o Nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil compositions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT [Object] To provide a nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition which demonstrates a low friction coefficient and realizes a further fuel economy. [Solving Means] A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an additive having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle. A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an ashless friction modifier having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle. A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an additive having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle having a particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm. A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an ashless friction modifier having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle having a particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm. Full Article
o Strong base amines to minimize corrosion in systems prone to form corrosive salts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Corrosion by ammonia/amine salts in hydrocarbon streams such as distillation overhead streams that contain a mineral acid and water can be prevented, avoided or minimized by adding certain strong amines to the streams. The amines have a pKa between about 10.5 to about 12 and include, but are not necessarily limited to, dimethylamine, diethylamine, dipropylamine, diisopropyl-amine, di-n-butylamine, diisobutylamine, di-sec-butylamine, di-tert-butylamine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, and combinations thereof. If the hydrocarbon stream further includes a nitrogen-containing compound such as ammonia, a tramp and/or a residual amine which can form a corrosive salt with the mineral acid, then the added amine is a stronger base than the tramp or residual amine, if present. The amount of added amine is greater than total amount of nitrogen-containing compound, so that any corrosive salts formed are less corrosive than the salts that would otherwise form from the ammonia and/or tramp amine. Full Article
o Friction and wear management using solvent partitioning of hydrophilic-surface-interactive chemicals contained in boundary layer-targeted emulsions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Lubrication additives of the current invention require formation of emulsions in base lubricants, created with an aqueous salt solution plus a single-phase compound such that partitioning within the resulting emulsion provides thermodynamically targeted compounds for boundary layer organization thus establishing anti-friction and/or anti-wear. The single-phase compound is termed “boundary layer organizer”, abbreviated BLO. These emulsion-contained compounds energetically favor association with tribologic surfaces in accord with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, and will organize boundary layers on those surfaces in ways specific to the chemistry of the salt and BLO additives. In this way friction modifications may be provided by BLOs targeted to boundary layers via emulsions within lubricating fluids, wherein those lubricating fluids may be water-based or oil-based. Full Article
o Ketal compounds and uses thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various esterified alkyl ketal ester or hydroxyalkyl ketal ester products are useful as components of organic polymer compositions. The ketal esters are produced in certain transesterifications between alkyl ketal esters and/or hydroxyalkyl ketal esters and polyols, aminoalcohols, polyamines, and/or polycarboxylic acids. The products are excellent plasticizers for a variety of organic polymers, notable poly(vinyl chloride) plastisols. The products are also very good lubricants for many lubrication applications. Full Article
o Lubricating oil composition By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lubricating oil composition comprising a Group II basestock and a neutral or overbased metal hydrocarbyl-substituted hydroxybenzoate detergent having a basicity index of less than 2. Full Article
o Saturation process for making lubricant base oils By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods are provided for hydroprocessing a petroleum fraction, such as a bottoms fraction from a fuels hydrocracking process, to generate a lubricant base oil. A fuels hydrocracking process typically has less stringent requirements for the sulfur and nitrogen content of a feed as compared to a lubricant base oil. Additionally, depending on the nature of the feed for the fuels hydrocracking process, the bottoms fraction may contain a relatively high level of aromatics compounds. The aromatic content of such a petroleum fraction can be reduced using a aromatic saturation stage with multiple catalyst beds, or alternatively using a reactor (or reactors) with multiple aromatic saturation stages. The catalysts in the various beds or stages can be selected to provide different types of aromatic saturation activity. An initial bed or stage can provide activity for saturation of 1-ring aromatics in the petroleum fraction. One or more subsequent beds or stages, operating at successively lower temperature, can then be used to reduce the multiple-ring aromatic content of the petroleum fraction. Full Article
o Lubricant oil composition By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lubricant oil composition according to the present invention comprises: a lubricant base oil whose kinematic viscosity at 100° C. is 1 to 20 mm2/s; and a viscosity index improver in which a ratio M1a/M2a of a total area M1a of peaks in a chemical shift between 29-31 ppm to a total area M2a of peaks in a chemical shift between 64-69 ppm based on a total area of all the peaks is not less than 10 in a spectrum obtained by 13C-NMR. Full Article
