Daniel A Knepper

US Patent:

7090605, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Oct 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/968764

Inventors:

Tracy A. Brookins - Warsaw IN, US
Daniel F. Knepper - Warsaw IN, US
David A. Smoker - Leesburg IN, US
Daniel S. O'Neil - Warsaw IN, US
Steven P. Miller - Leesburg IN, US

Assignee:

DePuy Products, Inc. - Warsaw IN

International Classification:

F16H 7/12
B21B 21/00

US Classification:

474110, 474109, 474117, 474101, 451296

Abstract:

An idler or tensioning assembly for an electronically controlled sanding/polishing machine is provided, the sanding/polishing machine utilizing a plurality of exchangeable polishing wheel assemblies of which the idler assembly is one. Each polishing wheel assembly interfaces with the sanding/polishing machine through a coolant manifold and a polishing wheel shaft receptor. The idler assembly is operative to provide releasable tension to a sanding/polishing belt that is situated around the idler and the associated sanding/polishing wheel. The idler assembly has a pivoting idler that is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder utilizes coolant tapped from the coolant manifold of the idler assembly for actuation. Coolant is provided to the hydraulic cylinder in response to a valve signal. The idler assembly thus has a tensioned mode and an untensioned mode.

US Patent:

20040121866, Jun 24, 2004

Filed:

Dec 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/327768

Inventors:

Tracy Brookins - Warsaw IN, US
Daniel Knepper - Warsaw IN, US
David Smoker - Leesburg IN, US
Daniel O'Neil - Warsaw IN, US
Steven Miller - Leesburg IN, US

International Classification:

F16H007/08
F16H007/22

US Classification:

474/101000, 474/110000, 474/109000

Abstract:

An idler or tensioning assembly for an electronically controlled sanding/polishing machine is provided, the sanding/polishing machine utilizing a plurality of exchangeable polishing wheel assemblies of which the idler assembly is one. Each polishing wheel assembly interfaces with the sanding/polishing machine through a coolant manifold and a polishing wheel shaft receptor. The idler assembly is operative to provide releasable tension to a sanding/polishing belt that is situated around the idler and the associated sanding/polishing wheel. The idler assembly has a pivoting idler that is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder utilizes coolant tapped from the coolant manifold of the idler assembly for actuation. Coolant is provided to the hydraulic cylinder in response to a valve signal. The idler assembly thus has a tensioned mode and an untensioned mode.