US2467665A - Straightening and quenching apparatus with contracting dies and auxiliary loading platform - Google Patents

Description

I J. GOGAN 2,467,665 STRAIGHTENING AND QUENCHING APPARATUS WITH CONTRACTING DIES AND AUXILIARY LOADING PLATFORM Filed Jan. 51, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 19,1949.

i l Hj 1 IN VEN TOR.

JOSEPH GOG/4N HTTO/E/YEYS J. GOGAN 2,467,565 STRAIGHTENING AND QUENCH ING APPARATU$ WITH CONTRACTING DIESAND AUXILIARY April 19, 1949.

, LOADING PLATFORM 5 Sheets-Sheet I 2 Filed Jan. 51, 1945 ET JWEL 1 I ln i f rl JNVENTOR JUSEP/l 606,40

BY WM! 6% STRAIGHTENING AND QUENCHING APPARATUS WITH CONTRACTING DIES AND AUXILIARY LOADING PLATFORM Filed Jan. 51, 1945 5 Shets-Sheet 15 April 19, 1949. J, GOGAN 2,467,665

IN'VEN TOR.

f7 TTOIE/VEYJ Aprl] 19, 1949. J. GOGAN 2,467,665

- STRAIGHTENING AND QUENCHING APPARATUS WITH CONTRACTING DIES 'AND AUXILIARY LOADING PLATFORM Filed Jan. 51, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 5

INVEN TOR.

J-OSEPH GOGHN H T TOR/V515 Filed Jan. 51, 1945 GOGAN April 19, 1949. J.

STRAIGHTENING AND QUENGHING APPARATUS I WITH CONTRACTING DIES AND AUXILIARY LOADING PLATFORM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. .7'055PH Goen/v BY 1m Patented Apr. 19, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STRAIGHTENING AND QUENCHING APPARA- TUS WITH CONTRACTING DIES AND AUX- ILIARY LOADING PLATFORM 11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to apparatus for straightening and quenching workpieces, and aims to provide new and improved apparatus of this character which is adaptable to various workpieces but is especially suitable for performing these operations on circular workpieces of the type having a circumferential rim, such as wheels, gear wheels, ring gears and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved apparatus of this kind, in which novel means is employed for applying a truing or straightening force to a workpiece andfor also applying a quenching fluid to the workpiece while subjected to such force.

A further object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus of this kind for operating on circular workpieces of the type having a circumferential rim and wherein novel means is employed for applying a truing force substantially radially of the rim and substantially simultaneously applying a second truing or straightening force to the rim in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the rim.

Still another object is to provide improved apparatus of this character, having novel means by which the quenching fluid is applied to the workpiece either during or after the time that the latter is subjected to the straightening or truing force or forces, and novel means for the escape of steam or vapor during the quenching operation.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide novel means for facilitating the handling of the workpieces, for moving the same to and from a working position in the apparatus,

It is also an object of the present invention to provide novel apparatus of this character, in which a press having cooperating platens is located relative to a tank containing quenching liquid, such that the workpiece can be lowered into the liquid while being subjected to a straightening or truing force between said platens.

The invention can be further briefly summarized as consisting in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts, hereinafter described and particularly set out in the claims.

In the accompanying sheets of drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing straightening and quenching apparatus embodying the present invention.

Fig. 1a is a top plan view of the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the apparatus, taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial vertical sectional view, taken through the platens and die substantially as indicated on line 33 of Fig. 1, but with the platens nearing their fully closed position.

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional plan view, taken through the apparatus substantially as indicated by line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail elevational view, on a larger scale, of one of the radially movable segments of the die; and

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view, taken through one of the die segments substantially on line 6-45 of Figs. 4 and 5.

More detailed reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of the invention and show a straightening and quenching apparatus comprising, in general, an upright press ID in which a truing or straightening force or forces are applied to a workpiece ll while contained in a die l2. The apparatus also includes a tank It adapted to contain a quenching liquid or solution It, and a loading stand l5 for loading and unloading the die.

