ring seal
50
(FIG.
3
).
Referring now to
FIG. 17
, a partial cross-sectional view of body
12
is shown. In this view, the details of motor valve
6
.
0
are shown. Valve
60
is disposed in a through-hole
61
machined or formed in body
12
. Valve
60
has a very small clearance with hole
61
. Valve
60
includes three annular grooves
128
,
129
and
130
. Grooves
128
and
129
receive o-ring seals
131
therein. Groove
130
provides a fluid passage around valve
60
so that compressed air will flow from aperture
58
to aperture
62
when valve
60
is repositioned horizontally so that groove
130
is aligned with apertures
58
and
62
. In the position shown, valve
60
prevents compressed air from passing between aperture
58
and aperture
62
. C-clip
134
is attached as shown in groove
136
formed in valve
60
to prevent removal of valve
60
from within aperture
61
.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description of the preferred embodiment, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
Claims
- 1. An air blast tool having an integral light source comprising:a body having an inlet aperture; a first outlet aperture and a second outlet aperture and wherein said first outlet aperture and said second outlet aperture are in fluid communication with said inlet aperture; first valve means partially disposed within said first outlet aperture for controlling air flow,therethrough; an air powered electrical generator having a rotor and a stator, said air powered generator being disposed within said second outlet aperture, said air powered electrical generator producing an electrical signal in response to pressurized air supplied from said inlet aperture to said second outlet aperture; an electric light attached to said body and receiving said electrical signal to illuminate said electrical light; and air nozzle means attached to said body and disposed over said first outlet aperture.
- 2. The device of claim 1 including:flow control means having a portion disposed within said second outlet aperture for variably metering air flow therethrough.
- 3. The device of claim 2 including second valve means having a portion disposed in said second outlet aperture, said second valve means fully restricting air flow in said second outlet aperture when activated and opening said second outlet aperture when deactivated.
- 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said second valve means is a shut-off valve.
- 5. An air blast tool having an integral light source and comprising:a body having an inlet aperture, a first outlet aperture, a second outlet aperture, a first fluid passage communicating between said inlet aperture and said first outlet aperture, a valve aperture in fluid communication with said first fluid passage, and a second fluid passage communicating between said inlet aperture and said second outlet aperture; first valve means disposed in said valve aperture and extending into, said first fluid passage for controlling air flow within said first fluid passage, said first valve means including mechanical actuator means for controlling said first valve means and enabling and disabling air flow in said first fluid passage; an air powered electrical generator having a rotor and a stator, said air powered generator being disposed within said second fluid passage, said air powered electrical generator producing an electrical signal in response to air flowing through said second fluid passage; an electric light attached to said body and receiving said electrical signal to illuminate said electrical light; and a hollow cylindrical member having a first end and a second end and wherein said first end is attached to said body, and disposed over said first outlet aperture.
- 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said body further includes a flow control aperture in fluid communication with said second fluid passage, said device further including a flow control member disposed in said flow control aperture and extending into said second fluid passage and partially obstructing said second. fluid passage.
- 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said flow control member is positionable within said flow control aperture to variably obstruct fluid flow in said second fluid passage.
- 8. The device of claim 7 wherein said body includes a shut-off aperture in fluid communication with said second fluid passage, said device further including a shut-off member disposed in said shut-off aperture extending into said second fluid passage, and wherein said shut-off member is positionable in a first position to fully obscure fluid flow in said second fluid passage, said shut-off member being positionable in a second position to allow fluid flow through said second fluid dosage.
- 9. The device of claim 8 wherein said electric light is positioned in close proximity to said second end of said hollow cylindrical member.
- 10. The device of claim 9 including means for attaching said inlet aperture to a source of compressed gas, said means for attaching being disposed in said inlet aperture.
- 11. The device of claim 10 wherein said body includes means for removably mounting said body to an external device.
- 12. The device of claim 11 wherein said means for removably mounting is a protrusion extending outward from and back towards said body at the distal end of said protrusion.
US Referenced Citations (5)