ROTARY GLASS-MOLDING PRESS WITH CUSHIONED, TRUNNION MOUNTED HYDRAULIC DRIVE

Abstract: An automatic, rotary, glass-making press comprises a base, a rotary table mounted for rotation on the base, and glass-forming mechanisms on the table and base, for formation of glass articles at work stations around the press. A rotator is mounted for rotation to the base, and a drive pin is mounted to the rotator. The drive pin is advanced and retracted into engagement and out of engagement with the table. A rotator drive drives the rotator in reciprocating rotation, and includes opposed hydraulic drive and cushion cylinders mounted between the base and the rotator. The drive cylinder advances the rotator; the cushion cylinder cushions the advance, and returns the rotator to starting position. The drive and cushion cylinders are trunnion mounted to the base, for arcuate motion of the rods of the cylinders during rotary motion of the rotator. A control co-ordinates the advance and retraction of the drive pin and the drive and return of the rotator, for incremental forward advances of the press rotary table.

Description: ROTARY GLASS-MOLDING PRESS WITH CUSHIONED, TRUNNION MOUNTED HYDRAULIC DRIVE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to industrial glass molding, and mo particularly, to the drive mechanisms of rotary glass-molding presses. The art of industrial glass molding has focused on high spee constant operation, single article glass molding presses. While many usef glass molding presses have existed, the drives of some such machines hav been subject to defeating wear under the necessary repetitive actions of th drives, and have included many components. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is a rotary glass making press having substantially wear-free drive. Another object of the invention is a rotary glass making press havin a drive of a minimal number of components and actions. Another object of the invention is a rotary glass making press havin a drive which minimizes shock to glass articles in formation as the pre operates. These and other objects and advantages are most fully appreciate with a complete understanding of the preferred embodiment of the inventio in the context of the art. Yet in summary, the invented automatic, rotar glass making press comprises a base, a rotary table mounted for rotation o the base, and glass-forming mechanisms on the table and base, f formation of glass articles at work stations around the press. The pre further comprises a rotator mounted for rotation to the base, a drive pi means for driving the table mounted to the rotator, and a drive pi advancing and retracting means. The last-stated means operates to advanc and retract the drive pin means into engagement and out of engageme with the table. It is mounted to the rotator for movement with the rotato The press still further comprises a rotator drive means for driving th rotator in reciprocating rotation. The rotator drive means including a fir rod means for extending and retracting a first rod mounted between the bas and the rotator. The first rod advancing the rotator during the extending the first rod. The rotator drive means also includes a second rod means fo extending a second rod mounted between the base and the rotator. Th second rod retracts the rotator during extending of the second rod. Th first and second rod means are mounted to the base and rotator for arcuat movements of the first and second rods as the rotator moves i reciprocating rotation about the base. The press is completed by contr means for controlling the drive pin advancing and retracting means and th rotator drive means. In operation under direction of the control means, th first rod means advances the rotator while the drive pin means is i engagement with the table, thereby advancing the table, and the second ro means retracts the rotator while the drive pin means is out of engageme with the table, whereby the table is rotated forward in increments. Attention is now directed to the preferred embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The preferred embodiment of the invention will be describe hereafter, in relation to the accompanying drawing. For ease of orientatio to the drawing, the views of the drawing are briefly described as follow Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred, automatic rotar glass-making press of the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the preferred press, with a portio broken away to reveal the drive of the press. Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the preferred press. