Abstract:
An adapter for holding a workpiece to be machined in an accurately located axial position can include a main sleeve having an interior wall defining a passage extending therethrough with at least one inner surface angled inwardly toward a centerline of the passage, a collet engageable within the passage and supporting a positive axial location stop, an axially and radially moveable wedge interposed between the main sleeve and a workpiece to be processed, and a rotatable sleeve engageable with the wedge for accurately locating the workpiece to be processed by radially grasping the workpiece to be processed and axially moving the workpiece into engagement with the positive axial location stop.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a machining adapter for holding a workpiece with respect to a machining tool, and more particularly to a machining adapter having a collet and a positive axial stop for engaging the workpiece to be machined.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Various type of machining adapters can be found in the prior art including U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,466; U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,395; U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,974; U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,562; U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,173; U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,258; U.S. Publication No. US 2004/0164502; U.S. Publication No. US 2003/0228199; U.S. Publication No. US 2003/0175088; and U.S. Publication No. US 2001/0049984. However, none of the known machining adapters can hold and accurately position an elongate workpiece axially in a mechanically simple, cost effective, and repeatable manner without costly complex mechanical construction, or costly modifications to standard machining tools.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     An adaptor for holding a workpiece to be machined according to the present invention can include a main sleeve having an interior wall defining a passage extending therethrough with at least one inner surface angled inwardly toward a centerline of the passage, a collet engageable within the passage and supporting a positive axial location stop, an axially and radially moveable wedge interposed between the main sleeve and a workpiece to be processed, and a rotatable sleeve engageable with the wedge for accurately locating the workpiece to be processed by radially grasping the workpiece to be processed and axially moving the workpiece into engagement with the positive axial location stop.  
         [0004]     Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]     The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a machining adapter according to the present invention;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional detail of a collet and a positive axial location stop for engagement with a workpiece to be processed;  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of an axially and radially movable wedge interposeable between a main sleeve inner wall and the workpiece to be processed;  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a workpiece to be processed with the machining adapter according to the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a rotatable sleeve positionable within an longitudinal end of the main sleeve for operably engaging the wedge according to the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken transverse to a longitudinal axis of a passage through the main sleeve illustrating the wedge and collet configuration with the main sleeve not shown;  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 4  and further illustrating openings through the machining adapter allowing machining of the workpiece held within the collet against the positive axial location stop; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the machining adapter according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0014]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a machining adapter  10  is illustrated in cross-section having a collet  12  and a positive axial location stop  14 . The adapter  10  can include a main sleeve  16 . The main sleeve  16  can include an outwardly extending flange  18  with a V-shaped groove  20  formed around an external periphery of the outwardly extending flange  18 . The flange  18  and groove  20  can provide a surface suitable for engagement with automated tooling exchange equipment. The main sleeve  16  can also include a longitudinally extending passage  22  communicating with a tapered inwardly angled surface  24  adjacent one longitudinal end of the main sleeve  16 .  
         [0015]     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a wedge  26  is engagable within the passage  22  of the main sleeve  16 . The wedge  26  is movable axially and radially within the passage  22  while engaging the tapered inwardly angled surface  24 . As the wedge  26  moves axially in one direction while engaging the tapered inwardly angled surface  24 , the inner surface of the wedge  26  moves radially inwardly as movement continues in the axially direction in order to operably engage the workpiece to be processed and to deliver the workpiece into engagement with the positive axial location stop  14  to accurately position the workpiece in repeatable manner with respect to the machining adapter  10 . The wedge  26  can include a complementary tapered inwardly angled surface  28  for engagement with the tapered inwardly angled surface  24  of the longitudinally extending passage  22  formed through the main sleeve  16 . By way of example and not limitation, the wedge  26  can include means for moving the wedge  26  in an axial direction within the passage  22 . By way of example and not limitation, the moving means  30  can include a threaded or cam surface  32 .  
