Kentucky Inventions Illustrated | October 20, 2015

This week's featured invention patented by Kentucky inventors is within CPC Section B: Operations & Transport.

Machine tool apparatus and method
US9162289     

Inventor(s): Yoshiya Katsu, Florence; Koichi Kawamura, Florence; Jimmie Couch, Burlington; Mark Hadley, Union

Assignee(s): Mazak Corporation, Florence

Abstract: A machine tool apparatus and method for exterior and interior cutting operations on a workpiece is provided. In one form, the machine tool apparatus has a common support assembly with a tailstock and a boring tool holder mounted thereto. The common support assembly has a common support carriage that is mounted to a machine base for travel along a longitudinal axis parallel to a central axis of the workpiece. The tailstock and boring tool holder are mounted to a mounting base portion for travel transverse to the workpiece central axis. In one form, a turret having external cutting tools is separate from the boring tool holder and mounted to the machine base for performing external cutting operations on the workpiece. This separate mounting allows the turret to machine the exterior of the workpiece while also permitting a longer boring tool to perform deep internal cutting operations on the workpiece.

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This week's featured invention patented by a Kentucky organization is within CPC Section F: Mechanical Engineering.

Gerotor device roller pocket geometry
US9163509     

Inventor(s): Hollis N. White, Jr., Hopkinsville

Assignee(s): WHITE DRIVE PRODUCTS, INC., Hopkinsville

Abstract: A gerotor device includes a rotor having outwardly extending teeth and a stator having inwardly extending teeth. The inwardly extending teeth are formed by rollers each of which is received in a respective roller pocket in the stator. Each roller pocket has a maximum pocket width measured perpendicular to a pocket centerline. Each roller pocket defines a roller bearing surface having a first side that follows a first radius and a second side on an opposite side of the centerline that follows a second radius. Each radius is greater than ½ the maximum pocket width. Each roller pocket has an edge pocket width between a first pocket edge where the pocket transitions to a generally cylindrical section in the stator and a second pocket edge on an opposite side of the centerline. The edge pocket width is less than the maximum pocket width.

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