A hand held device and method for abrading surfaces through selective triturating”

FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The invention is directed to a hand held device and method for abrading surfaces through selective triturating. The invention relates to a method and means for abrading surfaces through selective triturating, and the tools and other instrumentalities to be shaped, dressed, or formed thereby or therewith. More especially this invention relates to improvements in rotary surface abraders particularly applicable where one side of the work is to be ground truly plane and parallel with another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] When a surface has been grooved or otherwise indented, the damaged surface can be built up, then must be ground back to the original configuration. In one exemplary means, often large shafts such as hydraulic pistons are damaged in relatively small areas, such as by impact, bearing seizure, etc. In the past, it has been necessary to remove such shafts and transport them to a machine shop for repair. The shaft would have grooved, indented or otherwise damaged surface corrected by adding metal to the damaged area by electroplating, adding weld metal, etc. Then the shaft would need to be mounted in a large stationary centerless grinder or lathe so that the damaged area could be reformed to the original shape. The shaft would then need to be returned to the vehicle repair shop for remounting.
[003] In other exemplary means, similar repair sequences are necessary where the interior of a large metal cylinder or a large flat metal surface such as turbine casing parting plane is damaged. However, this repair sequence is expensive, time consuming and results in long down time.
[004] The production of the turbine casings is often carried out through casting processes. Further to realization of raw casting, the parting planes are being machined to highest level of accuracies such that the parting plane of casing upper and lower half matched to seal any steam leakage and the unbalance created thereof. To ensure such post machining accuracy, the parting plane is first blue matched and locations of surfacial irregularities are being removed through oil stoning process in which a grinding stone selectively triturates an oiled parting surface.
[005] The cost of grinding such a surface is far less than any of the previous methods wherein the surface had to be laboriously scraped in by hand to obtain any acceptable degree of accuracy. The grinding stone is held by the hands of the operator and the latter applies the stone in to-and-fro motion for a stationary surface or to the part that rotates while turning with a force he cannot control. One quickly realizes that this operation is very dangerous. Such practice is not only highly dependent on the operator dexterity but also poses serious ergonomic hazards.
[006] Thus, there is a continuing need for a portable, hand held, grinding assembly for grinding and finishing large shafts, the interior of large cylinders on site, that can be operated on-site and does not require transporting a part to be repaired to a central repair facility and that is adaptable to grinding of large shafts, large internal cylinders and large planar surfaces.
[007] In view of the above, the present invention has been introduced to serve the purpose efficiently.
[008] According to the present invention, the foregoing and other disadvantages, shortcomings, inefficiencies and problems are overcome by providing a device and improved method of grinding planar surfaces such as turbine casing parting plane.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[009] An object of the invention is to propose a hand held device and method for abrading surfaces through selective triturating which obviates shortcomings of the prior art(s).
[0010] Another object of the invention is to propose a hand held device and method for abrading surfaces through selective triturating which involves low initial cost and accuracy.
[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hand held device and method for abrading surfaces through selective triturating which is associated with ruggedness and simplicity in construction and operation thereof.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hand held device and method for abrading surfaces through selective triturating which is less time consuming.
[0013] Further object of the present invention is to provide a hand held device and method for abrading surfaces through selective triturating which is compact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The invention relates to a grinding device for acting on a planar surface comprising a support provided with means for mechanically holding the device. It comprises a vibration absorption mechanism integral with the means to hold the device that self aligns to take the instantaneous loading when added metal or a surface irregularity hits the grinding surface.
[0015] A hand held device for abrading surfaces through selective triturating, said device comprising of:
- central housing having an inlet passage for flow of fluid including pressurized air;
- valve in said delivery passaging that can be regulated as per the air flow requirement;
- air hose connector is rotary in sealed relation to said housing at the inlet passage to permit connection to an air hose;
- bracket member rotatably connected to housing at one end and in fixed space relation to the receptacle abrading wheel on other;
- plurality of threaded means connected along with compression springs so as to establish a rotary connection between the bracket member and abrading wheel.