o Lubricating oil additive composition and method of making the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An oil-soluble lubricating oil additive composition comprising (a) at least 3.5 wt-% of at least one friction modifier selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, fatty acid amides, fatty acid esters, and alkane diols which have a melting point of greater than 30° C.; (b) at least 10 wt-% actives dispersant; and (c) a sufficient amount of surfactant to make said additive composition haze-, sediment-, and skin-free, provided that said additive composition contains at least 150 mm surfactant per kg of said lubricating oil additive composition. Full Article
o Lubricant composition and continuously variable transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a lubricating oil composition containing a base oil which includes a mineral oil and/or a synthetic oil, and compounded therein, (A) at least one phosphorus-containing compound selected from phosphoric acid monoesters, phosphoric acid diesters and phosphorous acid monoesters, each having a C1 to C8 hydrocarbon group or groups and (B) a tertiary amine compound having C6 to C10 hydrocarbon groups as substituents thereof. The lubricating oil composition provides both a high metal to metal friction coefficient and an excellent wear resistance and is suitably used in a continuously variable transmission. Full Article
o Water-soluble metalworking oil agent and usage thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A water-soluble metalworking oil agent is provided by blending the following components A, B, C and D: (A) at least one of a condensed fatty acid obtained by dehydration-condensing a ricinoleic acid, and a condensed fatty acid obtained by dehydration-condensing a monovalent carboxylic acid with an alcoholic hydroxyl group of a condensed fatty acid obtained by dehydration-condensing a ricinoleic acid;(B) an ester compound provided by a dehydration condensate of a monovalent or multivalent alcohol and a monovalent carboxylic acid;(C) an amine compound; and(D) water. A blend ratio of the component A is 10 mass % or more of a total amount of the oil agent and a blend ratio of the component B is 5 mass % or more of the total amount of the oil agent. Full Article
o Thickened grease composition By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A thickened grease composition is provided by process of heating a mineral oil and 12-hydroxystearic acid with lithium hydroxide and forming a simple lithium grease to which at least one component selected from the group comprising succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, 6-hydroxycaproic acid, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, methyl hydroxycaproate, cyclohexanediols, methyl 5-hydroxyvalerate, methyl valerate, gamma butyrolactone, and methyl levulinate or mixtures thereof. Full Article
o Universal synthetic lubricant additive with micro lubrication technology to be used with synthetic or miner host lubricants from automotive, trucking, marine, heavy industry to turbines including, gas, jet and steam By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT It is known by the inventor that a universal synthetic lubricant additive that can greatly enhance the performance standards of existing lubricants, petroleum based or synthetic, imparts a new and desirable property not originally present in the existing oil or it reinforces a desirable property already possessed in some degree can greatly benefit the consumer. Although additives of many diverse types have been developed to meet special lubrication needs, their principal functions are relatively few in number. This universal synthetic lubricant additive (invention) with micro lubrication technology, when used as directed will reduce the oxidative or thermal degradation of the host oil, substantially reduce the deposition of harmful deposits in lubricated parts, minimize rust and corrosion, control frictional properties, reduce wear, temperature, sludge, varnishes and prevent destructive metal-to-metal contact, reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions while improving performance through increased horsepower and torque. Full Article
o Antiwear composition and method of lubricating driveline device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a method of driveline device by supplying to the driveline device a lubricating composition containing an oil of lubricating viscosity and an antiwear package, wherein the antiwear package includes: (a) derivatives of a carboxylic acid (typically a hydroxycarboxylic acid); and (b) a phosphorus compound. The invention further provides lubricating compositions containing an oil of lubricating viscosity and an antiwear package, wherein the antiwear package includes (a) derivatives of a carboxylic acid (typically a hydroxycarboxylic acid); and (b) an amine or metal salt of a phosphorus compound that is either (i) a hydroxy-substituted di-ester of (thio)phosphoric acid, or (ii) a phosphorylated hydroxy-substituted di- or tri-ester of (thio)phosphoric acid. Full Article
o Lubricant of solid or liquid consistency, exhibiting low coefficient of friction By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a lubricant in the form of grease or thick lubricating gel or transmission oil, as well as motor or universal oils with a myriad of applications. As a result of its contents presented in the patent application is characteristic of low coefficient of friction ranging from 0.055 to 0.062. As the main component, the contents of the discussed lubricant includes three or four stearates of metals or hydroxistearates of metals, which interact and cause a noticeable reduction of friction drag on the lubricated surfaces. Additionally, these substances may include a number of other solid or liquid elements, which maintain low friction drags and, furthermore, improve the lubricant through increasing its load capacity, antirust characteristics, shear strength, etc. The lubricant made according to the invention underwent comparative tests against other greases and greasing oils, the accounts of which are included in the application as diagrams, descriptions of research tests and examples of the contents of the lubricant products. Full Article
