Patent ID: 6536642
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: B23D,Y10T

Abstract:
Apparatus for separating the bearing cap of a connecting rod by fracture, comprising:a frame provided with a first fixture integral with the frame and a second, movable fixture, and which carry respective crescents adapted to be brought together to form a circular profile engageable with the big end of a connecting rod, the frame further having rod-locking means; spreading means comprising a cylindrical chamber (26) formed in the crescent carried by the first fixture and a piston (28) sealingly slidable in said chamber and abutable against the other crescent, and a conduit (34) located in the first fixture for leading pressurized fluid to said cylindrical chamber; a pressure multiplier (30, 32, 38, 40, 42) supplied from a source of hydraulic fluid and connected to said conduit (34); transfer means (58) for transferring a connecting rod from a rod conveyor line (12) to said crescents (18, 22) and vice versa; first actuator means (60) for pressing at least a first locking member (62, 162, 262) against portions of the rod body in order to lock the rod body against the crescent facing the body; second actuator means (64) for pressing at least a second locking member (66) against portions of the rod cap in order to block the rod cap against the crescent proximate to the cap; third actuator means (23, 25) for remating the cap with the body of the connecting rod; ejector means (68, 70, 72) for ejecting the connecting rod from the crescents and for returning it to the transfer means after its fracturing and remating; wherein the apparatus further comprises a ram (46) biased by accelerating means to apply an impulsive action to said pressure multiplier, and retainable to a primed position by a movable tooth (50) driven by fourth actuator means (52) to release the ram, the ram being returnable to said primed position by fifth actuator means (56).