Patent GB-262986-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to feed control mechanism for metal cutting blowpipes
IPC: B23K7/00
Filed: 1926-02-10
Abstract: 262,986. Herbert, Sir A., and Vernon, P. V. Feb. 10, 1926. Dividing by fusion.-In feed control mechanism for metal-cutting blowpipes of the kind having a number of different feed movements such as transverse longitudinal and circular feeds, the change from one feed to another is effected by a relay or equivalent device which is loaded while one feed is in progress and automatically released to change the feed to a predetermined point in the travel of the blowpipe. In one form, which employs mechanical spring-actuated relays, the control levers 2, 3, 4, of each feed are mounted on a common spindle 5 each lever having neutral, forward, and reverse positions. Each lever carries a pair of spaced cams 7, 8 each coacting with tappets 9 and connected through springs 11 with rods 10, which coact with pivoted levers 15, 16 to actuate a clutch lever 19 controlling the feed clutch 20 to give either forward or reverse feed. A second clutch 21 may be similarly operated through a lever 210. Each tappet 9 is surrounded by a spring 22 adapted to engage the tappet with its cam. The part 10 of the tappet carries a block 23 in which is secured a rod 24 adapted to enter between adjacent balls 25 in a row pressed together by spring buffers 26, Fig. 2, the balls being separable to an extent sufficient to admit one only of the rods 24 in the manner described in Specification 167.637. When any particular feed is engaged, the corresponding block 23 is held up by a spring catch 27 having a pin 280 which may be engaged by a cam 28 on a stop bar 29 to withdraw the catch and stop the Beed. While one feed is in operation the next required feed may be set by actuating the appropriate lever to lift the corresponding tappet and thus load the springs 22, 12, the tappet being held in the loaded position by one of the catches 30, 32 adapted to engage notches 31 in the cams. The catch corresponding to the feed in operation is lifted away from its cam by a collar 33, the rod 10 engaging the lug 34 on the corresponding catch. When the springs are thus loaded, as soon as the rod 24 associated with the first feed is withdrawn, the corresponding rod for the next feed enters between the balls 25. As this second feed is engaged the catch 30 is lifted by the collar 33 whereupon the corresponding control lever is returned to its neutral position by a spring buffer 80. The next succeeding feed may then be set in a similar way. A single hand lever 36 actuates a pinion 360 to slide a rod 37 having a series of pins engaging wedge shaped notches 39 in the stop rods and this lever may be actuated by hand to trip any feed which may be in operation. The control may also be effected by pneumatic, hydraulic, or electrical means. In an electrical arrangement, Fig. 5, the levers are controlled by solenoids 42. The feeds may be engaged by push button switches 40 which operate magnetic contactor 41 each of which energizes a solenoid 42 adapted to operate the desired feed clutch 20, 21 or 22. Towards the end of this movement a contact device 43, 44 breaks the circuit through a trip switch and de-energizes the solenoid and contactor 41 which then returns to its open position. While one feed is in operation. the push button for the next feed may be operated, but the associated solenoid will not be energized until the lever corresponding to the previous feed is actuated by its automatic stop and is approaching its neutral position thus closing the trip switch circuit. Preferably the second lever is set to operate just before the clutch for the first feed is disengaged.