o Lubricating oil composition for sliding section comprising aluminum material, and lubricating method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided are a lubricant composition capable of reducing friction between sliding parts at least one of which contains an aluminum-based material in a lubrication section, and a method for lubricating an aluminum-based member with the composition. The lubricant composition is for use in a lubrication section having sliding parts at least one of which contains an aluminum-based material, and contains a lubricant base oil and at least one of a phosphorus-containing carboxylic compound and a metal salt thereof (component (A)) at 0.001 to 1 mass % of the composition in terms of phosphorus. The composition may suitably be used as lubricant such as drive train lubricant for automatic or manual transmissions, grease, wet brake oil, hydraulic actuation oil, turbine oil, compressor oil, bearing oil, refrigerant oil, and the like used in apparatus having the sliding parts. Full Article
o Process for producing ketones from fatty acids By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a process for producing ketones or hydrocarbon base oil from fatty acids preferably derived from a biological origin or other renewable source. The process is directed at making an aliphatic ketone or a mixture of aliphatic ketones having 14 to 52 carbon atoms, comprising a ketonization reaction of a fatty acid in a vapor phase with a decarboxylation-coupling catalyst to provide ketones, which can be deoxygenated to give saturated hydrocarbons, unsaturated hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof. Base oils and transportation fuels may be produced from the process herein. Full Article
o Tool magazine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Dec 2013 08:00:00 EST A tool, magazine (11) for accommodating a plurality of tools (T) comprising a first tool housing portion (17) and second tool housing portions (19, 21, 23) in which a plate-like member having a plurality of tool receiving holes (17a, 17b) and tool receiving recesses (19b, 21b, 23b) formed thereto and each of the tool receiving holes and the tool receiving recesses has at least three supporting members having a convex portion which engages with a V-shape trench of a tool, and a tool transporting means (25) so disposed to face a back surface of the first and second tool housing portions for transporting the tool to/from the first and second tool housing portions from/to a tool exchange position (P), wherein the second tool housing portions are disposed rearwardly offset with respect to the first tool housing portion. Full Article
o Chain-type tool magazine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 08:00:00 EST A chain-type magazine includes a box, a chain-type conveyor and a spinning unit. The box includes a port defined therein. The chain-type conveyor includes links connected to one another so that each of the links can be pivoted relative to the other links about two axes in parallel to each other. A tool can be inserted in a holder inserted in each of the links. The spinning unit includes a mounting assembly, an elevating assembly, a rotary claw assembly and a connecting rod. The mounting assembly is connected to the box. The elevating assembly is movably connected to the mounting assembly. The rotary claw assembly is rotationally connected to the mounting assembly for catching a selected one of the links. The connecting rod connects the elevating assembly to the rotary claw assembly. The driving element drives the elevating assembly to spin the rotary claw assembly. Full Article
o Precision roll turning lathe and automatic tool changer therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST There is provided an automatic tool changer which, in a precision roll turning lathe which feeds a tool post at a high speed, can automatically change a tool, such as a cutting tool, without stopping the machine, thereby enabling highly efficient ultra-Precision machining of a roll mold for molding of a large-sized plastic sheet. The automatic tool changer includes: a change device including a vertically movable pivot arm having a pivot axis and which pivots in a horizontal plane, a hand portion, mounted at the front end of the arm, for detachably gripping a tool holder, a pivot drive section for pivoting the pivot arm, and a lifting drive section for vertically moving the pivot arm; a tool holder stocker, having a plurality of circumferentially-arranged stages disposed at a predetermined distance from the pivot axis, each stage detachably holding a tool holder; a holder base, mounted to the tool post, for fixing and unfixing a tool holder through the rotation of a clamp shaft; and a clamp shaft operating device including an operating portion for clamping/unclamping the tool holder by rotating the clamp shaft. Full Article
o Blade position registering apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST A carriage is moved in a direction including a Y axis component in order to move a turning process tool that is attached to a tool spindle along a horizontal line that is perpendicular to a Z axis, and thus, a turning process is carried out on a workpiece which is attached to a workpiece spindle. Full Article
o Tool magazine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST A machine tool is provided with a tool magazine including a guiding plate, a turntable and holders. The guiding plate includes an annular groove with a semi-circular section and a semi-oval section. The semi-circular section is defined by a radius. The semi-oval section is defined by a semi-major axis identical to the radius of the semi-circular section and a semi-minor axis shorter than the semi-major axis. The turntable includes claws extending from the periphery. Each of the holders is pivotally connected to a related one of the claws and includes an end for holding a tool and another end formed with a ball movably located in the annular groove. Thus, some of the holders of which the balls are located in the semi-circular section of the annular groove close while the other holders of which the balls are located in the semi-oval section of the annular groove open. Full Article