         [0016]     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , a rotatable sleeve can be positioned within the passage  22  of the main sleeve  16  in an end opposite from the tapered inwardly angled surface  24 . The tapered inwardly angled surface  24  can include a conical surface if desired. The rotatable sleeve can include a complementary portion of the moving means  30  to operably engage the wedge  26  for moving the wedge in an axial direction. By way of example and not limitation, the rotatable sleeve  34  can include complementary threaded or cam surface  36  engagable with the threaded surface  32  formed on the wedge  26 . Rotation of the rotatable sleeve  34  in one direction draws the wedge  26  toward the rotatable sleeve, while rotation of the rotatable sleeve in an opposite direction drives the wedge  26  in a direction away from the rotatable sleeve  34 . Movement of the wedge  26  as previously described causes operable engagement between the angled surface  28  of the wedge  26  and the angled surface  24  of the main sleeve  16  in order to move the wedge radially inwardly as the wedge  26  moves axially toward the rotatable sleeve  34 . A shoulder  38  can be formed on the rotatable sleeve  34  to abut against a longitudinal end or shoulder  40  of the main sleeve  16 . Engagement of shoulders  38 ,  40  maintain the rotatable sleeve  34  in position while drawing the wedge  26  axially or longitudinally toward the rotatable sleeve.  
         [0017]     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a collet  12  is connected to an opposite longitudinal end  44  of the main sleeve  16  in order to maintain the wedge  26  within the passage  22  of the main sleeve  16 . In addition, the collet  12  can include longitudinally extending sidewall portions  46  supporting the positive axial location stop  14  in a desired fixed location with respect to the longitudinal end  44  of the main sleeve  16 . This configuration permits repeatable accurate longitudinal location of a workpiece W, by way of example and not limitation, such as the workpiece W shown in  FIG. 4 , with respect to the machining adapter  10 . Openings  48 ,  50  can be provided through the machining adapter  10  for access to the workpiece to be processed. By way of example, and not limitation, the machining adapter  10  according to the present invention is well adapted for holding fuel injection nozzles with respect to the machining tools required in order to form precisely located passages and connections with respect to the fuel injection nozzles. The collet  12  can include at least one longitudinally extending slot  42 , allowing radial passage of the wedge  26  into engagement with the workpiece W. A plurality of slots  42  can be provided spaced angularly around a periphery of the collar allowing radial through passage of a corresponding number of wedge portions. The collet  12  can include an outwardly extending flange  52  engagable with a longitudinal end or shoulder  44  of the main sleeve  16 . Apertures  54  can be provided through the flange  52  for connection with suitable fasteners  56 .  
         [0018]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the machining adapter  10  according to the present invention can include various openings or apertures  48 ,  50  through the main sleeve  16  allowing introduction of machining tools  58   a ,  58   b ,  58   c ,  58   d , and allowing access for processing the workpiece W. The various tools can be used simultaneously or sequentially as desired in order to properly process the workpiece while held in an accurate axial and radial position with respect to the main sleeve  16 . The workpiece W can be loaded and unloaded with respect to the machining adapter either manually or with automated equipment, if desired. The present invention provides an adapter  10  of simple construction capable of radially and axially positioning workpieces W to be processed in a repeatable position using radially and axially moveable wedges  26  allowing automated machining of each workpiece W while being held in the adapter  10 .  
         [0019]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an exploded view of the present invention illustrates the assembly and operation of the apparatus. In operation, a workpiece to be processed can be inserted within the passage  22  extending through the main sleeve  16  in the direction shown by arrow A in  FIG. 1 . When initially positioned, the workpiece may not be completely inserted within the passage in order to engage with the positive axial location stop  14 . The rotatable sleeve  34  is then rotated in the appropriate direction to draw the wedge  26  toward the rotatable sleeve  34 . As the wedge  26  moves axially toward the rotatable sleeve  34 , the inner surface of the wedge  26  moves radially inward as well as axially. The inner surface of the wedge  26  engages the outer surface of the workpiece and draws the workpiece into engagement with the positive axial location stop  14 . The workpiece is then accurately positioned for the machining operation required in order to process the workpiece. On completion of the desired processing, the rotatable sleeve  34  is rotated in the opposite direction in order to drive the wedge  26  in a longitudinal direction away from the rotatable sleeve  34 . This motion causes the workpiece to be driven in a direction opposite from that shown by the arrow A in  FIG. 1  as the inner surface of the wedge  26  moves axially away from the rotatable sleeve  34  and outwardly radially. The workpiece is then released in order to be exchanged by either manual or automated equipment for further processing.  
         [0020]     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.