Although the apparatus is adaptable to various kinds of work, as indicated above, the workpiece l I shown in this instance is in the form of a metal gear wheel having a hub l6 provided with a central opening ll, and a circumferential rim [8 provided with external gear teeth l9 and such rim being connected with the hub by means of a web 20 having spaced openings 2! therein. In the hardening of workpieces of this kind, it is customary to subject the same to a quenching operation while the workpiece is in a heated condition. When the workpiece is heated, various stresses and strains occur therein, which frequently result in warping or distortion of the workpiece. Likewise, during the quenching operation other stresses and strains are developed in the workpiece, and it is frequently found that a workpiece which has been produced through extensive and costly manufacturing operations is in such a warped and out-of-round condition following the hardening and quenching steps that it is unsatisfactory for the purpose intended.

The present apparatus is intended for use in applying truing and/or straightening forces to such a heated workpiece, for accurately truing or straightening the same, and also for applying quenching liquid to the workpiece either durin the time the truing or straightening forces are being applied or subsequent to the application of 3 circumferential rim N3 of the workpiece, so as to shape and hold the same to a truly circular form. The apparatus also applies a second truing or straightening force to the workpiece, and this second force is applied around the edges of the circumferential rim i8 and in a direction substantially normal to the general plane of the rim. The radial truing force is preferably applied first, and the second or normally acting force is applied while the radial truing force is being maintained.

The further function of the present apparatus is to quench the workpiece in an eificient and satisfactory manner while the above mentioned forces are maintained on the work, so that when the workpiece has been quenched or cooled, it will be in a straight and truly circular condition. In other words, the present apparatus holds the workpiece in a straight and true condition while the quenching and cooling is taking place, so that the completed workpiece must necessarily have a desired straight and truly circular form. During the quenching step these straightening and truing forces are applied in a manner such that they follow up the shrinkage which takes place during the cooling of the workpiece and are maintained at their full pressure or effectiveness for the desired period of time.

The press I is supported in or adjacent the tank |3 so that the above mentioned quenching operation can be satisfactorily carried out, in a manner which will be described more in detail hereinafter. In this instance the press I0 is shown located in the tank I4 and supported on the bottom thereof, so as to extend above the surface of the quenching liquid M. The press |0 comprises a frame 23 and a pair of upper and lower cooperating platens 24 and 25, both of which are reciprocably movable in the frame. The movements of the upper platen are for opening and closing the die l2 but the movements of the lower platen occur only in lowering and lifting the work in the quenching tank IS. The frame 23 includes a base 26, and a head or crown 21 which is connected with the base and held in definitely spaced relation thereto by means of the columns or tie rods 28. In Fig. 1 the upper platen 24. is shown in its lifted or open position, and the lower platen 25 is also shown in its lifted or normal position. In Fig. 2 the lower platen 25 is again shown in its lifted or normal position, while the upper platen 24 is shown in its lowered or closed position.

For causing the desired actuation of the platens 24 and 25, the press is provided with a pair of double-acting pressure fluid cylinders 30, preferably hydraulic, which are mounted on the upper platen 24, and a pair of single-acting pressure fluid cylinders 3 l, also preferably hydraulic, which are mounted on the head or crown 2'! of the press. Liquid under pressure can be supplied to or exhausted from the ends of the double-acting cylinders 30 through the connections 32 and 33. Likewise, liquid can be supplied to or exhausted from the single-acting cylinders through the connections 34 at the lower ends of these cylinders. The cylinders 30 have reciprocable pistons 35 therein and these pistons are provided with piston rods 36, which extend from the upper ends of these cylinders and are connected with crossbars 31. The crossbars 3'! are connected with the lower platen 25 by pairs of spaced tie rods 38 in such a manner that the crossbars 31 are maintained in a fixed relation to the lower platen by means of tubular spacers 39 disposed around the tie rods.

Since the cylinders 30 are. directly. connected with the upper platen 24, and the pistons of these cylinders are connected with the lower platen 25 by a push-pull connection formed by the rods and spacers 38 and 39, it will be seen that when pressure fluid is admitted to the lower ends of the cylinders 30 through the connections 33, a relative closing movement will be obtained between the platens 24 and 25 and which, in this instance, occurs as a downward movement of the upper platen 24. On the other hand, when pressure fluid is admitted to the upper ends of the cylinders 30, a relative opening movement will take place between the platens 24 and 25 and which, in this instance, is accomplished as an upward movement of the upper platen 24.

