Alan D Patterson

US Patent:

6918599, Jul 19, 2005

Filed:

Feb 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/373223

Inventors:

Alan C. Patterson - Howell MI, US
Mark F. Ouillette - Howell MI, US

International Classification:

B23B031/175

US Classification:

279106, 279119, 157 16

Abstract:

Anti-deflection tooling is provided for a pull back chuck. Equally spaced gussets are disposed between the riser body and the face plate of the chuck, to minimize or eliminate deflection of the face plate when a workpiece is clamped into the chuck. Adjustment devices are also provided so that existing chucks can be retrofitted with the anti-deflection tooling and an operator can true up the face plate prior to running a part.

US Patent:

58201378, Oct 13, 1998

Filed:

Oct 31, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/744736

Inventors:

Alan C. Patterson - Howell MI

International Classification:

B32B 3118
B32B 31177

US Classification:

279141

Abstract:

A chuck apparatus is operative to center and lock an aluminum wheel in a lathe having a machining centerline. The chuck includes a face plate adapted for rotation about the centerline, and first, second and third radial slide blocks slidably movable perpendicularly with respect to the centerline and adapted to receive locators. First, second and third clamps are equally spaced about the periphery of the face plate and are adapted for applying a clamping force to the aluminum wheel in a direction parallel to the centerline. The slide blocks are actuated independently of the clamps to facilitate centering of the wheel prior to clamping. The slide blocks are selectively movable in a first direction radially outward from the centerline for causing the locators to engage the wheel and a second direction radially inward to cause the locators to engage the wheel.

US Patent:

62570773, Jul 10, 2001

Filed:

Sep 8, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/149524

Inventors:

Alan C. Patterson - Howell MI

International Classification:

G01M 1900
G01B 700

US Classification:

738659

Abstract:

A remotely powered electronic part sensing system is integrated with a chuck of a rotatable device such as a lathe machine for sensing the position of a part after loading of the part onto the lathe. The sensing system includes a detecting sensor arrangement, a transmitter, and an output sensor/receiver. The detecting sensor and transmitter are electrically connected to each other and integrated into the chuck, while the output sensor/receiver is mounted to a support member of the lathe. The output sensor/receiver is directly wired to an electrical power source in a conventional manner, while electrical power for the transmitter and detecting sensor arrangement is generated remotely, i. e. , wirelessly, through an inductive coupling arrangement between the transmitter and output sensor/receiver. The transmitter and all sensors are located under the chuck face plate to minimize potential system fail due to contact with coolant and machine chips.

US Patent:

58950591, Apr 20, 1999

Filed:

Aug 29, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/920583

Inventors:

Alan C. Patterson - Howell MI

International Classification:

B23B 522

US Classification:

279106

Abstract:

A lathe chuck assembly is configured for high-speed turning operations. The assembly includes a riser adapter and a yolk plate movably connected with respect to the riser adapter. First, second and third cam arms are connected to the yolk plate for grasping a workpiece for turning operations. Each cam arm includes a cam slot formed therein. A face plate is mounted to the riser adapter. The face plate includes first, second and third cam arm openings formed therein for receiving cam pins for cooperation within the respective cam slots. The face plate includes a locally thickened cross-sectional area surrounding each cam arm opening for added structural integrity and a plurality of locally thinned cross-sectional areas spaced across the face plate for weight reduction. A web structure of substantially uninterrupted cross-sectional thickness is provided for structural integrity at high rotational speeds.