o Bottom block, a block-transferring tool and a machine tool provided with the block-transferring tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EST A method of placing a bottom block includes: placing bottom blocks on a block storage area in which a spindle can hold the bottom blocks; attaching a block-transferring tool to the spindle, the block-transferring tool having a main shaft attachment attached to the spindle and a block holder for holding the bottom block; and holding the bottom blocks by the block holder of the block-transferring tool and placing the held bottom blocks on a predetermined workpiece placing position on an upper surface of a table by relative movement. Full Article
o Tool stocker, machine tool system, and tool damage detecting apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EDT A tool stocker includes main stockers for holding a plurality of tools detachably mounted on a main spindle for machining a workpiece, an auxiliary stocker for holding and transferring tools to and from the main stockers, and a tool transfer mechanism for transferring tools between the main stockers and the auxiliary stocker. The auxiliary stocker includes a plurality of tool pods for removably supporting the tools therein, a rail in sliding engagement with outer surfaces of the tool pods, a chain for moving the tool pods in sliding engagement with the rail, and a motor for actuating the chain. The rail has a recess defined therein in alignment with the tool transfer mechanism, such that the tools transferred by the tool transfer mechanism pass through the recess. Full Article
o Machining installation for workpieces By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT A machining installation for workpieces comprises a workpiece positioning device comprising a workpiece holder pivot unit as well as a tool positioning device comprising a tool holder pivot unit. The workpiece holder pivot unit is designed such that a workpiece holder is pivotable about at least three and no more than four workpiece holder pivot axes. Moreover, the tool holder pivot unit is designed such that a tool holder is pivotable about no more than two tool holder pivot axes. The machining installation has a simple design and ensures flexible and accurate machining of workpieces. Full Article
o Magnetic tool for robots By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT A magnetic tool to enable a robot arm to grip a metallic workpiece includes a hollow housing having a coupling member adapted to attach the tool to the robotic arm. A sleeve depends from the housing having a shaft slidably received therein. The shaft has a first end disposed in the housing and a second end extending axially outwardly from an open end of the sleeve. A magnetic member is disposed on the second end of the shaft. The magnetic member includes a main body having a cavity formed therein. A magnet is slidably disposed within the cavity and attached to an actuator adapted to adjust the distance between the magnet and an inner surface of a magnetic face of the main body of the magnetic member to vary the magnetic attraction force at the magnetic face. Full Article
o Method for controlling combined lathe apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A carriage is moved in a direction including a Y axis component in order to move a turning process tool that is attached to a tool spindle along a horizontal line that is perpendicular to a Z axis, and thus, a turning process is carried out on a workpiece which is attached to a workpiece spindle. Full Article
o Tool magazine device for a machine tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A tool magazine device includes a magazine body adapted to be disposed on a machine body of a machine tool to confront a working space, a plurality of insertion openings formed in a right side wall of the magazine body and each extending towards a left side wall of the magazine body to form a storage chamber, a plurality of gripping members fitted in the insertion openings for grippingly engage cutting tools, an inlet disposed in the magazine body for introducing therein a flow of pressurized air, and an air duct unit disposed on the left side wall and coupled to communicate the inlet with the storage chambers so as to permit the pressurized air to flow out of the insertion openings to thereby clean swarf from the cutting tools. Full Article
o Shaping machine system and computer program for controlling a shaping device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT A shaping machine system including a shaping device and a computer is provided. The shaping device includes at least one jig mount body configured for mounting a jig; a shaping tool support body configured for supporting a shaping tool; a first drive device configured for rotating the shaping tool; and a second drive device configured for driving the shaping tool support body or the at least one jig mount body or changing a posture of the shaping tool relative to the workpiece. The computer is configured for controlling the first and second drive devices according to predetermined shaping data. The computer includes a jig position measuring unit configured for measuring a position of the jig; a position error detecting unit configured for detecting a position error of the jig, and a shaping data correcting unit configured for correcting the predetermined shaping data according to a jig position error. Full Article