The single-acting cylinders 3| have pistons 4| operable therein and provided with piston rods 42 which project from the upper ends of the cylinders and are connected with crossbars 43. The crossbars 43 are connected with the lower platen 25 by means of pairs of spaced rods .4 which extend through tubular spacers 45. The spacers 45 move with the lower platen 25 and their upper ends are engageable with the underside of the crown 21, so as to act as stops for limiting the upward movement of the lower platen. Liquid pressure is normally maintained in the lower ends of the cylinders 3 i, so that the pistons 4| of these cylinders normally tend to move upwardly and thus hold the lower platen 25 in its lifted or normal position, as determined by the spacers 45.

This lifted position of the lower platen corresponds with the loading position for the press |0, since this is the position or elevation of the lower platen at which the die l2 can be conveniently moved into or out of the press. When the liquid in the lower ends of the cylinders 3| is released or exhausted, the pistons 4| move downwardly in these cylinders, thereby lowering both platens 24 40 and 25 in the tank |3 for the quenching operation which is to be later described. The hydraulic pressure for actuating the cylinders 30 and 3|, in the manner above explained, can be obtained from any suitable source, such as a motor driven pumping unit 47 and a tank or reservoir 48 with which the unit 41 is associated, and which contains a quantity of oil or other liquid suitable for this purpose. It will be understood, of course, that the fluid being supplied to, or exhausted from, the cylinders 30 and 3| can be controlled by any suitable valve mechanism (not shown).

The die l2 comprises a plate or carrier 50 having a segmental annular die unit 5| thereon, and is adapted to be received on the lower platen 25 of the press ID. The die l2 also includes an actuating ring 59 for the segmental die unit 5| and a pressure member or drum 52, both of which are located in the upper platen 24. As is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the die unit 5| comprises an annular series of segments 53 carried by a corresponding number of holders or slides 54. The holders 54 are mounted on the carrier 53 for substantially radial movement by means of the heads 55 slid'ably engaging in the T-slots or guideways 56. The holders 54 are provided with pairs of actuating-rollers, which are adapted to be engaged by the tapered inner face 58 of the abovementioned actuating ring 59 of the upper platen 24. The die. segments 53 are adapted to be retracted or moved radially outwardly by means of rods 60 connected with the respective segments and having compression springs 6| thereon. The. annular series of die segments 53 define a die chamber or recess 62 in which the workpiece. is. adapted to be received. The bottom of the die chamber 62 is formed by the substantially flat surface 62a of the carrier 50, and when the workpiece is received in the chamber 62 in a horizontal position the lower edge of the rim I8 engages and rests upon the surface 62a, while the die segments 53 extend in surrounding relation to the rim of the workpiece.

When the workpiece l i has been placed in the die 12 and the latter has been moved into working position between the platens 24 and 25, the press is closed by actuation of the cylinders 30 to cause lowering of the platen 24. The downward movement of the platen 24 causes the actuating ring 59 thereof to engage the rollers 51 of the die segments 53, thereby forcing or wedging the latter substantially radially inwardly to apply a compressive force to the outer periphery of the rim 18 of the workpiece. The pressure applied by the die segments 53 acts as a truing or straightening force which shapes and holds the rim of the heated workpiece to a truly circular form.

As explained above, a second truing or straightening force is applied in an axial direction to the rim I8 of the workpiece While the radially acting force of the die segments 53 is being maintained. This second truing force is applied to theworkpiece by the pressure member or drum 52 of the upper platen, as will now be explained. The member 52 is mounted for limited sliding movement in the upper platen by means of the guide ring 63, and carries a ring-shaped die element as which is brought into engagement with the upper edge of the rim of the workpiece by the closing of the upper platen.

The straightening pressure or second truing force is applied to this upper edge of the rim of the workpiece by the action of a plurality of hydraulic cylinders 65, in this instance four, which are carried by the upper platen. The cylinders 65 are in a group located above, and spaced around, the member 52 and have piston rods 66 projecting from their lower ends. These cylinders are single-acting cylinders, having pistons 61 reciprocable therein and connected with the piston rods 66. The lower ends of the rods 66 engage in correspondingly spaced recesses or sockets B8 of the pressure member 52, so that when pressure fluid is admitted to the upper ends of the cylinders 65 through the connections 69, the pistons 61 will be shifted downwardly therein, causing the member 52 to apply a straightening force to the rim of the workpiece through the die element 54. Since this truing or straightening force is applied substantially uniformly around the rim of the workpiece and in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the rim, it acts to straighten the rim by removing or flattening out any wavy irregularities which may exist therein.

