Quick-change bearing assembly that obviates the need to recenter replacement spindles

• Main Authors: HUGICK JAMES, BELPANNO SANDRO G, WOODAMS KURT
• Format: Patent
• Language: Chinese; English
• Published: 10.08.2011
• Subjects: BEARINGS; BLASTING; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; SHAFTS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

The present invention provides an improvement for use in a machine tool having a spindle ( 51 ) mounted in a body opening ( 30 ) for axial and rotative movement relative to a body ( 31 ). The improvement includes a bearing assembly ( 25 ) that permits spindles (S 1, S 2, S 3, . . . ) to be quickly exchanged while obviating the need to recenter a replacement spindle with respect to the opening after the original spindle has been initially center therein. The improved bearing assembly ( 25 ) broadly includes: a ferrous tubular sleeve ( 29 ) mounted in the body opening, the sleeve having an outer surface ( 40 ) arranged to face toward a portion ( 31 ) of the body that surrounds the opening and having an inner surface ( 36, 39 ) arranged to face toward a penetrant portion of the spindle; and a tubular bearing ( 46 ) arranged within the sleeve, the tubular bearing having an outer surface ( 51 ) arranged to face the sleeve inner surface and having an inner surface ( 50 ) arranged to face the spindle penetrant porti