Positive feed tool with a modular architecture
View Patent ↗Positive feed tools that include gear heads configured to be driven by a motor. The gear heads further include a pneumatic manifold that provides for access to input/output signals to add on additional components that include additional air logic functionality. The gear head includes first and second interface positions. Each interface is configured to receive either the motor for powering the gear head or an add-on component to provide additional functionality to the tool.
1. A pneumatic tool that is powered by an air supply, the pneumatic tool comprising:
a main air inlet that receives air from the air supply;
a pneumatic circuit that extends from the main air inlet;
a pneumatic motor operatively connected to the pneumatic circuit;
a spindle configured to move along a feed path in advance and retract directions;
a plurality of gears that connect the pneumatic motor to the spindle and are configured to rotate the spindle and to move the spindle in the advance and retract directions;
a start switch operatively connected to the pneumatic circuit to send a signal to activate the pneumatic motor;
a counter operatively connected to the pneumatic circuit downstream from the start switch with air from the start switch passing along the pneumatic circuit to the counter, the counter comprising an inlet and an outlet for air to pass through the counter, the counter configured to count a number of times the spindle moves through a cycle;
wherein the counter interrupts the signal from the start switch and controls the flow of air that passes through the counter and that thereby affects the air that reaches the pneumatic motor to prevent activation of the pneumatic motor when the count reaches a predetermined number, the counter configured to interrupt the signal without interrupting the flow of air into the pneumatic circuit through the main air inlet.
2. The pneumatic tool of claim 1 , wherein the counter receives a motor run signal indicating that the pneumatic motor is in operation and the spindle is moving along the feed path.
3. The pneumatic tool of claim 2 , wherein the counter is configured to equate receipt of the motor run signal for a predetermined period to one of the spindle cycles.
4. The pneumatic tool of claim 2 , wherein the counter is configured to emit a warning upon reaching a first predetermined number of spindle cycles.
5. The pneumatic tool of claim 4 , wherein the counter is configured to disable operation of the pneumatic tool upon reaching a second higher predetermined number of spindle cycles.
6. The pneumatic tool of claim 4 , further comprising a control valve operatively connected to the pneumatic circuit between the main air inlet and the pneumatic motor.
7. A pneumatic tool that is powered by an air supply, the pneumatic tool comprising:
a pneumatic motor;
a spindle configured to move along a feed path in advance and retract directions;
gears that connect the pneumatic motor to the spindle and are configured to rotate the spindle and to move the spindle in the advance and retract directions;
a start input to control activation of the pneumatic motor;
a control valve to control a flow of air to the pneumatic motor;
a counter configured to count a number of times the spindle moves through a cycle; and
a pneumatic circuit comprising:
a main air inlet that receives air from the air supply;
a first air line that leads from the main air inlet to the motor;
a second air line that leads from the first air line upstream from the motor to the start input;
a third air line that leads from the start input to the counter; and
a fourth air line that leads from the counter to the control valve, the fourth air line being separate from the third air line;
the control valve is positioned along the first air, line between the main air inlet and the pneumatic motor;
the counter positioned downstream from the start input such that air from the start input that moves along the third air line reaches the counter, the counter configured to control the air that moves through the counter and the fourth air line to the control valve when the counter reaches a predetermined number to disable the air supplied to the pneumatic motor through the first air line.
8. The pneumatic tool of claim 7 , wherein main air inlet continues to receive air when the control valve disables the air supplied to the pneumatic motor through the first air line.
9. The pneumatic tool of claim 7 , wherein the counter comprises an electronic control board that maintains a record of the counter, a warning cutter count, and a maximum cutter count.
10. A pneumatic tool that is powered by an air supply, the pneumatic tool comprising:
a main air inlet that receives air from the air supply;
a pneumatic circuit that extends downstream from the main air inlet;
a pneumatic motor operatively connected to the pneumatic circuit and configured to move a spindle in cycles along a feed path;
a start switch with a button, the start switch being operatively connected to the pneumatic circuit to send a signal through the pneumatic circuit to activate the pneumatic motor;
a control valve operatively connected to the pneumatic circuit between the main air inlet and the pneumatic motor;
a counter operatively connected to the pneumatic circuit and comprising an electronic control board to track operation of the pneumatic motor and to maintain a count of spindle cycles based on the operation of the pneumatic motor, the counter positioned along the pneumatic circuit downstream from the start switch and includes a separate inlet and outlet for air to move through the counter, the counter configured to control the air that moves through the counter from the start switch to the control valve to prevent activation of the pneumatic motor and prevent additional spindle cycles when the count reaches a predetermined number without interrupting the flow of air into the pneumatic circuit through the main air inlet.
11. The pneumatic tool of claim 10 , wherein the counter receives a motor run signal indicating that the pneumatic motor is in operation and the spindle is moving along the feed path.
12. The pneumatic tool of claim 11 , wherein the counter is configured to equate receipt of the motor run signal for a predetermined period to one of the spindle cycles.
13. The pneumatic tool of claim 10 ; wherein the counter is configured to emit a warning upon reaching a first predetermined number of spindle cycles.
14. The pneumatic tool of claim 13 ; wherein the counter is configured to disable operation of the pneumatic tool upon reaching a second higher predetermined number of spindle cycles.