' The placing or loading of the workpiece II in the die l2 is preferably accomplished outside of the press In and on the loading stand l5. This loading stand comprises an upright structure ll, having a pair of laterally spaced flanged frame members or rails l2 at the top thereof, which form a runway on which the die carrier 50 can be supported and moved. As shown in Figs. 1, 1a, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the die carrier 50 has pairs of rollers 13 mounted on the outside thereof, and which operate on the top flanges of the frame members 12 for movably supporting the die on the runway.

- A second runway for the die I! is formed by a pair of flanged frame members or rails 14, which are mounted on the lower platen 25in laterally.

spaced relation corresponding with the spacing of the frame members 12 of the loading stand l5. When the lower platen 25 is in its upper position, as shown in Figs. l and 2, the runway formed by the frame members 14 is substantially aligned with the runway of the stand l5, so that the die l2 can be readily moved onto or off of the lower platen.

The shifting of the die l2 into and out of the press on the runways can be conveniently accomplished by means of cables 15 and 16 which are attached to opposite sides of the die and are adapted to be wound upon, or unwound from, the respective drums 11 and T8. The drum I1 is mounted on the tank l3 at a point remote from the loading stand l5, and is adapted to be rotated by means of a handle or crank 19. The drum 18 is located on the loading stand l5 at the remote side thereof, and is adapted to be rotated by means of a handle or crank 8i]. When the workpiece H has been placed in the die I2, it will be seen that by rotation of the drum 11 the die can be readily moved along the runways into the press it], and after the truing and quenching operations have been performed, the die can be readily transferred from the press back to the loading stand l5 by rotation of the drum 18.

To facilitate the loading of the workpiece H into the die I2 and the removal therefrom, the die carrier at is provided with a removable section 82 which forms a work-holder and is of a size and shape to seat in and close an opening 83 provided in the die carrier. The work-holder 82 is shaped at the top thereof to cooperate with and receive the hub portion 16 of the workpiece II for supporting the workpiece thereon. The workpiece can be lowered into the die l2 or lifted therefrom by means of a lifting device comprising a double acting fluid pressure cylinder 84 and an actuating rod 85 having a head 86 at its upper end which is engageable with the underside of the work-holder 82. The lower end of the rod extends into the cylinder 84 and is connected with the piston 81 thereof.

In the loading and unloading operations performed by the cylinder 84, the rod 85 moves through the opening 83 of the die carrier 50 and elevates the work-holder 82 above the segmental die unit 5|, so that the workpiece H can be conveniently placed upon or removed from the workholder. During the downward movement of the rod 85, the work-holder 82 is first seated in the opening 83, after which the head 86 of the rod moves away from the work-holder so that the die l2, with the workpiece ll therein, can be transferred from the loading stand l5 into the press ill, as previously explained.

As stated above, the die I2 is supported by the rollers '13 when the die is being moved into or out of the press 10. It is desirable, however, that-the die be supported directly on the lower platen 25 when the press is closed for the straightening and quenching operations, so that the thrust employed in these operations will not cause shearing of the rollers from the die carrier 50. To enable this to be done, the spaced frame members 12 are not supported directly on the lower platen 25 but are carried by a plurality of compression springs 89 (see Figs. 2 and 3). The lower platen is also provided with a relatively elevated table portion 90, which is located between the frame members 12 and which is engaged by the underside of the die carrier 50 to take the thrust of the straightening operation when. the press is closed.

enemas At the time that the die I2, withthe: workpiece I.I therein, is moved into or out of the press I=,, the frame members I2. are held slightly above the surface of the platen 25 by the springs 89. This results in the die I2 being supported with a. clearance space 9| between the bottom of the die carrier 50 and the surface of the. table portion 90 of the lower platen. This clearance space permits the die to be freely moved into and out of the press with the rollers I3. operating on the runway formed by the. spaced frame members. 12. The closing of the platens, however, carries the die I2 downwardly, thereby compressing the springs 89 and causing the die carrier to engage and rest upon the table portion 90. of the lower platen. During the straightening operation the thrust of the upper platen on the die iscarried by this table portion but upon opening of the press the springs 89 again lift the die from the table portion to restore the clearance space 9|.