o Tool chain magazine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT A tool chain magazine, in particular for program-controlled milling machines and machining centers, comprising a stationary supporting structure to which linear guiding devices, chain wheels, and a drive assembly as a rotary drive for at least one of the chain wheels are mounted. The tool chain comprises an endless magazine chain consisting of a series of chain links connected in an articulate manner to one another, wherein supporting and guiding elements are provided on each chain link, and each chain link has a respective socket as a holder for a tool taper. The base bodies of the chain links of the magazine chain are formed by the tool stations centrally disposed therein, and the front and rear connecting joints of the chain links are arranged in the longitudinal center axis of the magazine chain. Full Article
o Power control of a robotic tool changer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT A robotic tool changer removably attaches a robotic tool to a robotic arm. The changer includes a tool module connected to the robotic tool, and a master module connected to the robotic arm. To attach and detach the robotic tool, the changer couples and uncouples the tool module and the master module. A master electrical signal module (ESM) affixes to the master module and a tool ESM affixes to the tool module. In accordance with design requirements, the changer applies the same power supply to both the master ESM and the tool ESM. The changer, however, selectively suppresses application of the power supply to the tool ESM, while maintaining application of the power supply to the master ESM, during the coupling or uncoupling of the master module and the tool module. In doing so, the changer enables such coupling and uncoupling, while also preventing the formation of transient electric arcs. Full Article
o ***WITHDRAWN PATENT AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***Voting with your feet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT A method of voting with your feet is disclosed. A performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game is associated with a vote on a matter. The performance of the location-based action by the player is detected. A count of votes corresponding to the vote on the matter is incremented based on the detecting of the performance of the location-based action by the player. Full Article
o Tool handling device for machine tools By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT A tool handling device for machine tools, comprising a tool magazine having a transfer position for the transfer of the tools, including a tool changer movable between the transfer position and an exchange position, which has a rotatable double gripper, and a supporting structure movable on a foundation, on which the tool changer is mounted. In order to achieve fast tool changes in tight spaces on the machine, the supporting structure has an upper slide and a lower slide which can both be displaced by means of spindle drives in the same direction on a foundation, wherein a single drive motor is provided for driving the two spindle drives. Full Article
o Switching device having a non-linear element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT Method for a memory including a first, second, third and fourth cells include applying a read, program, or erase voltage, the first and second cells coupled to a first top interconnect, the third and fourth cells coupled to a second top interconnect, the first and third cells coupled to a first bottom interconnect, the second and fourth cells are to a second bottom interconnect, each cell includes a switching material overlying a non-linear element (NLE), the resistive switching material is associated with a first conductive threshold voltage, the NLE is associated with a lower, second conductive threshold voltage, comprising applying the read voltage between the first top and the first bottom electrode to switch the NLE of the first cell to conductive, while the NLEs of the second, third, and the fourth cells remain non-conductive, and detecting a read current across the first cell in response to the read voltage. Full Article
o Trim and flame robot end effector with optional automatic blade change feature By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT A combination trimming/flame treatment end effector adapted for mounting to the end of a robotic arm. A trimming blade extends from a main body portion of the end effector for performing a trimming operation. The trimming blade may be mounted in an exchangeable cartridge to facilitate blade changing. Also extending from the main body portion is a flame treatment element for performing a flame treatment operation. The flame treatment element generally comprises a torch or burner. Because both the trimming blade and the flame treatment element are part of the same end effector, the robot simply manipulates the end effector such that the desired one of the trimming blade or the flame treatment element is properly positioned for use. As such, a tooling change can be avoided. While not restricted thereto, it is contemplated that an end effector of the present invention may be used to process vehicle bumper fascias. Full Article
o Horizontal machining center By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT A horizontal machining center includes: a table driven in first and second directions (directions indicated by arrows 530p and 530q, respectively) allowing the table to approach and move away from a spindle, respectively; a magazine having a plurality of tool gripping claws; and a coupling mechanism for coupling the table and the magazine together and moving the magazine in one of the first and second directions when the table is driven in the other of the first and second directions. When a tool attached to the spindle is removed from the spindle, the table is driven in the first direction, and when a tool accommodated by the magazine is attached to the spindle, the table is driven in the second direction. A horizontal machining center having a simple structure and prevented from having a bulky structure can thus be accomplished. Full Article