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the drive of the pres Figure 5 is a top plan view of the cushion cylinder of the preferre embodiment, with half the view cut away along the cylinder centerline t reveal internal detail. Figure 6 is a view of an annular internal sleeve of the cushio cylinder having a predetermined hole pattern; the sleeve is. shown as if were cut and unrolled to be flat. Figure 7 is a deceleration curve which corresponds to the rate deceleration for the cushion cylinder of the preferred embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the preferred embodiment of th invented press includes a base 10. A circular rotary table 12 is mounte atop the base 10. A central column 14 extends upward from the table 12 defining the central, vertical axis about which the table 12 rotates. Th central column 14 and two spaced side columns such as column 16 suppor a yoke 18. A press head 20 is extendable downward from the yoke 18, t the table 12. The press head 20 forms glass articles on the table 12 Additional glass-forming mechanisms and components around the table 1 include air former assemblies such as assembly 22, basket assemblies suc as assembly 24, a shell transfer assembly 26, an article release assembl 28, and a take-out assembly 30 with its control panel 32. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the preferred press further includes trunnion mounted hydraulic drive, generally designated 34. As shown bes in the exploded view of Figure 4, the drive 34 includes two oppose hydraulic cylinders 36, 38. In the position of Figures 3 and 4, the cylinder seem aligned for linear motion only, but as will be described, the cylinder pivot relative to each other and are perfectly aligned with each other onl in the position shown in Figures 3 and 4. The drive 34 further includes a rotator arm 40, a drive pin cylinde assembly 42, a drive pin 44, rotator arm pins 46, trunnions 48, 49 associated brackets and plates such as 50, 52, and safety cages 54. The rotator arm 40 includes a collar portion 56, which is mounte under the table 12 about the central column 14. The rotator arm 40 extend from the collar 56 outward of the central column to a distal, pin connecto portion 58. The drive pin cylinder assembly 42 is mounted on the oute end of the arm 40, furthest from the central column 14, and immediatel inward of the mounted drive pin cylinder assembly 42, the rotator arm pin 46 join the piston rods 60, 62 of the cylinders 36, 38 to the rotator arm 40 At the outer extremities of the cylinders 36, 38, the trunnions 48, 49 attac the cylinders 36, 38, respectively, to the base 10 for pivoting, also referre to as rotation. As should already be apparent at this point, the mounting an orientation of the cylinders 36, 38, is such that when one piston rod suc as rod 60 is extended from its cylinder such as 36, the opposite rod such a 62 of the opposite cylinder such as 38 must retract into its cylinder Further, the linkage of the piston rods 60, 62 to the rotator arm 40, whic must move in rotation about the central column 14, dictates that bot cylinders 36, 38 pivot as the rods 60, 62 are extended and retracted. Thus as the piston rod 60 of the cylinder 36 extends, and the opposed piston ro 62 retracts, the cylinder 36 rotates initially clockwise, and the oppose cylinder 38 also rotates clockwise, both directions of rotation bein referenced from above. Opposite piston rod extension causes opposit rotation. Each piston rod 60, 62 extends into its respective hydraulic cylinde 36, 38, and connects to a piston. The cylinders 36, 38 are single actio cylinders, with external porting only at the outer ends of the cylinders outward of the rods and pistons. The cylinders are driven in opposition t each other, with each one driven intermittently, to reciprocate the rotato arm 40. More specifically, the hydraulic control of the cylinders force hydraulic fluid into the cylinder 36, driving the rod 60 to extend. Whil such extension is occurring, the cylinder 38 is idled and the rod 62 i allowed to retract. The opposite also occurs: when cylinder 38 is driven drive rod 62 to extend, the cylinder 36 is idled and rod 60 is allowed retract. The action as described causes a rocking, or reciprocating rotatio of the rotator arm 40 and thereby of the drive pin cylinder assembly 42 a the drive pin 44. The action of the rotator arm 40 and pin 44 is transferr to the table 12, such that the table indexes forward, without rocking bac The hydraulic control of the cylinders 36, 38 is co-ordinated with the acti of the drive pin 44. The drive pin 44 is extendable and retractable parall to the axis of the table 12 and central column 14 under the action of t drive pin cylinder assembly 42. The drive pin 44 is selectively extend and retracted such that when the cylinder 36 is active to rotate the rotat arm 40, the drive pin 44 is extended upward to engage and drive the tab 12. When the cylinder 38 is active to return the rotator arm 40 to i starting position, the pin 44 is retracted to disengage from the table 12, a leave