Patent ID: 6481109
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A control system for a pivotally actuated tracer having an object engager which traces an object while the object is held in a more-vertical-than-horizontal orientation, said control system comprising:a signal element generating a signal related to a rotational orientation of the object engager; a tracer control element applying control signals to said pivotally actuated tracer, which control signals cause the object engager to be pivotally actuated against and along the object to be traced with a biasing force toward said object while the object engager is rotated along the object; and a gravity compensation element operably connected to said signal element and compensating for the effects of gravity on said object engager by causing said trace control element to apply said control signals in such a way that said tracer exerts a pivoting force on said object engager which varies depending on the rotational orientation of said object engager to keep the biasing force substantially constant along said object.