o Automatic tool changer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed in an automatic tool changer in which the tool changing time can be shortened by increasing overlapping operations of the turning operation and the axial advancing/retracting operation of a replacement arm. An arm driver (32) is so constituted that the driver performs overlapping operations such that at least a part of the operation for turning a replacement arm (23) by 180° and the operation for advancing/retracting the replacement arm in the axial direction in order to insert or withdraw a tool (37) are performed simultaneously and in parallelism with each other. When the replacement arm (23) is advanced/retracted in the axial direction in order to insert or withdraw a tool, the replacement arm (23) is turned by a predetermined distance in a direction reverse to the direction (so called “normal direction”) for turning the arm by 180° in parallelism with the advancing/retracting operation, and thereafter, the replacement arm (23) is turned in the normal direction. Full Article
o Machine tool and tool holder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A machine tool having a turning function and a milling function includes a spindle, a spindle housing supporting the spindle in a rotatable manner, a main clamp provided at the spindle, an auxiliary clamp provided at the spindle housing, and a double arm with a first gripper and a second gripper. The auxiliary clamp clamps a tool holder together with the main clamp during fixing a fixed tool. The double arm exchanges a tool holder grasped at the first gripper for another tool holder grasped at the second gripper by rotating and sliding movements. The auxiliary clamp is arranged at a position not interfering with the double arm that moves during exchanging tool holders. By such a configuration, a machine tool achieving a clamping force sufficient to withstand the load during a turning process, and that allows tool exchange in a short period of time, and a tool holder employed in such a machine tool, can be provided. Full Article
o Laser nozzle changing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A method for processing workpieces with a laser processing machine including a laser processing head having a nozzle receiving member configured to receive a laser nozzle. The method includes holding a workpiece on a workpiece support plane of a workpiece support, transferring a laser nozzle between a nozzle magazine of a nozzle changing device located at a first side of the workpiece support and a nozzle receiving member of the laser processing head located at a second side of the workpiece support such that the laser nozzle is assembled on or disassembled from the nozzle receiving member, and moving the laser nozzle through a through-opening defined in the workpiece support along a transverse direction to the workpiece support. Full Article
o Tool holding and conveying chain By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a tool holding and conveying chain adapted to securely lock and position a tool pot, i.e., a connecting pin, to a pin hole of either an outer or inner link plate so that the tool pot does not to turn and to achieve steady and smooth attachment and removal of a tool in and out of the tool pot with a simple attachment structure. The tool pot has a pair of positioning flat portions formed by cutting a link plate attaching outer circumferential region of the tool pot and the outer link plate has a pair of positioning cooperative flat portions formed so as to bulge out of an inner circumference to a center of a pin hole. The positioning flat portions of the tool pot is fitted into and locked by the positioning cooperative flat portions when the tool pot is attached in the link plate. Full Article
o Machine tool including a plurality of tool spindles and a frame shaped rack By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a machine tool (1), comprising a plurality of fixed tool spindles (3) and such that can optionally be displaced from a retracted idle position to an extended working position and can be positioned at different positions in a frame-like rack (2), and a workpiece carrier (4) with at least one workpiece holder (5), with the workpiece (4) carrier being movable at least in several axes in a translational manner and preferably also in a rotational manner. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that at least one of the tool spindles (3) is associated with a tool magazine (7) plus tool changer (8). Full Article
o Collimator changer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT An automatic collimator changer of a radiation treatment system. Full Article
o Loading/unloading system serving a sheet cutting centre, feeding tray therefor and relative handling method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT A system for loading/unloading sheets is disclosed, some of which also being of metal, and handling method thereof, serving a laser cutting center. The system includes a pair of rails (1, 2), supported at a preset height above a feeding tray (T) of the cutting center, whereon at least one Cartesian robotized hand is movably mounted, capable of moving along horizontal axes X and Y as well as along a vertical axis Z, mutually orthogonal, and including at least two bridge cranes (3, 4) sliding along the rails (1, 2) each of which supports at least one pair of robotized hands (5-8), and the robotized hands (5-8) have an electromagnetic pick-up head which may be coupled with a suction-cup device (103). Feeding tray (T) consists of bars whereon small tesserae (204) of ceramic material are fitted. Full Article
o Component mounting apparatus and method for photographing component By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST There is provided a component mounting apparatus, which includes: a nozzle which sucks a component; a nozzle supporting member, on which the nozzle is installed, which moves in a vertical direction with respect to an upper surface of a substrate on which the component sucked at the nozzle is mounted; an optical system which captures an image of a leading edge portion of the nozzle where the component is sucked in a component mounting operation, from a side direction, such that an optical axis of the optical system is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a sucking surface of the nozzle; and an analyzer which analyzes the image of the leading edge portion to determine whether a sucking state of the component sucked by the nozzle is normal or abnormal. Full Article