the table 12 immobile. Repetitive cycling of the cylinders 36, causes reciprocating motion of the rotator arm 40 and forward, index motion of the table 12. Referring to Figure 5, the internal structure of the cylinder 38 unique from the internal structure of the cylinder 36. As shown in t cutaway portion of Figure 5, the cylinder 38 includes its piston rod 62, piston 64 and the expected, external housing 66. Additionally, the cylind 38 includes an inner sleeve 68, within the housing 66. The sleeve 68 spaced internally from the housing 66, to create an annular fluid reservo area 70 between the sleeve 68 and housing 66. The piston 64 moves within the sleeve 68. The sleeve 68 is itse annular, as are the piston 64 and piston rod 62. The piston 64 and pist rod 62 have substantially the same outer diameter. The sleeve 68 is clearance distance such as one-sixteenth of an inch from the piston 64 a piston rod 62. Referring to Figure 6, the cushion cylinder piston inner sleeve defines a plurality of ports such as ports 72 between the annular flu reservoir area 70 and the interior of the inner sleeve 68. The spacin number and size of the inner sleeve ports are selected to allow the cushi cylinder 38 to decelerate the drive rod 60 as it reaches the outward extre of its travel. Figure 7 is a deceleration curve for the cushion cylinder 3 The curve plots the total area defined by the inner sleeve ports such as at one inch increments along the inner sleeve. The cushion cylinder 38 operates as follows. At the beginning of t stroke of cushion cylinder piston 64, the cylinder 38 is filled with hydraul fluid and the cushion cylinder piston 64 rests at the mouth of the inn sleeve 68. When the rotary table 12 is to be indexed, the drive rod extends and forces the cushion rod 62 and piston 64 to begin their stro through the inner sleeve 68. As the piston 64 continues its stroke, t piston 64 is slowed by hydraulic fluid being forced to exit the interior of t inner sleeve 68 through the ports of the inner sleeve. As the piston nears the end of its stroke, the cushion rod 62 and piston 64 cover an block off an increasing number of the inner sleeve ports. The size of t remaining ports are progressively smaller. The decreased ability of t hydraulic fluid to exit through the inner sleeve smaller ports cause increase in the back-pressure being exerted on the piston 64, cushioning t indexing motion of the rotator arm 40 and enabling the table 12 to stopped without shock. Hence, the combination of the hydraulic oil, pisto 64, piston rod 62, inner sleeve 68, annular fluid reservoir 70 and ports suc as 72 forms a rotator cushion for cushioning movement of the rotator ar 40 while the drive rod 60 advances the rotator arm 40. The preferred embodiment of the invention is now described in suc full, clear and concise manner as to allow a person of ordinary skill in th art to make and use the same. Modifications can be made to the structu and functions of the preferred embodiment without departing from the scop of the invention. As an example, the inner sleeve ports can be fitted wit threaded inserts to allow the ports to be plugged. Plugging ports woul allow the area defined by the ports at each one inch increment along th inner sleeve 68 to be adjusted to correspond to the area requirements deceleration curves other than the curve of Figure 7. Because modificatio are possible, the following claims conclude this Specification, to particularl point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as invention.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. An automatic, rotary, glass-making press, the pres comprising a base, a rotary table mounted for rotation on the base, an glass-forming mechanisms on the table and base, for formation of glas articles at work stations around the press, the press further comprising rotator mounted on the base for rotation, a drive pin means mounted to th rotator for driving the table, a drive pin advancing and retracting means fo advancing and retracting the drive pin means into engagement and out engagement with the table and mounted to the rotator for movement wit the rotator, a rotator drive means for driving the rotator in reciprocatin rotation, the rotator drive means including a first rod means for extendin and retracting a first rod mounted between the base and the rotator, the fir rod advancing the rotator during the extending of the first rod, and a secon rod means for extending a second rod mounted between the base and th rotator, the second rod retracting the rotator during extending of the secon rod, the first and second rod means mounted to the base and rotator fo arcuate movements of the first and second rods as the rotator moves i reciprocating rotation about the base, and control means for controlling th drive pin advancing and retracting means and the rotator drive means suc that the first rod means advances the rotator while the drive pin means i in engagement with the table, thereby advancing the table, and the secon rod means retracts the rotator while the drive pin means is out o engagement with the table, whereby the table is rotated forward i increments. 