In the apparatus above described the quench ing operation can becarried out in either of two ways. According to one quenching operation or method, the quenching fluid is forced or sprayed into the closed die while it is being supported by the platens at an elevation above the level ofthe liquid in the tank I3, so that the used quenching fiuid flowing from the die can drain into the tank. The other quenching operation or method consists in lowering the platens 24 and 25 in their closed condition in the tank I3, soas to cause the quenching liquid to flow into the closed die and contact the workpiece contained therein. These quenching operations will be described in detail in the following paragraphs.

For the purpose of carrying out these quench ing operations the upper platen 26 isprovided with a number of passages for distributing the liquid to the various portions of the workpiece. The passages include an annular passage or manifold 93 which extends around the guide member 63 and to which quenching liquid can be supplied through the pipes 94. The manifold 93 has a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced outlets through which the quenching liquid is directed across the tops of the die segments i, so that it will be applied to the external portions of the rim I8 of the workpiece. When the workpiece is a gear wheel, as shown in this instance, this quenching liquid flows down-wardly through the spaces between the teeth 5'9 anddrains or flows from the die through the openings 95. When the workpiece being quenched does not have external teeth on the rim thereof, suitable grooves can be provided in the workingfaces of the die segments 53 to accommodate the flow of the quenchingliquid.

In order to distribute the quenching liquid to other portions of the workpiece, the upper platen is provided with spaced openings 97, which extend downwardly toward a recess 52a located in the upper side of the pressure member 52. Pipes 80 extending through these openings deliver the quenching liquid into the recess 520,, from which it flows into the diechamber 62 at numerous points through the spaced openings 99. The liquid supplied through the openings 99 passes over the adjacent portions of the workpiece II, after which it flows downwardly through the openings 25 of the web of the workpiece and then drains out of the die chamber through the openings iihi. The drain openings 96 and I00 are disposed in spaced pairs and each such pair of openings leads into a downwardly and outwardly flaring delivery opening IOI, which. reglower platen for discharging the used liquid into the tank I3.

Quenching liquid is also brought into the die substantially on the axis of the hub I6 of the workpiece, and for this purpose a pipe I03 extends through the upper platen 24 and through ahol-low boss or sleeve I04 of the pressure member 52. The lower end of the pipe I03 telescopes. into a sleeve or pipe section I05 which is car ried by the work-holder 82. The sleeve, I05 is of a length to extend upwardly into the central opening H of the hub of the workpiece and is. of a diameter somewhat larger than the pipe. I03, so that an outlet I06 will be formed therebetween. When the quenching liquid is delivered into the die through the pipe I03, some of this liquid will be sprayed out through the annular space I06, so as to be applied to various portions of the hub of the workpiece. The remainder of this quenching liquid flows downwardly through the sleeve I05 into the transverse connecting passage I07 of the work-holder. The outer ends of the connecting passage I01 communicate with passages I08 formed in the. bottom portion 62a of the die carrier 50, and. which lead upwardly into the die chamber beneath the web of the workpiece. The quenching liquid which flows upwardly through the pas sages M28 is applied to various surface portions. of the underside of the workpiece, and then flows out of the die chamber through the drain passages I00.

Since the quenching liquid is applied to the workpiece while the latter is in a heated condition, there will be a considerable amount of steam or vapor generated in the die chamber. This steam or vapor is vented to the atmosphere so as to. prevent the formation of any harmful pressure condition in the closed die. For thisv purpose the openings 9i of the upper platen and the opening of the sleeve I04 of the pressure member 50. are made somewhat larger than the pipes 98 and I03 which extend therethrough, so as to leave vent passages H0 and III for the, escape of the vapor or steam from the die chamber.

The quenching liquid which is delivered to the die chamber. through the pipes 94, 98 and I03, as explained above, can be supplied to these pipes under pressure and in suitable volume from any available source through suitable flexible conduits or sleeve connections (not shown) which will permit the above described openingand closing movements of the upper platen 24.

When it is desirable to carry out the quenching operation in accordance with the second of the two methods previously mentioned above, the platens 2:2 and 25 are lowered in the tank I3 while in their closed position and with the die I2 therebetween, so that the liquid I4 containedin the tank will enter the closed. die and accomplish the quenching of the workpiece therein. The lowering of the platens and die in the tank I3 is accomplished by the discharge or release. of the pressure fluid from beneath the pistons, M of the cylinders 3I. During this second quenching method the pressure is maintained in the upper ends of the cylinders 3.0 so as to. retain the upper and lower platens in their closed condition.

