The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 23, 2003
Filed:
May. 20, 2002
Jim Gusching, New Bremen, OH (US);
John B. Bornhorst, New Bremen, OH (US);
The Minster Machine Company, Minster, OH (US);
Abstract
A feedback control system for use in a press machine is adapted to monitor and adjust the clearance between the gib and slide. A connection bolt provides a connection between the gib and frame upright. A thermal applicator selectively heats and/or cools the connection bolt to induce a controlled deformation of the bolt, namely, an expansion and/or contraction, respectively. In one form, a heat-induced elongation of the bolt along its longitudinal dimension actuates a corresponding displacement of the gib towards the slide to regulate the spatial relationship therebetween. A sensor provides a measure of any possible clearance between the gib and slide. The clearance measurement is compared to allowable reference clearance data. A controller controls the heating and/or cooling action in accordance with the comparison results, thereby controllably moving the gib. The gib may be selectively displaced to optionally effectuate a partial or full close-out of the existing clearance.