2. An automatic, rotary, glass-making press as in Claim 1 , th second rod means including rotator cushioning means for cushionin movement of the rotator while the first rod means advances the rotator. 3. An automatic, rotary, glass-making press as in Claim 1, th first rod mea. - including a first hydraulic cylinder, the first rod includin a first hydraulic piston in the first hydraulic cylinder, the second rod mean including a second hydraulic cylinder and the second rod including a secon hydraulic piston in the second hydraulic cylinder. 4. An automatic, rotary, glass-making press as in Claim 3, th second rod means including rotator cushioning means for cushionin movement of the rotator while the first rod means advances the rotator, th rotator cushioning means including an inner sleeve within the secon cylinder defining hydraulic ports, the second piston moving within the inne sleeve, the hydraulic ports being positioned such that movement of th second hydraulic piston in the second cylinder progressively closes th hydraulic ports, whereby movement of the rotator while the first rod mean advances the rotator is progressively cushioned. 5. An automatic, rotary, glass-making press, the pres comprising a base, a rotary table mounted on the base for rotation about a axis, and glass-forming mechanisms on the table and base, for formation o glass articles at work stations around the press, the press furthe comprising: a rotator mounted to the base for rotation about said axis; a drive pin mounted to the rotator for driving the table; a drive pin advancing and retracting cylinder for advancing and retracting the drive pin into engagement and out of engagement with the table in a direction generally parallel to said axis, and mounted to the rotator for movement with the rotator; a rotator drive for driving the rotator in reciprocating rotation, the rotator drive including: a first hydraulic piston, cylinder and rod combination mounted between the base and the rotator for extending and retracting a first rod, the first rod advancing the rotator during the extending of the first rod, and the first rod lying in a plane generally transverse to said axis, a second hydraulic piston, cylinder and rod combination mounted between the base and the rotator for extending and retracting a second rod, the second rod retracting the rotator during extending of the second rod, the second rod lying in the same plane as the first rod, trunnions on the first and second hydraulic cylinders and base mounting the first and second hydraulic cylinders to the base for rotation in the same plane as the base and relative to the base, and pins connecting the first and second rods to the rotator, the trunnions and pins providing for arcuate movements of the first and second rods as the rotator moves in reciprocating rotation about the base, and a control for controlling the drive pin advancing and retractin cylinder and the first and second hydraulic cylinders such that the first ro advances the rotator while the drive pin is in engagement with the tabl thereby advancing the table, and the second rod retracts the rotator whil the drive pin is out of engagement with the table, whereby the table i rotated forward in increments, the second hydraulic cylinder including a rotator cushion fo cushioning movement of the rotator while the first rod advances the rotato the rotator cushion including an inner sleeve within the second cylinde defining hydraulic ports, the second hydraulic piston moving within th inner sleeve, the hydraulic ports being positioned such that movement of th second hydraulic piston in the second cylinder, while the first rod advances progressively closes the hydraulic ports, whereby movement of the rotato while the first hydraulic cylinder advances the rotator is progressivel cushioned. 6. An automatic, rotary, glass-making press as in Claim 5, th first and second hydraulic cylinders mounted to the base such that the firs and second hydraulic cylinders and the first and second rods are perfectl aligned in a single line in only one position of their movement and such th the cylinders are opposed, with extension of the first rod being in direction generally opposite to extension of the second rod, and vice versa

Inventors: HILEMAN KENNETH R, LIMBAUGH NILE J, HILEMAN, KENNETH, R., LIMBAUGH, NILE, J.
Applicants: HILEMAN KENNETH R, LIMBAUGH NILE J, LYNCH MACHINERY MILLER HYDRO, LYNCH MACHINERY - MILLER HYDRO
Application year: 1993
Main classification: C03B11
IPC codes: C03B11