When the platens are lowered in the tank IS the quenching, liquid flows upwardly, in the reverse direction to that described above for the first quenching: method, through the openings HH and the passages I into the die chamber 62 for contact with the various portions of the workpiece. As the die chamber fills with liquid, some of the liquid will flow through the connecting passages M8 to the passage I01 and then upwardly, through the sleeve I05, to the various portions of the hub of the workpiece. The rising level of the liquid in the die chamber will also cause some of the liquid to pass upwardly through the openings 2! of the web to reach the various surface portions on the upper side of the workpiece. Some of the quenching liquid will also How upwardly through the openings 96 so as to reach the external portions of the rim of the workpiece. When the quenching is carried out in this manner, it will be seen that the workpiece is, in effect, submerged in the body of liquid M contained in the tank l3 and such steam or vapor as is generated in the die chamber will be vented therefrom through the passages l0 and HI, in the same manner as explained above. Upon completion of this quenching operation, fluid pressure is again supplied to the lower end of the cylinder 3| to cause the platens and die to be lifted out of the body of liquid, whereupon the quenching liquid will drain freely from the die chamber through the passages 96 and H and the delivery openings IUI.

While I described two methods of carrying out the quenching operation, it should be understood that these can be carried out either as independent operations or as successive steps of a single quenching operation. It should also be understood that since the actuating ring 59 and the pressure member 52 are actuated by hydraulic pressure, the truin and straightening forces can be maintained on the workpiece at full effectiveness throughout the complete quenching operation because the die members will follow up any shrinkage which occurs in the workpiece during the cooling thereof.

From the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings it will now be readily understood that the present invention provides improved straightening and quenching apparatus by which these operations can be carried out in a rapid and satisfactory manner on wheels, gear wheels, ring gears and various other circular workpieces. It will be seen, moreover, that since the workpieces are subjected to straightening and truing forces which are maintained during the quenching and cooling operations, a straight and regular form for the hardened workpiece will be assured.

While I have illustrated and described my improved straightening and quenching apparatus in considerable detail, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be correspondingly limited but regard my invention as including all changes and modifications coming within the spirit of the invention, and the scope of the claims hereof.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, an upright frame having a pair of cooperating relatively movable upper and lower platens, means for causin relative opening and closing movements between said platens, a support adjacent said frame and having a laterally extending runway thereon, means on said lower platen forming a laterally extending runway adapted to be aligned substantially with the runway of said support when said platens are open, a die adapted to receive a workpiece and being movable from one of 'said'runways to the other for shifting the 10 die to and from a working position between said platens, said die having a removable bottom section, and lifting means in said support and adapted to cooperate with said removable section for lifting or lowering the latter with the workpiece thereon.

2. In apparatus of the character described, an upright frame having a pair of cooperating relatively movable upper and lower platens, means for causing relative opening and closing movements between said platens, a support adjacent said frame and having a laterally extending runway thereon comprising a pair of spaced rails, a second pair of spaced rails on said lower platen forming a laterally extending runway adapted to be aligned substantially with the runway of said support when said platens are open, a die adapted to receive a workpiece and having supporting rollers thereon adapted to roll on said runways for movement of the die from one runway to the other, and yieldable means interposed between the rails of said second pair and said lower platen and adapted to be flexed during the closing of the platens, said lower platen having a table portion between the spaced rails thereof for supporting engagement with said die upon flexing of said yieldable means.

3. In a machine for operating on circular gear wheels or like workpieces having a generally cylindrical circumferential rim, a frame, a pair of relatively movable cooperating platens on said frame, die means on one of said platens adapted to receive such a workpiece, said die means comprising a support adapted to be engaged by one edge of the rim of the workpiece and an annular series of substantially radially movable segments, means on the other platen for engaging and moving said segments in a direction to apply a radial force to said rim for truing the same to circular form, power means operably connected with said platens for causing relative closing movement therebetween and adapted to hold the platens closed for maintaining the radial truing force on said workpiece, a circular die member on said other platen and adapted to engage and apply straightening pressure to the other edge of said rim substantially continuously therearound and in an axial direction normal to the radial truing force and while said radial truing force is being maintained, and fluid pressure responsive power means mounted on said other platen and adapted to be energized while said platens are held closed by the first mentioned power means for actuating said circular die member in applying the axial straightening pressure to the workpiece.

