Aaron V Luthi

US Patent:

20100052233, Mar 4, 2010

Filed:

Sep 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/554418

Inventors:

Nick J. Karras - Macomb MI, US
Aaron Luthi - Madison KS, US

Assignee:

Vektek, Inc. - Emporia KS

International Classification:

B23Q 3/08
B23Q 7/00

US Classification:

269 24, 29559

Abstract:

A work support comprises a plunger, a transmission member, a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, a clamping mechanism, a plug, and a body. The plunger may be slidably retained within the clamping mechanism, which in turn is firmly held within the transmission member. The transmission member may extend and retract from the body corresponding to a pressure in the first chamber and the second chamber. Extension of the transmission member also extends the plunger such that the plunger may contact and receive a load from a work piece. The third chamber may be located between the outer surface of the clamping mechanism and the inner surface of the transmission member. Increasing pressure in the first chamber while decreasing pressure in the second chamber extends the transmission member and opens the plug which blocks the entry to the third chamber. Pressure in the third chamber closes the gap between the clamping mechanism and the plunger and applies a clamping force to the plunger.

US Patent:

20200406412, Dec 31, 2020

Filed:

Sep 9, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/016027

Inventors:

- Emporia KS, US
Aaron Vernon Luthi - Emporia KS, US
Tyler Wayne Anliker - Emporia KS, US
Michael Dean Swan - McPherson KS, US

Assignee:

VEKTEK, INC. - Emporia KS

International Classification:

B23Q 3/10
B23Q 3/08
B23B 31/30

Abstract:

A work support and method of clamping a translatable component of a hydraulic work support system. The work support may include a rigid, hollow slotted collet, a sleeve, and the translatable component, such as a plunger or rod. Hydraulic fluid may be pumped into an inlet of the hydraulic work support system to hydraulically actuate the translatable component outward from a first retracted position to a second extended position. The hydraulic fluid may further be pumped to the sleeve at a sufficient pressure that the sleeve presses against the collet. The collet responds thereto by flexing into contact with the translatable component, thus holding the translatable component in the second extended position. The slots in the collet allow for flexure even when using a thicker material with stronger column strength.

US Patent:

20170057030, Mar 2, 2017

Filed:

Sep 1, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/841883

Inventors:

- Emporia KS, US
Aaron Vernon Luthi - Madison KS, US
Tyler Wayne Anliker - Emporia KS, US
Michael Dean Swan - McPherson KS, US

Assignee:

VEKTEK, INC. - Emporia KS

International Classification:

B23Q 1/28

Abstract:

A work support and method of clamping a translatable component of a hydraulic work support system. The work support may include a rigid, hollow slotted collet, a sleeve, and the translatable component, such as a plunger or rod. Hydraulic fluid may be pumped into an inlet of the hydraulic work support system to hydraulically actuate the translatable component outward from a first retracted position to a second extended position. The hydraulic fluid may further be pumped to the sleeve at a sufficient pressure that the sleeve presses against the collet. The collet responds thereto by flexing into contact with the translatable component, thus holding the translatable component in the second extended position. The slots in the collet allow for flexure even when using a thicker material with stronger column strength.