This invention relates generally to rotary tools. In particular, this invention relates to machine mounted pressurized fluid driven rotary tools.
In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a rotary device having a housing that has a first fluid inlet and a second fluid inlet. A rotor is rotatably mounted in the housing and is in communication with the first and second fluid inlets.
The present invention also relates to a method for connecting a rotary tool to a fluid source by providing a housing and a rotor mounting in the housing. First and second fluid inlets are provided in the housing, which are each in communication with the rotor. A plug is inserted into the first fluid inlet and the second fluid inlet is connected to a high pressure fluid source.
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The back section 14 of the housing 13 includes a first fluid inlet 34 that has a longitudinal axis B that is generally perpendicular to an axis of rotation A of the rotor 16. The first fluid inlet 34 is in communication with the rotor 16 and is adapted to receive a pressurized fluid and transmit the pressurized fluid to the rotor 16. The first fluid inlet 34 is formed by a bore extending through the sidewall of the back section 14 of the housing 13 and is adapted to receive a hose from a high pressure air source, an inlet adapter, or a plug, as described in more detail below, for example by having threads formed on at least a portion of the bore. An inlet adapter 36 is threaded into the first fluid inlet 34 and has a bore 37 therethrough that is in communication with the first fluid inlet 34. The inlet adapter 36 is adapted to receive a hose from a high pressure air source or a plug, as described in more detail below, for example by having threads 38 formed on at least a portion of the bore.
The back section 14 of the housing 13 also includes a second fluid inlet 32 that has a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to the axis of rotation A of the rotor 16. The second fluid inlet 32 is in communication with the rotor 16 and is adapted to receive a pressurized fluid and transmit the pressurized fluid to the rotor 16. The second fluid inlet 32 is formed by a bore extending through the end of the back section 14 of the housing 13. A generally cylindrical shank 30 having a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to the axis of rotation A of the rotor 16 is integrally formed to the back section 14 of the housing 13, extends from the end of the back section 14, and can be used as a mount to connect the rotary tool 10 to a machine, as is described in more detail below. The shank 30 has a bore 33 extending therethrough, which is in communication with the second fluid inlet 32, to allow the shank 30 to receive a pressurized fluid and transmit the pressurized fluid to the second fluid inlet 32, as described in more detail below. The shank 30 is adapted to receive a hose from high pressure air source or a plug, as described in more detail below, for example by having threads 35 formed on at least a portion of the bore. A pair of o-rings 31 sit within indentations in the outer wall of the shank 30.
Inside of the back section 14 is a muffler 26, which may be composed of a felt-like material and is adapted for muffling the noise caused by exhausted fluids. In addition, the end cap 24 includes one or more holes 21 each having a predetermined diameter which are adapted to allow the pressurized fluid to escape from the motor chamber 15.
A rotor 16, having an axis of rotation A, is mounted within the motor chamber 15 such that the rotor 16 can rotate therein. As described herein, the rotor 16 is a reaction turbine-type rotor, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,752 to Davis, which has a common assignee with the present invention, and the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. However, the present invention is not so limited and may be applied to rotary devices having other types of motors. In operation, pressurized air is directed to the rotor 16 from the first fluid inlet 34 and/or the second fluid inlet 32. As the air enters the rotor 16 it enters a first annular chamber 50, flows around a resilient valve ring 52 through radial holes 54 in annular wall 60 into a second annular chamber 56, where it is directed through nozzles 58, thereby imparting rotation to the rotor 16 and therefore the rotatable shaft 18. The pressurized fluid is expelled from the rotor 16 through the nozzles 58 and passes into the motor chamber 15, through the muffler 26, and exits the rotary tool 10 through the holes 21 in the end cap 24 to atmosphere. As the pressurized fluid is directed into the rotor 16, rotation increases to a pre-selected maximum. Centrifugal forces acting on resilient valve ring 52 tend to cause radial expansion of the ring 52, however, the inner surface of the annular wall 60 supports the valve ring 60, except at radial holes 54. This enables the radial expansion of the valve ring 52 to be directed into the holes 54 so as to cause a controlled elastic deformation of valve ring 52. In operation, as the resilient valve ring 52 deforms, it approaches the ends of radial holes 54. As the distance narrows sufficiently, fluid flow through the radial holes 54 is restricted and rotating forces reduced. As drag forces acting on the system and rotating forces reach equilibrium, the forces acting on the resilient valve ring 52 will also be in equilibrium. This results in a constant rotary speed. If drag forces increase, the equilibrium would be disrupted, and the forces on the resilient valve ring 52 will retract the valve ring 52 from its closest proximity to radial holes 54, allowing additional fluid flow until another equilibrium is established. If for any reason the turbine should exceed the desired governed speed, the resilient valve ring 52 will move to restrict pressure fluid flow even further until sufficient overspeed will cause all flow to stop, thereby incorporating an overspeed safety.
A rotatable shaft 18 is attached at one end to the rotor 16 and at the other end to a collet 22, which is used to hold a tool (not shown), such as a grinding-type tool. The shaft 18 is rotatably supported by bearings 20 which, in turn, are respectively secured to the front section 12 of the housing 13.
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As can be seen from the above description, the current invention allows a single rotary tool to be used with almost any machine, any mounting configuration, and any fluid inlet configuration desired, rather than having different tools for each.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The descriptions were selected to best explain the principles of the invention and their practical application to enable other skills in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below.