o Turning tool holder used for a combined lathe apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A carriage is moved in a direction including a Y axis component in order to move a turning process tool that is attached to a tool spindle along a horizontal line that is perpendicular to a Z axis, and thus, a turning process is carried out on a workpiece which is attached to a workpiece spindle. Full Article
o Variable strength magnetic end effector for lift systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A device and method for adjusting the magnetic strength of a magnetic end effector for lift systems is described. The magnetic end effector is capable of lifting discriminate payloads by selectively varying the strength of the magnetic forces output by the magnetic end effector. An actuator can be operatively coupled to the variable strength magnet end effector, wherein the actuator is selectively actuatable to control the adjustment of the variable strength magnet. The actuator may also be configured to maintain the variable strength magnet at a desired magnetic force output strength once achieved for any given amount of time. Full Article
o Subsea tool changer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A subsea tool changer comprises a housing; a rotatable carousel rotatably mounted within the housing and adapted to receive a plurality of selectively removable tools; a tool changer that can select a predetermined one of the plurality of tools from the carousel; and a power drive adapted to provide a predetermined function to a tool selected by the tool changer, the power drive further comprising a first power drive interface. In typical use, a selectively removable tool is placed onto the rotatable carousel which is rotated so that a desired selectively removable tool is positioned adjacent to a tool driver which is then mated with the desired selectively removable tool. The tool changer and mated selected removable tool are moved outward toward an outer boundary of the housing and the tool changer extended at least partially outside the housing outward towards a predetermined tool working position. The tool changer is then pivoted to position the selected removable tool to its predetermined tool working position. Full Article
o Cutting device for cutting lenses By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A cutting device includes a support base, a first slide module, a second slide module slidably connected to the first slide module, and a cutting module. The support base includes a support surface and a slide portion on the support surface. The first slide module is slidably positioned on the slide portion. The sliding direction of the second slide module is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the first slide module. The cutting module includes a fixed frame fixed on the second slide module, a driving device fixed on the fixed frame, and a cutter connected to the driving device. The driving device drives the cutter to rotate around a central axis of the cutter and move up and down along the central axis. The central axis is perpendicular to the support surface. The cutter includes a hollow cylindrical blade. An end surface of the blade faces the support surface. Full Article
o Electrode management device for electrical discharge machining machine tools By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST Device for managing the electrodes for electrical discharge machining EDM machine tools comprises at least one magazine (1) that has a series of individual housings (33) designed to accept and hold exchangeable elements (5) consisting of electrodes (6, 22) mounted on an electrode holder (11a, 11b), and a changer device (2) equipped with a gripper (2) intended to move the exchangeable elements (5) from the individual housings (33) towards the machine and vice versa. A first adapter piece (21) is associated with each of the exchangeable elements (5). This adapter piece (21) surrounds the electrode holder (11a, 11b) and is gripped around its periphery by the gripper (9) of the changer (2) so as to guarantee that the exchangeable element (5) is held precisely. The device further comprises a second adapter piece (32) associated with each of the individual housings (33) of the magazine (1) that are likely to be used. Full Article
o Head tool changer for use with deposition-based digital manufacturing systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A head tool changer for use with a deposition-based digital manufacturing system, the head tool changer comprising a tooling unit configured to retain a deposition head, a grip unit configured to engage with tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit, and a master unit operably mounted to a gantry and configured to engage with the tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit. Full Article
o Chain-type bit-storing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A machine tool is provided with a chain-type bit-storing apparatus which includes a frame, two sprockets, a chain and a pivoting unit. The frame includes a cutout. The sprockets are placed in the frame. The chain is driven by the sprockets. The chain includes links each including a socket for containing a bit, two plates for supporting the socket, first and second blocks placed between the plates, first and second bearing units for rotationally supporting the first and second blocks on the plates, and a connecting unit for pivotally connecting the first block thereof to the second block of an adjacent link. The pivoting unit is used to pivot the socket of a selected one of the links to move an open end of the socket out of the frame through the cutout. Full Article