4. In a machine for operating on circular gear wheels or like workpieces of the type having a circumferential rim, a frame, a platen assembly movable in said frame and comprising upper and lower platens which are also movable relative to each other, die means on one of said platens adapted to receive such a workpiece, said die means comprising a support adapted to be engaged by one edge of the rim of the workpiece and an annular series of substantially radially movable segments, means on the other platen for engaging and moving said segments in a direction to apply a radial force to said rim for truing the same to circular form, power means for causing relative closing movement between said platens and adapted to hold the same closed for maintaining the radial truing force, said power means being carried by one of the platens and comprising cooperating cylinder and piston members connectedwith the respective platens, a

circular die member slidable in said other platen and engageable with the other edge of said rim for applying straightening pressure thereto substantially continuously therearound and in an axial direction substantially normal to the radial truing force and while said radial truing force is being maintained, and a group of power cylinders carried by said other platen and having pistons movable therein and engageable with said circular die member for causing the latter to apply said axial pressure to the rim of the workpiece.

5. In a machine for operating on heated circular gear wheels or like workpieces of the type having a generally cylindrical circumferential rim, a frame, a pair of relatively movable platens on said frame, die means on one of said platens adapted to receive such a workpiece, said die means comprising a support adapted to be engaged by one edge of the rim of the workpiece and having numerous spaced openings therein and an annular series of substantially radially movable segments, a contacting ring on the other platen for engaging and moving said segments in a direction to apply a radial force to said rim for truing the same to circular form, power means for causing relative closing movement between said platens and adapted to hold the same closed for maintaining the radial truing force, a circular die member slidable on said other platen and adapted to engage and apply straightening pressure to the other edge of said rim substantially continuously therearound and in an axial direction substantially normal to the radial truing force while said radial truing force is being maintained, said circular die member havin a chamber therein with a bottom wall extending transversely above the workpiece and provided with numerous spaced openings, and other power means on said other platen adapted to act on said circular die member for causing the same to apply said axial pressure to said rim.

6. In a machine for operating on heated circular gear wheels or like workpieces of the type having a circumferential rim, a frame, a platen assembly comprising a pair of platens movable relative to said frame and to each other, die means on one of said platens adapted to receive such a workpiece, said die means comprising a support adapted to be engaged by one edge of the rim of the workpiece and an annular series of substantially radially movable segments, means on the other platen for engaging and moving said segments in a direction to apply ,a radial force to said rim for truing the same to circular form, power means for causing relative closing movement between said platens and adapted to hold the same closed for maintaining the radial truing force, said power means being carried by one of the platens and comprising cooperating cylinder and piston members connected with the respective platens, a drum member slidable in said other platen and .engageable with the other edge of said rim for applying straightening pressure thereto substantially continuously therearound and in an axial direction substantially normal to the radial truing force and while said radial truing force is being maintained, and other power means mounted on said other platen and adapted to act on said drum member for causing the latter to apply said axial pressure to the rim of the workpiece, said drum member having a recess therein on the upper side thereof and a bottom wall extending transversely above the 12 workpiece and provided with numerous spaced openings.

7. In a press of the character described, an upright frame having a base, a platen assembly movable in said frame and comprising a pair of upper and lower platens also movable relative to each other, die means carried by said platens and adapted to act on a heated workpiece for applyin truing pressure thereto, power means for causing relative opening and closing movement between the platens comprising cylinders connected with one of the platens and pistons operable in the cylinders and connected with the other platen, and other power means on said frame and having an operating connection with the lower platen for lowering and raising the platen assembly relative to said base while the platens are being maintained in their closed condition by the first-mentioned power means.

