Eric A Cave

US Patent:

44034539, Sep 13, 1983

Filed:

Oct 21, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/313577

Inventors:

Eric F. Cave - Indianapolis IN
James J. Cowden - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

RCA Corporation - New York NY

International Classification:

B24B 514

US Classification:

51124R

Abstract:

An apparatus for positioning the tip of a stylus adjacent a rotating scaife while continuously rotating the stylus comprises a base plate connected to a platform by means for sweeping the plate through a sweep arc. A tube is connected to the base plate by means for pivoting the tube about an axis parallel to the surface of the scaife, and is also connected to means for exerting a constant torque about the axis in a direction forcing one end of the tube toward the surface of the scaife. The tube supports a rotating shaft and is positioned to allow one end of the shaft to move adjacent the surface of the scaife, the one end of the shaft being adapted to hold the shank of a stylus. A ramp block is mounted on the platform between the base plate and the scaife. The block has an inclined ramp oriented along a direction which allows the tube to make contact therewith, while the stylus is positioned adjacent the surface of the scaife, and be lifted from the surface of the scaife when the sweeping means moves the plate through a portion of the sweep arc.

US Patent:

46035125, Aug 5, 1986

Filed:

Dec 24, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/685723

Inventors:

Eric F. Cave - Indianapolis IN
James J. Cowden - Beverly MA

Assignee:

RCA Corporation - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

B24B 916

US Classification:

51229

Abstract:

An apparatus for lapping a facet at the tip of a stylus by softly setting the tip down adjacent a rotating scaife comprises a moveable carriage supported on a platform. The carriage is moved vertically along a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis. A stylus holder operates to pivot the stylus toward the scaife and is biased by a spring or weight to assure a soft set down of the stylus tip on the scaife. A displacement sensor senses the angular displacement of the holder and generates a displacement signal proportional to the angular displacement relative to a predetermined reference position.

US Patent:

44174233, Nov 29, 1983

Filed:

Oct 13, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/310857

Inventors:

Eric F. Cave - Indianapolis IN
James J. Cowden - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

RCA Corporation - New York NY

International Classification:

B24B 100

US Classification:

51283R

Abstract:

A method for forming a face on a crystalline dielectric material having anisotropic crystallographic hardness. The method includes the steps of contacting the dielectric material with an abrasive surface having a loosely bound charge of abrasive particles, while maintaining relative motion between the dielectric material and the abrasive surface, and isotropically coning the dielectric material by continuously rotating the dielectric material and applying a force between a dielectric material and the abrasive surface which allows a face to be produced in the dielectric material because of its anisotropic crystallographic hardness.