[0016] A method of abrading surfaces through selective triturating using hand held device comprising steps of:-
- placing device over a job with abrading surfaces in contact with the job irregularer surface adjacent to an area along surface that has not been damaged or repaired and has the normal surface configuration;
- rotating abrading wheel through a connection including pneumatic connection;
- moving linearly body along job surface by keeping abrading surface in contact with the job to automatically ground down all higher than normal areas on job surface to the original shaft size.
[0017] The rated capacity of the motor may be selected as per the job requirement.
[0018] The location of wheel relative to the shaft surface can be precisely adjusted as needed during the refinishing operation to accommodate grinding wheel wear, etc.
[0019] The shaft can be rotated and the body can be moved along and around the shaft surface until all high areas have been removed and the shaft has the desired concentricity.
[0020] The engaging edges could be lubricated or small rollers could be used to aid in tracking along the shaft.
[0021] A member on the valve, which is operable manually to actuate or close valve.
[0022] Air exhaust passage is provided in central housing for exhausting air from the motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0023] The foregoing and other features of the invention, comprising the improved wheel dressing mechanism together with the construction and relative arrangement of the several parts, will be apparent from the following more particular description of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings of preferred embodiments, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different figures and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined claims. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention and wherein:
[0024] Figure 1 shows isometric line representation of hand held device for abrading surfaces through selective triturating in accordance with present invention;
[0025] Figure 2 shows line representation of proposed top view of hand held device for abrading surfaces through selective triturating in accordance with present invention;
[0026] Figure 3 shows line representation of proposed side view of hand held device for abrading surfaces through selective triturating according to present invention;
[0027] Figure 4 shows line representation of proposed isometric view of an exemplary job, such as a turbine casing, whose parting plane is required to be machined by means of present invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Before describing in detail, method and means for abrading surfaces through selective triturating in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obvious combination of hardware elements and method steps. Accordingly, these elements and steps have been represented by elements and steps in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
[0029] Now, reference may be made to figure 1-4. The present invention makes a disclosure regarding a tool (10) that has an elongate central housing (13) containing a pneumatic motor or the likes. The housing has an inlet passage (19) for pressurized air or the likes at the rearward end of the housing and air delivery passaging for flow of pressurized air to the motor. Said delivery passaging is having a valve (17) therein, and said housing has a member (12) thereon operable by the hand. A rotary connector (18) on the housing at the inlet passage permits connection to an air hose (20). The housing also has an air exhaust passage (24) for exhausting air from the motor. The rated capacity of such motor may be selected as per the job requirement.
[0030] An air hose connector (18) is rotary in sealed relation to said housing (13) on an axis extending in generally longitudinal direction relative to said housing. Said connector (18) being of tubular form having a bore for flow of pressurized air to said inlet passage (19). Said connector is provided in connection with an air hose (20) for supplying pressurized air from a source thereof to the bore of said connector and allowing swiveling of the housing relative to the hose (20) and connector (18).
[0031] The housing (13) at other end is rotatably connected to a bracket member (11). The bracket member is in fixed space relation to the receptacle abrading wheel (16) while both bracket member (11) as well as wheel (16) are on same axis as of the housing lateral axis. Plurality of threaded means (15,21) are connected along with compression springs (23) so as to establish a rotary connection between the bracket member and abrading wheel. The compression springs help to absorb any vibration or shock arising from the event when the abrading surface hits the irregular surface.
[0032] A method of abrading surfaces through selective triturating using hand held device (10) of present invention.
[0033] In order to restore the repaired shaft surface areas to the normal surface, body (10) is placed over a job with abrading surfaces (16) in contact with the shaft surface. Wheel (16), held on job surface (41,42) is adjacent to an area along surface (41,42) that has not been damaged or repaired and has the normal surface configuration. Then pneumatic, oil or electrical connection can be turned on to begin rotation of abrading wheel (16) and the body (10) is moved along job surface (41,42) while carefully keeping abrading surface (16) in contact with the shaft. All higher than normal areas on job surface (41,42) will automatically be ground down to the original shaft size. The location of wheel (16) relative to the shaft surface can be precisely adjusted as needed during the refinishing operation to accommodate grinding wheel wear, etc. The shaft can be rotated and the body is moved along and around the shaft surface until all high areas have been removed and the shaft has the desired concentricity. While generally simply sliding the body along is very effective, the engaging edges could be lubricated or small rollers could be used to aid in tracking along the shaft.