8. In a quenching press of the character described, an upright frame having a base, a platen assembly movable in said frame and comprising upper and lower platens which are also movable relative to each other, die means on the lower platen adapted to receive a heated circular workpiece of the type having a circumferential rim and comprising a support adapted to be engaged by one edge of the rim and an annular series of substantially radially movable segments engageable with the outer periphery of said rim, die means on the upper platen comprising an actuating rin engageable with said segments for moving the same in a direction to apply a radial force to said rim for truing the same to circular form, the die means of said upper platen also including a relatively movable circular die member engageable with the other edge of the rim of the workpiece for applying straightening pressure thereto substantially continuously therearound and in an axial direction substantially normal to the radial truing force being applied by said segments, power cylinders carried by the upper platen and having pistons operable therein and connected with the lower platen, said power cylinders and pistons being operable to open and close said platens and also to hold the platens in their closed condition while the platen assembly is being moved in said frame, and fluid pressure actuated means mounted on said frame and operably connected with the lower platen for rais- -ing and lowering the platen assembly relative to said base.

9. In a press of the character described, an upright frame having a base, a platen assembly movable in said frame and comprising upper and lower platens which are also movable relative to each other, die means on the lower platen adapted to receive a heated circular workpiece of the type having a circumferential rim and comprising a support adapted to be engaged by one edge of the rim and an annular series of substantially radially movable segments engageable with the outer periphery of said die means on the upper platen comprising an actuating ring engageable with said segments for moving th same in a direction to apply a radial force to said rim for truing the same to circular form, the die means of said upper platen also including a relatively movable circular die member engageable with the other edge of the rim of the workpiece for applying straightening pressure thereto substantially continuously therearound and in an axial direction substantially normal to the radial truing force being applied by said segments, po r cylinders carried by the up r platen and having pistons operable therein and connected with the lower platen, said power cylinders and pistons being operable to open and close said platens and. to also hold the platens in their closed condition while the platen assembly is being moved in said frame, a group of power cylinders mounted on said upper platen and having pistons movable therein and engageable with said circular die member for causing the latter to apply said axial pressure to the rim of the workpiece, and other power means mounted on said frame and having an operating connection with said lower platen for raising and lowering the platen assembly relative to said base.

10. In a press of the character described, an upright frame having spaced crown and base members, a platen assembly movable in said frame and comprising a pair of upper and lower platens which are also movable relative to each other, die means carried by said platens and adapted to act on a heated work-piece for applying truing pressure thereto, power means for causing relative opening and closing movement between the platens comprising cylinder means connected with one of the platens and piston means operable in the cylinder means and connected with the other platen, and other power means operable for lowering and raising the platen assembly relative to said base while the platens are being maintained in their closed condition by the first-mentioned power means, said other power means comprising fluid pressure cylinder means mounted on said crown member and having piston means operable therein and connected with said lower platen.

11. In a press of the character described, an upright frame having spaced crown and base members, a platen assembly movable in said frame and comprising a pair of upper and lower platens which are also movable relative to each other, die means carried by said platens and adapted to act on a heated workpiece for applying truing pressure thereto, power means for causing relative opening and closing movement between the platens comprising cylinder means connected with one of the platens and piston means operable in the cylinder means and connected with the other platen, other power means operable for lowering and raising the platen assembly relative to said base while the platens are being maintained in their closed condition by the first-mentioned power means, said other power means comprising fluid pressure cylinder means mounted on said crown member and having piston means operable therein and connected with said lower platen, and mechanical stop means efi'ective on said lower platen for limiting the raising of the platen assembly by said other power means.

JOSEPH GOGAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 45,103 Wells Nov, 15, 1864 507,431 Gray Oct. 24, 1893 874,448 Smith Dec. 24, 1907 1,214,949 Perry Feb. 6, 1917 1,327,443 Olson Jan. 6, 1920 1,444,258 Lothrop Feb. 6, 1923 1,556,847 Kranz Oct. 13, 1925 1,610,982 Theberath Dec. 14, 1926 1,772,576 Slade Aug. 12, 1930 1,823,557 Bowen Sept. 15, 1931 1,851,397 Matthews Mar. 29, 1932 1,904,986 Scott et al Apr. 18, 1933 1,948,480 Schicht Feb. 20, 1934 2,010,703 Slade et al Aug. 6, 1935 2,101,888 Ambrosius Dec. 14, 1937 2,241,344 Graham May 6, 1941 2,259,576 MacMillin Oct. 21, 1941 2,292,054 Cleveland Aug. 4, 1942 2,317,440 Cannon Apr. 27, 1943 2,333,344 Smith et a1 Nov. 2, 1943 2,350,884 Ernst June 6, 1944 2,378,044 Sorensen et al June 12, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 2,039 Great Britain 1903

Images