Fluid-Actuated Thread Burnishing Wheels for Balanced Force Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional screw thread burnishing equipment is complex and difficult to use, particularly in supporting work pieces for downhole applications, often requiring intricate custom support structures and varying designs for different thread types and sizes, which complicates the process and increases fabrication and installation time.
Innovation Solution
A screw thread roller burnishing apparatus with diametrically opposed burnishing wheels mounted on a support structure that can be held by a lathe's tool post holder, using fluid pressure to move the wheels into engagement with the screw thread roots without exerting a net burnishing force, allowing for adjustable positioning and automatic adjustment during the burnishing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional burnishing equipment is used to burnish screw threads, then burnishing function is achieved, but device complexity and fabrication time increase due to requiring intricate custom support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The burnishing apparatus is designed to be universally applicable to different types and sizes of threaded work pieces through adjustable support structures and interchangeable burnishing elements, eliminating the need for custom-designed support structures for each specific application
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus divides the burnishing function into separate modular components including independent support structures, adjustable positioning mechanisms, and interchangeable burnishing elements, allowing each segment to be optimized independently and assembled in standard configurations
2Reliability
If conventional burnishing equipment is used, then burnishing is performed, but fabrication and installation time increase due to requiring custom designed support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized support structures and modular components can be assembled in standard configurations for different work piece types and sizes, eliminating the need for time-consuming custom fabrication and installation processes
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that can be quickly adapted to different burnishing applications through simple positioning and assembly operations, rather than requiring fixed custom-built structures
3Force
If work piece is chucked into lathe for burnishing, then burnishing force is applied, but net burnishing forces become undesirably large requiring additional support structure
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus employs diametrically opposed burnishing wheels that apply forces in opposite directions, creating counterbalancing effects that eliminate net burnishing forces on the work piece, thereby removing the need for additional support structures to counteract unwanted force imbalances
4Adaptability or versatility
If custom burnishing structures are required for different thread types and sizes, then specific burnishing needs are met, but device complexity and variety of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus achieves adaptability to different thread types and sizes through a single standardized platform with adjustable support structures, positioning mechanisms, and interchangeable burnishing elements, eliminating the need for multiple custom-designed structures
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses adjustable and reconfigurable components that can be dynamically positioned and configured to accommodate different thread geometries and dimensions, providing versatility without requiring separate fixed structures for each application
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies the burnishing process by eliminating the need for complex auxiliary support structures and allows for efficient burnishing of internal and external screw threads with varying sizes and types, reducing fabrication and installation time while maintaining high burnishing forces.
Implementation Method 1
Screw thread burnishing is typically employed to cold roll and plastically deform the root areas to substantially eliminate stress cracks
Implementation Method 2
using fluid pressure to move the wheels into engagement with the screw thread roots without exerting a net burnishing force
Data Source
AI summary
Internal and external screw thread burnishing assemblies are provided. In the internal screw thread burnishing assembly, diametrically opposed removable cartridges carrying burnishing wheels are received in cavities of a support structure axially movable into the space circumscribed by the internal screw thread. Fluid pressure is utilized to forcibly translate the cartridges radially outwardly to place their burnishing wheels into burnishing engagement with the internal screw thread, with a spring structure resiliently biasing the cartridges toward retracted orientations thereof within the support structure. In the external screw thread burnishing assembly, burnishing wheels are carried on the outer ends of pivotally supported arms which may be pivoted by fluid pressure to drive the burnishing wheels into burnishing engagement with diametrically opposite portions of the external screw thread, with a spring structure resiliently biasing the arms pivotally away from one another.