[0034] This apparatus can also repair and refinish flat surfaces and the internal wall of large tubular structures. With a flat surface, the body (10) will ride along the surface. Abrading wheel (16) will be lowered to have the desired relationship with the flat surface. When operating, the grinding wheel will automatically grind away any high spots.
[0035] Similarly, with large tubular workpieces, body (10) will be placed against the concave surface with body (10) engaging the surface. Grinding wheel (18) will be lowered until it is in operative relationship to the tube concave surface. Then pneumatic, oil or electrical connection can be turned on to begin rotation of abrading wheel (16) and the body (10) is moved along job surface, automatically grinding away any high areas.
[0036] While certain specific relationships, materials and other parameters have been detailed in the above description of preferred embodiments, those can be varied, where suitable, with similar results. Other applications, variations and ramifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure. Those are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims
[0037] In present invention, the grinding wheel is a standard grinding or lapping wheel, which implies that, a wheel which contains or is impregnated with hard particles in working portion, mounted on a shaft which in operation is driven by a pneumatic motor or the like.
[0038] Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.
Advantageous Features of the invention: -
[0039] A method and means of abrading surfaces through selective triturating having low initial cost and upkeep, great and continuing accuracy inherent in its design and operation, ruggedness and simplicity in its construction and operation, all to the ultimate end of faithfully and consistently reproducing the desired process quality.
[0040] Planar surface can be dressed or profiled or superfinished, thus avoiding loss of time involved in manually performing such process.
[0041] Application of the pressure force of said apparatus against the planar face is independent of the manual force or dexterity of the operator so that the trituration at the planar surface is held to minimum and uniformly accurate results are produced.
[0042] Device has minimum number of structurally durable parts cooperatively assembled in a compact organization, in which the several adjusting means are easily accessible.
[0043] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particulars claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogues to “at least one of A, B and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B”.
[0044] It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the following claims:-

WE CLAIM:

1. A hand held device (10) for abrading surfaces through selective triturating, said device comprising of:
- central housing (13) having an inlet passage (19) for flow of fluid including pressurized air;
- valve (17) in said delivery passaging (19) that can be regulated as per the air flow requirement;
- air hose connector (18) is rotary in sealed relation to said housing (13) at the inlet passage (19) to permit connection to an air hose (20);
- bracket member (11) rotatably connected to housing (13) at one end and in fixed space relation to the receptacle abrading wheel (16) on other;
- plurality of threaded means (15,21) connected along with compression springs (23) so as to establish a rotary connection between the bracket member (11) and abrading wheel 16.
2. A method of abrading surfaces through selective triturating using hand held device (10) as claimed in claim 1, said method comprising steps of:
- placing device (10) over a job with abrading surfaces (16) in contact with the job (40) irregularer surface (41,42) adjacent to an area along surface (41,42) that has not been damaged or repaired and has the normal surface configuration;
- rotating abrading wheel (16) through a connection including pneumatic connection;
- moving linearly body (10) along job surface (41,42) by keeping abrading surface (16) in contact with the job to automatically ground down all higher than normal areas on job surface (41,42) to the original shaft size.
3. The hand held device for abrading surfaces through selective triturating as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rated capacity of the motor may be selected as per the job requirement.
4. The hand held device for abrading surfaces through selective triturating as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein the location of wheel (16) relative to the shaft surface can be precisely adjusted as needed during the refinishing operation to accommodate grinding wheel wear, etc.
5. The hand held device for abrading surfaces through selective triturating as claimed in claim 1, 3, 4, wherein the shaft can be rotated and the body can be moved along and around the shaft surface until all high areas have been removed and the shaft has the desired concentricity.
6. The hand held device for abrading surfaces through selective triturating as claimed in claim 1, 3, 4, 5, wherein the engaging edges could be lubricated or small rollers could be used to aid in tracking along the shaft.
7. The hand held device for abrading surfaces through selective triturating as claimed in claim 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, wherein a member (12) on the valve (17), which is operable manually to actuate or close valve (17).
8. The hand held device for abrading surfaces through selective triturating as claimed in claim 1, 3, 4, 5,6,7, wherein air exhaust passage (24) is provided in central housing (13) for exhausting air from the motor.